Abstract
Paleoclimatic reconstructions on the arid/semi-arid northern Tibetan Plateau are important for understanding the complex interactions between the mid-latitude westerly and subtropical Asian monsoon circulations. The development of paleoclimatic reconstructions largely relies on the invention and application of proper quantitative/semi-quantitative temperature and salinity proxies. Over the last few decades, alkenones have shown great potential as indicators of the past temperatures and salinities of lakes on the northern Tibetan Plateau. Several alkenone-based temperature and salinity records have confirmed centennial warm-dry and cold-wet variations during the Holocene on the northern Tibetan Plateau. Herein, we present alkenone-based records from Lake Tuosu in the Qaidam Basin over the last ∼1200 years. The alkenone signals show similar characteristics to published alkenone records in the nearby region during centennial warm periods (the Medieval Warm Period and Current Warm Period). However, the alkenones from Lake Tuosu demonstrate abnormally warm and saline signals during centennial cold periods (mainly during the Little Ice Age), in contrast to the widely recognized cold-wet conditions in the Qaidam Basin. Accordingly, the alkenone records from Lake Tuosu provide an exceptional case for the application of alkenones. The abnormally warm and saline alkenone signals from Lake Tuosu during centennial cold periods cannot be explained by either the presence of the C37:3 alkenone isomer or seasonal bias in alkenone production. Changes in species composition might be an alternative reason for this, which requires a further investigation of the sources of alkenones in lakes in the future.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.