Open AccessHolocene hydrological variability of Lake Ladoga, northwest Russia, as inferred from diatom oxygen isotopes
Author(s) -
Kostrova Svetlana S.,
Meyer Hanno,
Bailey Hannah L.,
Ludikova Anna V.,
Gromig Raphael,
Kuhn Gerhard,
Shibaev Yuri A.,
Kozachek Anna V.,
Ekaykin Alexey A.,
Chapligin Bernhard
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/bor.12385
Subject(s) - diatom , holocene , geology , isotopes of oxygen , oceanography , physical geography , geochemistry , geography
This article presents a new comprehensive assessment of the Holocene hydrological variability of Lake Ladoga, northwest Russia. The reconstruction is based on oxygen isotopes of lacustrine diatom silica (δ 18 O diatom ) preserved in sediment core Co 1309, and is complemented by a diatom assemblage analysis and a survey of modern isotope hydrology. The data indicate that Lake Ladoga has existed as a freshwater reservoir since at least 10.8 cal. ka BP . The δ 18 O diatom values range from +29.8 to +35.0‰, and relatively higher δ 18 O diatom values around +34.7‰ between c . 7.1 and 5.7 cal. ka BP are considered to reflect the Holocene Thermal Maximum. A continuous depletion in δ 18 O diatom since c . 6.1 cal. ka BP accelerates after c . 4 cal. ka BP , indicating Middle to Late Holocene cooling that culminates during the interval 0.8–0.2 cal. ka BP , corresponding to the Little Ice Age. Lake‐level rises result in lower δ 18 O diatom values, whereas lower lake levels cause higher δ 18 O diatom values. The diatom isotope record gives an indication for a rather early opening of the Neva River outflow at c . 4.4–4.0 cal. ka BP . Generally, overall high δ 18 O diatom values around +33.5‰ characterize a persistent evaporative lake system throughout the Holocene. As the Lake Ladoga δ 18 O diatom record is roughly in line with the 60°N summer insolation, a linkage to broader‐scale climate change is likely.