Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift

Veronica Muiruri; R. Bernhart Owen; Richard Potts; Alan L. Deino; Anna K. Behrensmeyer; Simon Riedl; Nathan Rabideaux; Emily J. Beverly; Robin W. Renaut; Jessica W. Moerman; Daniel Deocampo; J. Tyler Faith; Anders J Noren; Andrew S. Cohen; Kristina Brady Shannon; René Dommain

doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106

Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift

Veronica Muiruri, R. Bernhart Owen, Richard Potts, Alan L. Deino, Anna K. Behrensmeyer, Simon Riedl, Nathan Rabideaux, Emily J. Beverly, Robin W. Renaut, Jessica W. Moerman, Daniel Deocampo, J. Tyler Faith, Anders J Noren, Andrew S. Cohen, Kristina Brady Shannon, René Dommain

Earth and Environmental Sciences-Twin Cities

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Koora Basin (south Kenya Rift) preserves a continental, tropical, one-million-year record of environmental change driven by global climate, regional tectonism and volcanism. Diatom-based reconstructions from Olorgesailie Drilling Project (ODP) cores indicate lakes that expanded and contracted with conductivities ranging between ∼200 and > 25,000 μS.cm⁻¹ and pH of 7.9–11.2. Benthic and planktonic diatoms document mostly shallow fresh water between 1 Ma and 870 ka with deeper freshwater lakes from 870 to 470 ka. After the Mid-Brunhes Event at about 430 ka, diatoms record many transgression-regression cycles with both freshwater and saline-alkaline lakes present. Palaeosols also indicate episodes of desiccation and lower water tables. Carbonates and zeolites are present in younger sediments, especially after 400 ka. Many high-lake-level stages correlate with low values in ocean benthic δ¹⁸O stack data. Most, but not all, low lake levels occurred during higher δ¹⁸O MIS intervals, suggesting tectonic and/or volcanic events, in addition to climatic forcing, influenced the drainage, outlet heights and accommodation space. The 870–470 ka period of deeper freshwater lakes at Koora correlates well with the neighbouring Lake Magadi pollen record that suggests generally wetter conditions at this time. Wet-dry cycles after 470 ka at Koora developed when the Magadi record indicates a change towards drier conditions, but with many wetter intervals. High lake level periods at Koora also correlate with phases of diatom-inferred flooding at Magadi. Outcrops north of Koora also document several large lakes during deposition of parts of the Olorgesailie Formation prior to ∼500 ka. The Koora environmental history helps to fill an environmental gap (500–320 ka) encompassing critical changes in hominin lithic technology caused by a hiatus at Olorgesailie. During the first part of this interval (470–390 ka), Koora was occupied by a shallow alkaline lake, suggesting relatively dry conditions. The second part (390–320 ka) was characterised by fluctuating deeper lakes that imply greater variability and wetter conditions. Subsequently, both the Olorgesailie and Koora records indicate variable environments.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	107106
Journal	Quaternary Science Reviews
Volume	267
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106
State	Published - Sep 1 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya, the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch, and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology, the Kenyan Ministry of Mines, and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya. DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities (University of Minnesota) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research (Smithsonian), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material.

Funding Information:
This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya , the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch , and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology , the Kenyan Ministry of Mines , and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya . DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities ( University of Minnesota ) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research ( Smithsonian ), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Africa
Diatoms
Hominins
Kenya Rift
Lake levels
Palaeolimnology
Pleistocene

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106

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Muiruri, V., Owen, R. B., Potts, R., Deino, A. L., Behrensmeyer, A. K., Riedl, S., Rabideaux, N., Beverly, E. J., Renaut, R. W., Moerman, J. W., Deocampo, D., Faith, J. T., Noren, A. J., Cohen, A. S., Shannon, K. B., & Dommain, R. (2021). Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift. Quaternary Science Reviews, 267, Article 107106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106

Muiruri, V, Owen, RB, Potts, R, Deino, AL, Behrensmeyer, AK, Riedl, S, Rabideaux, N, Beverly, EJ, Renaut, RW, Moerman, JW, Deocampo, D, Faith, JT, Noren, AJ, Cohen, AS, Shannon, KB & Dommain, R 2021, 'Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift', Quaternary Science Reviews, vol. 267, 107106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106

