High-resolution geochemical record of environmental changes during MIS 3 from the northern Alps (Nesseltalgraben, Germany)

Mayr C, Stojakowits P, Lempe B, Blaauw M, Diersche V, Grohganz M, Correa ML, Ohlendorf C, Reimer P, Zolitschka B (2019)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Quaternary Science Reviews Elsevier

Book Volume: 218

Pages Range: 122-136

DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.06.013

Abstract

Ravine slopes at the recently discovered Nesseltalgraben site in southeastern Germany provide a unique last glacial sediment record for the Northern Calcareous Alps. The 21 m-long profile is dominated by fine-grained lacustrine-palustrine sediments overlain by several metres of glacifluvial gravels and lodgement tills of the Last Glacial Maximum and underlain by a diamicton. The age model includes 29 radiocarbon analyses and one paleomagnetic anomaly (Laschamp event) together providing a modelled age range from c. 59 to 29.6 ka cal BP, i.e. Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. Apart from a description of the lithofacies, X-ray-fluorescence (XRF) scanning and elemental analyses provide high-resolution records of the geochemical composition. Multivariate analyses of XRF data separate Ca from other major elements. Carbonate contents, represented by Ca and total inorganic carbon, reach maxima in repeatedly occurring calcareous silty to sandy layers and are related to glacigenic origin. These indicate repeated inner-alpine local glaciations during stadials of MIS 3. Scanning electron microscopy and XRF data confirm the detrital origin of these layers. In contrast, organic matter and elements more resistant to chemical weathering (Si, Ti, Zr) accumulated during interstadials and concurrently elevated Rb/Sr ratios indicate intensified weathering. The high-frequency proxy variations determined for Nesseltalgraben reflect interstadial-stadial climate variability comparable with oxygen-isotope records from Greenland ice cores and Alpine speleothems. Thus, Nesseltalgraben is among the very few independently dated sediment records from continental Europe covering the entire MIS 3 and reflecting the full Dansgaard-Oeschger climate variability.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Mayr Institut für Geographie

Related research project(s)

Environmental and climatic variability during the Middle Würmian in the northern Alps Oct. 1, 2016 - Sept. 30, 2019

Involved external institutions

Queen's University GB United Kingdom (GB) Universität Bremen DE Germany (DE) Universität Augsburg DE Germany (DE) Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Mayr, C., Stojakowits, P., Lempe, B., Blaauw, M., Diersche, V., Grohganz, M.,... Zolitschka, B. (2019). High-resolution geochemical record of environmental changes during MIS 3 from the northern Alps (Nesseltalgraben, Germany). Quaternary Science Reviews, 218, 122-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.06.013

MLA:

Mayr, Christoph, et al. "High-resolution geochemical record of environmental changes during MIS 3 from the northern Alps (Nesseltalgraben, Germany)." Quaternary Science Reviews 218 (2019): 122-136.

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