\u03b42Hn-alkane and \u03b418Osugar biomarker proxies from leaves and topsoils of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, and implications for paleoclimate reconstructions

Bruk Lemma,Bruno Glaser,Seifu Kebede,Sileshi Nemomissa,Michael Zech,Wolfgang Zech,Lucas Bittner

doi:10.1007/s10533-021-00773-z

Abstract

The hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf wax–derived n-alkane (δ2Hn-alkane) and oxygen isotopic composition of hemicellulose–derived sugar (δ18Osugar) biomarkers are valuable proxies for paleoclimate reconstructions. Here, we present a calibration study along the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia to evaluate how accurately and precisely the isotopic composition of precipitation is imprinted in these biomarkers. n-Alkanes and sugars were extracted from the leaf and topsoil samples and compound–specific δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar values were measured using a gas chromatograph–thermal conversion–isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC–TC–IRMS). The weighted mean δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar values range from − 186 to − 89‰ and from + 27 to + 46‰, respectively. Degradation and root inputs did not appear to alter the isotopic composition of the biomarkers in the soil samples analyzed. Yet, the δ2Hn-alkane values show a statistically significant species dependence and δ18Osugar yielded the same species–dependent trends. The reconstructed leaf water of Erica arborea and Erica trimera is 2H– and 18O–enriched by + 55 ± 5 and + 9 ± 1‰, respectively, compared to precipitation. By contrast, Festuca abyssinica reveals the most negative δ2Hn-alkane and least positive δ18Osugar values. This can be attributed to “signal–dampening” caused by basal grass leaf growth. The intermediate values for Alchemilla haumannii and Helichrysum splendidum can be likely explained with plant physiological differences or microclimatic conditions affecting relative humidity (RH) and thus RH–dependent leaf water isotope enrichment. While the actual RH values range from 69 to 82% (x̄ = 80 ± 3.4%), the reconstructed RH values based on a recently suggested coupled δ2Hn-alkane –δ18Osugar (paleo–) hygrometer approach yielded a mean of 78 ± 21%. Our findings corroborate (i) that vegetation changes, particularly in terms of grass versus non–grassy vegetation, need to be considered in paleoclimate studies based on δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar records and (ii) that the coupled δ2Hn-alkane –δ18Osugar (paleo–) hygrometer approach holds great potential for deriving additional paleoclimatic information compared to single isotope approaches.

Highlights

The compound–specific hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf wax–derived n-alkanes (d2Hn-alkane) and oxygen isotopic composition of hemicellulose– derived sugars (d18Osugar) serve as valuable proxies in–climate and –environmental studies (e.g. Zech et al 2013b, 2014a; Tuthorn et al 2015; Hepp et al 2017)
Our findings corroborate (i) that vegetation changes, in terms of grass versus non–grassy vegetation, need to be considered in paleoclimate studies based on d2Hnalkane and d18Osugar records and (ii) that the coupled d2Hn-alkane –d18Osugar hygrometer approach holds great potential for deriving additional paleoclimatic information compared to single isotope approaches
The topsoil (O–layer as well as Ah–horizon) samples in the Bale Mountains yielded a d2Hn-alkane values range between - 157 and - 113% ( ̄x = - 136%), which is in good agreement with findings from the highest Eastern African Mt

Summary

Introduction

The compound–specific hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf wax–derived n-alkanes (d2Hn-alkane) and oxygen isotopic composition of hemicellulose– derived sugars (d18Osugar) serve as valuable proxies in (paleo)–climate and –environmental studies (e.g. Zech et al 2013b, 2014a; Tuthorn et al 2015; Hepp et al 2017). Biogeochemistry (2021) 153:135–153 composition of d2Hn-alkane and d18Osugar from terrestrial vascular plants primarily reflects the isotopic composition of precipitation. The isotopic composition of d2Hprec and d18Oprec on the continents is mainly controlled by different site and climatic factors. The ‘temperature–effect’ describes that at lower/higher temperatures d2Hprec and d18Oprec values become more negative/positive at higher latitudes. In many tropical regions, the ‘amount–effect’ describes that low/high amounts of precipitation typically coincide with more positive/negative d2Hprec and d18Oprec values. That other factors than d2Hprec can exert strong control over d2Hn-alkane, preventing d2Hprec as well as e.g. paleoaltimetry reconstructions (Zech et al 2015; Coffinet et al 2017; Jaeschke et al 2018)

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