Biomarker and stable carbon isotope analyses of sedimentary organic matter from Lake Tswaing: evidence for deglacial wetness and early Holocene drought from South Africa

Comparing the organic matter (OM) composition of modern and past lake sediments contributes to the understanding of changes in lacustrine environments over time. We investigate modern plant and lake-water samples as well as modern and ancient sediment samples from the Tswaing Crater in South Africa using biomarker and stable carbon isotope analyses on bulk OM and specific biomarker compounds. The characteristic molecular markers for higher land plants (predominantly C3-type deciduous angiosperms) in Lake Tswaing are long-chain n-alkanes (n-C₂₇₋₃₃), n-alkanols (n-C₂₈₊₃₀), stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-amyrin, α-amyrin and lupeol. The C₁₇ n-alkane, tetrahymanol, gammaceran-3-one and C₂₉ sterols dominate the lipid fraction of autochthonously produced OM. By comparing stable carbon isotope analyses on bulk OM and the characteristic biomarkers, we follow the modern carbon cycle in the crater environment and find indications for methanotrophic activity in the lake from isotopically depleted moretene. A comparative study of core sediments reveals changes in the terrestrial (C3 versus C4) and aquatic bioproductivity and allows insights into the variability of the carbon cycle under the influence of changing climatic conditions for the time from the end of the last glacial (Termination I) to the late Holocene, ca. 14,000–2,000 calibrated years before present (years BP). The most pronounced changes occur in the aquatic realm after ca. 10,000 years BP when our results imply climate swings from more humid to more arid and after 7,500 years BP to gradually more humid conditions again, which can be related to a shift in the position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone or to changes in the tropical atmosphere–ocean interaction. Long-chain alkenones (LCAs) have been identified in ancient lake sediments from Africa for the first time. They occur in samples older than 7,500 years BP and their distribution (dominance of C₃₈ and of tri- over tetra-unsaturated LCAs) is distinctly different from other published records suggesting a to date unknown source organism.     

Lacustrine ostracodes as stable isotope recorders of late-glacial and Holocene environmental dynamics and climate

Oxygen- and carbon-isotopic signatures of benthic ostracodes from lake sediments from climate sensitive regions in the Alpine region, Central Europe, the north-central USA, the Chilean Altiplano and Patagonia, Argentina, are used to characterize lake system processes and to reconstruct climate patterns of the past 16,000 years. The case studies provide examples that highlight different aspects of the broad application of isotope stratigraphies, and provide keys for the interpretation of complex lacustrine records.The integration of stable-isotope stratigraphy, sedimentology, and ecological information from ostracode assemblages is a new tool that acquires climate information from the indirect views of climate series provided by lake sediments. This tool (1) identifies lake system characteristics, (2) confines which isotopic signatures are controlled by which processes in the lake system and/or in the catchment, and (3) defines which signatures are ultimately controlled by climate change. If sudden shifts in the isotopic composition occur concomitantly with changes between sedimentological units, then the isotopes reflect first of all changes in catchment hydrology that may be ultimately controlled by climate. Also, if ostracode ¹⁸O and ¹³C values show the same timing and direction of shifts, then this indicates a major change in the hydrological budget of the lake.The case studies presented here show that coupled isotopic signatures may be used to track hydrological changes related to meltwater and deglaciation, shifting rivers and ground water sources, and changes in precipitation mechanisms and patterns. Values of ¹⁸O from large lakes with short water residence time, low evaporation rates and homothermic bottom waters provide records of past temperatures of precipitation. The ¹³C values reflect changes in the ratio of C₃:C₄ plants in the catchment. They indicate shifts in modes of organic decay in the surface sediments that can be linked to a change in hydrodynamics within a lake. The ¹³C values also allow detection of the input of volcanically charged ground waters providing large quantities of ¹⁴C-free CO₂ that hinders accurate ¹⁴C chronology. General climate trends for the sites in the Americas indicate a dry mid-Holocene punctuated by moist spells, and show a general increase in moisture during the past approximately 4000 years, interrupted by recurring droughts. This hints at an interhemispheric connection and a common driving mechanism.Environmental isotopes from high-resolution lake sediments thus provide an ideal tool to identify and characterize the regional impact and magnitude of global climate change. This tool contributes to a better understanding of regional climate change and its driving mechanisms and thus provides the type of information needed to improve climate models. Environmental isotopes provide more information than just moisture balance and airmass history if they are integrated with the detailed sedimentological and ostracode ecological evidence, and understanding for the component system. Thus environmental isotopes serve to a better understanding of the climate signal archived in lake records and represent an essential contribution to Global Change research and Earth System Science.     

