A first look at oxygen isotope records from modern and Holocene‐aged gastropod (Stenomelania) shells from Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea. (12th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Kelsie; Schneider, Larissa; Williams, Ian S.; Fallon, Stewart J.; Stuart‐Williams, Hilary; Haberle, Simon
• Is Part Of: Journal of quaternary science. Volume 35:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2020-02-12
• Subjects: gastropod shells -- oxygen isotopes -- palaeoclimate -- Papua New Guinea -- Steno melania; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1002/jqs.3188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-8179

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The oxygen isotopic composition of Stenomelania gastropod shells was investigated to reconstruct Holocene palaeoclimate change at Lake Kutubu in the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea. Oxygen isotope (δ 18 O) values recorded in aquatic gastropod shells change according to ambient water δ 18 O values and temperature. The gastropod shells appear to form in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding water and record a shift in average shell oxygen isotopic composition through time, probably as a result of warmer/wetter conditions at ca. 600–900 and 5900–6200 cal a bp. Shorter term fluctuations in oxygen isotope values were also identified and may relate to changes in the intensity or source of rainfall. Further δ 18 O analyses of gastropod shells or other carbonate proxies found in the Lake Kutubu sediments are warranted. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.