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Here, we present the results of carbon isotope and elemental analysis of one-year-old Pinus Sylvestris L. needles collected in 2021 from 10 sampling sites in a highly populated and industrialized area of Poland. The needles were exposed to air pollution for one year. The chemical analysis of the samples was performed using different methods: radiocarbon analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry, stable isotope analysis using isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Variations in the carbon isotopes and elemental composition of pine needles were due to a mixture of carbon dioxide originating from different sources such as households, vehicle traffic, and industrial factories.

Wasted tires are the great source of fuel and valuable components but could be a cause of environmental and land pollution. This study shows the detailed method for the determination of radiocarbon isotope (14C) concentration in tires and their pyrolysis products. Samples are taken from truck and passenger car tires in the form of shredded rubber, pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black. Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) techniques were used for the investigation at Gliwice Radiocarbon and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, and National Laboratory for Age Determination, Trondheim, Norway. The results are in good agreement. Radiocarbon concentration of the rubber varies significantly because of its complex structure and composition within the tires. The 14C concentration values were found to be higher in pyrolytic oil compared to rubber, and greater in truck tires rather than car tires.

This paper presents 66 radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained at 33 key sites from the Polish part of the European Sand Belt. These calibrated dating results were compared to 34 high-resolution 14C dates obtained from a fluvial-aeolian sediments to identify pedogenic phases from the late Pleniglacial interval to the early Holocene. These identified pedogenic phases were correlated with Greenland ice-core records, revealing high sensitivity of the fluvio-aeolian paleoenvironment to climate changes. Two pedogenic phases were identified from the late Pleniglacial interval (Greenland Stadial GS-2.1b and GS-2.1a), three from the Bølling-Allerød interstadial (Greenland Stadial GI-1), one from the late Allerød–Younger Dryas boundary, and at least one from the Younger Dryas. The ages of these pedogenic phases reveal a distinct delay of 50–100 calendar years after the onset of cool climate conditions during GI-1, reflecting gradual withdrawal of vegetation. Soil horizons from the early Holocene do not show any clear relation with climate change, where breaks in soil formation were caused by local factors such as human activity.

Determining the biocomponents in liquid fuels using radiocarbon radioisotope (14C) dating requires sample preparation adaptations to the conditions of the Gliwice Radiocarbon and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory. Liquid scintillation counting (LSC), and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) were investigated using six samples, including one 14C-free fuel and modern hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). For AMS, samples were prepared using tin capsules for liquids for EA combustion and graphitization in an AGE system. For LSC, liquid fuels were prepared by mixing with purified preheated sand and a benzene synthesis line. Benzene resublimation was also tested. IRMS measurements were also conducted for benzene to account for isotopic fractionation. Sample background measurements using both methods showed good performances by both AMS and LSC without resublimation. Comparable results were also obtained for HVO.

Reconstructing the palaeodiet of populations associated with the Lusatian Urnfields is an important part of the study of prehistoric communities. It is particularly important because of the limitations arising from the widespread use of cremation in this period, which precludes the determination of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios in bone collagen. The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were analysed in bone samples selected from the 23 individuals recovered from inhumation burials in the bi-ritual cemetery of the Lusatian Urnfields in Świbie, Gliwice District. Samples from preserved fragments of long bone shafts and cranial bones, and in one case a fragment of the last lumbar vertebra, were selected for analysis. Due to the very poor state of preservation of the skeletons, it was impossible to carry out palaeodiet reconstruction studies for many of the individuals. No animal bones with diagnostic characteristics were preserved in the Świbie cemetery, so the trophic background was determined based on the published data for fauna from Neolithic and Late Bronze Age sites. All bone samples were mechanically cleaned. The obtained samples were then subjected to the standard collagen extraction procedure used in the Radiocarbon and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, which is based on the modified Longin method. For most of the individuals examined, some measurements of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were obtained despite their clear, macroscopically determined contamination with organic compounds. Most of the samples analysed showed a C/N ratio that met the quality criterion, which ranged between 2.9 and 3.6. Samples of two individuals, from graves 2 and 259, were contaminated, with subsamples for the individual from grave 2 well outside the range obtained for the others. The δ13C values ranged from -21.22‰ to -17.63‰ (X = -18.86; S.D. = 0.825), while the δ15N values ranged from 4.62‰ to 9.5‰ (X = 8.25; S.D. = 1.003), excluding the data for the contaminated samples. The sample selected for an adult of undetermined sex, from grave 2, came from a pre-WWII excavation carried out around 1936. The contamination, shown by isotopic testing, most likely came from a preservative, which was probably isinglass (fish glue). It was most likely made from the swim bladders of freshwater fish. Most of the individuals examined to establish their palaeodiet were characterised by a high trophic level, indicating a balanced diet based on food of inland origin, with C3 plants and a high proportion of food of animal origin. The individual of undetermined sex and age at death from grave 79 was characterised by a plant-based diet. Individuals falling into the Infans I, Infans II and child age categories, due to their likely high milk consumption, were characterised by the highest δ15N parameters, which are characteristic of a ‘pastoral diet’. The range of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values obtained for the male individuals placed them at a slightly higher trophic level than the females, but these differences were not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test: for δ13C p-value 0.88076; for δ15N p-value 0.64552). Individuals of indeterminate sex and age at death displayed a wide range of carbon and nitrogen isotope values.