长江口潮滩有机质稳定碳同位素时空分布与来源分析

通过测定长江口潮滩悬浮颗粒有机质和表层沉积有机质在枯水季节 (2006年2月 )和洪水季节 (2006年8月 )的稳定碳同位素值,对有机质潜在来源及局部岸段改造作用进行了分析。结果显示,悬浮颗粒有机质稳定碳同位素值在2月明显低于8月,变化范围分别在-25.8‰~-23.4‰和-25.1‰~-22.9‰,主要是受径流量枯洪季变化和浮游生物生长季节变化两种因素的叠加作用。表层沉积有机质2月和8月的稳定碳同位素分别为-25.0‰~-20.4‰和-24.7‰~-19.5‰,季节变化不明显,主要来自悬浮颗粒物的沉降。除受大背景环境因素影响,局部环境对潮滩有机质也有一定的改造作用,污水、支流河水的输入对悬浮颗粒有机质碳同位素有一定的影响,埋藏的潮滩植物和底栖微藻则对沉积有机质有部分贡献。     

The effects of diagenesis on the trace element and stable isotope geochemistry of non-marine ostracod valves

The trace-element and stable-isotope geochemistry of non-marine ostracod valves is a valuable tool in palaeolimnology. However, the potential effects of early diagenesis on geochemical composition are poorly documented. In this study, the effect of partial dissolution on the trace-element (Sr and Mg) and isotopic (¹⁸O/¹⁶O and ¹³C/¹²C) composition of late Quaternary non-marine ostracod valves was investigated. Both unaltered and extremely degraded valves of the species Cypretta brevisaepta recovered from the same core level had trace-element and stable-isotope ratios that were drawn from the same statistical population, suggesting that the geochemical effects of early diagenesis are minimal. However, since the possibility remains that diagenesis could under certain circumstances alter valve chemistry, only valves in pristine condition should be used in palaeoenvironmental studies whenever feasible.     

Taphonomic and early diagenetic effects on the C and N stable isotope composition of cladoceran remains: implications for paleoecological studies

I addressed the effects of taphonomic and early diagenetic processes on the isotope composition of cladoceran remains, using both experimental and field approaches. An experiment was designed to mimic the conditions encountered by cladoceran remains when they settle through the water column and are buried in the sediment. Cladoceran exoskeletons were incubated for 4 months in oxic or anoxic water, and in sediment. Changes in their carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and isotope compositions were measured. Most changes in isotope composition of exoskeletons took place when they settled through the water column. Once buried in the sediment, however, the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of cladoceran exoskeletons did not undergo further change. Taphonomic processes resulted in an increase in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of the cladoceran remains and this was related to microbial degradation, which selectively removed isotopically light C and N compounds from the remains. For δ¹³C, changes were minimal (<1‰) and occured within the first 3 months. Taphonomic effects on δ¹⁵N were larger, from +2 to +5‰, and occurred within the first 2–3 weeks. These effects depended on incubation conditions and were greater in anoxic waters than under oxic conditions. Monthly changes in the isotope composition of sedimenting cladoceran exoskeletons were also recorded in the field using sediment traps, and were compared to the isotope composition of the living cladoceran community. The isotope composition of sedimenting remains displayed values consistent with those that might be expected, considering the effects of taphonomic processes observed in the experiment. Because C and N in cladoceran exoskeletons might involve a different isotope routing, the δ¹⁵N value of the remains provides an annual record of the value in the parent community, with a 1-month delay, while δ¹³C of remains essentially reflects that of the parent community during the period of lake thermal stratification. These findings provide insights into paleolimnological interpretation of isotopic changes in cladoceran remains from sediment cores.     

