High-resolution temperature and precipitation variability of southwest Anatolia since 1730 CE from Lake Golcuk sedimentary records

Abstract

We report high-resolution multiproxy analyses [lithology, mu XRF and magnetic susceptibility (MS)] of two short gravity sediment cores from the crater Lake Golcuk, southwest Turkey. Our results provide a detailed hydroclimatic record for the last similar to 290 years. Aided with factor analysis of mu XRF data and Pb-210 and Cs-137 dating, our multiproxy data show that the Lake Golcuk records documented a series of wet and dry periods between similar to 1730 (+/- 71) and similar to 2018 (+/- 3) CE. Wet periods are evidenced by dark olive green mixed lithology (sandy, clay, and silts) and high values in MS and log(Sr/Ca). On the other hand, dry periods are associated with light olive green clayey mud lithology and high values in log(Ca/K). We relate the wet periods to negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO-) and the dry periods to NAO+. Additionally, all wet periods are related with time of low solar activity and dry periods, except Dalton Minimum, are related with periods of high solar activity. Consequently, we suggest that hydroclimatic changes observed in the Lake Golcuk sedimentary records were caused by the influence of large-scale atmospheric circulation and solar activity.