Marine Isotope Stratigraphy Research Articles

A comment about "A sedimentary record from the Makarov Basin, Arctic Ocean, reveals changing middle to Late Pleistocene glaciation patterns" (Quat. Sci. Rev., 270 (2021), p. 107176) from W. Xiao, L. Polyak, R. Wang, C. Not, L. Dong, Y. Liu, T. Ma, T. Zhang

Xiao et al. (2021) propose a climatostratigraphy of the Arctic Ocean built from a Mn-based cyclostratigraphy of deep sediments tuned to stack marine isotope stratigraphy that was proposed by Jakobsson and others in 2000. This cyclostratigraphy led to infer relatively high sedimentation rates in the central Arctic Ocean during the last glacial/interglacial cycles. It however required a reinterpretation of the magnetostratigraphy by inferring long-duration reversals during the Brunhes epoch. It also bypassed chronological constraints from U-series isotopes data. More recent papers based notably on the decay of U-series isotopes in sedimentary sequences, invalidate the chronology of the Mn-based cyclostratigraphy but confirm earlier works. This revised chronostratigraphy, in accordance with that of pre-2000 papers, points to much lower sedimentation rate estimates. It leads to drastically distinct climatostratigraphic inferences, as illustrated in the present comment from a tentative re-interpretation of the Xiao et al.’s data.

Early–Middle Pleistocene Magnetostratigraphic and Rock Magnetic Records of the Dolynske Section (Lower Danube, Ukraine) and Their Application to the Correlation of Loess–Palaeosol Sequences in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

We present new palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic results with a stratigraphic interpretation of the late Early–Middle Pleistocene deposits exposed on the left bank of the River Danube at Dolynske, southern Ukraine. A thick succession of water-lain facies is succeeded by reddish-brown clayey soils, topped by a high-resolution loess–palaeosol sequence. These constitute one of the most complete recently discovered palaeoclimate archives in the Lower Danube Basin. The suggested stratigraphy is based on the position of the Matuyama–Brunhes boundary, rock magnetic, palaeopedological and sedimentological proxies, and it is confidently correlated with other loess records in the region (Roksolany and Kurortne), as well as with the marine isotope stratigraphy. The magnetic susceptibility records and palaeosol characteristics at Dolynske show an outstanding pattern that is transitional between eastern and south-eastern European loess records. Our data confirm that the well-developed S4 soil unit in Ukraine, and S5 units in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia, correlate with the warm MIS 11. Furthermore, we suggest the correlation of rubified S6 palaeosols in Romania and Bulgaria and the V-S7–V-S8 double palaeosol in Serbia with S6 in Ukraine, a strong Mediterranean-type palaeosol which corresponds to MIS 15. Our new results do not support the hypothesis of a large magnetic lock-in depth like that previously interpreted for the Danube loess, and they prove that the Matuyama–Brunhes boundary is located within the palaeosol unit corresponding to MIS 19. The proposed stratigraphic correlation scheme may serve as a potential basis for further regional and global Pleistocene climatic reconstructions.

Palynology of the Last Interglacial Complex at Lake Ohrid: palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic inferences

In this article, we present new, high-resolution, pollen results obtained from the DEEP site sequence recovered from Lake Ohrid (Albania/FYROM) for the Last Interglacial Complex (LIC), corresponding to Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS 5) of the marine isotope stratigraphy. LIC covers the period between 130 and 70 ka and includes the Eemian (Last Interglacial, LI) and the succession of stadial and interstadial phases of the Early Last Glacial.During the LIC, the pollen record shows an alternation of periods characterized by forest and open vegetation, clearly resembling the well-known vegetational succession of other European records. Our results reveal three key phases for the LI: a first period (128-125 ka) with a rapid increase in temperature and precipitation, a central phase (125–118.5 ka) characterized by a slight cooling, and a late phase (118.5–112 ka), with a decline both in temperatures and precipitation. Besides the LI, we identify four more forested periods dominated by mesophilous trees and intercalated by colder and drier steppe phases, during which, however, most arboreal taxa never disappear.During the Early Last Glacial we also identify several abrupt events that can be correlated to the succession of cold events recorded in the Greenland ice core records, associated to a weakening of the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.The new high-resolution record indicates that Lake Ohrid is an important site to understand the response of vegetation to fluctuations in regional moisture availability and temperature changes, and thus provides new evidence for the connection between the Mediterranean Region and Northern Hemisphere climate oscillations.