Sedimentary stable carbon isotope evidence of late Quaternary vegetation and climate change in highland Costa Rica

Continuous terrestrial records of paleoclimate and paleovegetation that extend to the late Pleistocene are rare for the circum-Caribbean uplands. In this study we analyzed the bulk and compound-specific carbon isotope composition of lake sediments spanning this period from Lago de las Morrenas 1 (LM1), a glacial lake in the highlands of southern Costa Rica, for evidence of climate and vegetation changes that may not have been apparent in previous analyses. The stable carbon isotope ratios of n-alkanes typically derived from terrestrial plants (δ¹³C_C27–C33) indicate an increased abundance of C₄ plant taxa during the late Pleistocene and earliest Holocene that may be related to decreased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, increased aridity, or habitat availability. These n-alkane isotope ratios also provide evidence of more arid conditions during the early and late Holocene, and more mesic conditions during the middle Holocene, a pattern prevalent in other paleoclimate records from the region that is thought to be related to millennial-scale dynamics of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The sensitivity of the LM1 paleorecord to trade wind dynamics provides further support for the role of millennial-scale shifts in ITCZ dynamics in driving neotropical environmental change, and indicates that the effects of ITCZ migration were not limited to the lowlands.     

A multiple stable isotope record of Late Quaternary limnological changes and chironomid paleoecology from northeastern Iceland

We present results from multiple stable isotope analyses (δ¹⁸O of chironomid larval head capsules, chironomid adult thoraxes and other insect remains and δD, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N of total organic matter—TOM) of a lake sediment core (04-SVID-03) taken from Stora Vidarvatn in northeastern Iceland to reconstruct past environmental, limnological and δ¹⁸O of past lake water changes during the Holocene. Core 04-SVID-03 represents a ∼12,000 cal. yrs BP to present record. Large magnitude changes in δ¹⁸O occurred during the Holocene at the site. Downcore shifts in δ¹⁸O of chironomids did not correlate with measurements of the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of chironomid head capsules, implying that the δ¹⁸O changes were not primarily driven by changes in chironomid diet during the Holocene. The δD of TOM provided a proxy of relative lake-water δD changes at the site and also showed large magnitude changes during the record. This approach was supported by analyses of a modern training set where δD_TOM analyses were conducted using surface sediments from a suite of freshwater lakes over a large latitudinal gradient. The magnitude of changes in both the δ¹⁸O and δD and the relatively negative δ¹⁸O values throughout much of the core suggest that the proxies represent more paleoenvironmental information than solely temperature. Additional possible influences on lake-water isotopic composition are discussed, including changes in the seasonality of precipitation, in the patterns of air masses supplying precipitation to Iceland and in the dominant mode of the North Atlantic Oscillation.     

稳定性同位素在干旱区生态水文过程中的应用特征及机理研究

本文重点阐述了稳定性同位素18O和D在生态-水文过程研究中的研究进展,主要包括植物水分来源与比例、土壤水分动态变化与植物根系吸水、干旱区水分转化与补给等方面的研究成果。并针对我国干旱区生态水文过程研究中的具体问题,指出在今后应加强利用稳定性同位素技术在荒漠植被不同水分来源识别、植物水-地下潜水-土壤水-大气降水的转化过程、干旱区降水对不同尺度范围土壤水分和地下潜水的转化补给、具有水力提升和逆水力提升功能植物识别等方面研究中的应用。     

