Middle Pleistocene (MIS 14) environmental conditions in the central Mediterranean derived from terrestrial molluscs and carbonate stable isotopes from Sulmona Basin (Italy)

Abstract

A paleosol from the Middle Pleistocene lacustrine-fluvial succession of Sulmona Basin, central Italy, was analysed for the land snail shell content, and the stable isotope composition of the shells and associated pedogenic carbonates. The paleosol – known as Fiorata Paleosol – is covered by a thick tephra layer dated to ca. 527ka allowing the pedogenetic horizons to be correlated to the marine isotope stage (MIS) 14-early MIS 13 interval. The terrestrial mollusc assemblage contained few individuals and was characterized by a low number of species which predominantly indicate open and dry habitats, thus suggesting that Fiorata Paleosol likely developed during glacial conditions of the MIS 14. The δ13C values of pedogenic carbonates and terrestrial shells indicate prevailing C3-type vegetation, probably marked by some degree of water stress. Calculation of the δ18O precipitation values, derived from pedogenic carbonates and shell δ18O values, indicate that the average temperature was 3–5°C lower than present day. This study highlights how paleosols, despite offering only snapshots of past climate and environments, provide valuable complementary information to paleoclimatic data obtained in the adjacent lacustrine intervals, specifically for the Sulmona successions.