Paleolimnological response to millennial and centennial scale climate variability during MIS 3 and 2 as suggested by the diatom record in Les Echets, France

A 27 m long sediment sequence retrieved from the central part of the Les Echets basin in France has been analysed in sub-centennial resolution for biogenic silica and fossil diatom remains. The sequence corresponds to the later Part Of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and to most of MIS 2. Distinct changes in diatom productivity, diversity and taxonomic composition between 36.2 and 31.7 kyr BP appear to relate to Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) climate variability. Intervals characterized by low diversity, productivity and small-sized benthic diatom taxa are most likely a response to colder conditions in relation to DO stadials. In contrast, higher diversity, productivity and a high abundance of planktonic taxa indicate a response to warmer temperatures during DO interstadials. The time interval between 30.3 and 15.7 kyr BP is characterized by continuous low diatom productivity and a benthic dominated community with intermediate species richness, suggesting a transition to more stable conditions. Three time intervals with extremely low concentrations of diatom valves (46.1-36.2, 31.7-30.3 and 26.3-23.6 kyr BP) overlap with ages reported for Heinrich (H) events 4, 3, and 2. We speculate that the lake at Les Echets suffered from severe ecological stress as a response to H events. This is the first detailed study exemplifying the response of a lake, based on diatoms, to climate variability during late part of MIS 3 and most of MIS 2 in Europe. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.