The ²³⁰Th-normalized ²³²Th method in reconstructing paleo-dust flux and its applications in the Western Pacific

Eolian dust constitutes a potent modulator in the global climate by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere and iron supply to the global ocean. In particular, the thorium-based method has been evoked to calibrate the sedimentary mass accumulation rate (MAR) for the past ～500,000 years, which offers an important approach for reconstructing paleo-dust flux accurately. Here, ²³⁰Th normalization, an appealing approach to calibrate MAR, is comprehensively deconvolved. In conjunction with ²³²Th, novel ²³⁰Th-normalized data synthesis is compiled to elucidate the precision of this method with the aid of the measured value, which ultimately in line with the Th-derived result by using convert parameter uniformly (i.e. 10.5 μg/g). Further, comparison of the dust reconstruction based on this approach between Late Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) also indicates the validation of this method. Within this context, ²³⁰Th-normalized ²³²Th serves as a reliable proxy in determining dust input to the global ocean and thus can unveil unambiguous interpretation with respect to the reconstruction of paleo-dust flux to the western Pacific during the Late Quaternary. In contrast, the paucity of applications based on this method in the western Pacific is found, by summarizing previously published dissertations, with implication of foreshadowing a broad future in utilizing this tool at the western Pacific.