Age constraints on the late Quaternary evolution of Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau

Madsen, David B.; Ma, Hao; Rhode, David; Brantingham, P. Jeffrey; Forman, Steven L.

doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2007.10.013

Cited by 130 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Most of these lakes are freshwater lakes [6], such as Lake Kushuihai, Tianshuihai, and Aksai Chin, which are located south of the western Kunlun Mountains. However, these characterizations have recently been challenged by data obtained from optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and uranium series dating data, which are in obvious contrast with the above radiocarbon data [7,8]. For example, sediment from the same lacustrine facies in the Tengger Desert (to the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau) date back to 25-40 ka BP [9,10] according to radiocarbon dating, but OSL dating indicated that they were from 70-130 ka (MIS 5) [8].…”

Section: Alpine Lakes In the Frigid Tibetan Plateaumentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal variations of Chinese lakes and their driving mechanisms since the Last Glacial Maximum: A review and synthesis of lacustrine sediment archives

Shen

2012

Chin. Sci. Bull.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this article, the author provides the first synthesis and classification of available environment-indicating proxies for lacustrine sediment. A review of spatio-temporal variations in lakes from the Tibetan Plateau, the dry areas of Northwestern China, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the plains of Eastern China since the LGM is then provided. The driving mechanism for variations in lake processes and characteristics is also discussed based on various temporal scales. The author then proposes that future investigations be conducted to: (1) strengthen the study of theoretics and interpretation of environment-indicating proxies, (2) enhance the study of high-resolution time series and spatial variability of lake environment evolution, (3) provide more attention on the influence of human activities on lake environments, and (4) boost construction of the Quaternary lake database of China. Lakes are normally formed under various geological and geographical backgrounds. As a component of the terrestrial hydrosphere, lakes have close relationships with the atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and serve as the connection between these systems. Once a lake is formed, it is influenced by a series of tectonic, climatic and anthropogenic factors. As a result, lacustrine evolutional processes usually involve geological, physical, chemical and biological processes and the interactions between them, and these processes are all documented by lacustrine sediment archives. Because lakes are widely distributed worldwide and normally undergo a long history of evolution, lacustrine sediment generally possesses a continuous record with highresolutions that provides abundant information regarding regional environmental and climatic variations that can be used in global change studies. Lacustrine sediment also contains information pertaining to human activities, since people tend to settle around lakes owing to the resources they provide. Synthesis and classification of proxies in lacustrine sediment describing environmental conditionsLakes generally have an independent watershed that serves as a source of water, sediment, biomass and chemicals, while the lake serves as a sink for all of these materials. Accordingly, lacustrine sediment can record all information regarding the source-sink interactions and mass balances including water balances (watershed rainfall and lake level stands), sediment balances (watershed erosion intensity and lake sedimentation rate), biological balances (watershed vegetation and lake biomass) and chemical balances (watershed soluble materials and lake water ion concentrations) [1].

show abstract

Section: Alpine Lakes In the Frigid Tibetan Plateaumentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal variations of Chinese lakes and their driving mechanisms since the Last Glacial Maximum: A review and synthesis of lacustrine sediment archives

Shen

2012

Chin. Sci. Bull.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the North and South Lake, Madsen et al [10] considered that lagoonal deposits at 3240 m ASL occurred between 94 and 102 ka, and lacustrine deposits (on the southwest shore) at 3205-3210 m ASL occurred at 95 ka. This was in the context of an absence of lacustrine deposits dating between 95 and 25 ka in the same locale, and an OSL deposit date of 38.8 ka on a sample that was from alluvial (not lacustrine) deposits [10]. They argued that maximum high-stands of 20-66 m above modern probably date to MIS 5, and MIS 3 high stands may have been at or below postglacial highs [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have reported high lake levels in different regions of China during the Late Quaternary; for example, the Hexi Corridor and Alxa Plateau [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], Xinjiang [8,9], and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. These studies prove that lake levels were at their highest in northwest China during the late Pleistocene.…”

mentioning

confidence: 82%

“…But Zhao et al [16] used U-series dating to *Corresponding author (email: lizhuolunlzl@163.com) suggest that high lake levels in Nam Co and the adjacent regions formed during the Last Interglacial (MIS 5). Madsen et al [10] employing the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method, considered that the Qinghai Lake's highest level occurred in MIS 5, and furthermore, high stands in MIS 3 have not been discovered, and may not have existed at all, or may have been at or below postglacial highs. Rhode et al [17] also support this view from their OSL results at the Qinghai Lake.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