Pollen-based paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic change at Lake Ohrid (south-eastern Europe) during the past 500 ka

Abstract. Lake Ohrid is located at the border between FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) and Albania and formed during the latest phases of Alpine orogenesis. It is the deepest, the largest and the oldest tectonic lake in Europe. To better understand the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental evolution of Lake Ohrid, deep drilling was carried out in 2013 within the framework of the Scientific Collaboration on Past Speciation Conditions (SCOPSCO) project that was funded by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). Preliminary results indicate that lacustrine sedimentation of Lake Ohrid started between 1.2 and 1.9 Ma ago. Here we present new pollen data (selected percentage and concentration taxa/groups) of the uppermost ∼ 200 m of the 569 m long DEEP core drilled in the depocentre of Lake Ohrid. The study is the fruit of a cooperative work carried out in several European palynological laboratories. The age model of this part of the core is based on 10 tephra layers and on tuning of biogeochemical proxy data to orbital parameters. According to the age model, the studied sequence covers the last ∼ 500 000 years at a millennial-scale resolution ( ∼ 1.6 ka) and records the major vegetation and climate changes that occurred during the last 12 (13 only pro parte) marine isotope stages (MIS). Our results indicate that there is a general good correspondence between forested/non-forested periods and glacial–interglacial cycles of the marine isotope stratigraphy. The record shows a progressive change from cooler and wetter to warmer and drier interglacial conditions. This shift in temperature and moisture availability is visible also in vegetation during glacial periods. The period corresponding to MIS11 (pollen assemblage zone OD-10, 428–368 ka BP) is dominated by montane trees such as conifers. Mesophilous elements such as deciduous and semi-deciduous oaks dominate forest periods of MIS5 (PASZ OD-3, 129–70 ka BP) and MIS1 (PASZ OD-1, 14 ka BP to present). Moreover, MIS7 (PASZ OD-6, 245–190 ka) shows a very high interglacial variability, with alternating expansions of montane and mesophilous arboreal taxa. Grasslands (open vegetation formations requiring relatively humid conditions) characterize the earlier glacial phases of MIS12 (PASZ OD-12, 488–459 ka), MIS10 (corresponding to the central part of PASZ OD-10, 428–366 ka) and MIS8 (PASZ OD-7, 288–245 ka). Steppes (open vegetation formations typical of dry environments) prevail during MIS6 (OD-5 and OD-4, 190–129 ka) and during MIS4-2 (PASZ OD-2, 70–14 ka). Our palynological results support the notion that Lake Ohrid has been a refugium area for both temperate and montane trees during glacials. Closer comparisons with other long southern European and Near Eastern pollen records will be achieved through ongoing high-resolution studies.

Dating of a Last Glacial loess sequence by relative geomagnetic palaeointensity: A case study from the Middle Danube Basin (Süttő, Hungary)

A thorough rock- and palaeomagnetic investigation of an almost 13-m-thick Upper Pleistocene loess–palaeosol sequence (LPSS) outcropping near the village of Süttő in northern Hungary was conducted to obtain rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic-based chronostratigraphies. The results of our rock magnetic investigations indicate that the classical “Chinese” model of magnetic enhancement, showing increasing concentration-dependent rock magnetic parameters in the course of pedogenesis, is also valid for the northern Carpathian Basin. We constructed a relative geomagnetic palaeointensity (RPI) record for the central part of the section by using the natural remanent magnetisation (NRM) after demagnetisation in alternating fields of 15 mT and by employing anhysteretic remanent magnetisation (ARM), low-field susceptibility (Klf) and “saturation” remanent magnetisation (“S”IRM) as normalisers. The three obtained RPI data sets show almost identical trends and are therefore regarded as reliable recorders of the palaeointensity of the Earth's magnetic field. The obtained RPI record allows for indirect dating of the LPSS at Süttő by correlation with the GLOPIS and the PISO stack. The derived age model is in agreement with the OSL-based chronostratigraphy, but contradicts the chronology based on the correlation between the susceptibility record and marine isotope stratigraphy (MIS), which gives rise to the hypothesis of a possible decoupling of the palaeoclimate in the Carpathian Basin and the marine realm during early MIS 3.

