the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 26 Aug 2022
Millennial hydrological variability in the continental northern Neotropics during MIS3-2 inferred from sediments of Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala
Rodrigo Martínez-Abarca
Michelle Abstein
Philipp Hoelzmann
David Hodell
Mark Brenner
Steffen Kutterolf
Sergio Cohuo
Laura Macario-González
Mona Stockhecke
Jason Curtis
Flavio Anselmetti
Daniel Ariztegui
Thomas Guilderson
Alexander Correa-Metrio
Frederik Schenk
Thorsten Bauersachs
Liseth Pérez
Antje Schwalb
Abstract. We inferred hydrological changes in Lake Petén Itzá (Guatemala) during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 3-2 using geochemical (Ti, Ca/Ti+Al+Fe ratio and Mn/Fe) and mineralogical (carbonates, gypsum, quartz, clay) data from sediment core PI-2 to reconstruct changes in runoff, lake evaporation, organic matter sources and potential oxic/anoxic conditions associated with variations in water-level during the last ~59 cal ka BP. Early MIS3 (57.0–52.5 cal ka BP) was dominated by relatively wet conditions, higher lake primary productivity and anoxic waters, which persisted into the subsequent interval (52.5–39.0 cal ka BP), except for two periods of possible low water-level at 52 and 46 cal ka BP when our data suggest higher evaporation, high terrestrial organic matter input and persistent oxic conditions. Towards the end of MIS3 and start of MIS2 (39.0–23.0 cal ka BP), lake evaporation increased considerably, as did inputs of terrestrial organic matter, and waters became more oxic as water-levels dropped and the site moved from the hypolimnion to the epilimnion. These conditions reversed during the Last Glacial Maximum (23.0–18.0 cal ka BP) when runoff and lake productivity increased and waters again became anoxic as a result of rising water-levels. Refining the age-depth model for the Site PI-2 also allowed the correlation to Greenland Interstadials (GI14-2), Greenland Stadial (GS14-2) and Heinrich Stadials (HS5-1). HS and GS were characterized by increases in Ca/Ti+Al+Fe ratios and gypsum content generally indicative of drier conditions. GS13, 9 and 5 showed the driest conditions associated with the contemporaneous establishment of HS5-3, respectively. In contrast, GI show high Ti values which suggests relatively greater runoff and overall wetter conditions compared with GS and HS, with the most marked GI peaks between 40 and 30 cal ka BP. This runoff variability is in accord with shifts in the average position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and strength of the Atlantic Meridional Oceanic Circulation during the Late Pleistocene.
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint
Rodrigo Martínez-Abarca et al.
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
-
RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Sep 2022
The manuscript by Martinez-Abarca et al. presents a detailed reconstruction of Lake Peten Itza's paleoclimate during the MIS3-MIS2 interval at the millennial scale. Certainly, the core PI2 is invaluable in terms of its preservation and high resolution. The manuscript is very high quality in terms of the methods, organization and presentation of the results, which are clear and well described. The discussion shows a broad and complete comparison with neighbouring records. However, in the conclussion, the manuscript would benefit a greater audience, if the authors included specific sentences highlighting their particular contribution the "state of the art" and the understanding of the regional paleoclimate. In other words, what specifically do they "teach us" for the region with this effort?
I also have a few minor comments:
Lines 20-23. References to support the first two sentences are needed.
Lines 46-47. The sentence that starts with "Moreover, stable isotope geochemistry..." is difficult to understand and needs clarification.
Line 51. The phrase "This body of work" is not clear. What does it mean?
Line 53-54. The final sentence of the paragraph is too long and confusing that needs clarification.
Line 57. The word "mainly" should be deleted.
Figure 5. The map lacks all the Caribbean islands, even" Puerto Rico" mentioned in the text. Furthermore, other relevant paleoclimatic records are mentioned in the main text relative to the study area. Please include them in the map and the figure caption list.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC1 -
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear reviewer,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
-
RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Sep 2022
In section 5.2 "Millennial-scale climate..." Is there a reason to favor the nomenclature established in the GICC05 ice-core Greenland record for the stadial and interstadial events (i.e., GS and GI) rather than the so-called Dansgaar/Oeschger events (i.e., D/O)?
