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Holocene Climate Change In
North-Central Washington:
Studies of
atmospheric circulation document decadal-scale variations in both the
position and strength of the Aleutian low-pressure system and consequent
changes in oceanographic conditions throughout the North Pacific. This
“Pacific Decadal Oscillation” (PDO) thereby impacts the climate and
hydrology of the adjacent North American continent and, in turn,
influences the agricultural/silvicultural and freshwater resources
(logging yields, hydroelectric energy production, and salmon fisheries)
of the region. Instrumental records of the PDO span only the last
century and permit only limited estimation of northwest Pacific climate
variability and its effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Proxy records are therefore needed to better define the environmental
sensitivity and vulnerability of the region. We propose to use
stratigraphic and isotopic (δ18O
and
δ13C
of carbonate) information preserved in the sediments of lakes
across the Cascade Range of Washington to reconstruct sub-decadal
moisture balance changes in the Pacific Northwest during the last
~12,000 years. This study will improve climate change predictions and
management of natural resources.
This research
program was initially developed by Drs. Mark Abbott (University of
Pittsburgh) and collaborator Bruce Finney (University of Alaska – Fairbanks) along
with researchers from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Much of the sediment analyses currently in progress will comprise a thesis by University of Pittsburgh graduate student Dan
Nelson (dbn1@pitt.edu).
Related Programs:
Climate System Research Center - University of Massachusetts
Department of Geology and Planetary Science - University of
Pittsburgh (Dr. Mark
Abbott)
North Cascades National Park
(Dr. Jon Riedel)
UAF
Institute of Marine Science (Dr. Bruce Finney)
Reconstruction Of Pittsburgh's
Industrial History Using Sediment Cores:
In December 2002,
sediments were recovered from a 96-year-old reservoir located within
metropolitan Pittsburgh. Sediments were initially analyzed for metal
concentrations (arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel) using
inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in an
effort to reconstruct the recent industrial history of the city.
Preliminary results document peak metal loading ca. 1950 and a
marked reduction of metal concentrations after ~1970. Additional
sediment analyses are currently underway and will constitute a portion
of a thesis by University of Pittsburgh graduate student Brianne Cassidy
(bmc39@pitt.edu).
Related Programs:
Department of Geology
and Planetary Science - University of Pittsburgh (Dr. Mark
Abbott)
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