Holocene variation in the Indian Summer Monsoon modulated by the tropical Indian Ocean sea-surface temperature mode

Abstract

The evolution of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) has been widely investigated owing to its significant climatic and socioeconomic influences. However, debates remain concerning the temporal variation during the Holocene and its driving mechanisms, particularly the potential contribution of sea-surface temperature (SST) in the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO). Here, we present a continuous sediment record covering the past 11.1 kyrs from the Beihai Wetland, southwestern China. The grain size, geochemical element composition and total organic carbon content (TOC) were analyzed and interpreted in terms of the sedimentary conditions, catchment erosion and regional climate variations. Higher detrital inputs and possibly high water levels were determined during the early to mid-Holocene period, suggesting strong catchment erosion under an intensified ISM. The maximum monsoon intensity appeared between 7.5 and 5.2 cal. kyr BP, which is broadly consistent with various ISM records. We propose that such mid-Holocene monsoon strengthening was primarily triggered by the TIO SST anomaly modes, i.e., the Indian Ocean Basin (IOB) mode and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) mode. Based on Holocene SST records from the TIO, a positive SST anomaly (positive IOB mode) and positive zonal SST anomaly gradient (positive IOD mode) may have occurred during the mid-Holocene, which jointly triggered intensification of the ISM. Our findings emphasize the significant contribution of the TIO in modulating the summer monsoon system. The abrupt increases in TOC content and median grain size indicate the formation of the current wetland system at approximately 5.2 cal. kyr BP following the decline in regional moisture as well as the retreat of the ISM. In addition, notable human impacts were determined during the last 800 years, as indicated by intensified catchment erosion in response to human-induced deforestation.