Dataset Information

Isotopic Indications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes at Boodie Cave Archaeological Site, Barrow Island, Western Australia.

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the first application of mammal tooth enamel carbonate stable isotope analysis for the purpose of investigating late Pleistocene-early Holocene environmental change in an Australian archaeological context. Stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios were analyzed from archaeological and modern spectacled hare wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) and hill kangaroo (Osphranter robustus) tooth enamel carbonates from Boodie Cave on Barrow Island in Western Australia. δ18O results track the dynamic paleoecological history at Boodie Cave including a clear shift towards increasing aridity preceding the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum and a period of increased humidity in the early to mid-Holocene. Enamel δ13C reflects divergent species feeding ecology and may imply a long-term shift toward increasing diversity in vegetation structure. This study contributes new data to the carbonate-isotope record for Australian fauna and demonstrates the significant potential of stable isotope based ecological investigations for tracking paleoenvironment change to inter-strata resolution.

SUBMITTER: Skippington J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124622 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Isotopic Indications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes at Boodie Cave Archaeological Site, Barrow Island, Western Australia.

Skippington Jane J Manne Tiina T Veth Peter P

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 20210428 9

This paper presents the first application of mammal tooth enamel carbonate stable isotope analysis for the purpose of investigating late Pleistocene-early Holocene environmental change in an Australian archaeological context. Stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios were analyzed from archaeological and modern spectacled hare wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) and hill kangaroo (Osphranter robustus) tooth enamel carbonates from Boodie Cave on B ...[more]

PMID: 33925244

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Project description:The paleoenvironmental evolution of the Abrolhos Depression (AD) on the southern Abrolhos Shelf during the global post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) transgression is investigated through benthic foraminifera analysis. Downcore sediment samples (core DA03A-5B) collected at a depth of 63 m provide insights into the formation and paleoenvironmental variations of AD over the past 18 kyr BP. The core is divided into four biofacies based on foraminifera assemblages. At the base, the presence of carbonate concretions indicates a karstic surface, marking the initiation of the paleolagoon formation at approximately 13 kyr BP with low density of foraminifera, where species such as Elphidium sp. and Hanzawaia boueana (EH Biofacies) were more abundant. During the Younger Dryas (YD) (12.8-12.5 kyr BP), the AD exhibits two distinct phases: an initially confined lagoon environment with reduced circulation characterized by the dominance of the species Ammonia tepida (At Biofacies), followed by increased circulation characterized by higher density, richness, and diversity of benthic foraminifera. The end of the YD is identified by a significant biofacies change, indicative of a shallow marine environment, where the dominant species were A. tepida and Elphidium excavatum (AE Biofacies), supported by sedimentological and geochemical proxies. This paleoenvironmental shift is associated with Meltwater Pulse (MWP) -1B, suggesting a connection to a shallow marine environment. As sea levels continue to rise, the AD transitions into an open marine setting. However, around 8 kyr BP, a change occurs with the absence of A. tepida and the occurrence of planktonic and other benthic foraminifera typical of the outer shelf, indicating depths greater than 50 m (HQ Biofacies). The findings highlight the complex interplay between climate fluctuations, sea-level changes, and the formation of coastal environments during the LGM transgression. This study contributes to our understanding of paleoenvironmental dynamics, adding valuable insights to the evolutionary history of AD. The results emphasize the importance of integrating benthic foraminifera analysis, radiocarbon dating, and geochemical proxies to reconstruct paleoenvironments accurately. Overall, this research enhances our knowledge of global continental shelf evolution during the post-LGM transgression and provides valuable information for future paleoenvironmental studies.

Dataset Information

Isotopic Indications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes at Boodie Cave Archaeological Site, Barrow Island, Western Australia.

Publications

Isotopic Indications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes at Boodie Cave Archaeological Site, Barrow Island, Western Australia.

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