印度河上游Bagrot山谷降水稳定同位素变化及与水汽来源的关系

利用2015年8月至2016年7月在印度河上游流域Bagrot山谷降水稳定同位素（δ18O和δD）观测结果以及当地气象资料,利用同位素示踪及统计分析方法,并结合HYSPLIT模型,对研究区降水稳定同位素变化特征、大气水线以及水汽来源进行了分析。结果表明,观测期间Bagrot山谷降水稳定同位素的季节变化明显,δ18O与δD秋冬季偏低,春夏季偏高,且与气温变化一致,存在显著的温度效应,而降水量效应不明显。而且发现,研究区局地大气水线截距和斜率均低于全球的,反映了降水过程中云下二次蒸发作用较为强烈,特别是,不同的降水形态导致该研究区局地大气水线的斜率和截距不同。当液态降水（降雨）发生时,由于在较为干旱的气候环境下,雨滴在降落的过程中受到二次蒸发相对较强,使得局地大气水线的斜率和截距偏低;而当固态降水（降雪）发生时,由于温度较低,受再循环水汽和二次蒸发的影响较小,导致局地大气水线的斜率和截距均偏高。Bagrot山谷及其周边地区,从南到北局地大气水线的斜率相差不大,而其截距总体上随着纬度升高而降低,可能与云下二次蒸发导致稳定同位素发生的不平衡分馏逐渐强烈有关。通过Bagrot山谷站点降水稳定同位素观测结果并结合HYSPLIT模型的后向追踪,研究还发现,研究区全年主要受西风环流以及局地环流的影响。但与研究区以北的临近站点（慕士塔格、和田等）相比有所不同,由于Bagrot山谷位置更靠南,其仍然偶尔受到来自南方的海洋性水汽影响。这一研究结果可能对该地区树轮稳定同位素记录的解译具有一定的指示意义。     

A protocol for preparing subfossil chironomid head capsules (Diptera: Chironomidae) for stable isotope analysis in paleoclimate reconstruction and considerations of contamination sources

Several techniques are available to examine the isotopic composition of historic lake waters, providing data that can subsequently be used to examine environmental changes. A recently-developed technique is the stable oxygen isotope analysis of subfossil chironomid (Diptera: Chironomidae) head capsules (mostly chitin) preserved in lake sediments. This technique involves a high Temperature Conversion Elemental Analyzer (TC/EA), which has been a relatively recent addition to the suite of online peripherals for analyzing the stable isotopic composition of organic samples. The highly precise and accurate ¹⁸O/¹⁶O and D/H measurements obtainable using the TC/EA with samples in the microgram range make this instrumentation suitable for studying geochemical and biological processes. Preparation of organic samples for isotopic analysis typically requires first weighing each sample into silver/tin capsules. These capsules can introduce oxygen and hydrogen contamination (a “blank effect”), which is especially problematic for analysis of small organic samples (e.g. less than 100 μg). Here we tested tin and silver capsules from two manufacturers and a range of sizes to assess contamination to small organic samples on the TC/EA. We also assessed how a method for cleaning silver capsules affected our analysis of commercial chitin. In general, capsules made of silver have less detectible oxygen than those made of tin, and capsules from the two manufacturers varied in their detectible oxygen. There was no detectable H contamination from silver capsules. In addition to our empirical findings, we present a model demonstrating the influence that contaminant oxygen can have on the δ¹⁸O of small organic samples. Sample mass becomes an important issue for such analyses. In light of our findings, we recommend a minimum sample mass ≥50 μg (approximately 120 whole chironomid head capsules) on a TC/EA-IRMS (Delta^plus XP system). Finally, we present a detailed protocol for preparing and transferring chironomid head capsules into silver capsules that minimizes the influence of contaminant oxygen. This protocol provides the paleo-community with another potential method for reconstructing paleoenvironments.     

