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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Lacustrine records of Holocene flood pulse dynamics in the Upper Paraguay River watershed (Pantanal wetlands, Brazil)

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Author(s):
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McGlue, Michael M. [1, 2] ; Silva, Aguinaldo [3] ; Zani, Hiran [4] ; Corradini, Fabricio A. [5] ; Parolin, Mauro [6] ; Abel, Erin J. [1] ; Cohen, Andrew S. [1] ; Assine, Mario L. [7] ; Ellis, Geoffrey S. [2] ; Trees, Mark A. [1] ; Kuerten, Sidney [8] ; Gradella, Frederico dos Santos ; Rasbold, Giliane Gessica [6]
Total Authors: 13
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Arizona, Dept Geosci, Tucson, AZ 85721 - USA
[2] US Geol Survey, Cent Energy Resources Sci Ctr, Denver Fed Ctr MS 977, Lakewood, CO 80225 - USA
[3] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul UFMS CPAN, Dept Ciencias Ambiente, BR-79304902 Corumba, MS - Brazil
[4] Inst Natl Pesquisas Espaciais INPE, Div Sensoriamento Remoto, BR-12201970 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Para UFPA, Fac Geog, BR-68501970 Maraba, PA - Brazil
[6] Fac Estadual Ciencias & Letras Campo Mourao, Lab Estudos Paleoambientais Fecilcam LEPAFE, BR-87303100 Campo Mourao, PR - Brazil
[7] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Dept Geol Aplicada IGCE, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[8] Univ Estadual Mato Grosso do Sul UEMS, Dept Geog, BR-79240000 Jardim, MS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: Quaternary Research; v. 78, n. 2, p. 285-294, SEP 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 36
Abstract

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and a biodiversity hotspot, yet its response to Quaternary environmental change is unclear. To address this problem, sediment cores from shallow lakes connected to the Upper Paraguay River (PR) were analyzed and radiocarbon dated to track changes in sedimentary environments. Stratal relations, detrital particle size, multiple biogeochemical indicators, and sponge spicules suggest fluctuating lake-level lowstand conditions between similar to 11,000 and 5300 cal yr BP, punctuated by sporadic and in some cases erosive flood flows. A hiatus has been recorded from similar to 5300 to 2600 cal yr BP, spurred by confinement of the PR within its channel during an episode of profound regional drought. Sustained PR flooding caused a transgression after similar to 2600 cal yr BP, with lake-level highstand conditions appearing during the Little Ice Age. Holocene PR flood pulse dynamics are best explained by variability in effective precipitation, likely driven by insolation and tropical sea-surface temperature gradients. Our results provide novel support for hypotheses on: (1) stratigraphic discontinuity of floodplain sedimentary archives; (2) late Holocene methane flux from Southern Hemisphere wetlands; and (3) pre-colonial indigenous ceramics traditions in western Brazil. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington. (AU)