Characterization of transport pathways and depositional changes in Mercury(Hg)and their connection to climatic and environmental changes on various time scales are crucial for better understanding the anthropogenic impacts on the global Hg cycle in the Anthropocene epoch.In this study,we examined Hg variations recorded in a stalagmite from central China,covering the period from 25.5 to 10.9 thousand years ago.Our data show a marked increase in Hg concentrations during the late Last Glacial Maximum,which coincided with the period of highest dust deposition on the Chinese Loess Plateau.Hg concentrations were lower during Heinrich events 1 and 2 and the Younger Dryas but higher during the BùllingAllerùd and the early Holocene.We suggest that regional dust load,which enhances atmospheric dry deposition of Hg,is the primary factor influencing Hg deposition in central China on glacialinterglacial timescales.On millennial-to-centennial timescales,climate also plays a significant role.Warmer and wetter conditions increase vegetation,litterfall,and soil/rock weathering,which in turn boost mineral dissolution and soil erosion in the vadose zone.These processes collectively result in higher Hg concentrations in the stalagmite.
植被是陆地生态系统的主体,其演化对全球气候变化及碳循环有着至关重要的影响。重建过去典型增温过程中植被的变化,是评估全球变暖背景下植被响应的关键之一。末次冰盛期(LGM)是末次冰期中距今最近的气候最冷、冰川规模最大的时段。LGM以来,气候经历了从末次冰盛期到全新世的逐渐增温和后续降温过程。本研究综合公开发表的东北地区的69条孢粉序列,通过生物群区化方法定量重建了LGM以来其植被分布格局变化。结果表明,21~12 ka B.P.,森林仅分布在东部边缘山地,该时期森林类型点位比例最低,仅25%,研究区大面积被草原和荒漠占据;12~9 ka B.P.,森林向西、北方向扩张,草原被迫向内蒙古高原地区迁移,森林-草原分界线逐渐向西移动;9~5 ka B.P.,森林成为主要植被类型,在东北地区广泛分布,森林点位比例在6 ka B.P.达到最大值,约65%以上。温带落叶林分布范围与现代相比,最北界向北扩张大约7°~8°。草原仅分布在松嫩平原东部和内蒙古高原北部。全新世大暖期(6±0.5 ka 14C),森林-草原分界线大致分布在现代300 mm年等降水量线附近;5 ka B.P.以来,草原再次扩张。森林向东部边缘山地迁移。森林-草原分界线向东迁移。此外,温带落叶林出现的海拔变化显示,LGM以来其逐渐上升至全新世早中期开始下降,与全球温度变化类似。进一步分析表明,LGM以来,降水或有效湿度可能是控制东北地区森林整体比例变化的主要驱动因素。此外,5 ka B.P.以来,人类活动对植被分布格局的影响是不可忽视的。