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in surface sediments from lakes of western Ireland: implications for inferring past lake productivity and nitrogen loading

We used statistical analyses to determine which subset of 36 environmental variables best explained variations in surface sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from 50 lakes in western Ireland that span a human-impact gradient. The factors controlling lake sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N depended on whether organics in the lake sediment were mostly derived from the lake catchment (allochthonous) or from productivity within the lake (autochthonous). Lake sediments with a dominantly allochthonous organic source (high C:N ratio sediments) produced δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements similar to values from catchment vegetation. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements from lake sediments with a dominantly autochthonous organic source (low C:N ratio sediments) were influenced by fractionation in the lake and catchment leading up to assimilation of carbon and nitrogen by lacustrine biota. δ¹³C values from lake sediment samples in agricultural catchments were more negative than δ¹³C values from lake sediment samples in non-impacted, bogland catchments. Hypolimnetic oxygen concentrations and methane production had a greater influence on δ¹³C values than fractionation due to algal productivity. δ¹⁵N from lake sediment samples in agricultural catchments were more positive than δ¹⁵N in non-impacted bogland catchments. Lower δ¹⁵N values from non-impacted lake catchments reflected δ¹⁵N values of catchment vegetation, while higher δ¹⁵N values in agricultural catchments reflected the high δ¹⁵N values of cattle manure and inorganic fertilisers. The influence of changing nitrogen sources and lake/catchment fractionation processes were more important than early diagenesis for lake sediment δ¹⁵N values in this dataset. The results from this study suggest a possible influence of bound inorganic nitrogen on the bulk sediment δ¹⁵N values. We recommend using a suitable method to control for bound inorganic nitrogen in lake sediments, especially when working with clay-rich sediments. This study confirms the usefulness of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from bulk lake sediments, as long as we are mindful of the multiple factors that can influence these values. This study also highlights how stable isotope datasets from lake surface sediments can complement site-specific isotope source/process studies and help identify key processes controlling lake sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in a study area.     

Seasonal variation in stable oxygen and carbon isotope values recovered from modern lacustrine freshwater mollusks: paleoclimatological implications for sub-weekly temperature records

A fingernail clam (Sphaerium simile, Sphaeriidae) from Science Lake, a small watershed located in Allegany State Park, New York, USA and a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissenidae) from Keuka Lake, New York, the third largest Finger Lake of central New York, were selected to evaluate the applicability of using ¹⁸O_(CaCO3) and ¹³O_(CaCO3) values for sub-weekly climate records. Seasonal variation in ¹⁸O_(CaCO3) values was compared with predicted equilibrium values to test the hypothesis that lacustrine molluscs produce shell aragonite according to environmental variables. For the purpose of comparison, aragonite temperature-fractionation equations determined by Grossman& Ku (1986) and Patterson et al. (1993) were used. Sphaerium simile appears to produce ¹⁸O_(CaCO3) values predicted by Patterson et al. (1993), while Dreissena polymorpha produces ¹⁸O_(CaCO3) values in agreement with Grossman & Ku (1986). We attribute the difference to family-specific temperature-fractionation relationships. Because both types of mollusc record climate variables with a high degree of integrity, they should each serve as excellent paleoclimate proxies.The fingernail clam collected from a small watershed exhibits higher variation about the seasonal pattern than did the zebra mussel collected from a large watershed. This is attributed to the increased sensitivity of the small watershed to storm perturbation. Analysis of fossil molluscs from such watersheds might be useful in discerning paleo-storminess.     

