Stalagmite growth during MIS 3

Klose, Jennifer

Quantitative multi-proxy climate reconstruction for MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany PhD Thesis

2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (Summer School on Speleothem Sciences 2023, Sao Paulo).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing and progression of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (XXI INQUA Conference, Rome (Italy)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.; Scholz, D.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2022, (KR9 Konferenz in Innsbruck).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Vonhof, Hubert

Determination of phases of warm climate during MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2021, (GeoKarlsruhe 2021: Sustainable Earth – From processes to resources, Karlsruhe).

Abstract | BibTeX

Different curves
Growth phases of Bleßberg speleothems in comparison to other climate data: (a) Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) reconstruction based on Pa/Th data from core CDH19 from the Bermuda Rise (dark turquoise line). (b) Red Sea sea level reconstruction (dark blue line). (c) North Atlantic sea ice cover reconstruction, based on PbIP25 (an isoprenoid lipid) from the southeastern Norwegian Sea (light turquoise line with triangles). (d) Summer sea surface temperatures (SST) based on alkenone measurements from core MD01-2444 at the Iberian Margin (37°N, black line). (e, f, and g): Vegetation reconstructions based on pollen data from grasses (green), spruce (dark green), and hornbeam (yellow-green) from different Eifel Maar cores (AU3, AU4, HM4). (h) Ice rafted debris (IRD) from core MD01-2040 at the Iberian Margin (40°N, light orange). (i) Combined relative frequency of growth of all three Bleßberg speleothem samples with more than 30% positive slopes in the age model (red). The leads and lags between the onset of DO events in Greenland and the onset of speleothem growth in Bleßberg Cave are indicated. DO events (grey) and Heinrich events (blue) are marked by colored bars.

This scientific study analyzes the speleothem growth phases in the Bleßberg Cave based on the sinter samples BB-9, BB-10, and BB-15 to investigate climatic changes during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3), approximately 60,000 to 30,000 years ago. The speleothem growth phases coincide with warm and humid climate periods that mark so-called Dansgaard-Oeschger events (DO events). These events were characterized by rapid warming during the last ice age.

A total of nine growth phases were identified, eight of which correlate with DO events such as 16, 14–11 (60.14 – 48.55 ka BP) and 8–6 (38.12 – 32.82 ka BP). These phases occurred during periods of strong Atlantic Ocean currents, warm sea surface temperatures, and reduced sea ice coverage. The most notable growth phase occurred during DO14 (53.4 – 50.4 ka BP), the longest and warmest event of MIS 3. During this time, dense vegetation consisting of Picea and Carpinus trees dominated, indicating particularly favorable climate conditions in Central Europe.

The analysis of carbon isotopes (δ13C), oxygen isotopes (δ18O), and calcium isotopes (δ44/42Ca) plays an important role. The δ13C values show a trend towards higher values over the course of MIS 3, indicating drier conditions and a less developed soil and vegetation cover. Calcium isotopes also confirm the trend towards a drier climate, as calcium tends to precipitate before speleothem formation, which happens more frequently under dry conditions. The study of vegetation shows that it changed from non-woody plants to woody vegetation, particularly between 53,000 and 51,000 years ago. Later, it shifted back to non-woody plants, reflecting drier conditions. The oxygen isotopes also indicate a trend towards colder conditions in the later stages of MIS 3.

During DO14 (approximately 53,500 to 50,500 years ago), there was a warm, humid climate with well-developed soils and dense vegetation, which enabled continuous speleothem growth. At the end of this phase, two cold events occurred, leading to a decline in vegetation and drier, colder conditions.

Overall, the speleothem data from Bleßberg Cave provide important insights into the climate during MIS 3 and highlight that alternating periods of moisture and dryness influenced the growth of the speleothems.

Stalagmite growth during MIS 9 and MIS 11

Zhang, Junjie; Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Katzschmann, Lutz; Kraemer, Dennis; Tsukamoto, Sumiko

Isothermal thermoluminescence dating of speleothem growth – A case study from Bleßberg cave 2, Journal Article

In: Quaternary Geochronology, vol. 85, pp. 101628, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, Jennifer

Quantitative multi-proxy climate reconstruction for MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany PhD Thesis

2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Zhang, J.; Klose, J.; Sierralta, M.; Tsukamoto, S.; Scholz, D.; Marwan, N.; Breitenbach, S.

