Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3129
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3129
18 Nov 2024
 | 18 Nov 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Climate of the Past (CP).

Non-biting midges (Chironomidae) as a proxy for summer temperatures during the post-Holsteinian (MIS 11b) – a central European perspective

Tomasz Polkowski, Agnieszka Gruszczyńska, Bartosz Kotrys, Artur Górecki, Anna Hrynowiecka, Marcin Żarski, Mirosław Błaszkiewicz, Jerzy Nitychoruk, Monika Czajkowska, Stefan Lauterbach, and Michał Słowiński

Abstract. Climatic and environmental changes during past interglacial periods can be investigated to improve our understanding of mechanisms governing the changes which are currently observed. Numerous proxies might be utilised to reconstruct various environmental parameters. For instance, pollen analysis indicates changes in vegetation as well as winter temperature fluctuations, while Chironomidae larvae head capsules are widely used to recreate summer thermal conditions. Non-biting midges remains indicate trophy and pH of water bodies as well. Nevertheless, they have been used mostly in the studies of the Holocene with hardly any Chironomid-inferred temperature reconstructions conducted for MIS 11 period. In this study we present the first quantitative summer temperature reconstruction for the post-Holsteinian (Marine Isotope Stage – MIS 11b) in Central Europe based on the analysis of fossil chironomid remains preserved in palaeolake sediments recovered at Krępa, southeastern Poland. The stratigraphic context for the chironomid-based summer temperature reconstruction is provided by pollen data, together allowing to compare our results in the context of climate development at the end of the Holsteinian Interglacial. Chironomidae assemblages at the Krępa site consist mainly of oligotrophic and mesotrophic species (e.g Corynocera ambigua-type, Chironomus anthracinus-type) with lower abundance of eutrophic species (e.g. Chironomus plumosus-type). The chironomid-based summer temperature reconstruction indicates July temperature ranging between 15,3 ॰C and 20,1 ॰C during the early post-Holsteinian. Temperature changes during the first stadial after the Holstein Interglacial period are also reflected by the pollen data, which, however, show a certain delay compared to the chironomids. In any case, results from Krępa prove that conducting Chironomidae analysis is even feasible for periods as early as the mid-Pleistocene, enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms that control present-day climatic and environmental changes. The additional element of this research is indicating sites within the Polish borders that were investigated so far – mostly on the basis of pollen analysis, occasionally Cladocera, isotopes, etc. – and might be new objects of studies based on Chironomid-inferred temperature reconstructions. However, bringing Chironomid analysis with particular emphasis of challenges of conducting it with the use of sediments older than Holocene is the primary aim of this publication. Data from the MIS 11 complex are unique. There are only 4 sites with pre-Late Glacial chironomid-based summer temperature reconstructions in Europe.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Tomasz Polkowski, Agnieszka Gruszczyńska, Bartosz Kotrys, Artur Górecki, Anna Hrynowiecka, Marcin Żarski, Mirosław Błaszkiewicz, Jerzy Nitychoruk, Monika Czajkowska, Stefan Lauterbach, and Michał Słowiński

Status: open (until 13 Jan 2025)

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  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3129', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Dec 2024 reply
Tomasz Polkowski, Agnieszka Gruszczyńska, Bartosz Kotrys, Artur Górecki, Anna Hrynowiecka, Marcin Żarski, Mirosław Błaszkiewicz, Jerzy Nitychoruk, Monika Czajkowska, Stefan Lauterbach, and Michał Słowiński
Tomasz Polkowski, Agnieszka Gruszczyńska, Bartosz Kotrys, Artur Górecki, Anna Hrynowiecka, Marcin Żarski, Mirosław Błaszkiewicz, Jerzy Nitychoruk, Monika Czajkowska, Stefan Lauterbach, and Michał Słowiński

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Short summary
In our study, we investigate what changes in environment and climate occured during post-Holsteinian period in Krępa palaeolake in Eastern Poland. In order to achieve this goal we reconstructed summer temperature at that time with the use of Chironomidae larvae head capsules. This is first research from Central Europe in which we use chironomids to trace climate change through pre-Holocenian period. We hope to encourage scientific community to carry out further research in the region.