Paleoclimatological records of the Great Ghost Lake in Taiwan

Distinctive white laminations appear in the black sediments of the Great Ghost Lake in Taiwan. Compared with the black sediments, these white laminations have lower porosity, organic matter content and C/N ratio, but higher C/S and N/S ratios, and with organic matter characterized by the phytoplanktons. It suggests that they may be deposited in cooler and drier periods. The organic matter of the black sediments was mainly from land plants, suggesting deposition under warmer and wetter climates. Major white laminations appear in 0 AD, 500 AD, 700 AD, 900 AD, 1 350 AD, 1 500 AD, etc., and correspond to the periods of cold/dry and frequent dust storms from the historical and natural records of China or Peru. These seem to reflect large-scale climatic changes.