Modern isotope dynamics in lakes of semiarid regions: A framework for interpreting lacustrine paleoclimate archives

The isotope composition of lake sediments, including gypsum, carbonate, and biogenic silicate, provides a powerful means to reconstruct past hydrological and climatic changes. Triple oxygen isotope measurements in such minerals are an emerging tool for quantitative paleoclimate reconstructions in lacustrine environments. However, robust interpretations of these archives require a detailed understanding of the processes driving lake water isotope variability and mineral formation. Long-term changes in climate and hydrological conditions, especially in semiarid and arid regions, often challenge the interpretation of lacustrine records. Here, we synthesize key findings from multiple studies on the processes controlling triple oxygen and hydrogen isotope variability in semiarid lakes. The presented data include results from several Andalusian wetlands and artificial salt pans in Spain. We explore how factors such as groundwater connectivity, transitions between permanent and ephemeral stages, lake water salinity, climate seasonality, and seasonal and interannual variations in mineral formation influence the isotope composition of lake water and discuss their implications for paleoclimate reconstructions. Our findings provide a framework for interpreting lacustrine archives in complex hydrological settings.

 

Acknowledgements:

This research was supported by the European Commission (Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship, grant no. 101063961) and the project PID2021-123980OA-I00 (GYPCLIMATE), funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain, the Agencia Estatal de Investigación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER.