Later Pleistocene/Holocene climate conditions of Qinghai–Xizhang Plateau (Tibet) based on carbon and oxygen stable isotopes of Zabuye Lake sediments

Abstract

We present a time series of carbon and oxygen stable isotope records of the last 30 000 14C years throughout the last glacial–postglacial cycle from western Qinghai–Xizhang (Tibet) Plateau. A 20-m core drilled in the south basin of Zabuye Salt Lake was analyzed for inorganic and organic carbon and total sulfur contents, δ13C and δ18O values of carbonates. Our results indicate that climatic changes have led to a drastic negative shift of stable isotope ratios at the transition between the Last Full Glacial and the postglacial phase during Later Pleistocene times (∼16.2 kyr BP), and a rapid positive shift at the transition from Pleistocene to Holocene (∼10.6 kyr BP). The first shift is marked by the drop of δ18Ocarb values of about 10‰ (from +2 to −8‰) and δ13Ccarb values of about 3‰ (from 5 to 2‰). The second shift which occurred at the transition from Pleistocene to Holocene was of similar magnitude but in the opposite direction. Isotope data, combined with total organic and inorganic carbon contents and the lithological composition of the core, suggest this lake was an alluvial pre-lake environment prior to ca. 28 14C kyr BP. During ca. 28–16.2 14C kyr BP, Zabuye Lake was likely a moderately deep lake with limited outflow. The cool and arid glacial climate led the lake level to drop drastically. Extended residence time overwhelmed the lower temperature and caused a steady increase of δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb values and total inorganic carbon content in the sediments. During ca. 16.2–10.6 14C kyr BP, this lake probably overflowed and received abundant recharge from melting glaciers when the deglaciation was in its full speed. A spike of markedly enhanced δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb is seen at ∼11.5 kyr BP, probably due to the isotopic effects left behind by the short but severe Younger Dryas (YD) event. After ca. 10.6 14C kyr BP, Zabuye Lake probably closed its surface outflow, due to strong desiccation and drastic climate warming. The Early and Middle Holocene were characterized by unstable climatic conditions with alternating warmer/cooler episodes as indicated by the severe fluctuations of total organic carbon, δ13C and δ18O values. A hypersaline salt lake environment was finally formed at Zabuye after ∼5 14C kyr BP when the mirabilite and halite concentrations steadily increased and became the dominant minerals in the sediments. Severe imbalance of inflow/outflow resulted in the drastic increase of total sulfur, δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb values and dominance of halite in the lake since ca. 3.8 kyr BP to present.