南极中山站-Dome A断面表层雪稳定同位素空间分布及环境影响因素分析

中山站-Dome A断面是表层雪稳定同位素组成分析的理想区域,沿线进行δ18O、δD和d的空间分布及环境影响因素研究对反映东南极地区的气候变化和物质来源具有关键意义。因而,本文基于线性回归及相关性分析方法,详细探究了断面上多种环境因素与表层雪稳定同位素分布的空间关系。结果表明,温度和地理因素与同位素比值之间有显著相关关系,且海拔是地理因素中的主要影响因素,随海拔上升表层雪的δ18O呈线性下降趋势。另外,通过断面上δ-T斜率与南极其他断面对比,发现斜率可能具有冰盖近岸和内陆地区较低的区域性特征,而造成这一现象的原因是水汽源区的改变和低温条件下水汽过饱和时的同位素动力分馏。最后,d的空间分布在沿海区域和内陆区域也有不同,推测主控因素分别是水汽源区条件和温度。     

基于水化学和稳定同位素定量评价巴音河流域地表水与地下水转化关系

以分析青海巴音河流域地表水与地下水转化关系为目标,2016年8月,沿巴音河采集了23组地表水样、13组地下水样和9组泉水样,室内分析得到了其对应的主要水化学离子和氘氧稳定同位素数据,运用统计分析、Piper三线图、Gibbs图分析了流域水化学特征;以溶解性总固体（TDS）、氯离子（Cl^-）和氧同位素（δ¹⁸O）作为示踪剂,定性分析了巴音河沿程地表水与地下水的转化关系;基于质量平衡法,运用δ¹⁸O定量计算了巴音河沿程地表水和地下水之间的转化量。研究结果表明：TDS、Cl^-、δ¹⁸O可用于定性分析巴音河流域不同河段地表水与地下水之间的转化关系,定量评估其转换强度;巴音河流域地表水和地下水的水化学类型主要为HCO₃·Cl-Ca·Mg,地下水水化学类型更为多样,地表水受控于岩石风化作用,地下水与泉水受到岩石风化与蒸发作用的影响;地表水与地下水水力联系密切,沿巴音河流向,二者相互转化频繁,上游河段,地下水主要接受地表水渗漏和沿途侧向径流补给,补给比例分别为65.33%、34.67%,至黑石山水库上游,地表水接受上游地下水和溢出泉水的补给,补给比例分别为49.54%、50.46%;中游河段,地下水接受地表水和北部山区侧向径流补给,补给比例分别为65%、35%;下游河段,地表水接受地下水和泉水补给,补给比例分别为53.12%、46.88%。研究结果有助于建立流域水循环模式、揭示水资源形成机制,可以为巴音河流域水资源可持续开发利用和生态环境保护提供理论和技术支持。     

青海湖沙柳河流域土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成与土壤贮水量关系北大核心CSCD

氢氧稳定同位素技术和土壤贮水量是探究区域土壤水分特征的有效手段。基于青海湖沙柳河流域土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成(δ2H和δ^(18)O)和土壤贮水量数据,分析其在流域的空间分布特征,探讨土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成和土壤贮水量之间的相关性。结果表明:(1)沙柳河流域土壤水δ^(18)O值从西北向东南呈现富集—贫化—富集的趋势;土壤水d-excess值在流域南部最低,在流域东北部支流上游地区最高。(2)土壤贮水量在流域空间分布上表现为北高南低的趋势。(3)土壤水δ^(18)O值、d-excess值与土壤贮水量间存在分段线性关系。当0—30 cm各土层土壤贮水量≤30 mm时,各土层土壤贮水量与土壤水δ^(18)O值分别显著负相关、与d-excess值显著正相关。青海湖沙柳河流域自然地理环境和植被特征的空间差异导致其土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成和土壤贮水量表现出明显的空间变异性。温度变化对土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成与土壤贮水量之间的相关性影响是通过其对土壤蒸发作用的影响来实现的。     

表层雪中稳定同位素季节变化及其与水汽输送的关系——以天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川积累区为例

根据2002年9月至2005年12月在天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川积累区采集的表层雪样品,揭示了该区表层雪中δ<'18>O值的季节变化特征,讨论了水汽输送对降水中δ<'18>O值变化的影响.研究表明,天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川表层雪中δ<'18>O值季节变化显著,变幅可达12.59‰左右,其变化趋势和气温的变化趋势基本一致,...     

