Abstract:
A speleothem δ
13C time series was reconstructed based on 962 stable isotope measurements and 7
230Th dates. The sequence covers a time range from 10.6 to 3.5 ka BP, suggesting the evolution of ecological conditions and associated climate changes. The long-term trend of the δ
13C profile bears a high similarity to SST changes in North Atlantic. Three phases are evident in the stalagmite δ
13C record:(1) a transition to humid climate in 10.6~8.8 kaBP, during which δ
13C value displays negative excursions from-9.4‰ to -10.3‰; (2) a humid stage between 8.8 and 6.7 kaBP, in which the δ
13C value shows negative excursions to the minimum with an average δ
13C value of -11.3‰. Temporally, this period is in line with the Holocene Optimum; (3) a gradually drying period from 6.7 to 3.5 kaBP, during which δ
13C value displays positive excursions from -11.3‰ to -8.3‰. Constrained by annual layer counting, the duration of the Holocene Optimum in our record is about 1945 years. Both δ
13C and δ
18O records show a rapid positive excursion around 6.7 kaBP, indicating an abrupt climate transformation. Annual layer counting suggests that the duration of transformation is about 40 years. It reveals that the interaction of vegetation atmosphere system and lower SST in North Atlantic may amplify the influence of reduced solar insolation via feedback processes.