Rapid climate change during the deglaciation of Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia

  • Published : 2005.10.21

Abstract

A 120-cm core recovered from Lake Hovsgol, the northern Mongolia provides evidence for climate variability since the Marine Isotope Stage 3, representing a sharp lithological change. The lowermost part of the core consists of diatom-barren calcareous silty clay without coarse sands, framboidal pyrite, and biogenic components deposited during the MIS 3. Following the last glacial maximum, in-situ moss is included in the sediments, as lake-level was retreated by cold and dry environment with low precipitation. The AMS radiocarbon ages of the plant fragments match a marked lithologic boundary between 14,060 and 14,325 $^{14}C$ yr BP. The contents of coarse sands abruptly increase, indicating probably wind-derived sandy dust or coarse grains contributed from floating icebergs. And abundant framboidal pyrite grains were deposited in an anoxic environment, as reflected by high accumulation of organic matters at a low lake stand. During the deglaciation, quantities of coarse sands, ostracod, shell fragments, framboidal pyrite, and diatom markedly varies by regional and global scale climate regimes. Some allochthonous coarse sands were probably ice-rafted debris derived from floating icebergs. A rapid increase in diatom productivity probably marked the onset of Bolling-Allerodwarming. Subsequent high concentration of framboidal pyrite probably represents a dry and cold condition, such as Younger Drays events. Consistent warm period with high precipitation at Holocene is documented by diatomaceous clayey ooze without framboidal pyrite, coarse sands, and ostracod.

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