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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - West African Margin 25,000 Year Leaf Wax Isotope Data and Precipitation Reconstruction

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Paleoceanography
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Paleoceanography. The data include parameters of climate reconstructions|paleolimnology with a geographic location of North Atlantic Ocean. The time period coverage is from 28847 to 867 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Tierney, J.E.; Pausata, F.S.R.; deMenocal, P.B. (2017-01-18): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - West African Margin 25,000 Year Leaf Wax Isotope Data and Precipitation Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/fk1z-zv66. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-ocean-21091
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  • Native Format(s)
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage Description Date Range: 28847 cal yr BP to 867 cal yr BP;
Time Period -26897 to 1083
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -17.854167
East: -10.629833
South: 19.363
North: 30.879833
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Rainfall Regimes of the Green Sahara
    • Associated Reference published 2017
      Jessica E. Tierney, Francesco S.R. Pausata, Peter B. deMenocal, 2017: Rainfall Regimes of the Green Sahara. Science Advances, 3, , 10.1126/sciadv.1601503
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2017-01-18
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: Leaf wax isotope (dD and d13C) and West African precipitation reconstruction from 4 West African Margin marine sediment cores.
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: During the "Green Sahara" period (11,000 to 5000 years before the present), the Sahara desert received high amounts of rainfall, supporting diverse vegetation, permanent lakes, and human populations. Our knowledge of rainfall rates and the spatiotemporal extent of wet conditions has suffered from a lack of continuous sedimentary records. We present a quantitative reconstruction of western Saharan precipitation derived from leaf wax isotopes in marine sediments. Our data indicate that the Green Sahara extended to 31N and likely ended abruptly. We find evidence for a prolonged "pause" in Green Sahara conditions 8000 years ago, coincident with a temporary abandonment of occupational sites by Neolithic humans. The rainfall rates inferred from our data are best explained by strong vegetation and dust feedbacks; without these mechanisms, climate models systematically fail to reproduce the Green Sahara. This study suggests that accurate simulations of future climate change in the Sahara and Sahel will require improvements in our ability to simulate vegetation and dust feedbacks.
Purpose Records of past climate and ocean circulation derived from marine sediments. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this dataset. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Tierney, J.E.; Pausata, F.S.R.; deMenocal, P.B. (2017-01-18): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - West African Margin 25,000 Year Leaf Wax Isotope Data and Precipitation Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/fk1z-zv66. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Tierney, J.E.
  • Pausata, F.S.R.
  • deMenocal, P.B.
Originators
  • Tierney, J.E.
  • Pausata, F.S.R.
  • deMenocal, P.B.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ocean/Lake Records
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Ocean/Lake Records
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleocean > reconstruction
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleocean > biomarkers
  • Precipitation Reconstruction
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: depth; Material: null
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: precipitation; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H
  • What: delta 2H; Material: C30 n-alkanoic acid
  • What: precipitation; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H
  • What: delta 2H; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H|precipitation
  • What: precipitation; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H
  • What: delta 2H; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H|precipitation
  • What: delta 2H; Material: delta 13C|delta 2H|precipitation
  • What: delta 2H; Material: C30 n-alkanoic acid
  • What: delta 13C; Material: C30 n-alkanoic acid
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > OCE437-07-GC27 > LATITUDE 30.879833 > LONGITUDE -10.629833
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > OCE437-07-GC37 > LATITUDE 26.81595 > LONGITUDE -15.117717
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > OCE437-07-GC68 > LATITUDE 19.363 > LONGITUDE -17.282333
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > OCE437-07-GC49 > LATITUDE 23.206167 > LONGITUDE -17.854167
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Tierney, J.E.; Pausata, F.S.R.; deMenocal, P.B. (2017-01-18): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - West African Margin 25,000 Year Leaf Wax Isotope Data and Precipitation Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/fk1z-zv66. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
  • None
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Last Modified: 2023-09-01
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