A Holocene black carbon ice-core record of biomass burning in the Amazon Basin from Illimani, Bolivia

• DOI: 10.5194/cp-15-579-2019
• Publication Date: 2019-03-28T06:24:11Z
• Authors: Dimitri Osmont; Michael Sigl; Anja Eichler; Theo M. Jenk; Margit Schwikowski
• Keywords: Ice core; Deglaciation; Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract. The Amazon Basin is one of the major contributors to global biomass burning emissions. However, regional paleofire trends remain particularly unknown. Due their proximity Basin, Andean ice cores are suitable reconstruct in South America and improve our understanding complex linkages between fires, climate humans. Here we present first refractory black carbon (rBC) ice-core record from Andes as a proxy for emissions derived an core drilled at 6300 m a.s.l. Illimani glacier Bolivian spanning entire Holocene back last deglaciation 13 000 years ago. rBC displays strong seasonality with low values during wet season high dry due combination enhanced less precipitation site. Significant positive (negative) correlations were found reanalyzed temperature (precipitation) data regions eastern Bolivia western Brazil characterized by substantial fire activity. long-term indirectly reflect climatic variations through changing they show higher (lower) concentrations warm–dry (cold–wet) periods, line such Younger Dryas, 8.2 ka event, Climatic Optimum, Medieval Warm Period Little Ice Age. highest occurred Optimum 7000 3000 BCE, suggesting that this exceptionally warm period caused levels activity, unprecedented context past years. Recent levels, rising since 1730 CE increasing temperatures deforestation, similar those Period. No decrease activity was observed 20th century, contradiction reconstructions based on charcoal data.