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC2 -
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear reviewer,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
-
RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Sarah Metcalfe, 06 Nov 2022
This paper presents the record from the PI-2 core from Peten Itza which extends back to 59 cal ka BP. It is compared with the previously published records from core PI-6 taken slightly further to the west. The results are interpreted primarily in terms of changes in the position of the ITCZ and changes in the North Atlantic that are recorded as Greenland Stadials (generally dry here) and Interstadials (generally wetter). Overall, it is noted that the PI-2 record replicates that from PI-6. The paper is generally thorough and well written, but there isn’t really a clear case for why this was worth doing or what, if anything, new was learnt from work on this core which had a higher sedimentation rate than the PI-6 sequence. The last sentence of the Conclusions could, for example come earlier as this is an important point about the value of the higher resolution sequence. The point is made in lines 521-22 about the confirmation of lake response to hydroclimate across sites, but this is not elaborated on. The Conclusions make no reference to anything new. I do recommend that the authors consider making a clearer case for the significance of this paper. I would have thought that this further record of the high variability of MIS3 was also worthy of more comment (again, somewhat mentioned in passing).
5.1 is devoted to comparing this Peten Itza sequence with a number of other records across the region. As noted above, the real focus is on the ITCZ, but there is little recognition that some of the sites used in this comparison are more under the influence of the North American Monsoon than the ITCZ (it is well established that although the ITCZ and NAM are related, this is not a direct relationship). I think this does matter, as does the greater influence of mid-latitude systems (potential sources of winter precipitation) at sites such as Babicora and Patzcuaro (this is mentioned later in lines 446-447). The more westerly sites are also likely to see more influence than the Pacific than the more easterly sites. I just think that the variations across the wider region need more acknowledgement. This also comes in to play in relation to Fig. 5. I found the interpretation of the Babicora record (currently based on Roy et al., 2013) and Patzcuaro (based on Bradbury, 2000) odd, as there is clear evidence that conditions at both sites were still wetter than present around the LGM. At Babicora marked shallowing did not apparently occur until around 15 ka and at Patzcuaro wet conditions persisted in to the early Holocene, although the diatom flora changes markedly (a change in moisture source has been suggested). There are other references that could be explored. Please review text on this in lines 415-417, possibly drier than earlier, but definitely not dry. Could also reflect on these differences in climatology re the observation in lines 384-386.
There seems to an inconsistency in the text in 5.1.1. which refers to a more northerly location of the ITCZ , then suggests drier summers and more winter rain and then more anoxia due to deeper water. There is a drier period noted at 55.1 – 53.8 ka. How do you get drier summers if the ITCZ is further north? Is this where the NAM comes in to play? (although there are suggestions that the monsoon was quite strong, at least during interstadials in MIS3). I think part of the problem here is the interpretation of the Bradbury (1997) paper – thinking has moved on quite a lot since that was published.
The text notes that the lithostratigrahic units of Mueller et al. (2010) are applied here (lines 105-106, 172), but I wondered whether the application of these units had been tested independently in any way. There is a suggestion in the Discussion (lines 236-237) that some sort of independent work was done, but this is not explained.
I was not convinced that Fig. 7 was in the right place, it would seem more logical for it to come before the current Fig. 6 which makes the comparisons of millennial change with other records.
Minor corrections:
Line 42 ‘a drop in mean…’
Line 253 Missing a few words at the end of the line ‘the end of MIS3 and the start of MIS2’ (as earlier in the text).
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC3 -
AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear Prof. Dr. Sarah Metcalfe,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
-
RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Sep 2022
The manuscript by Martinez-Abarca et al. presents a detailed reconstruction of Lake Peten Itza's paleoclimate during the MIS3-MIS2 interval at the millennial scale. Certainly, the core PI2 is invaluable in terms of its preservation and high resolution. The manuscript is very high quality in terms of the methods, organization and presentation of the results, which are clear and well described. The discussion shows a broad and complete comparison with neighbouring records. However, in the conclussion, the manuscript would benefit a greater audience, if the authors included specific sentences highlighting their particular contribution the "state of the art" and the understanding of the regional paleoclimate. In other words, what specifically do they "teach us" for the region with this effort?
I also have a few minor comments:
Lines 20-23. References to support the first two sentences are needed.
Lines 46-47. The sentence that starts with "Moreover, stable isotope geochemistry..." is difficult to understand and needs clarification.
Line 51. The phrase "This body of work" is not clear. What does it mean?
Line 53-54. The final sentence of the paragraph is too long and confusing that needs clarification.
Line 57. The word "mainly" should be deleted.
