Multi-proxy paleoenvironmental reconstruction from Lago Toncek (Patagonia, Argentina) over the last 500 years
Achaga RV, Garcia ML, Bógalo MF, Orgeira MJ, Massaferro J, Mayr C, Aldana M, Irurzun MA, Mohamed KJ, Martinez-Carrillo DA, Montes de Oca F, Calvo-Rathert M, Gogorza CS (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 184
Article Number: 106276
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2026.106276
Abstract
Mountain lakes are sensitive archives of climatic and environmental variability and provide valuable archives for reconstructing past ecosystem responses to climate change. Here, we present a multi-proxy reconstruction from a 103.5-cm sediment core recovered from Lago Toncek (41°11′52″ S, 71°29′17″ W; 1747 m a.s.l.), a high-altitude lake in northern Patagonia, spanning approximately AD 1500-2014. Rock-magnetic, sedimentological, geochemical and diatom analyses were integrated to reconstruct environmental and hydroclimatic variability over the last ∼500 years.The record reveals three main environmental intervals. Between AD 1500 and 1680, relatively low diatom accumulation rates and low magnetic mineral concentrations suggest reduced catchment input and stable littoral conditions. Between AD 1680 and 1950, magnetic and biological proxies indicate increased detrital input together with environmental conditions consistent with a cold and relatively wet interval coincident with the regional expression of the Little Ice Age. At the base of this interval a prominent tephra layer was also identified. Since AD 1950, the record shows a transition toward warmer conditions characterized by reduced detrital input, increased nutrient availability, and enhanced diatom productivity.The multi-proxy evidence from Lago Toncek is consistent with regional paleoclimate reconstructions from northern Patagonia while highlighting the importance of local catchment processes in modulating environmental responses to climate variability. These results provide new insights into the environmental evolution of high-altitude Andean lakes during the transition from late-Holocene cool conditions to the modern warming period.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Buenos Aires Institute of Technology
Argentina (AR)
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / National Scientific and Technical Research Council
Argentina (AR)
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of (VE)
Center for Research in Physics and Engineering of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires (CIFICEN) / Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Argentina (AR)
Catholic University of Manizales / Universidad Católica de Manizales
Colombia (CO)
Universität Bremen
Germany (DE)
University of Burgos / Universidad de Burgos (UBU)
Spain (ES)
Argentina (AR)
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / National Scientific and Technical Research Council
Argentina (AR)
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of (VE)
Center for Research in Physics and Engineering of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires (CIFICEN) / Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Argentina (AR)
Catholic University of Manizales / Universidad Católica de Manizales
Colombia (CO)
Universität Bremen
Germany (DE)
University of Burgos / Universidad de Burgos (UBU)
Spain (ES)
How to cite
APA:
Achaga, R.V., Garcia, M.L., Bógalo, M.F., Orgeira, M.J., Massaferro, J., Mayr, C.,... Gogorza, C.S. (2026). Multi-proxy paleoenvironmental reconstruction from Lago Toncek (Patagonia, Argentina) over the last 500 years. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2026.106276
MLA:
Achaga, R. V., et al. "Multi-proxy paleoenvironmental reconstruction from Lago Toncek (Patagonia, Argentina) over the last 500 years." Journal of South American Earth Sciences 184 (2026).
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