Isothermal thermoluminescence (ITL) dating of a speleothem from Bleßberg Cave Presentation

29.06.2023, (17th International Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance Dating conference (LED2023), Copenhagen (Denmark)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Kühne, Sofia

Spurenelementanalyse eines Speläothems der Marinen Isotopenstadien 9 und 11 aus der Blessberghöhle Bachelor Thesis

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Geier, Florian

230Th/U – Datierung eines Speläothems der Marinen Isotopenstadien 9 und 11 aus der Bleßberghöhle in Thüringen Bachelor Thesis

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Sierralta, Melanie; Katzschmann, Lutz; Nikonow, Wilhelm; Rammlmair, Dieter

Insights in Bleßberg cave: Speleothem chronology and geochemical research Proceedings Article

In: 75. Jahrestagung der Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft in Hannover, 2015.

Abstract | BibTeX

Some initial investigations on BB2-1 from the Blessberg Cave 2 were already performed at the LIAG in 2014/15, such as age dating, initial trace element and oxygen isotope analyses. Thus the approximate age of the stalagmite was known: 360 to 301 ka BP.

In 2022, as part of a bachelor thesis at the University of Mainz, the stalagmite BB2-1 was systematically dated and the new ages evaluated. For this purpose, 14 dating samples were taken and dated in the Isotope Geochemical Palaeoclimatology working group at the University of Mainz by means of U/ThU/Th-Datierung Die U/Th-Datierung ist eine sehr präzise radiometrische Altersbestimmung auf Basis der Uran-Thorium-Zerfallsreihe. Das Uran zerfällt mit bekannten Halbwertszeiten (245.500 Jahre) zum Tochterelement Thorium. Stalagmiten bauen bei ihrem Wachstum (fast) nur das wasserlösliche Uran ein, während das schlecht bewegliche Thorium zum größten Teil im Boden und Epikarst über der Höhle verbleibt. Das kann man nutzen, um die Zeit zu berechnen, die seit der Ausfällung der untersuchten Karbonatprobe vergangen ist. Moderne massenspektrometrische Verfahren erlauben Altersbestimmungen mit der U/Th-Methode bis zu 700.000 Jahren vor Heute. dating on a more modern system than at LIAG. Possible detritical content were taken into account and the ages corrected accordingly. The ages are, therefore, significantly more accurate than those already known.

The oldest age was found at the base of the stalagmite, as expected. It is 425.46 ± 5.43 ka BP. The youngest age, at the top of the stalagmite, is 320.49 ± 9.58 ka BP. The ages in between do not change uniformly. In the lower 4/5 of the stalagmite, all ages are older than 400 ka BP. Only in the upper fifth of the stalagmite the ages are significantly younger and range between 341.31 and 320.49 ka BP.

Stalagmit BB2/1 with dated ages
Stalagmite BB2/1 with drill sites (red) of the individual samples with the measured and corrected ages.

This allows us to define the growth phases of the stalagmite: The lower, larger part grew in isotope stage 11, the upper, younger part in isotope stage 9. Both stages are warm periods. The stalgamite did not grow in the cold periods before, in between, and after. It is interesting that growth only occurred in the beginning phases of these warm periods, which are warmer than the following phases within the isotope stage in question (growth in MIS 11e to 11c as well as in MIS 9e). After that, no more stalagmite growth took place, not even in more recent warm periods, which suggests a change in the hydrological conditions.

First Reconstruction of the Holocene Climate

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert

Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung Book Section

In: Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V. (Ed.): Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle, Suhl, 2022.

Abstract | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Wenz, Sarah; Leonhardt, Jens; Tjallingii, Rik; Scholz, Denis; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Marwan, Norbert

A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-14213, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

The first results of the geochemical analyses of the three stalagmites BB-1 to BB-3 already allow conclusions about the climatic changes of the last 14,000 years. A detailed interpretation can be found in the article Climate zone shift in Central Europe.

First results of analyses of BB-1 to BB-3
Logo Univ Mainz

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Geosciences – Isotope-geochemical Palaeoclimatology/Speleothem Research

The IsotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben.-geochemical Palaeoclimatology/Speleothem Research Group exists since September 2009 and is led by Prof. Dr. Denis Scholz. The major goal of the group is the reconstruction of past climate variability. We mainly use speleothems, such as stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones, as climate archives, which are secondary carbonates found in caves.