A 1.2 Ma record of glaciation and fluvial discharge from the West European Atlantic margin

The correlation of continental sedimentary records with the marine isotope stratigraphy is a challenge of central importance in Quaternary stratigraphy, particularly in Western Europe where long records of glaciation on land areas are particularly rare. Here we demonstrate for the first time the interrelationship of events during the last 1.2 Ma in an ocean-sediment core from the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic), SW of the Channel. The identification of discharge variations from tributary river systems to the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver during glacio-eustatic sea-level lowstands demonstrates the correlation of the marine sediment stratigraphy to the expansion and recession of the European ice-sheets. The amplitude and chronology of European ice-sheet oscillations since the late Early Pleistocene is discussed and our results demonstrate that the first coalescence of the Fennoscandian and British ice-sheets in the North Sea basin ca 450 ka ago caused a profound change in lowstand European drainage alignment. This change caused a rerouting of Fennoscandian and eastern British ice-sheets-derived meltwaters from northwards into the Nordic Seas to southwards into the eastern North Atlantic thereafter. Besides allowing a thorough synchronisation of the European ice-sheet palaeogeography with the well-dated records of palaeoceanographical changes, our results improve the stratigraphy of the English Channel palaeovalleys and will provide important constraints on paleoclimatic scenarios considering the impact that such rerouting and meltwater surges might have on the stability of the oceanic conveyor belt.

Age calibration of dinoflagellate cyst and acritarch events in the Pliocene–Pleistocene of the eastern North Atlantic (DSDP Hole 610A)

An independently calibrated record of dinoflagellate cyst and acritarch events is presented for the Early Pliocene through Middle Pleistocene (ca. 4.0–0.5 Ma) of eastern North Atlantic Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Hole 610A. A new age model is established for this hole and tied to marine isotope stratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy back to 3.6 Ma. New data on the range of the calcareous nannofossil Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus indicate that the base of this hole is about 1.0 Myr younger than previously thought. A diverse dinoflagellate cyst and acritarch record allows the significant highest and/or lowest occurrences of 19 dinoflagellate cyst and seven acritarch taxa to be recognised in Hole 610A and calibrated to the latest astronomically-tuned Neogene time scale (ATNTS 2004) via our new age model. Comparing records across the North Atlantic and Mediterranean reveals near-synchronous highest occurrences of the dinoflagellate cysts Ataxiodinium confusum (2.63–2.65 Ma), Invertocysta lacrymosa (2.72–2.74 Ma in the eastern and central North Atlantic and Mediterranean) and Impagidinium solidum (ca. 3.15–3.17 Ma), and the acritarch Leiosphaeridia rockhallensis (ca. 3.83–3.88 Ma). Highest occurrences of the dinoflagellate cyst Batiacasphaera minuta/micropapillata (3.83–ca. 3.7 Ma) and acritarch Cymatiosphaera latisepta (2.49–2.63 Ma) also provide useful markers for correlation. A precise stratigraphy for Hole 610A allows us to evaluate the impact of paleoceanographic and climatic events on the dinoflagellate cyst record. Climatic and oceanographic reorganizations associated with the onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciation appear responsible for the disappearance of many species between 2.8 and 2.6 Ma. The lowest occurrence of Impagidinium cantabrigiense (1.86 Ma) in the Olduvai Subchron is one of the few good biostratigraphic markers for the uppermost Gelasian in Hole 610A.

