Multiple implications of rare earth elements for Holocene environmental changes in Nam Co, Tibet

Li, Minghui and Zhu, Liping and Wang, Junbo and Wang, Liqiang and Yi, Chaolu and Galy, Albert (2011) Multiple implications of rare earth elements for Holocene environmental changes in Nam Co, Tibet. Quaternary International, 236 (1-2). pp. 96-106. DOI 10.1016/j.quaint.2010.12.022

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Abstract

<p><br/>Rare Earth elements (REEs) from a 332 cm-long core, surface sediments and soils of the lake shores were examined with the aim of evaluating their suitability as a paleo-environmental proxy. REEs were transported into the Nam Co Lake not only by runoff but also by wind. Concentrations of REE in the core range from 97.57 to 162.98 ppm with an average of 126.5 ppm, from 171.3 to 475.7 ppm in the soils of shores, and from 65.03 to 354.03 ppm in the surface sediments with an average of 130.64 ppm. The REE average of soils is 158.9 ppm for the northern shore, 214.72 ppm for the southern shore, 244 ppm for the eastern shore, and 289.69 ppm for the western shore. The REE average of surface sediments is 114.45 ppm for the northern lake, 115.73 ppm for the eastern lake, 129.69 ppm for the western lake, 144.38 ppm for the southern lake, and 150.95 ppm in the center of the lake, suggesting an accumulation of REEs in the center of the lake. The ratios of LREE/HREE range from 8 to 11.85 for the core, from 7.8 to 11.8 for the surface sediments and from 6.5 to 14.5 for the soils, which suggesting that LREE are richer than HREE. The REE distribution patterns of all samples are characterized by "V-shape" curves with slightly negative Ce anomalies (from 0.83 to 0.99) and obviously negative Eu anomalies (from 0.28 to 0.72). Mn played an active role on the Ce anomaly. The values of [delta]Ce showed almost no variance, suggesting a stable post depositional environment in the core. The REEs peaks of >140 ppm occurred at 6.9 ka (307 cm), 5.9-5.5 ka (292-287 cm), 2.2-2.0 ka (262-252 cm) and 1.78 ka (212 cm) corresponding to the beginning of environmental shifts and/or events, while the REEs peak at 0.91-0.87 ka (107-102 cm) and the REEs valley of <100 ppm at 7.8-7.5 ka (317-322 cm) corresponded to the end of Zepu Glacier advance and a cold event, respectively. Lagging behind climate changes, this suggests a careful use of REEs can be used as a proxy of paleo-environment in the Nam Co area.</p>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2011AREP; IA63;
Subjects:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Divisions:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Journal or Publication Title:	Quaternary International
Volume:	236
Page Range:	pp. 96-106
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.quaint.2010.12.022
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	26 May 2011 16:10
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:02
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/2065

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