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Paleoevaporation and Paleoprecipitation in the Tanganyika Basin at 18,000 Years B.P. Inferred from Hydrologic and Vegetation Proxies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Laurent Bergonzini ,
Francoise Chalié  and
Francoise Gasse
Laurent Bergonzini
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Processus et Archives Sédimentaires, URA-CNRS 723, GDR-CNRS 970 Bâtiment 504, Université Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France
Francoise Chalié
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Processus et Archives Sédimentaires, URA-CNRS 723, GDR-CNRS 970 Bâtiment 504, Université Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France
Francoise Gasse
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Processus et Archives Sédimentaires, URA-CNRS 723, GDR-CNRS 970 Bâtiment 504, Université Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France
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Abstract

Paleo-hydrologic and -vegetation proxy data from the Tanganyika basin are integrated in energy and water balance equations to infer past evaporation and precipitation during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Our approach is first validated on the modern system. Large variations are assigned to input variables to simulate the interannual precipitation variability. Equations are then applied to the LGM. We first change those input parameters inferred from proxies (basin and lake surfaces, temperature, and land albedo). Our LGM simulation suggests (in percent of modern mean values) decreases in evaporation from the lake [El: −5% (between −13% and +3%)] and land [Ec: −8% (−19/+5)] bodies, in precipitation [P: −11% (−21/0)] and (P − Ec): −42% (−44/−40). Decreases in P and E are amplified [El: −8% (−16/0); Ec: −14% (−24/−2); P: −17% (−26/−6)] when including empirical changes in atmospheric transmission coefficient and Bowen ratio. Sensitivity runs suggest that even large changes in cloud cover and air humidity should not modify these trends. The results suggest that the Earth's glacial/interglacial boundary conditions play a significant role on climate of subequatorial southern Africa.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 47 , Issue 3 , May 1997 , pp. 295 - 305
Copyright
University of Washington

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