Centennial‐scale compound‐specific hydrogen isotope record of Pleistocene–Holocene climate transition from southern New England

Juzhi Hou,W Wyatt Oswald,Yongsong Huang,David R Foster,Bryan Shuman

doi:10.1029/2007gl030303

Juzhi Hou, W Wyatt Oswald + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1029/2007gl030303

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Abstract

Northeastern North America experienced major climate shifts during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. However, there have been no high‐resolution isotopic records of climate change from this region. Here, we present a centennial‐scale record of climate change during the transition based on D/H ratios of behenic acid (C22n‐acid) or δDBA from a sediment core in Blood Pond, Massachusetts. Surface calibrations from a transect of 19 lakes in eastern North America show that δDBA values track mean annual atmospheric temperature variations. The abrupt climate events observed in Blood Pond records show remarkable similarity with Greenland ice core δ18O records during the Pleistocene. During the early Holocene, the northeastern North America δDBA record was more variable than Greenland, possibly due to the close proximity of the Laurentide ice sheet, and impact of freshwater outbursts as the ice sheet rapidly retreated.

Highlights

[1] Northeastern North America experienced major climate shifts during the Pleistocene – Holocene transition
This is true for the northeastern North America where the driving forces for climate were complex, comprising a combination of changes in North Atlantic sea surface temperature, Laurentide ice sheet (LIS) extent, atmospheric composition, and insolation [e.g., Webb et al, 1993]
The objectives of this study are: (1) to establish a transfer function between dDBA and surface air temperature; (2) to quantify the temperature variations of the abrupt climate events during the Pleistocene – Holocene transition; and (3) to integrate with other isotopic records and pollen data to probe the mechanisms of abrupt climate events in northeastern North America

Summary

Introduction

[2] The Pleistocene –Holocene transition is characterized by abrupt climatic fluctuations around North Atlantic Ocean [e.g., Stuiver et al, 1995; Hughen et al, 1996]. The spatial variations in the timing, amplitude, and phasing of the abrupt events are less understood on the adjacent continents This is true for the northeastern North America where the driving forces for climate were complex, comprising a combination of changes in North Atlantic sea surface temperature, Laurentide ice sheet (LIS) extent, atmospheric composition, and insolation [e.g., Webb et al, 1993]. The objectives of this study are: (1) to establish a transfer function between dDBA and surface air temperature; (2) to quantify the temperature variations of the abrupt climate events during the Pleistocene – Holocene transition; and (3) to integrate with other isotopic records and pollen data to probe the mechanisms of abrupt climate events in northeastern North America

Samples and Methods

Results and Discussions

Conclusions