The group performs research in the Bleßberg Cave by dating and geochemical analyses of stalagmites.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Denis Scholz

Web site

https://www.geowiss.uni-mainz.de/isotopengeochemische-palaeoklimatologie-spelaeothemforschung/

Publications

Zhang, Junjie; Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Katzschmann, Lutz; Kraemer, Dennis; Tsukamoto, Sumiko

Isothermal thermoluminescence dating of speleothem growth – A case study from Bleßberg cave 2, Journal Article

In: Quaternary Geochronology, vol. 85, pp. 101628, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, Jennifer

Quantitative multi-proxy climate reconstruction for MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany PhD Thesis

2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (Summer School on Speleothem Sciences 2023, Sao Paulo).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing and progression of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (XXI INQUA Conference, Rome (Italy)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Kühne, Sofia

Spurenelementanalyse eines Speläothems der Marinen Isotopenstadien 9 und 11 aus der Blessberghöhle Bachelor Thesis

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.; Scholz, D.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2022, (KR9 Konferenz in Innsbruck).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Geier, Florian

230Th/U – Datierung eines Speläothems der Marinen Isotopenstadien 9 und 11 aus der Bleßberghöhle in Thüringen Bachelor Thesis

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Bojack, Stephan

Rekonstruktion des MIS 3 anhand von Wachstumsphasen eines präzise datierten Speläothems aus der Bleßberghöhle Bachelor Thesis

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 2022.

Links | BibTeX

Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Vonhof, Hubert

Determination of phases of warm climate during MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2021, (GeoKarlsruhe 2021: Sustainable Earth – From processes to resources, Karlsruhe).

Abstract | BibTeX

Waltgenbach, Sarah

Evaluation of the potential of speleothems for reconstruction of (short-term) phases of extreme climate PhD Thesis

2019.

Abstract | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Goswami, Bedartha; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Holocene interaction of maritime and continental climate in Central Europe: New speleothem evidence from Central Germany Journal Article

In: Global and Planetary Change, vol. 176, pp. 144–161, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Tracing past shifts of the boundary between maritime and continental climate over Central Europe Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2018-9046, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Wenz, Sarah; Leonhardt, Jens; Tjallingii, Rik; Scholz, Denis; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Marwan, Norbert

A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-14213, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Wenz, Sarah; Scholz, Denis; Spötl, Christoph; Plessen, Birgit; Mischel, Simon; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Fohlmeister, Jens

Timing and duration of climate variability during the 8.2 ka event reconstructed from four speleothems from Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-12731, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Scholz, Denis; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence properties as signatures for abrupt climate change Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2014-8893, 2014.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Logo Northumbria Univ

Northumbria University Newcastle, Geography and Environmental Sciences – Cold and Palaeo Environments Group

The Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne includes research groups focusing on our Planet’s past, present, and future. The Cold and Palaeo Environments Group (CAPE) particularly aims at understanding the interaction between ancient biosphere, atmosphere, and cryosphere over the last 50 million years.

The group uses state-of-the-art geochemical methods, microfossil analyses, numerical models, and field studies to improve our understanding of the Earth system. The new Northumbria IsotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben. and Clumped geothermometryClumped geothermometry Clumped geothermometry … for Environmental Studies (NICEST) laboratory uses stable isotope systems (δ13C, δ18O, δ15N, δ2H, and Δ47) to explore terrestrial, lacustrine, and marine carbonate systems in search of past climatic and environmental changes.

The geochemistry of speleothems helps reconstruct past hydrological changes. To quantify such changes, the lab analyses is combined with environmental monitoring. The group also works closely with other teams (e.g., the Alfred-Wegener Institute (AWI), PIK Potsdam, Waikato University, University of Oxford, and many others) to develop new quantitative proxiesProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist  man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. and techniques to learn more about Earth’s history.

A very strong focus is on past permafrostPermafrost Unter Permafrost versteht man dauerhaft gefrorenen Boden, der auch im Sommer nicht auftaut. In Mitteleuropa gab es während den Eiszeiten Permafrost. dynamics; in a new project funded by The Leverhulme Trust, Seb Breitenbach investigates the last 500,000 years of Siberian permafrost with the help of cave deposits, permafrost ice, and fossil ostracod shells.

