South American Monsoon Precipitation Patterns Under Different Warming Backgrounds in the Past 160 Ka and the Anthropocene Epoch

• Grant number: 25/01876-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 02, 2025
• End date: February 01, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Francisco William da Cruz Junior
• Grantee: Patricia de Sena Piacsek Borges
• Supervisor: Anna Nele Meckler
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Bergen, Norway
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/07479-4 - South American Monsoon Precipitation Patterns Under Different Warming Backgrounds in the Past 160 Ka and the Anthropocene Epoch, BP.PD

Abstract

This research delves into the intricate interplay between climate dynamics, atmospheric conditions, and hydrological patterns over various temporal scales, focusing mainly on the Holocene and glacial-interglacial transitions. As global temperatures approach or surpass the critical 1.5°C threshold, significant alterations in precipitation patterns ensue, accompanied by heightened regional and seasonal variability of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS). Notably, the study identifies a scarcity of research evaluating the response of monsoonal rainfall to continental warming scenarios. To bridge this gap, we highlight the importance of accurate temperature estimations across different climatic epochs, including glacial terminations and interglacial periods. Drawing upon three stalagmite records at cave sites under the influence of SAMS, the proposed research aims to reconstruct the paleotemperatures by employing a multi-proxy approach, encompassing ¿18O, trace elements, and paleotemperature reconstruction through thermometry methods such as fluid inclusions. The results of this study will have significant implications for the understanding of past climate variations and for the elucidation of the mechanisms that drive the transport of atmospheric moisture during periods of critical climate transitions from colder to warmer periods. Ultimately, this investigation contributes to a deeper understanding of the links between global climate dynamics and SAMS hydrological patterns, facilitating assessments of future climate scenarios for SAMS under global warming conditions.