Paleopedology plus TL, 10Be, and 14C dating as tools in stratigraphic and paleoclimatic investigations, Mississippi River Valley, U.S.A.

Markewich, Helaine W.; Wysocki, Douglas A.; Pavich, Milan J.; Rutledge, E. M.; Millard, H.T.; Rich, Fredrick J.; Maat, P.B.; Rubin, Meyer; McGeehin, John P.

doi:10.1016/s1040-6182(97)00041-4

Cited by 65 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Many of these sites, most notably the Vicksburg and Natchez sites ( Fig. 2g and h, respectively), have been the subject of sedimentologic, ecologic, and faunal studies for decades (Wascher et al, 1947;Leighton and Willman, 1950;Leonard and Frye, 1960;Hubricht, 1963;Krinitzsky and Turnbull, 1967;Snowden and Priddy, 1968;Ruhe, 1984a,b;Pye and Johnson, 1988;Clark et al, 1989;McCraw and Autin, 1989;Markewich, 1993Markewich, , 1994Mirecki and Miller, 1994;Oches et al, 1996;Rodbell et al, 1997;Markewich et al, 1998;Oches and McCoy, 2001;Bettis et al, 2003).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In most cases, the exact geochemical nature and origin of the carbon dated in bulk sediment samples are unknown, which further clouds interpretation of the resulting ages. Other chronometric techniques, including luminescence and amino-acid racemization (AAR), have been used previously to date loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley (Pye and Johnson, 1988;Clark et al, 1989;Forman et al, 1992;Rodbell et al, 1997;Markewich et al, 1998;Forman and Pierson, 2002). However, these techniques yield ages that are not as precise as 14 C ages, are relatively expensive and time consuming, and require assumptions regarding physical conditions (moisture content for luminescence) or climate parameters (variability in past temperatures for AAR) that cannot be known a priori.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiocarbon dating loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley using terrestrial gastropod shells (Polygyridae, Helicinidae, and Discidae)

et al. 2015

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a b s t r a c tSmall terrestrial gastropod shells (mainly Succineidae) have been used successfully to date late Quaternary loess deposits in Alaska and the Great Plains. However, Succineidae shells are less common in loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley compared to those of the Polygyridae, Helicinidae, and Discidae families. In this study, we conducted several tests to determine whether shells of these gastropods could provide reliable ages for loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley. Our results show that most of the taxa that we investigated incorporate small amounts (1-5%) of old carbon from limestone in their shells, meaning that they should yield ages that are accurate to within a few hundred years. In contrast, shells of the genus Mesodon (Mesodon elevatus and Mesodon zaletus) contain significant and variable amounts of old carbon, yielding ages that are up to a couple thousand 14 C years too old. Although terrestrial gastropod shells have tremendous potential for 14 C dating loess deposits throughout North America, we acknowledge that accuracy to within a few hundred years may not be sufficient for those interested in developing high-resolution loess chronologies. Even with this limitation, however, 14 C dating of terrestrial gastropod shells present in Mississippi Valley loess deposits may prove useful for researchers interested in processes that took place over multi-millennial timescales or in differentiating stratigraphic units that have significantly different ages but similar physical and geochemical properties. The results presented here may also be useful to researchers studying loess deposits outside North America that contain similar gastropod taxa. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiocarbon dating loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley using terrestrial gastropod shells (Polygyridae, Helicinidae, and Discidae)

et al. 2015

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“…2 and 3). The Roxana Silt, a mid-Wisconsinan loess (Willman and Frye, 1970;Leigh, 1994;Markewich et al, 1998), here consists of $1-2 m of dark greyish-brown silt loam, crudely stratified in Figure 4 Stratigraphic column of studied section FS-1 with radiocarbon ages indicated. This section (location in Fig.…”