Contact

Dr. Sebastian Breitenbach

Web site

https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/coldandpalaeo/

Publikationen

Zhang, Junjie; Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Katzschmann, Lutz; Kraemer, Dennis; Tsukamoto, Sumiko

Isothermal thermoluminescence dating of speleothem growth – A case study from Bleßberg cave 2, Journal Article

In: Quaternary Geochronology, vol. 85, pp. 101628, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (Summer School on Speleothem Sciences 2023, Sao Paulo).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.; Scholz, D.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2022, (KR9 Konferenz in Innsbruck).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert

Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung Book Section

In: Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V. (Ed.): Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle, Suhl, 2022.

Abstract | BibTeX

Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Vonhof, Hubert

Determination of phases of warm climate during MIS 3 in Central Europe based on precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2021, (GeoKarlsruhe 2021: Sustainable Earth – From processes to resources, Karlsruhe).

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Presentation

07.05.2019, (Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2019-2817, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Goswami, Bedartha; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Holocene interaction of maritime and continental climate in Central Europe: New speleothem evidence from Central Germany Journal Article

In: Global and Planetary Change, vol. 176, pp. 144–161, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Tracing past shifts of the boundary between maritime and continental climate over Central Europe Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2018-9046, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Wenz, Sarah; Leonhardt, Jens; Tjallingii, Rik; Scholz, Denis; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Marwan, Norbert

A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-14213, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Wenz, Sarah; Scholz, Denis; Spötl, Christoph; Plessen, Birgit; Mischel, Simon; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Fohlmeister, Jens

Timing and duration of climate variability during the 8.2 ka event reconstructed from four speleothems from Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-12731, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Scholz, Denis; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence properties as signatures for abrupt climate change Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2014-8893, 2014.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

BB-8 (Vorschau)

Quantitative climate reconstruction for Marine Isotope Stage 3

Logo DFG

DFG Project: Quantitative climate reconstruction for MIS 3MIS 3 "MIS" ist die Abkürzung für "marine isotope stage", übersetzt also "Isotopenstadium mariner Sedimente". Da sich beim Wechsel von Warm- zu Kaltzeiten (und umgekehrt) die Isotopenverhältnisse in den Kalkschalen kleiner Einzeller (Foraminiferen) auf dem Meeresboden ändern, werden diese zur Datierung herangezogen und lassen sich zur Eingruppierung verschiedener Klimazustände in der Vergangenheit nutzen. "MIS 3" bedeutet dabei eine kurzzeitige Warmphase (beginnend vor 57 Tausend Jahren) während der letzten Eiszeit. in Central Europe based on multi-proxyProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist  man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. data from precisely dated speleothems (flowstones) from Bleßberg Cave, Germany

Project lead

Involved Partners

Content

The last glacial period and in particular the Marine IsotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben. Stage (MISMIS "MIS" ist die Abkürzung für "marine isotope stage", übersetzt also "Isotopenstadium mariner Sedimente". Da sich beim Wechsel von Warm- zu Kaltzeiten (und umgekehrt) die Isotopenverhältnisse in den Kalkschalen kleiner Einzeller (Foraminiferen) auf dem Meeresboden ändern, werden diese zur Datierung herangezogen und lassen sich zur Eingruppierung verschiedener Klimazustände in der Vergangenheit nutzen. Die MIS werden rückwärts nummeriert (also größere Zahl = älter) und ungerade Zahlen stehen für Warmzeiten, gerade für Kaltzeiten.) 3 (ca. 57 to 27 kaka BP Mit "ka BP" sind "Tausend Jahre vor 1950" gemeint. Das "BP" steht für "before present", was in der Paläoklima-Wissenschaft als 1950 festgelegt wurde. "11.000 ka BP" bedeuted also 11 Tausend Jahre vor 1950, oder unter Verwendung unseres gewohnten Kalenders: 9050 v. Chr.) is, compared to the recent warm phase, the Holocene, characterised by larger climate oscillations. These are detectable in δ18O records from Greenland ice cores and other climate archives in Europe, such as pollen or tree ring records. Unfortunately, little direct proxyProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist  man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. evidence is available from central Europe, and the climatic and environmental conditions during MIS 3 remains largely enigmatic. Speleothem records from central Europe during MIS 3 are limited due to cold climate conditions and mainly restricted to the warmer southern or alpine regions, where meltwater enabled speleothem growth.

