Diatom-inferred salinity in palaeolakes: An indirect tracer of climate change

Gasse, F. and Barker, P. and Gell, P. A. and Fritz, S. C. and Chalie, F. (1997) Diatom-inferred salinity in palaeolakes: An indirect tracer of climate change. Quaternary Science Reviews, 16 (6). pp. 547-563. ISSN 0277-3791

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Abstract

Lakes in arid and semi-arid regions respond to climatic change through shifts in lake water volume and ionic concentration. Because diatom distribution is highly correlated with lake hydrochemistry, diatoms can be used to infer changes in salinity and brine composition and thus to infer past climates. Here we critically examine the use of diatom-inferred salinity as a climate proxy, with examples taken from both modern waterbodies and sedimentary profiles. Sediment records may contain assemblages mixed from periods or sites of differing hydrochemistries because of the high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in saline systems. Dissolution and diagenesis in saline brines may further complicate interpretation of sedimentary assemblages. Furthermore threshold effects, salinity regulation via groundwater seepage, antecedent conditions, and other aspects of local hydrology may modify the relationship between salinity change and climatic forcing. These complexities necessitate critical examination of the ecology and taphonomy of sedimentary assemblages, as well as evaluation of potential non-linearities in the salinity/climate relationship through comparison of diatom-inferred salinity with other proxy records of hydrochemical change, historical documents where they exist. and with other regional lake systems.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Quaternary Science Reviews
Additional Information:
1997 Diatom-inferred salinity in palaeolakes: An indirect tracer of climate change Times Cited: 55
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/ge
Subjects:
?? CATCHMENT AND AQUATIC PROCESSESGLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGEECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, BEHAVIOR AND SYSTEMATICSGEOLOGYGE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ??
ID Code:
53056
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
19 Mar 2012 11:01
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Sep 2023 01:14