Aim: The Expansion-Contraction model has been used to explain the responses of species to climatic changes. During periods of unfavourable climatic conditions, species retreat to refugia from where they may later expand. This paper focuses on the palaeoecology of red deer over the past 54 ka across Europe and the Urals, to reveal patterns of change in their range and explore the role of environmental conditions in determining their distribution. Location: Europe and western Asia to 63°E. Taxon: Red deer (Cervus elaphus). Methods: We collected 984 records of radiocarbon-dated red deer subfossils from the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene, including 93 original dates. For each deer sample we compiled climatic and biome type data for the corresponding time intervals. Results: During the last 54 ka changes in red deer range in Europe and the Urals were asynchronous and differed between western and eastern Europe and western Asia due to different environmental conditions in those regions. The range of suitable areas for deer during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was larger than previously thought and covered vast regions not only in southern but also in western and eastern Europe. Throughout the period investigated the majority of specimens inhabited forests in the temperate climatic zone. The contribution of forests in deer localities significantly decreased during the last 4 ka, due to deforestation of Europe caused by humans. Mean January temperature was the main limiting factor for species distribution. Over 90% of the samples were found in areas where mean January temperature was above −10°C. Main conclusions: Red deer response to climatic oscillations are in agreement with the Expansion-Contraction model but in contradiction to the statement of only the southernmost LGM refugia of the species. During the last 54 ka red deer occurred mostly in forests of the temperate climatic zone. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. European Social Fund, Grant/Award Number: UDA-POKL.04.01.01-00-072/09-00; University of Wroclaw, Grant/Award Number: 0410/2990/18; Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wrocław, Grant/Award Number: 0410/2990/18; Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences; Narodowe Centrum Nauki , Grant/Award Number: DEC-2013/11/B/NZ8/00888 and UMO-2016/23/B/HS3/00387; Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, UEFISCDI, Grant/Award Number: PN-IIIP4-ID-PCE-2016-0676; National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis, UK; Faunal Database of the Stage Three Project; Leverhulme Trust, Grant/Award Number: F00568W.

The climate variability and related sea-level changes during the Holocene are still under discussion, especially in a regional context. Very little information comes from the southern and south-eastern Baltic coast. The aim of the paper is to gain insight on the history of regional environmental changes, particularly sea-level and storminess, and their driving forces. The investigations were located on a peatland on the coast of Puck Lagoon (Gulf of Gdańsk, southern Baltic Sea). The analysis of peat core comprised: radiocarbon dating, analysis of stable isotopes 18O and 13C and chemical components, as well as palynological and diatomic studies. Results showed the 1.0 m peat section accumulated over 1500 years, with a time resolution of 100 years per sample. The average water level in the Puck Lagoon rose by ca. 0.85 m during the last 1500 years in a cyclic mode, with a period cycle of ca. 600–550 years and an amplitude not exceeding 0.5 m. The accelerated sea level rise and frequent storminess occurred during the first half of the Dark Ages (1500−1300 years b2k) and LIA (750−450 years b2k) and since the beginning of the 20th century. Recognized environmental changes are well correlated with both temperature changes in the North Atlantic and changes in total solar irradiance, suggesting synchronous Northern Hemisphere-wide fluctuations. The solar forcing was an important constituent of natural climate variability in the past and of forcing climate warming during modern times - after the Little Ice Age.

The stratigraphy of Late Pleniglacial and Late Glacial fluvio-to-aeolian succession was investigated in two sites located at the Niemodlin Plateau, SW Poland. Lithofacial analysis was used for the reconstruction of sedimentary environments. An absolute chronology for climatic change and the resulting environmental changes were determined based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL – nine samples) and radiocarbon (three samples) dating methods. Four phases of changes in sedimentary environments were established. The first depositional phase correlates with the Last Permafrost Maximum (24−17 ka) based on the type and size of the periglacial structures, which aggraded under continuous permafrost conditions. During 17.5−15.5 ka (upper Late Pleniglacial), a stratigraphic gap was detected, owing to a break in the deposition on the interfluve area. The second depositional phase took place during 15.5−13.5 ka. During this phase, the first part of the dune formation (Przechód site) and fluvio-aeolian cover (Siedliska site) was deposited. The sedimentary processes continued throughout the entire Bølling interstadial and Older Dryas. In the third phase (Allerød interstadial), soil formation took place. At the Siedliska site, palaeosol represented Usselo soil type, whereas at the Przechód site, there was a colluvial type of soil. The last phase (Younger Dryas) is represented by the main phase of dune formation in both sites. After the Younger Dryas, no aeolian activity was detected. High compliance with both absolute dating methods was noticed.

Subfossil trunks of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the Late Weichselian were discovered in the site Koźmin in the Koło Basin, central Poland (Dzieduszyńska et al., 2014a). Another part of organic sediments with trunks was excavated in the frame of the research project. Altogether 224 samples from Koźmin were analysed dendrochronologically; they represented generally young trees, 40 to 70 years old. Based on the most convergent sequences, the chronology 2KOL_A1 was produced, 210 years in length. With the wiggle-matching method, it was dated to ca. 13065–12855 cal BP. Dendrochronological dating of trunks buried in organic sediments, most of which occurred in situ, revealed that tree deaths occurred successively, over more than 100 years. That could have been due to unfavourable climatic conditions, as well as extreme events, e.g. strong winds.

The present phylogeographic pattern of red deer in Eurasia is not only a result of the contraction of their distribution range into glacial refugia and postglacial expansion, but probably also an effect of replacement of some red deer s.l. mtDNA lineages by others during the last 50 000 years. To better recognize this process, we analysed 501 sequences of mtDNA cytochrome b, including 194 ancient and 75 contemporary samples newly obtained for this study. The inclusion of 161 radiocarbon-dated samples enabled us to study the phylogeny in a temporal context and conduct divergence-time estimation and molecular dating. Depending on methodology, our estimate of divergence between Cervus elaphus and Cervus canadensis varied considerably (370 000 or 1.37 million years BP, respectively). The divergence times of genetic lineages and haplogroups corresponded to large environmental changes associated with stadials and interstadials of the Late Pleistocene. Due to the climatic oscillations, the distribution of C. elaphus and C. canadensis fluctuated in north–south and east–west directions. Some haplotypes dated to pre-Last Glacial Maximum periods were not detected afterwards, representing possibly extinct populations. We indicated with a high probability the presence of red deer sensu lato in south-eastern Europe and western Asia during the Last Glacial Maximum.

