Kutuzov S., Legrand M., Preunkert S., Ginot Patrick, Mikhalenko V., Shukurov K., Poliukhov A., Toropov P. (2019). The Elbrus (Caucasus, Russia) ice core record - Part 2 : history of desert dust deposition. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 19 (22), p. 14133-14148. ISSN 1680-7316.
Titre du document
The Elbrus (Caucasus, Russia) ice core record - Part 2 : history of desert dust deposition
Année de publication
2019
Auteurs
Kutuzov S., Legrand M., Preunkert S., Ginot Patrick, Mikhalenko V., Shukurov K., Poliukhov A., Toropov P.
Source
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2019,
19 (22), p. 14133-14148 ISSN 1680-7316
Ice cores are one of the most valuable paleoarchives. Records from ice cores provide information not only about the amount of dust in the atmosphere, but also about dust sources and their changes in the past. In 2009, a 182 m long ice core was recovered from the western plateau of Mt Elbrus (5115 ma.s.l.). This record was further extended after a shallow ice core was drilled in 2013. Here we analyse Ca2+ concentrations, a commonly used proxy of dust, recorded in these Elbrus ice records over the time period of 1774-2013 CE. The Ca2+ record reveals quasi-decadal variability with a generally increasing trend. Using multiple regression analysis, we found a statistically significant spatial correlation of the Elbrus Ca2+ summer concentrations with precipitation and soil moisture content in the Levant region (specifically Syria and Iraq). The Ca2+ record also correlates with drought indices in North Africa (r = 0.67, p<0.001) and Middle East regions (r = 0.71, p<0.001). Dust concentrations prominently increase in the ice core over the past 200 years, confirming that the recent droughts in the Fertile Crescent (1998-2012 CE) present the most severe aridity experienced in at least the past two centuries. For the most recent 33 years recorded (1979-2012 CE), significant correlations exist between Ca2+ and Pacific circulation indices (Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Southern Oscillation Index and Nino 4), which suggests that the increased frequency of extreme El Nino and La Nina events due to a warming climate has extended their influence to the Middle East. Evidence demonstrates that the increase in Ca2+ concentration in the ice core cannot be attributed to human activities, such as coal combustion and cement production.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020]
;
Sciences du milieu [021]
;
Hydrologie [062]
;
Géologie et formations superficielles [064]
Description Géographique
EUROPE ; RUSSIE ; CAUCASE ; ELBROUZ
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010077402]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010077402