Preliminary 230Th/UU/Th-Datierung Die U/Th-Datierung ist eine sehr präzise radiometrische Altersbestimmung auf Basis der Uran-Thorium-Zerfallsreihe. Das Uran zerfällt mit bekannten Halbwertszeiten (245.500 Jahre) zum Tochterelement Thorium. Stalagmiten bauen bei ihrem Wachstum (fast) nur das wasserlösliche Uran ein, während das schlecht bewegliche Thorium zum größten Teil im Boden und Epikarst über der Höhle verbleibt. Das kann man nutzen, um die Zeit zu berechnen, die seit der Ausfällung der untersuchten Karbonatprobe vergangen ist. Moderne massenspektrometrische Verfahren erlauben Altersbestimmungen mit der U/Th-Methode bis zu 700.000 Jahren vor Heute.-dating of further speleothems from Bleßberg Cave (Germany) revealed two flowstones, which grew during MIS 3 and the Late Glacial. Therefore, these flowstones are the most northern continental growth of speleothems during MIS 3 in central Europe.

The main objective of this project is to construct a precisely dated multi-proxy climate record for MIS 3 and the Late Glacial based on the flowstones from Bleßberg Cave. This will provide the unique opportunity to obtain precisely dated information on terrestrial climate variability during selected phases of the last glacial period, which is currently not available for Central Europe based on speleothems. With the combination of several different proxiesProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist  man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet., such as stable isotopes and trace elements, the results from a cave monitoring program, the analysis of the δD and δ18O values of inclusions of fossil water, and isotope-enabled climate modelling, we will be able to obtain detailed insights into environmental conditions in central Europe during MIS 3 and the Late Glacial.

Logo PIK

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) – Group Development of advanced time series analysis techniques

The Potsdam Institute is a non-university research institute primarily concerned with questions about the causes and effects of climate change and with developing policy options to mitigate climate risks. It was founded in 1992 and is a member of the Leibniz Association.

The group “Development of advanced time series analysis techniques” of the department “Complex Systems” is involved in the research at Bleßberg Cave. Here, together with the partners, the age models for the stalagmites are calculated and complex statistical evaluations of the palaeoclimate data are carried out.

Contact

Dr. Norbert Marwan

Web site

https://www.pik-potsdam.de/

Publications

Zhang, Junjie; Klose, Jennifer; Scholz, Denis; Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Katzschmann, Lutz; Kraemer, Dennis; Tsukamoto, Sumiko

Isothermal thermoluminescence dating of speleothem growth – A case study from Bleßberg cave 2, Journal Article

In: Quaternary Geochronology, vol. 85, pp. 101628, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (Summer School on Speleothem Sciences 2023, Sao Paulo).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.; Scholz, D.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2022, (KR9 Konferenz in Innsbruck).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert

Bleßberghöhle – Schatzkammer für die Wissenschaft Presentation

15.06.2022, (VdHK-Symposium: Wissenschaft unter Tage – Höhlenforschung im Dialog, Truckenthal (Germany)).

BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert

Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung Book Section

In: Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V. (Ed.): Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle, Suhl, 2022.

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Presentation

07.05.2019, (Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2019-2817, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Goswami, Bedartha; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Holocene interaction of maritime and continental climate in Central Europe: New speleothem evidence from Central Germany Journal Article

In: Global and Planetary Change, vol. 176, pp. 144–161, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis

Tracing past shifts of the boundary between maritime and continental climate over Central Europe Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2018-9046, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Wenz, Sarah; Leonhardt, Jens; Tjallingii, Rik; Scholz, Denis; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Marwan, Norbert

A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-14213, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Scholz, Denis; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence properties as signatures for abrupt climate change Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2014-8893, 2014.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Novel methods for studying palaeoclimate dynamics

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Presentation

07.05.2019, (Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence based entropies Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2019-2817, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

At PIK, among other things, new methods are being developed that, on the one hand, can be used to investigate new aspects in palaeoclimate data, but on the other hand can also cope with the difficulties usually associated with palaeoclimate analyses – such as gaps in data series, uncertainties in the dating, or irregularities in the data sampling. Although this is basic research, it is also immediately applied to interesting questions.

In this example, a method was developed to determine the regularity of certain recurring pattern in the data. The technical terms here are “recurrence” and “entropy” (a measure of disorder). Methods that look for recurring patterns are used in various disciplines, not only in the geosciences, but also in medicine, mechanical engineering, finance, and so on. Besides finding abrupt changes, they are also used for comparing different data sets or for classification (e.g. for machine learning).