In this paper we present data from the measurements of carbon isotopes (Δ14C and δ13C) from α-cellulose extracted from pine tree-rings. The samples were collected in four forests located in the most industrialized part of Poland, where coal mining and coal-based energy are an important branch of industry. The investigated period of time (1975–2012) covers the period of development in coal mining and other industry sectors. Stable isotope composition has been determined with using IRMS and radiocarbon concentration was determinate by AMS.

Spring-fed fen deposits (peat-tufa sequences) from northern Poland were investigated for Holocene environmental reconstruction (climate and hydrology) using multi-proxy analysis (lithofacies, molluscs, pollen, plant macrofossils, geochemistry, and stable oxygen- and carbon-isotopes). The main aims of these studies were: (1) comparison of several similar sites with the same type of groundwater supply and sedimentation on a widespread space scale, (2) detailed reconstruction of their long-term development, assessing their sensitivity to climate change, (3) verification of the synchronicity of the record of different proxies in distant sites in the context of Holocene climate changes in relation to specific well-known global and/or regional climate events (so-called Bond events), and (4) discussion on permafrost degradation as a driver of spring-fed fens development. Based on our palaeogeographical data, we have distinguished an asynchronicity of the beginning of the development of spring-fed fens in the eastern and western parts of the studied region that is associated with different times of ascending groundwater supply unblocking after complete permafrost degradation. Therein, asynchronicity of permafrost degradation was brought about by multiple climatic, geological and structural conditions. Our results also indicate significant differences in the trends of succession (ecological and lithological) caused by the geographical location of the studied sites. Asynchronicity of the occurrence of wet and dry phases, as well as significant differences in their duration were noted. This depended upon the influence of oceanic (western part) or continental climates (eastern part). Warm and humid oceanic climate promoted the domination and longer duration of wet phases (especially in the Eo- and early Mesoholocene), while the harsh continental climate promoted the more frequent occurrence of dry phases, with short episodes of increased humidity. From the middle Mesoholocene, this marked regional diversification becomes less pronounced. Results also allowed for the recognition of several palaeoclimatic events on a regional scale. Four main cold episodes (Bond events 8–5): during LG/H transition (11.5 ky cal BP), Eo- (∼10.25 ky cal BP, ∼9.4 ky cal BP) and at the beginning of the Mesoholocene (∼8.2 ky cal BP) are well-documented by multiple proxies at all study sites. Other cold episodes (Bond events 4–0) are slightly less documented and are not clear for interpretation. The results of our study demonstrate the importance of spring-fed fen deposits for detailed palaeoenvironmental reconstruction on a regional scale.

In this paper, a record of the 14C and 13C isotope content of atmospheric CO2 for Gliwice is presented for samples collected on a weekly basis in the years 2011–2013. In addition, measurements were performed on the early and late wood from the annual rings of pine trees from five sites located 3–6 km from the atmospheric CO2 sampling point. The concentration of 14C in CO2 samples from the air was much lower relative to the concentration of this isotope in “clean air,” indicating a pronounce Suess effect, with a mean Δ14C lower by ca. 60‰ than Jungfraujoch data when the 15% of the highest differences are excluded, which leads to the FFCO2 estimate of 5.8%. In winter, the main source of fossil CO2 was fuel combustion, as confirmed by significant correlations with air pollutants. In the vegetation seasons, the Δ14C was highly variable due to biogenic influence and more variable winds. The isotopic results were also affected by an additional significant CO2 source for the Gliwice air, which was a closed mine shaft. The Δ14C and δ13C in tree rings did not record a strong Suess effect in the years 2008–2013 in woodland areas around Gliwice city.

Biological studies on Mesolithic human remains from the Polish region are a rare subject of scientific research due to the limited number of these relics and their poor state of preservation. From the project titled “Old material with new methods: Using the latest bio-chemical analysis in studies of Mesolithic human remains from the Polish areas,” the radiocarbon (14C) dating of bones using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has been performed. For these experiments, the gelatin was extracted from bones, and its quality evaluated by the C/Nat ratio and the stable isotope composition of both carbon and nitrogen. The 14C results have been obtained for 11 bone samples from 5 sites, and throughout this work the results of two preparation methods are compared. The simple gelatin extraction provided material with unsatisfactory collagen quality indicators, while additional alkali treatment allowed us to obtain much more reliable, and generally older, results. Additionally, analysis on VIRI/SIRI samples were conducted to test the developed method. Only seven of the investigated bone samples yielded ages within Mesolithic period, and the most reliable dates range from 5800 to 6800 cal BC. One sample was not datable, and two were shown to be much younger than expected.

14C and 210Pb methods are regularly used to determine ages and accumulation rates of peat, fen and lake sediments. The overall aim is to estimate the age of discrete layers, which were analysed for environmental proxies. Ideally, the age-depth models should fit the investigated proxy in terms of resolution and give precise results. Nevertheless, the differences in the nature of dating methods and statistical treatment of data need to be considered.Both 14C and 210Pb signals are integrated over a considerable period. Moreover, they originate from different sources. 210Pb is bound to aerosols and trapped by peat while 14C is bound from atmospheric CO2 by photosynthesis. Hence, 210Pb gives the time span during which the aerosol has been buried, whereas the 14C date gives the time of death of a plant.After the analysis, the results are usually combined into an age-depth model. This process involves statistical treatment of data during which specific assumptions and simplifications are made. Depending on the algorithm, they lead to alterations in modelled ages compared to unmodelled data. Principally it is a desired result–increasing the robustness and decreasing the uncertainty of the age-depth model. In worse cases models alter the modelled ages to an unacceptable extent, which may be overlooked if the results are treated automatically.We test the performance of various age-depth modelling algorithms (OxCal P_Sequence, Bacon, clam, MOD-AGE) on a selected true dataset where 14C and 210Pb data overlap and are used simultaneously. Afterwards, a point estimate is selected and used for proxy analysis on a time scale and for calculation of the accumulation rates. We also check the influence of 210Pb calculation method (CRS, ModAge, extrapolation technique) on derived age-depth models.Together with the thickness of analysed samples the age model provides an information about the time resolution of proxy analysis. While the age-depth curves, except outstanding circumstances, give relatively similar answers within 95% uncertainty ranges, the differences are observed in point estimates and accumulation rate, and they may be relevant for the palaeoenvironmental studies. With this exercise we attempt to assess the uncertainty beyond simple age errors reported from the measurements and age-depth modelling.

