High-resolution reconstruction of 8.2-ka BP event documented in Père Noël cave, southern Belgium

M. Allan*, N. Fagel, H. J.L. van der Lubbe, H. B. Vonhof, H. Cheng, R. Lawrence Edwards, S. Verheyden

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

A distinct shift in δ18O, δ13C and trace element contents of the Père Noël (PN) stalagmite from southern Belgium revealed an abrupt climatic anomaly at 8.13 ± 0.03 ka BP (before present = before 1950 AD). This anomaly is characterized by a maximum drop in the δ18O (−1.4‰ compared the mean) between 8.13 and 8.10 ka BP (±0.03). This drop of δ18O coincides with a decrease in δ13C and trace element (Sr, Ba and Mg) concentrations suggesting drier conditions. Our precise chronology provides the timing of the outburst of proglacial lakes Agassiz and Ojibway that caused the δ18O, δ13C and trace elemental anomalies at 8.13–8.10 ± 0.03 ka BP, which corresponds to the 8.2-ka BP event. The PN stalagmite bears δ18O values in fluid inclusions that covary with the δ18O values in calcite, suggesting that the speleothem calcite δ18O primarily reflects variations in the rainfall δ18O. Comparison of the PN record with different marine and terrestrial archives during the 8.2-ka BP event shows a good agreement in timing and duration, suggesting that the PN speleothem can be regarded as a valuable proxy to better understand the 8.2-ka BP event.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)840-852
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Quaternary Science
Volume33
Issue number7
Early online date10 Sept 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018

Funding

Acknowledgements. We thank all those who contributed to this study and in particular Luc André and Laurence Monin from RMCA, Tervuren (LA-ICP-MS analyses), and Prof. Denis Scholz from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (age model). This study was funded by the FNRS (HOPES project, No. 23612574). Special thanks go to personnel of Han-sur-Lesse caves and Yves Quinif for their help during sampling. The PN stalagmite was sampled in the frame of an EC-FP5 project. The English text was reviwed by Prof. Daniele Pinti (GEOTOP-UQAM, Canada).

FundersFunder number
RMCA
Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS23612574
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

    Keywords

    • 8.2-ka BP event
    • North-West Europe
    • speleothem
    • stable isotopes
    • trace elements

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