Figure 5. The map lacks all the Caribbean islands, even" Puerto Rico" mentioned in the text. Furthermore, other relevant paleoclimatic records are mentioned in the main text relative to the study area. Please include them in the map and the figure caption list.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC1 -
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear reviewer,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
-
RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Sep 2022
In section 5.2 "Millennial-scale climate..." Is there a reason to favor the nomenclature established in the GICC05 ice-core Greenland record for the stadial and interstadial events (i.e., GS and GI) rather than the so-called Dansgaar/Oeschger events (i.e., D/O)?
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC2 -
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear reviewer,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
-
RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-787', Sarah Metcalfe, 06 Nov 2022
This paper presents the record from the PI-2 core from Peten Itza which extends back to 59 cal ka BP. It is compared with the previously published records from core PI-6 taken slightly further to the west. The results are interpreted primarily in terms of changes in the position of the ITCZ and changes in the North Atlantic that are recorded as Greenland Stadials (generally dry here) and Interstadials (generally wetter). Overall, it is noted that the PI-2 record replicates that from PI-6. The paper is generally thorough and well written, but there isn’t really a clear case for why this was worth doing or what, if anything, new was learnt from work on this core which had a higher sedimentation rate than the PI-6 sequence. The last sentence of the Conclusions could, for example come earlier as this is an important point about the value of the higher resolution sequence. The point is made in lines 521-22 about the confirmation of lake response to hydroclimate across sites, but this is not elaborated on. The Conclusions make no reference to anything new. I do recommend that the authors consider making a clearer case for the significance of this paper. I would have thought that this further record of the high variability of MIS3 was also worthy of more comment (again, somewhat mentioned in passing).
5.1 is devoted to comparing this Peten Itza sequence with a number of other records across the region. As noted above, the real focus is on the ITCZ, but there is little recognition that some of the sites used in this comparison are more under the influence of the North American Monsoon than the ITCZ (it is well established that although the ITCZ and NAM are related, this is not a direct relationship). I think this does matter, as does the greater influence of mid-latitude systems (potential sources of winter precipitation) at sites such as Babicora and Patzcuaro (this is mentioned later in lines 446-447). The more westerly sites are also likely to see more influence than the Pacific than the more easterly sites. I just think that the variations across the wider region need more acknowledgement. This also comes in to play in relation to Fig. 5. I found the interpretation of the Babicora record (currently based on Roy et al., 2013) and Patzcuaro (based on Bradbury, 2000) odd, as there is clear evidence that conditions at both sites were still wetter than present around the LGM. At Babicora marked shallowing did not apparently occur until around 15 ka and at Patzcuaro wet conditions persisted in to the early Holocene, although the diatom flora changes markedly (a change in moisture source has been suggested). There are other references that could be explored. Please review text on this in lines 415-417, possibly drier than earlier, but definitely not dry. Could also reflect on these differences in climatology re the observation in lines 384-386.
There seems to an inconsistency in the text in 5.1.1. which refers to a more northerly location of the ITCZ , then suggests drier summers and more winter rain and then more anoxia due to deeper water. There is a drier period noted at 55.1 – 53.8 ka. How do you get drier summers if the ITCZ is further north? Is this where the NAM comes in to play? (although there are suggestions that the monsoon was quite strong, at least during interstadials in MIS3). I think part of the problem here is the interpretation of the Bradbury (1997) paper – thinking has moved on quite a lot since that was published.
The text notes that the lithostratigrahic units of Mueller et al. (2010) are applied here (lines 105-106, 172), but I wondered whether the application of these units had been tested independently in any way. There is a suggestion in the Discussion (lines 236-237) that some sort of independent work was done, but this is not explained.
I was not convinced that Fig. 7 was in the right place, it would seem more logical for it to come before the current Fig. 6 which makes the comparisons of millennial change with other records.
Minor corrections:
Line 42 ‘a drop in mean…’
Line 253 Missing a few words at the end of the line ‘the end of MIS3 and the start of MIS2’ (as earlier in the text).
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-787-RC3 -
AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Dear Prof. Dr. Sarah Metcalfe,
On behalf of all the co-authors and myself, I thank you for your time and interest during the review of this manuscript. In the attached document you will find the answers to your questions and comments that can later be read in the corrected version of the manuscript.
Thank you for your support in publishing our research.
Best regards
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca
-
AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, 16 Jan 2023
Peer review completion
Journal article(s) based on this preprint
Rodrigo Martínez-Abarca et al.
Rodrigo Martínez-Abarca et al.
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.
- Preprint
(2826 KB) - Metadata XML
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Supplement
(483 KB) - BibTeX
- EndNote
- Final revised paper