Acknowledgments RJP secured funding for this research from the Quaternary Research Association, University of York and the Russian Science Foundation (19-14-00102). We thank Paul Brickle and other members of the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute for their help with logistics, David Large for valuable discussions about Falkland Islands peat and all landowners for access permission. This work is dedicated to Richard J. Payne who was tragically killed while climbing Peak 6477, a previously unclimbed subsidiary peak of Nanda Devi (Garhwal Himalayas) in May 2019. CRediT authorship contribution statement Dmitri Mauquoy: Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Richard J. Payne: Conceptualization, Investigation. Kirill V. Babeshko: Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Rebecca Bartlett: Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Ian Boomer: Investigation. Hannah Bowey: Investigation. Chris D. Evans: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Fin Ring-Hrubesh: Investigation. David Muirhead: Methodology, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Matthew O’Callaghan: Investigation. Natalia Piotrowska: Investigation. Graham Rush: Investigation. Thomas Sloan: Investigation. Craig Smeaton: Methodology, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Andrey N. Tsyganov: Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Yuri A. Mazei: Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing.

Biological diversity is inextricably linked to community stability and ecosystem functioning, but our understanding of these relationships in freshwater ecosystems are largely based on short-term observational, experimental, and modelling approaches. Using a multidecadal diatom record for the past 15,800 years from Lake Baikal, we investigate how three ecosystem components – diversity, productivity, and stability – have responded to climate changes on long-timescales. In addition, we investigate how the relationships between diversity, productivity and stability have changed through time in response to these changes. We show that abrupt changes in diatom stability and diversity during the late glacial and early Holocene are part of a network of responses across southern Siberia as a result of extrinsically-forced climate instability. Productivity – diversity relationships were strongly coupled during the late glacial, which we suggest is linked to resource availability, but showed little relationship during the Holocene, perhaps due to few resources being limiting for extended periods of time. For example, periods of low diatom diversity are associated with peak palaeoproductivity, and coincide with climate disturbance events. Such strong negative relationships may reflect resources becoming limiting during palaeoproductivity, leading to monospecific diatom blooms. While species fluctuations respond rapidly to changing resources during much of the Holocene, the ecosystem function of primary production appears to be relatively resilient. Our study provides important perspectives on lake community stability and ecosystem function in relation to rapid periods of climate change.

International audience; A recent paper by Miszczak et al. (2020) examines metal contamination of mires in Poland and Norway. The authors conclude that lead (Pb) records in ombrotrophic peatlands cannot be used to reconstruct the chronological history of anthropogenic activities due to post-depositional mobility of the metal. We contest this general conclusion which stands in contrast with a significant body of literature demonstrating that Pb is largely immobile in the vast majority of ombrotrophic peatlands. Our aim is to reaffirm the crucial contribution that peat records have Science of the Total Environment xxx (xxxx) xxx ⁎ Corresponding author at: Instituto Franco-Argentino para el Estudio del Clima y sus Impactos (j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s e v i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / s c i t o t e n v made to our knowledge of atmospheric Pb contamination. In addition, we reiterate the necessity of following established protocols to produce reliable records of anthropogenic Pb contamination in environmental archives.

The climate of East-Central Europe (ECE) is the result of the combination of influences originating in the wider North Atlantic realm, the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia/Siberia. Climate models suggest that these competing influences will result in difficult to predict responses to the ongoing climatic changes, thus making mitigation and adaptation strategies challenging to devise and implement. Previous studies have shown that the complex interplay between the large-scale atmospheric patterns across the region result in strongly dissimilar summer and winter conditions on time scales ranging from decades to millennia. To put these into a wider context, long term climate reconstructions are required, but, largely due to historical reasons, these are lacking in ECE. We address these issues by presenting a high resolution, precisely dated record of summer temperature variations during the last millennium in ECE, based on stable isotopic analysis performed on a 4.84 m long ice core extracted from Focul Viu Ice Cave (Western Carpathians, Romania). The data shows little summer temperature differences between the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age on centennial scales, but with well-expressed minima and maxima occurred synchronously with periods of low and high solar activity. Further, summer temperatures fluctuated with a periodicity similar to that of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, suggesting that solar variability-induced climatic changes were transferred locally by atmospheric processes. Contrary to summer temperatures, winter ones show stronger contrast between the MWP and LIA, thus suggesting that the later were likely an expression of winter climatic conditions.

