Holocene paleotemperature reconstruction based on phytolith records of lacustrine sediments in the Badain Jaran Desert, northwestern China

• DOI: 10.3389/feart.2022.998061
• Publication Date: 2022-09-12T06:39:40Z
• Authors: Yixin Wang; Kai Ning; Qinghua He; Dongmei Jie; Qingyu Guan
• Keywords: Phytolith; Paleoclimatology

Quantitative reconstruction of regional paleotemperature is the key to understanding temperature change and its driving mechanisms. In this study, 133 phytolith samples were collected as proxy indicators from lacustrine sediments Zhunzhahanjilin (ZZH) profile in hinterland Badain Jaran Desert, China. The then analyzed quantitatively reconstruct Holocene at millennial scale. Based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), 14 C dates an ordered clustering method used divide phytoliths into five assemblage zones with environmental significance. quantitative results indicated that Desert was relatively high during early (11,040–8,200 cal a BP), average approximately 9.5°C. This may have led increased melt water near surrounding area recharged lakes resulting expansion Holocene. middle (8,200–3,100 BP) 7.9°C. period warm environment humid, extensive precipitation summer monsoons low evaporation leading higher levels lakes. decreased late (3,100 BP present), retreated or dried up because monsoon rains. been related July insolation Northern Hemisphere had range impacts hydrological cycle arid region.