2018/06/26 by Elin Norström, Christos Katrantsiotis, Martin Finné +3 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry #earthquake and tectonic studies
paper · doi:10.1002/jqs.3036
openalex publication_date 2018/06/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
ABSTRACT We present a 6000‐year‐long record tracing hydroclimate changes in SW Greece, based on hydrogen isotope composition of aquatic plant‐derived n ‐C 23 alkanes (δD C23 ) in a sediment core from the Messenian plain, Peloponnese. The δD C23 record co‐varies with other eastern Mediterranean records, suggesting relatively wetter conditions c . 6–4.5 ka, followed by progressively drier conditions leading up to maximum aridity c . 2.8 ka. This arid phase was interrupted by a shift in δD C23 between 3.3 and 3.1 ka inferring wetter conditions and/or tentative responses to anthropogenic water regulating activities during the Late Bronze Age. After 2.7 ka, a return to more humid conditions was followed by increased dryness and stronger seasonality contrasts from c . 2.0 ka. The δD C23 record shows three short‐lived excursions (5.7, 5.3, 2.8 ka), where isotope values dropped by >20‰ and immediately stabilized again. The events were paralleled by abrupt increases in sedimentation rates. We hypothesize that the isotopic shifts represent a response to mixing of ground water systems during tectonic events, followed by sealing of seismically derived cracks in the active fault. The outcome of the study is promising for future expansion of isotope‐based proxies on sediments in the region, to reconstruct both hydroclimate and past seismic activity.