High Resolution Lake Sediment Studies for Paleoclimatic Reconstruction in the Canadian High Arctic

Investigator: Raymond S. Bradley rbradley@geo.umass.edu  (Principal Investigator current)

Abstract

Abstract  ATM-9708071  Bradley, Raymond  University of Massachusetts  Title: High Resolution Lake Sediment Studies for Paleoclimatic  Reconstruction in the Canadian High Arctic    This award will support a project designed to extend the record of  summer temperature derived from varved sediments in the Canadian High Arctic to cover the last 2-3000 years.  This will place the  dramatic changes observed over the few centuries into a longer term  perspective.  In particular, conditions around 1,000 years ago,  during the so-called Medieval Warm Period, will be examined for its  the global significance.  Multiple dating approaches will be used  to provide confidence in the chronology and to establish a secular  paleomagnetic record for the region.  This can then be used as a  chronological template to help in dating other sedimentary records which are low in organic carbon.  Hydrological studies in selected  basins will clarify the climatic controls on sediment flux to these  lakes and improve paleoclimatic interpretations of the varved  sediment records recovered.  By combining these observations with  earlier work, a comprehensive conceptual model of the climatic  controls on sediment flux to arctic lakes will be developed.