Section: Illinoian Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the exception of thick loess in upland bluffs (Rutledge et al, 1996;Rodbell et al, 1997;Markewich et al, 1998), fossiliferous Pleistocene deposits in the northern lower Mississippi Valley (LMV) region are relatively scarce and have been the focus of fewer investigations than in the upper Midwest, USA. Many important palaeoenvironmental proxies (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ka BP, glacial discharge waned and transformation from braided to meandering stream conditions ensued (Royall et al, 1991;Saucier, 1995). Loess deposition in the south-central USA is generally thought to be synchronous with upper Midwest glaciations and resulting river aggradation in the LMV (Autin et al, 1991;Markewich et al, 1998). In western Tennessee, three Late Pleistocene loess units are present (Peoria, Roxana and Loveland Silts), with thick deposits ($16 m) occurring along the Mississippi River bluffs (Rodbell, 1996;Rodbell et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A multi‐proxy palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic record within full glacial lacustrine deposits, western Tennessee, USA

Grimley

Larsen

Kaplan

et al. 2009

J Quaternary Science

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2009. A multi-proxy palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic record within full glacial lacustrine deposits, western Tennessee, USA.ABSTRACT: The Fulton Section, along the Mississippi River in western Tennessee, USA, is a 1 km continuous exposure ($20 m vertically) of Quaternary fluvial and lacustrine deposits, inset within Eocene sediments and buried by thick loess. Fossiliferous slackwater lake sediments record maximum aggradation during the last two major glaciations, with deposition between ca. 190-140 ka and 24-18 14 C ka BP, based on amino acid and radiocarbon chronology, respectively. During the onset of full glacial conditions (ca. 24-22 14 C ka BP), a relatively permanent shallow lake environment is indicated by ostracods, aquatic molluscs, and both pollen and macrofossils of aquatic plants. By 21.8 14 C ka BP, increasing emergent plants, amphibious gastropods (Pomatiopsis) and heavier d 18 O compositions suggest marsh-like conditions in a periodically drying lake. The surrounding uplands consisted of Picea-Pinus woodlands mixed with cool-temperate hardwoods (e.g. Quercus, Populus, Carya), grasses and herbs. More open conditions ensued ca. 20 14 C ka BP, with loess and slopewash gradually infilling the former lake by 18 14 C ka BP. Modern analogue analyses of ostracods and palaeontological evidence imply a full glacial climate similar to today's mixed-boreal zone in central Minnesota, USA, about 98C cooler in mean annual temperature than present-day western Tennessee.

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Evidence for Holocene Aeolian Activity at the Close of the Middle Bronze Age in the Eastern Carpathian Basin: Geoarchaeological Results from the Mureş River Valley, Romania

et al. 2013

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While extensive Pleistocene loess deposits have been identified across Eurasia, Holocene age loess (typically nonglaciogenic) is rarely recognized. We explore possible loess deposits in the Mureş River Valley of western Romania, providing a regional signal of increased aridity during the mid‐late Holocene. This proposed aridity may be responsible for the abandonment of Middle Bronze Age tell settlements along the major drainages of the eastern Carpathian Basin (Pannonian plain). This hypothesis centers on a proposed aeolian deposit (the “Pecica deposit”), a ca. 50–80 cm thick, relatively homogeneous, gray layer blanketing the top of the Bronze Age tell of Pecica—Şanţul Mare. Comparing the morphological, geochemical, and physical characteristics of this specific tell deposit with two representative profiles near the site containing glaciogenic calcareous loess and potential Holocene loess deposits developed in Chernozems, we find significant similarities to support this hypothesis. We then review various forms of proxy data published from elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe suggesting a warming trend during this period. The temporal placement of the Pecica deposit is bracketed using diagnostic artifacts, radiocarbon dates, and the degree of soil development, suggesting a period of increased aridity likely occurring soon after the 17th century B.C.

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Paleopedology plus TL, 10Be, and 14C dating as tools in stratigraphic and paleoclimatic investigations, Mississippi River Valley, U.S.A.

Cited by 65 publications

References 26 publications

Radiocarbon dating loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley using terrestrial gastropod shells (Polygyridae, Helicinidae, and Discidae)

Radiocarbon dating loess deposits in the Mississippi Valley using terrestrial gastropod shells (Polygyridae, Helicinidae, and Discidae)

A multi‐proxy palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic record within full glacial lacustrine deposits, western Tennessee, USA

Evidence for Holocene Aeolian Activity at the Close of the Middle Bronze Age in the Eastern Carpathian Basin: Geoarchaeological Results from the Mureş River Valley, Romania

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