Lake Baikal, lying in a rift zone in southeastern Siberia, is the world's oldest, deepest, and most voluminous lake that began to form over 30 million years ago. Cited as the “most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem” and designated a World Heritage Site in 1996 due to its high level of endemicity, the lake and its ecosystem have become increasingly threatened by both climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. Here, we present a record of nutrient cycling in the lake, derived from the silicon isotope composition of diatoms, which dominate aquatic primary productivity. Using historical records from the region, we assess the extent to which natural and anthropogenic factors have altered biogeochemical cycling in the lake over the last 2,000 y. We show that rates of nutrient supply from deep waters to the photic zone have dramatically increased since the mid-19th century in response to changing wind dynamics, reduced ice cover, and their associated impact on limnological processes in the lake. With stressors linked to untreated sewage and catchment development also now impacting the near-shore region of Lake Baikal, the resilience of the lake’s highly endemic ecosystem to ongoing and future disturbance is increasingly uncertain., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (44), ISSN:0027-8424, ISSN:1091-6490

The southern westerly winds (SWW) play a major role in climate variability in Southern Hemisphere mid- and high-latitudes, regulating rainfall, ocean circulation, and the Southern Ocean carbon sink. Despite their importance, little is known about millennial scale changes in the SWW and how they have influenced the climate system in the past and interacted with the Earth's surface elements, such as dust, nutrients and carbon. Here we present a dust record from a 6.6 kyr old peat core in Amsterdam Island (AMS) situated at the northern edge of the SWW (37°S) in the Southern Indian Ocean. Mineral dust flux was used to track atmospheric dust production, long-distance transport and subsequent deposition. Dust provenance was determined from rare earth element (REE) and Nd isotopic signatures (εNd) in the peat core, compared with a reference dataset of Southern Hemisphere dust sources. Using a multi-proxy mixing model, the εNd and REE ratios show a relatively uniform mixture of ca. 40% local, 15% Southern African and 45% Southern South American dust sources since 6.6 cal kyr BP. However, from 1910 AD onwards, there is a doubling in the contribution from Southern Africa (32%). Two mineral dust flux minima occur at 6.2–4.9 cal kyr BP and 3.9–2.7 cal kyr BP, interpreted as periods with equatorward-shifted and/or strengthened SWW at the northern edge of the wind belt. Conversely, periods of higher dust flux at 6.6–6.2 cal kyr BP, 4.9–3.9 cal kyr BP, and 1.4 cal kyr BP onwards are interpreted as poleward-shifted and/or weakened SWW. These interpretations are based on the findings that higher (lower) wind speeds lead to enhanced (less) removal of distal dust on the way to AMS, by wet deposition and turbulence. Published Holocene SWW records at the northern edge of the wind belt (33–41°S) covering South-America, Southern-Africa and Australia, show much variability over the last 6.6 kyr. We suggest this reflects complex regional climate variability in the different SH longitudinal sectors, indicating that SWW are not zonally homogeneous at the northern edge of the wind belt. The recent shift in dust provenance is not accompanied by enhanced total dust deposition at AMS. We therefore suggest that human impact (e.g. land use changes) and drier climate conditions in Southern Africa have led to enhanced dust mobilization., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

An analysis was performed on samples from a series of well-preserved tree trunks and in situ stumps of Allerod/Younger Dryas age found in Koźmin and Kwiatkow, Kolska Basin, Central Poland. Five different types of wood preparation methods were investigated in three Polish radiocarbon laboratories (Gliwice, Poznan and Krakow) in order to find the most stable, repeatable and reliable procedure. Their effect was tested on the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) and 14C age. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy was used as a simple technique for obtaining rapid information on the structure of wood constituents and chemical changes taking place in wood due to various chemical treatments. The results of AMS measurements did not show statistically significant differences in radiocarbon ages of samples prepared according to the tested methods. On the other hand, δ13C measurements showed that the smallest scattering results gave α-cellulose obtained by the method BABA + Bleaching (with NaClO2 and HCl) + strong base. Moreover, the mean δ13C values for holo-cellulose samples are higher than those for α-cellulose samples. Studies evidenced that the methods of preparation leading to holo- or α-cellulose gave the same FTIR spectra, while the standard method of the chemical pretreatment of samples for 14C measurements (ABA) preceded by mercerization is insufficient for removing compounds containing aromatic rings.

The Cyrilka Cave is the second longest pseudokarst cave and the longest crevice-type cave in Czechia. Developed within the headscarp area of a deep-seated landslide, the cave became a focus of scientific research in recent years when new passages were discovered. Structural analysis provided a general tectonic plan of the cave, as well as more detailed data on geometry and kinematics of the relaxed rock massif. The primary structure of NNE- to ENE-striking bedding is broken by a system of NNE-striking fissures interconnected by two continuous ENE-striking dextral fracture zones. Abundant signs of recent sinistral strike-slips within the rock massif represent a bold structural feature of the cave. Along with DEM imaging and a detailed survey of the cave, 2-D and 3-D ERT measurements completed an image of the main predispositions and revealed the internal structure of the slope deformation. These measures also detected unknown crevices above the existing headscarp, which indicate the retrograde evolution of the landslide. Methodologically, we used the 3-D electrical resistivity tomography in the incoherent sedimentary flysch rocks for the first time. Based on radiocarbon dating of the stalactite core, the minimum age of the cave is up to 19,900 +/- 280 cal BP, which is the oldest age detected in the area of the Outer Flysch Carpathians so far; we thoroughly discuss further indirect evidence indicating a probable Late Pleistocene age of the cave. Web of Science 47 3 392 379

Our project aimed to construct a Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) chronology for part of the Late Glacial and reconstruct changes in the 14C concentrations during this period. Kwiatków (Kolska Basin, central Poland) proved to be very prospective site, in which wood from the end of Allerød was recognized. A level of organic deposits with so-called fossil forest was encountered within the late-Vistulian terrace of the low valley of the Warta river. Dendrochronological analysis of over 267 samples complying to the requirements of the method allowed, at the present stage of the research, to construct a chronology spanning 265 yr. Fifty-two samples (5 consecutive rings each) were subjected to α-cellulose extraction and 14C measurements. Ninety-six results and the wiggle-matching technique anchor the chronology to the period 13,821–13,561 cal BP (Acomb=141.6%) according to the D_Sequence procedure and the IntCal13 calibration curve or to 13,800–13,540 cal BP according to the wiggle-matching technique using the χ2 test and raw data, i.e. the Heidelberg tree-ring sequence.

