International audienceWe present a high-resolution (sub-decadal to centennial), multi-proxy reconstruction of aeolian input and changes in palaeohydrological conditions based on a 13000 Yr record from Neor Lake's peripheral peat in NW Iran. Variations in relative abundances of refractory (Al, Zr, Ti, and Si), redox sensitive (Fe) and mobile (K and Rb) elements, total organic carbon (TOC), delta C-13(TOC), compound-specific leaf wax hydrogen isotopes (delta D), carbon accumulation rates and dust fluxes presented here fill a large gap in the existing terrestrial paleoclimate records from the interior of West Asia. Our results suggest that a transition occurred from dry and dusty conditions during the Younger Dryas (YD) to a relatively wetter period with higher carbon accumulation rates and low aeolian input during the early Holocene (9000-6000 Yr BP). This period was followed by relatively drier and dustier conditions during middle to late Holocene, which is consistent with orbital changes in insolation that affected much of the northern hemisphere. Numerous episodes of high aeolian input spanning a few decades to millennia are prevalent during the middle to late Holocene. Wavelet analysis of variations in Ti abundances as a proxy for aeolian input revealed notable periodicities at 230, 320, and 470 years with significant periodicities centered around 820, 1550, and 3110 years over the last 13000 years. Comparison with palaeoclimate archives from West Asia, the North Atlantic and African lakes point to a teleconnection between North Atlantic climate and the interior of West Asia during the last glacial termination and the Holocene epoch. We further assess the potential role of abrupt climate change on early human societies by comparing our record of palaeoclimate variability with historical, geological and archaeological archives from this region. The terrestrial record from this study confirms previous evidence from marine sediments of the Arabian Sea that suggested climate change influenced the termination of the Akkadian empire. In addition, nearly all observed episodes of enhanced dust deposition during the middle to late Holocene coincided with times of drought, famine, and power transitions across the Iranian Plateau, Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean region. These findings indicate that while socio-economic factors are traditionally considered to shape ancient human societies in this region, the influence of abrupt climate change should not be underestimated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

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Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, faces increasing environmental problems such as heavy air pollution and lack of proper waste management. The aim of this study was to examine if the soils are also affected by pollution, with the focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The sum of 20 PAHs in surface soils ranged between 184 and 10279 lg kg À1 . The most abundant PAHs were perylene (14.6%), benzo(b+j+k)flouranthene (10.7%), naphthalene (10.7%) and phenanthrene (9.8%), with perylene concentrations varying strongly. The significantly more positive d 13 C values of perylene in samples with elevated concentrations indicate biological production, possibly by anaerobic degradation of perylene quinones. PAH ratios also indicate the influence of petrogenic PAH sources, especially at petrol stations and some street samples. The sum of 12 PCBs ranged from 356 to 44710 ng kg À1 . The most abundant were congeners 52 (19.4%), 101 (14.3%), 118 (13.4%) and 138 (11.7%). The low PCB concentrations and pattern were interpreted as a diffuse background contamination being the main PCB source in the urban soils. Indications for recent contamination were found in river sediments from the inner city, as well as in industrial and street samples. Classified by land use, the samples taken from the gutter contained the highest PAH and PCB concentrations as a result of accumulation. The lowest values were found in surface soils from Swayambunath (a park) and a garden area. A gradual decrease in concentration with depth was present for both compound classes in the profiles sampled at Swayambunath. No trend was visible in the garden profiles as a result of soil disturbance of the soil by agricultural treatment. Enhanced microbial degradation and volatilization in the warm/humid monsoon climate is probably the main cause for low pollutant concentrations. Increased photodegradation and the short accumulation period might be other important factors. Concerning its state of soil pollution, Kathmandu fits rather well into a global distribution pattern of persistent organic pollutants, with high concentrations in temperate (higher latitude) regions and very low ones in the tropics (lower latitude regions) due to global distillation.