Multi-isotopic molecular records of rapid African terrestrial vegetation changes

• Applicant: Dr. Enno Schefuß
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2004 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5430091

The aim of the proposed research is to investigate the response of the African vegetation on rapid climatic fluctuations during the Honocene and the last Glacial. Abrupt changes in the tropical hydrological cycle linked with high-frequent climate variations of the high latitudes have been detected. However, the actual response of the terrestrial biosphere on the millennialscale environmental changes is yet unknown. Investigations of sediment cores around Africa allow the reconstruction of rapid changes in the low-latitude climate system. I propose to utilise novel molecular-isotopic techniques to identify and characterise rapid terrestrial vegetation changes. Ultra-highresolution (decadal to centennial) plant lipid-accumulation records from marine sediment cores will be established with the recently available Gas chromatography/Time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/TOF-MS) at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Accompanying high-resolution plant lipid-specific stable carbon and hydrogen isotope records will supply detailed climatic information. The timing of the signal transfer from the continent to the sediments will be investigated by compoundspecific radiocarbon dating of terrigenous lipid fractions. With molecular-isotopic analyses of aerosol samples eolian transport processes will be characterised.

• DFG Programme: Emmy Noether International Fellowships