Loess formations in Poland display a close relationship with cooling and warming trends of the Northern Hemisphere during the Pleistocene. Loess sequences sensitively record regional palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological changes. The Złota loess profile (21°39’E, 50°39’N) provides a unique opportunity to reconstruct climate conditions in the past in this part of Poland. This continuous sequence of loess and palaeosol deposits allows to distinguish between warmer and more humid climate which is favourable for soil development and much colder and dry periods which are conducive to loess accumulation. The silty and sandy aeolian material originates mainly from weathered rock surfaces affected by frost shattering or from glaciofluvial/fluvial deposits of river flood plains. In Poland, loess and loess-like formations occur in the southern part of the country, mostly in the south polish uplands, i.e. in the Lublin, Sandomierz, and Cracow Uplands. We used different techniques to establish a chronological framework for this site. 21 samples for luminescence dating were collected from the investigated loess profile in Złota. Infrared post-IR IRSL dating method was applied to the polymineral fine grains (4–11µm). The dating results are accompanied by detailed analyses of the geochemical composition, organic carbon and carbonate. Also, analysis of magnetic susceptibility and grain-size distribution were investigated. Based on such a large stratigraphic dataset an age-depth model using OxCal has also been constructed for this site.

We present ancient mitochondrial DNA analyses of 31 complete cytochrome b gene sequences from subfossil red deer remains from the Tyrrhenian islands (Corsica and Sardinia) and mainland Italy in a European-wide phylogeographic framework. Tyrrhenian and North African red deer, both going back to human introductions, were previously the only red deer to harbour the mitochondrial B lineage whose origin, however, remained unknown. Our ancient Italian samples from the central part of the peninsula that were radiocarbon-dated to an age of ca. 6300 to 15 600 cal BP all showed B haplotypes, closely related or even identical to those found on Sardinia. Genetic diversity in the mainland population was considerably higher than on the islands. Together with palaeontological evidence our genetic results identify the Italian Peninsula as the ultimate origin of the B lineage and thus the Tyrrhenian and North African red deer. This is in line with previous biogeographic findings that uncovered distinct intraspecific phylogeographic lineages in Italian mammals, underlining Italy’s status as a hotspot of European mammalian diversity.

The forest–steppe ecotone in southern Siberia is highly sensitive to climate change; global warming is expected to push the ecotone northwards, at the same time resulting in degradation of the underlying permafrost. To gain a deeper understanding of long‐term forest–steppe carbon dynamics, we use a highly resolved, multiproxy, palaeolimnological approach, based on sediment records from Lake Baikal. We reconstruct proxies that are relevant to understanding carbon dynamics including carbon mass accumulation rates (CMAR; g C m−2 yr−1) and isotope composition of organic matter (δ 13 CTOC). Forest–steppe dynamics were reconstructed using pollen, and diatom records provided measures of primary production from near‐ and off‐shore communities. We used a generalized additive model (GAM) to identify significant change points in temporal series, and by applying generalized linear least‐squares regression modelling to components of the multiproxy data, we address (1) What factors influence carbon dynamics during early Holocene warming and late Holocene cooling? (2) How did carbon dynamics respond to abrupt sub‐Milankovitch scale events? and (3) What is the Holocene carbon storage budget for Lake Baikal. CMAR values range between 2.8 and 12.5 g C m−2 yr−1. Peak burial rates (and greatest variability) occurred during the early Holocene, associated with melting permafrost and retreating glaciers, while lowest burial rates occurred during the neoglacial. Significant shifts in carbon dynamics at 10.3, 4.1 and 2.8 kyr bp provide compelling evidence for the sensitivity of the region to sub‐Milankovitch drivers of climate change. We estimate that 1.03 Pg C was buried in Lake Baikal sediments during the Holocene, almost one‐quarter of which was buried during the early Holocene alone. Combined, our results highlight the importance of understanding the close linkages between carbon cycling and hydrological processes, not just temperatures, in southern Siberian environments., The forest–steppe ecotone in southern Siberia is highly sensitive to climate change; global warming is expected to push the ecotone northwards, at the same time resulting in degradation of the underlying permafrost. To gain a deeper understanding of long‐term forest–steppe carbon dynamics, we use a highly resolved, multiproxy, palaeolimnological approach, based on sediment records from Lake Baikal. Generalized additive models identify significant change points in temporal series, which we relate to abrupt sub‐Milankovitch scale events. About 1.03 Pg of C has been buried in Lake Baikal sediments since the start of the Holocene, with almost one‐quarter of budget being buried within the first few thousand years.

International audience; Remote Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) lake sediment and peat records of mercury (Hg) deposition have shown a ×3 to ×5 Hg enrichment since pre-industrial times (

Aim. To investigate the characteristics of Emergency Department (ED) presentations due to acute paracetamol intoxication. Methods. Retrospective observational study of patients presenting to the ED of Bern University Hospital between May 1, 2012, and October 31, 2018, due to a paracetamol overdose (defined as intake of >4 g/24 h). Cases were identified using the full-text search of the electronic patient database and were grouped into intentional (suicidal/parasuicidal) and unintentional intoxications (e.g., patient unaware of maximal daily dose). Results. During the study period, 181 cases were included and 143 (79%) of those were intentional. Compared to the patients in the unintentional group, patients in the intentional group were more often female (85% vs 45%, p<0.001) and younger (median age 23.0 vs 43.5 years, p<0.001), more frequently suffered from psychiatric comorbidities (93%, (including 49% with borderline personality disorder) vs 24%, p<0.001), and paracetamol was more often taken as a single dose (80% vs 13%, p<0.001). Although the median daily ingested dose was lower in the unintentional than in the intentional group (8.2 g vs 12.9 g, p<0.001), patients in the unintentional group presented later (29% vs 84% within 24 h of ingestion, p<0.001), included more cases of acute liver failure (nine (24%) vs six (4%), p<0.001), and were more often hospitalised (24% vs 52% treated as outpatients, p=0.002). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding drug-induced liver injury (seven cases (5%) in the intentional and one (3%) in the unintentional group) or fatalities (one in each group). Conclusions. The majority of presentations due to paracetamol poisoning were intentional, most commonly in female patients with borderline personality disorder. Patients with unintentional paracetamol intoxication had worse outcomes with respect to acute liver failure and hospitalisation. Future preventive measures should raise awareness of paracetamol toxicity in the general population and encourage particular attention and frequent follow-ups when prescribing paracetamol for vulnerable groups.

