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Reconstructing the Late Holocene History of Human Activity and Climate from a Costa Rican Diatom Record

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Date Issued:
2021
Abstract/Description:
This project expands on the 4200-year history of Laguna Los Mangos by adding diatom analysis to existing records of pollen, charcoal, elemental composition, and stable light isotope analysis. Diatoms were counted in peroxide-treated samples, and data were analyzed using cluster analysis, PCA, CCA, and Pearson correlation. Diatom variability was correlated with nitrogen and organic material. Before 3430 cal yr BP, diatoms reflect landscape instability with higher lake levels and macrophyte cover. This period was followed by a period of agriculture-induced nutrient pollution, reduced pH, and increased precipitation until about 2450 cal yr BP. Peaks in A. granulata may indicate periods of increased mixing driven by precipitation. Diatom composition reflects reduced agricultural activity and lake desiccation during the TCD and increased precipitation and agricultural collapse during the LIA. Overall, this record reflects a history of slightly alkaline, eutrophic conditions, increasing salinity, and human disturbance from maize agriculture and deforestation.
Title: Reconstructing the Late Holocene History of Human Activity and Climate from a Costa Rican Diatom Record.
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Name(s): Bitting, Madeleine , author
Johanson, Erik , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Geosciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2021
Date Issued: 2021
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 116 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This project expands on the 4200-year history of Laguna Los Mangos by adding diatom analysis to existing records of pollen, charcoal, elemental composition, and stable light isotope analysis. Diatoms were counted in peroxide-treated samples, and data were analyzed using cluster analysis, PCA, CCA, and Pearson correlation. Diatom variability was correlated with nitrogen and organic material. Before 3430 cal yr BP, diatoms reflect landscape instability with higher lake levels and macrophyte cover. This period was followed by a period of agriculture-induced nutrient pollution, reduced pH, and increased precipitation until about 2450 cal yr BP. Peaks in A. granulata may indicate periods of increased mixing driven by precipitation. Diatom composition reflects reduced agricultural activity and lake desiccation during the TCD and increased precipitation and agricultural collapse during the LIA. Overall, this record reflects a history of slightly alkaline, eutrophic conditions, increasing salinity, and human disturbance from maize agriculture and deforestation.
Identifier: FA00013782 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Diatoms
Paleoclimatology--Holocene
Paleoecology--Holocene
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013782
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.