Silva-Sánchez, N., Schofield, J. E., Mighall, T. M., Martínez Cortizas, A., Edwards, K. J. and Foster, I. D. L. (2015) Climate changes, lead pollution and soil erosion in south Greenland over the past 700 years. Quaternary Research. 84(2), pp. 159-173. 0033-5894.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | A peat core from southern Greenland provided a rare opportunity to investigate human-environment interactions, climate change and atmospheric pollution over the last ~700 years. X-ray fluorescence, gas chromatography-combustion, isotope ratiomass spectrometry, peat humification and fourier-transforminfrared spectroscopy were applied and combined with palynological and archaeological evidence. Variations in peat mineral content seem to be related to soil erosion linked with human activity during the late Norse period (13th–14th centuries AD) and the modern era (20th century). Cooler conditions during the Little Ice Age (LIA) are reflected by both slow rates of peat growth and carbon accumulation, and by low bromine (Br) concentrations. Spörer and Maunder minima in solar activity may be indicated by further declines in Br and enrichment in easily degradable compounds such as polysaccharides. Peat organic matter composition was also influenced by vegetation changes at the end of the LIA when the expansion of oceanic heath was associated with polysaccharide enrichment. Atmospheric lead pollution was recorded in the peat after ~AD 1845, and peak values occurred in the 1970s. There is indirect support for a predominantly North American lead source, but further Pb isotopic analysis would be needed to confirm this hypothesis. |
| Additional Information: | A pre-publication version of this article was made available electronically by the publisher on 15 July 2015. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Greenland, Norse, soil erosion, Little Ice Age, lead (Pb), metal pollution, FTIR, pollen, geochemistry |
| Subjects: |
C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology > CC79.36 Soil science in archaeology Q Science > QE Geology > QE500 Dynamic and structural geology > QE515 Geochemistry |
| Creators: | Silva-Sánchez, Noemí, Schofield, J Edward, Mighall, Tim M, Martínez Cortizas, Antonio, Edwards, Kevin J and Foster, Ian D L |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: | Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science |
| Date: | 1 September 2015 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 159-173 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Quaternary Research |
| Volume: | 84 |
| Number: | 2 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2015.06.001 |
| ISSN: | 0033-5894 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7681 |
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