In:
Quaternary Research, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 72, No. 2 ( 2009-09), p. 258-264
Abstract:
Late Quaternary terrestrial climate records from the semi-arid zone of the Western Cape of South Africa are rare. However, palaeoenvironmental information may be inferred from ancient termite mounds of the region. Calcrete lenses in these mounds have δ 13 C and δ 18 O values that show systematic changes with radiocarbon dates, which range from 33,629–36,709 to 21,676–23,256 cal yr BP. These dates confirm that these heuweltjies had been present in the landscape since the last glacial period. The decrease in δ 13 C and δ 18 O from 33,629–36,709 to 21,676–23,256 cal yr BP indicates that climate information is recorded by the calcretes. It is suggested that a progressive decline in air temperature and an increase in moisture availability, and a decline in abundance of C 4 or CAM plants, occurred in the region during the time heuweltjie calcite precipitated.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0033-5894
,
1096-0287
DOI:
10.1016/j.yqres.2009.04.008
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1471589-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
205711-6
SSG:
13
SSG:
14
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