Identifying recent sources of organic matter enrichment and eutrophication trends at coastal sites using stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in sediment cores

We studied the potential for using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in sediment profiles to trace external nutrient sources and eutrophication at four coastal sites in the Baltic Sea. The sites are characterized by various present and past activities in their catchments, including residential development, sugar processing, agriculture and fish farming. Radiometrically dated sediment cores were analysed for nutrient isotope ratios, organic carbon and total nitrogen. Background information was collected from historical sources, literature and water monitoring data. Despite the multiple organic enrichment sources, it was possible to identify individual sources and processes in the sediment profiles using stable isotope analysis of bulk sediment. The largest changes in δ¹⁵N values were seen at sites receiving urban wastewaters. The site that received effluents from a sugar cane (C₄-plant) refinery in the past showed a clear effect on δ¹³C values compared to the site that received wastewater from a sugar beet (C₃-plant) factory. Fish farming produced detectable, albeit minor changes in the sediment profile. Slightly lower δ¹³C values reflected the influence of fish feed and fish metabolism, and higher δ¹⁵N values likely indicated the influence of increased sediment denitrification. The land-sea connection via river discharge was observable in the overall δ¹³C levels of the sediment cores. Our results suggest that temporal changes in sources of organic matter enrichment can be detected in well-dated coastal sediment cores using nutrient stable isotope analyses, even at sites subjected to multiple impacts. There is not, however, a simple relationship between sediment stable isotope profiles and the eutrophication history of our study sites.     

Comparison of radiocarbon and OSL dating methods for a Late Quaternary sediment core from Lake Ulaan,Mongolia

Both radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods were applied to test their suitability for establishing a chronology of arid-zone lacustrine sediments using a 5.88-m-long core drilled from Lake Ulaan, southern Mongolia. Although the radiocarbon and OSL ages agree in some samples, the radiocarbon ages are older than the corresponding OSL ages at the 550-cm depth horizon (late Pleistocene) and in the 100–300-cm interval (early to late Holocene). In the early to late Holocene, radiocarbon ages are consistently older than OSL ages by 4,100–5,800 years, and in the late Pleistocene by 2,700–3,000 years. Grain-size analysis of early to late Holocene sediments and one late Pleistocene sediment sample (550-cm depth) indicates that eolian processes were the dominant sediment-transport mechanism. Also, two late Pleistocene sediments samples (from 400- to 500-cm depths) are interpreted to have been deposited by both eolian and glaciofluvial processes. Accordingly, the radiocarbon ages that were older than the corresponding OSL ages during the Holocene seem to have been a consequence of the influx of ¹⁴C-deficient carbon delivered from adjacent soils and Paleozoic carbonate rocks by the westerly winds, a process that is also active today. In addition to the input of old reworked carbon by eolian processes, the late Pleistocene sediments were also influenced by old carbon delivered by deglacial meltwater. The results of this study suggest that when eolian sediment transport is suspected, especially in lakes of arid environments, the OSL dating method is superior to the radiocarbon dating method, as it eliminates a common ‘old-carbon’ error problem.     

A microwave digestion technique for the extraction of fossil diatoms from coastal lake and swamp sediments

This study provides an introduction to a microwave digestion technique for the extraction of fossil diatoms from sediments. The microwave technique is compared with the standard diatom extraction technique of Battarbee (Diatom analysis. In: Berglund B.E. (ed.), Handbook of Holocene Palaeoecology and Palaeohydrology. John Wiley and Sons) that uses a combination of dilute hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide and the advantages and disadvantages of their use are discussed. The results suggest that the microwave technique is fast, inexpensive and most importantly produces replicable fossil diatom assemblage data. Small samples sizes are used (0.3 g) for the microwave method thus lower quantities of chemicals are required (6 ml), which significantly decreases the cost of sample processing. Our results show that the microwave digestion technique is a viable alternative that will produce similar results within a shorter period of time.