The newly developed method was applied to the carbon isotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben. data from BB-1 and BB-3 (for this purpose, the data from both stalagmites were combined into one long data series using a special procedure). Interestingly, there are regular differences during the influence of the maritime climate (Atlantic influence) and during the influence of the continental climate. During the Atlantic influence, the climate seems to have changed more regularly than during the dominant continental climate (this may be related to the regular change of cold events in the North Atlantic, so-called “Bond events”, or to the North Atlantic Oscillation). This could be used to extend our knowledge about the migration of the climate zone boundary, as known for the last 4,000 years (see Climate Zone Shift in central Europe), further into the past. Whenever the new measure indicates that there were more regular climate dynamics, the climate zone boundary was further east of the Bleßberg Cave.

Abrupt Climate Change

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (Summer School on Speleothem Sciences 2023, Sao Paulo).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Scholz, D.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.

Timing and progression of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2023, (XXI INQUA Conference, Rome (Italy)).

Abstract | BibTeX

Klose, J.; Weber, M.; Vonhof, H.; Plessen, B.; Breitenbach, S.; Marwan, N.; Scholz, D.

Timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Central Europe based on three precisely dated speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Germany Proceedings

Poster, 2022, (KR9 Konferenz in Innsbruck).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert

Bleßberghöhle – Schatzkammer für die Wissenschaft Presentation

15.06.2022, (VdHK-Symposium: Wissenschaft unter Tage – Höhlenforschung im Dialog, Truckenthal (Germany)).

BibTeX

Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert

Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung Book Section

In: Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V. (Ed.): Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle, Suhl, 2022.

Abstract | BibTeX

Marwan, Norbert; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Scholz, Denis; Leonhardt, Jens

Recurrence properties as signatures for abrupt climate change Proceedings Article

In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2014-8893, 2014.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Among other things, new methods are being developed at PIK that, on the one hand, investigate new aspects in palaeoclimate data, but also cope with the difficulties usually associated with palaeoclimate analyses – such as gaps in the data, age uncertainties, or irregularities in the data sampling. While this is basic research, it is also immediately applied to interesting research questions.

One focus is the development and application of methods that specifically investigate recurring patterns. These methods are very successful for finding abrupt changes, but also for comparing different data sets, e.g., to detect mutual influences.

In one of our first analyses of the three stalagmites BB-1 to BB-3, we had looked at the oxygen isotopes of BB-1 with recurrence based methods. Thereby we had explicitly considered dating uncertainties. Due to the dating uncertainties there are small shifts of the time series along the x-axis. Therefore, within the uncertainties, different realizations of the course of the measured oxygen isotopes are possible.

Sauerstoffisotope von BB-1
Oxygen isotopes of BB-1. Due to the dating uncertainties, there are several possibilities when changes in this climate archive happened. The stalagmite grew from about 6,000 years ago to about 400 years ago.

The recurrence patterns are examined with a special analysis tool, the so-called “recurrence plot”. This can be used to plot times when similar states have occurred. The patterns seen in such a recurrence plot have a deeper meaning and can be further analyzed and quantified to find changes in the dynamics of the underlying process.

Recurrence plot der Sauerstoffisotope von BB-1
Recurrence plot of one realization of the measured oxygen isotopes in BB-1.

The numerical analysis of recurrence plots yields various results that shed light on different aspects of climate dynamics. Two such results are briefly presented here: on the one hand, the complexity of climate variability (“transitivityTransitivity Ein Maß aus der Netzwerktheorie, welches quantifiziert, wie stark sich Zustände zu kleinen Gruppen zusammenfinden.”) and, on the other hand, how well such a climate signal would be predictable (“determinismDeterminism Ein Maß aus der Wiederkehr-Analyse, welches beschreibt, wie gut sich die Veränderung eines Systems vorhersagen läßt.”). Both results show a general tendency towards greater complexity and lower predictability for younger ages. However, they also show short-lived increases to better predictability for certain time points, namely about 4,200, 2,800, and 1,400 years ago. It was precisely at these times that short-lived and rapid glaciations occurred in the North Atlantic, the so-called “Bond events.” Moreover, there are variations in the complexity of the climate signal (“transitivity”), but these variations are within the range of uncertainty (confidence interval), so we cannot really interpret them.

Recurrence quantification der Sauerstoffisotope von BB-1
Quantitative analysis of recurrence patterns in oxygen isotope measurements of BB-1.