High lake levels on Alxa Plateau during the Late Quaternary

Wang

Cheng

et al. 2011

Chin. Sci. Bull.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Field investigations including lake shoreline measurement and 14 C chronology have been carried out on the Alxa Plateau to better understand the formation and evolution of the high lake levels in northwest China during the late Pleistocene. Comprehensive field investigations show that there are at least ten shorelines at different elevations at Juyan Lake, at least four on the northwest side of the Jilantai Salt Lake, and nine shorelines and one terrace on the northeast margin of Zhuye Lake. Stratigraphic correlations and chronological evidence indicate that the paleo-lakes have the highest lake levels in Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. Though the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) results which have been reported by some scholars do not support this view, the fact that the paleo-lakes have the highest lake levels in MIS 3 can not be denied. Differences between OSL and 14 C results from this work might indicate that high lake levels existed on the Alxa Plateau during two different periods. It also suggests that the high lake levels may exist in both MIS 5 and early MIS 3. This paper also provides the basic hydrological information for further water resources research in this arid region. Alxa Plateau, desert, MIS 3, MIS 5, high lake levels, late Quaternary Citation:Wang N A, Li Z L, Cheng H Y, et al. High lake levels on Alxa Plateau during the Late Quaternary.

show abstract

“…Meanwhile, a high lake level of Toson Lake during MIS3 was recorded at 31 ka (Fan et al, 2012). Furthermore, a large number of high paleo-shorelines have been identified along the southern margin of Qinghai Lake, and OSL dating results suggest that high lake levels that are~20 to 66 m above that of the modern lake occurred at~110-75 ka (Madsen et al, 2008;Liu et al, 2010;Rhode et al, 2010). Pollen record from Zoige Basin of eastern Tibetan Plateau indicate that coniferous forest expanded in the catchment of the Zoige Basin during last interglacial and some periods of last glacial (Chen et al, 1999).…”

Section: Regional Correlation and Possible Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 94–10ka pollen record of vegetation change in Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Wei

Fan

Zhao

et al. 2015

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drill core (ISL1A) was obtained from the Qarhan Salt Lake in central eastern Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NE TP). Fossil pollen and the lithology of the core sediment were analyzed in conjunction with AMS 14 C and 230 Th dating. The results indicated that Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae dominated the steppe/desert steppe vegetation developed around the lake between 94 and 51.2 ka, corresponding with the organic-rich silty clay deposited in the core sediments. Pediastrum continuously appeared in the core sediments between 94 and 51.2 ka, indicating freshwater to oligohaline conditions of the paleo-Qarhan Lake during the late marine isotope stage (MIS) 5, MIS 4, and early MIS 3. During the 51.2 to 32.5 ka period, Ephedra dominated shrub-desert vegetation expanded in the basin, while, Pediastrum disappeared in the core sediments. The core sediments consisted of interbedded layers of halite silt and clay-rich halite between 51.2 and 32.5 ka, signifying a shift toward drier hydrologic conditions. Thus, the paleo-Qarhan Lake experienced periods of desiccation and shallow water levels. Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae dominated steppe/desert steppe vegetation appeared again from 32.5 to 25.3 ka, with clay-rich sediments in the core, thereby suggesting an increase of runoff from the lake under relatively wetter climatic conditions. Since 25.3 ka, however, pollen concentrations declined, corresponding with the amount of halite deposited in the core sediment and, suggesting a cold, dry climatic condition during MIS2. Our findings have important implications for understanding complex regional vegetation and climatic responses to large-scale forcings in the Qaidam Basin.

show abstract

Age constraints on the late Quaternary evolution of Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau

Cited by 130 publications

References 38 publications

Spatiotemporal variations of Chinese lakes and their driving mechanisms since the Last Glacial Maximum: A review and synthesis of lacustrine sediment archives

Spatiotemporal variations of Chinese lakes and their driving mechanisms since the Last Glacial Maximum: A review and synthesis of lacustrine sediment archives

High lake levels on Alxa Plateau during the Late Quaternary

A 94–10ka pollen record of vegetation change in Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About