The progress of science is tied to the standardization of measurements, instruments, and data. This is especially true in the Big Data age, where analyzing large data volumes critically hinges on the data being standardized. Accordingly, the lack of community-sanctioned data standards in paleoclimatology has largely precluded the benefits of Big Data advances in the field. Building upon recent efforts to standardize the format and terminology of paleoclimate data, this article describes the Paleoclimate Community reporTing Standard (PaCTS), a crowdsourced reporting standard for such data. PaCTS captures which information should be included when reporting paleoclimate data, with the goal of maximizing the reuse value of paleoclimate data sets, particularly for synthesis work and comparison to climate model simulations. Initiated by the LinkedEarth project, the process to elicit a reporting standard involved an international workshop in 2016, various forms of digital community engagement over the next few years, and grassroots working groups. Participants in this process identified important properties across paleoclimate archives, in addition to the reporting of uncertainties and chronologies; they also identified archive-specific properties and distinguished reporting standards for new versus legacy data sets. This work shows that at least 135 respondents overwhelmingly support a drastic increase in the amount of metadata accompanying paleoclimate data sets. Since such goals are at odds with present practices, we discuss a transparent path toward implementing or revising these recommendations in the near future, using both bottom-up and top-down approaches. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved., Code and data to reproduce the figures of this article are available on GitHub and released on Zenodo (doi:10.5281/zenodo.3165019). Definition of properties and recommendations are summarized here: http://wiki.linked.earth/PaCTS_v1.0 . This work was supported by the National Science Foundation through the EarthCube Program with Grant ICER‐1541029. Feedback solicitation on the standard was facilitated by the Past Global Changes (PAGES) organization. The 2016 workshop on Paleoclimate Data Standards was hosted by the World Data Service for Paleoclimatology (WDS/NOAA‐Paleo), and the participation of international attendees was made possible by a PAGES travel grant. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Atmospheric mineral dust is intrinsically linked with climate. Although dust flux variability on glacial–interglacial timescales is well documented, Holocene dust records remain scarce. To fill this gap, we conducted elemental, isotopic and sedimentological analyses on a peat core from the Karukinka Natural Park in Tierra del Fuego. An 8000-year-old mineral dust record was extracted indicating three periods of elevated dust deposition: (i) 8.1–7.4 cal ka BP, (ii) 4.2 cal ka BP and (iii) 2.4–1.4 cal ka BP. The two oldest peaks are related to volcanic eruptions of the Hudson and Monte Burney volcanoes, respectively. The most recent dust peak, however, has a rare earth element and neodymium isotopic composition that resembles the geochemical signature of outwash plain sediments from the Darwin Cordillera. Since the timing of this dust peak corresponds to a period of glacier retreat between Neoglacial advances III and IV, we infer that Holocene aeolian dust fluxes in southern Patagonia are mostly driven by glacial sediment availability. Our results underline the important role of glaciers in producing aeolian dust in high-latitude regions, and they imply that the current retreat of glaciers worldwide may result in elevated atmospheric dust loads.

Rapid ecosystem transitions and adverse effects on ecosystem services as responses to combined climate and human impacts are of major concern. Yet few long-term (i.e. >60 years) quantitative observational time series exist, particularly for ecosystems that have a long history of human intervention. Here, we combine three major environmental pressures (land use, nutrients and erosion) with quantitative summer and winter climate reconstructions and climate model simulations to explore the system dynamics, resilience and the role of disturbance regimes in varved eutrophic Lake Żabińskie (NE Poland) since AD 1000. The comparison between these independent sources of information allows us to establish the coherence and points of disagreements between such data sets. We find that climate reconstructions capture noticeably natural forced climate variability, while internal variability is the dominant source of variability during most parts of the last millennium at the regional scale, precisely at which climate models seem to underestimate forced variability. Using different multivariate analyses and change point detection techniques, we identify ecosystem changes through time and shifts between rather stable states and highly variable ones. Prior to AD 1600, the lake ecosystem was characterised by high stability and resilience against observed natural climate variability. During this period, the anthropogenic fingerprint was small; the lake ecosystem was buffered against the combined human and natural disturbance. In contrast, lake–ecosystem conditions started to fluctuate across a broad range of states after AD 1600. The period AD 1745–1886 represents the phase with the strongest human disturbance of the catchment–lake ecosystem. During that time, the range of natural climate variability did not increase. Analyses of the frequency of change points in the multi-proxy data set suggest that the last 400 years were highly variable and increased vulnerability of the ecosystem to the anthropogenic disturbances. This led to significant rapid ecosystem transformations.

Radiocarbon-dated spring-fed fen deposits from the Komarów site (Volhynia Upland, SE Poland) with its multi-proxy data (macrofossils, molluscs, geochemistry, pollen, stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon) enable us (1) to distinguish four main stages of fen evolution, which reflected a distinct variability of water supply conditions and (2) to reconstruct the Holocene humidity–temperature changes. The beginning of peat–tufa deposition took place in a Boreal phase, after a significant cool fluctuation of climate occurring ca. 9.4 ka cal. BP. We suggest that climate was the most important factor conditioning the development of the spring-fed fen. Permafrost degradation, and then wet periods, intensified the activity of ascending springs. The impact of humans was possible since the Neolithic period and increased during the Middle Ages: therefore, the anthropogenic influence could have partially overlapped with the regional tendencies of climate changes. Autogenic development of deposit succession in the studied fen was definitely conditioned by hydrological changes induced by climate. Based on the multi-proxy data, 12 cold events of different ranks were identified. They are also recorded in other Polish and European sites. A record of distinct variability of depositional conditions at ca. 9.4, 8.2, 5.9, 4.6, 2.8, 1.4 and 0.55 ka cal. BP corresponds to quasi-periodical global climate changes in the Holocene named the Bond events. The majority of the cold events recorded in δ13C and δ18O of carbonates can be correlated to the Greenland oxygen isotope curve.

Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, charcoal and geochemical analyses of sediments from Lakes Salęt and Ruskowiejskie (NE Poland) were used to reconstruct vegetation changes in the former Galindia territory (Old Prussia) related to human activity and the climatic instability of the medieval period. Among archaeologists and historians, there is a widespread opinion that the permanent transformations of the environment in Prussia (south-eastern Baltic region) began not earlier than after its conquest by the Teutonic Order and resulted from its economic activity and intensive colonization. The impact of previous inhabitants of this land on the environment has been considered as definitely weak. Our results provide entirely contrasting evidence and demonstrate that strong and permanent deforestation started as early as in the early 11th century AD, in the pre-Teutonic Order time, and were associated with the economic activity of the Prussian Galinditae tribes. In this paper, we also discuss a possible interpretation of the medieval distribution patterns of Quercus. We assume that human activity catalysed and amplified both its spreading process and decline, primarily driven by the ‘Little Ice Age’ climatic deterioration. Our palynological results indicate the significant spread of Picea from ca. AD 1000, which we interpret as reflecting hydrological and climatic changes. Moreover, we hypothesize that the spread of Carpinus in the early medieval period (11th–13th centuries), which occurred in connection with more intense human activity, was largely because of woodland pasturing.

International audience; This paper reviews the reconstruction of European Atlantic storm events with the contribution of a new stormy reconstruction in its central part. Three marsh environments on the island of Yeu were chosen to identify disturbing storm events from the Mid- to Late Holocene with vibracore sampling, radiocarbon dating and sedimentary analysis. Nine probable intervals of high energy deposition in these low-transport-activity environments are estimated: 600–500, near 1590, 2100–1950, 2850–2350, 3500–3270, 5400–5370, 6650–6510, near 7000 and between 7670 and 7470 calibrated years before present (cal y BP). By comparison with sedimentological paleostorm studies, we confirm six European Atlantic storm events estimated at near 600–300, 1700–1100, 2900–2500, 3500–3300, 5500–5100 and 7700–7100 cal y BP, corresponding to worldwide Holocene cooling climatic periods. A comparison with other storminess reviews of worldwide main stormy coasts shows that Holocene storms can increase during global cooling periods in the northern hemisphere.

Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), diatoms, and geochemistry of lake sediments with partially preserved annual lamination were used to reconstruct post-glacial environmental changes of northern Poland in the Baltic region. The main stages in the lake's evolution indicate the following: (1) eutrophic conditions in the final stage of the Lateglacial, (2) very low trophy and strongly changeable water levels in the early Holocene, (3) slowly rising trophy through the mid- and late Holocene enabling persistence of the oligotrophic state of the lake up to c. AD 1450, (4) strong cultural eutrophication of the lake in the recent period (c. 150 years), and (5) maximum Ca content in the early Holocene followed by a gradual decline to minimum values in recent time. Distinct, concurrent shifts in limnological proxies and tree pollen accumulation rates (PARs) enabled the identification of several potential Holocene cool climatic events of different magnitudes and durations. Strong reduction in Tetraedron minimum and declines in tree PARs illustrate limitation of physiological processes in plants, which could result from shorter growing seasons and lower summer temperatures and insolation. Higher precipitation of Fe and Mn indicates more intensive weathering in the catchment, while peaks in Fe/Mn ratio and concurrent drops in Ca content suggest at least seasonal anoxia, which could result from a longer duration of ice cover and shorter periods of mixing. The data seem to display striking conformity of the main cooling events with the “Bond cycles” (Bond et al., 1997, 2001), but also indicate a more variable pattern that may reflect traces of a more complex cyclicity of climatic shifts.

In this study, we investigated morphologically and geochemically a skull from an open pit situated on the Călineasa-Şesu Gârzii Plateau, Bihor Mountains. The study presents the first 14C dating and stable isotope composition of bison skeletal remains from the Romanian Carpathians. The result of 14C determination yielded two relevant maxima: one is around AD 1550 and the second around AD 1645. The data indicate that the investigated bison died during the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA), approximately 200 years before the last ones were hunted to extinction. Stable isotope composition of carbon from bison tooth enamel suggests that the bison diet consisted mainly of C3 grasses, compatible with a high-altitude habitat, vegetation distribution and low mobility. Oxygen isotope composition of both phosphate and carbonate groups of tooth enamel indicates that the bison drank from stagnant water sources, such as lakes or puddles formed from rain water. This further suggests low mobility of the bison as well, as the presence of such small stagnant water sources is characteristic even today for the plateau. Calculated oxygen isotope compositions of rain and drinking water at the time the bison lived indicate a lower relative humidity, around 60–70% at that period of LIA when the bison lived, which is lower than today’s humidity of 80%.

14 C inversion abstract The main aim of this paper is to present the pitfalls connected with the construction of reliable chro- nologies for anthropogenically disturbed peatlands over the last two millennia based on 210 Pb and 14 C dating, i.e. the period of the strongest human impact on these ecosystems. The following hypotheses have been formulated: i) parts of peatlands suspected to be affected by peat extraction may possess traces of mechanical disturbances undetectable using different analyses based on biota proxy; ii) failure to consider information included in radionuclide date inversions may contribute to the establishment of misleading chronologies. To test these hypotheses, different scenarios of chronology based on high