Critical Quaternary stratigraphy

This paper was presented as the Presidential Address to the XVI INQUA Congress held at Reno, Nevada, USA, on Thursday 24th July at 16:30 h. It was subsequently modified with the intention of being published, but was never fully completed. Despite the unfinished nature of the manuscript, we feel that the clarity and force of the ideas it contains make it essential reading for all Quaternary scientists. We have, therefore, decided to publish it as the Endpiece of this Special Issue of Quaternary Science Reviews dedicated to Nick Shackleton. We are grateful to the executors of his will for giving us permission to publish it. The views outlined in this work reflect his thoughts on the subject of Quaternary stratigraphy after many years of engagement with all kinds of Quaternary and Tertiary stratigraphic practitioners. He sets-out clearly his views on issues such as the role and reality of stratigraphic boundaries and how the subject has changed. He also underlines the value of the marine isotope stratigraphy, but also its limitations on centennial timescales. The final paragraph draws attention to some of the tensions that have surrounded this subject, and highlights the difficulties, but necessity of integrating the marine and terrestrial records as part of the global Earth system. Nick also draws attention to the importance of Quaternary stratigraphy for society at large, as a template for future climate change. At a more trivial level, this paper also spells out the view that the isotopic stages should be known as Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) rather than oxygen isotope stages, which could be derived from other archives such as ice-cores. It was following an email discussion with Nick on this matter that JR, as Editor in Chief of QSR preferred to use MIS rather than OIS in articles published in Quaternary Science Reviews.

A terrestrial record of Last Interglacial climate preserved by voluminous debris avalanche inundation in Taranaki, New Zealand

AbstractAt Airedale Reef, western North Island, New Zealand, a ca. 4 m thick volcanogenic debris avalanche deposit has facilitated the preservation of an enveloping sequence of peats with interbedded andesitic tephras spanning marine isotope (MIS) 5. The sequence closely overlies a wave‐cut terrace correlated to MIS 5e and, in turn, is overlain by andic beds with tephra interbeds including the Rotoehu and Kawakawa tephras deposited during early MIS 3 and mid‐MIS 2, respectively. Pollen analysis of the organic sequence shows a coherent pattern of fluctuating climate for the Last Interglacial–Last Glacial transition that corresponds with marine isotope stratigraphy and supports the contention that orbital variations were a primary factor in late Quaternary southern mid‐latitude climate change. A five‐stage subdivision of MIS 5 is clearly recognised, with marine isotope substage (MISS) 5b drier than MISS 5d, and the cooling transition from 5a to MIS 4 also may have been comparatively dry and characterised by natural fire, perhaps associated with volcanism. Several other examples of volcanic impact on vegetation and the landscape are evident. The Airedale Reef sequence exhibits strong similarities with fragmentary MIS 5 pollen records preserved elsewhere in New Zealand and enables the proxy record of southern mid‐latitude climatic variability during the Last Interglacial–Glacial cycle to be extended. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Climatic reconstruction during the Middle Pleistocene: A pollen record from Vallo di Diano (Southern Italy)

A long lacustrine sequence drilled in the Vallo di Diano paleolake (Southern Italy) has yielded a continuous pollen record. 40Ar/ 39Ar dating at the base of the sequence and pollen data allow a precise chronology to be proposed. Moreover, oxygen isotope data (δ 18O) established for the lacustrine succession are correlated with the marine isotope stratigraphy. The pollen record covers the period between ca. 650 kyr BP and ca. 450 kyr BP, the deposit is considered as continuous and spans the isotope stages 16 to 13. A quantitative pollen study allowed to reconstruct the palaeoclimates and to correlate the vegetational changes with two glacial-interglacial cycles of the Middle Pleistocene. Four climatic variables have been inferred: the annual precipitation, the annual temperature, the January temperature, and the July temperature. The method used to reconstruct past climates from pollen data is the “Best Modern Analogue” method. The two cold and arid intervals characterised by open vegetation are related to isotopic stages 16 and 14. The alternating warm and humid intervals characterised by a well developed forest correspond to isotopic stages 15 and 13. The climatic data correlate well with the variations of the sea surface temperature recorded in the Atlantic Ocean at about the same latitudes. The results obtained from the Vallo di Diano pollen record represent one of the most detailed climatic reconstructions in southern Italy and give a contribution to the continent-ocean correlation during isotopic stages 16 to 13 in Europe.