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abstract = "The Koora Basin (south Kenya Rift) preserves a continental, tropical, one-million-year record of environmental change driven by global climate, regional tectonism and volcanism. Diatom-based reconstructions from Olorgesailie Drilling Project (ODP) cores indicate lakes that expanded and contracted with conductivities ranging between ∼200 and > 25,000 μS.cm−1 and pH of 7.9–11.2. Benthic and planktonic diatoms document mostly shallow fresh water between 1 Ma and 870 ka with deeper freshwater lakes from 870 to 470 ka. After the Mid-Brunhes Event at about 430 ka, diatoms record many transgression-regression cycles with both freshwater and saline-alkaline lakes present. Palaeosols also indicate episodes of desiccation and lower water tables. Carbonates and zeolites are present in younger sediments, especially after 400 ka. Many high-lake-level stages correlate with low values in ocean benthic δ18O stack data. Most, but not all, low lake levels occurred during higher δ18O MIS intervals, suggesting tectonic and/or volcanic events, in addition to climatic forcing, influenced the drainage, outlet heights and accommodation space. The 870–470 ka period of deeper freshwater lakes at Koora correlates well with the neighbouring Lake Magadi pollen record that suggests generally wetter conditions at this time. Wet-dry cycles after 470 ka at Koora developed when the Magadi record indicates a change towards drier conditions, but with many wetter intervals. High lake level periods at Koora also correlate with phases of diatom-inferred flooding at Magadi. Outcrops north of Koora also document several large lakes during deposition of parts of the Olorgesailie Formation prior to ∼500 ka. The Koora environmental history helps to fill an environmental gap (500–320 ka) encompassing critical changes in hominin lithic technology caused by a hiatus at Olorgesailie. During the first part of this interval (470–390 ka), Koora was occupied by a shallow alkaline lake, suggesting relatively dry conditions. The second part (390–320 ka) was characterised by fluctuating deeper lakes that imply greater variability and wetter conditions. Subsequently, both the Olorgesailie and Koora records indicate variable environments.",

keywords = "Africa, Diatoms, Hominins, Kenya Rift, Lake levels, Palaeolimnology, Pleistocene",

author = "Veronica Muiruri and Owen, {R. Bernhart} and Richard Potts and Deino, {Alan L.} and Behrensmeyer, {Anna K.} and Simon Riedl and Nathan Rabideaux and Beverly, {Emily J.} and Renaut, {Robin W.} and Moerman, {Jessica W.} and Daniel Deocampo and Faith, {J. Tyler} and Noren, {Anders J} and Cohen, {Andrew S.} and Shannon, {Kristina Brady} and Ren{\'e} Dommain",

note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya, the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch, and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology, the Kenyan Ministry of Mines, and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya. DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities (University of Minnesota) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research (Smithsonian), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material. Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya , the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch , and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology , the Kenyan Ministry of Mines , and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya . DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities ( University of Minnesota ) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research ( Smithsonian ), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Elsevier Ltd",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106",

language = "English (US)",

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journal = "Quaternary Science Reviews",

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T1 - Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift

AU - Muiruri, Veronica

AU - Owen, R. Bernhart

AU - Potts, Richard

AU - Deino, Alan L.

AU - Behrensmeyer, Anna K.

AU - Riedl, Simon

AU - Rabideaux, Nathan

AU - Beverly, Emily J.

AU - Renaut, Robin W.

AU - Moerman, Jessica W.

AU - Deocampo, Daniel

AU - Faith, J. Tyler

AU - Noren, Anders J

AU - Cohen, Andrew S.

AU - Shannon, Kristina Brady

AU - Dommain, René

N1 - Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya, the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch, and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology, the Kenyan Ministry of Mines, and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya. DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities (University of Minnesota) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research (Smithsonian), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material. Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Museums of Kenya , the Oldonyo Nyokie Group Ranch , and the Olorgesailie field team led by J.M. Nume and J.N. Mativo, Research and drilling permits were provided by the Kenyan National Council for Science and Technology , the Kenyan Ministry of Mines , and the National Environmental Management Authority of Kenya . DOSECC Exploration Services supervised drilling by Drilling and Prospecting International (DPI). The LacCore and CSDCO facilities ( University of Minnesota ) assisted with core handling, processing and storage. Funding was provided by the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research ( Smithsonian ), the William H. Donner Foundation (R.P.), the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation (R.P.), Whitney and Betty MacMillan (R.P.), National Science Foundation grants EAR 1322017 (A.L.D.) and EAR 1349599 (D.D.), a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Geo. X - Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam (R.D.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant P300P2 158501 (M.S.), and the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program (R.P). The Hong Kong Research Grants Council provided funding for diatom studies of the core material. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - The Koora Basin (south Kenya Rift) preserves a continental, tropical, one-million-year record of environmental change driven by global climate, regional tectonism and volcanism. Diatom-based reconstructions from Olorgesailie Drilling Project (ODP) cores indicate lakes that expanded and contracted with conductivities ranging between ∼200 and > 25,000 μS.cm−1 and pH of 7.9–11.2. Benthic and planktonic diatoms document mostly shallow fresh water between 1 Ma and 870 ka with deeper freshwater lakes from 870 to 470 ka. After the Mid-Brunhes Event at about 430 ka, diatoms record many transgression-regression cycles with both freshwater and saline-alkaline lakes present. Palaeosols also indicate episodes of desiccation and lower water tables. Carbonates and zeolites are present in younger sediments, especially after 400 ka. Many high-lake-level stages correlate with low values in ocean benthic δ18O stack data. Most, but not all, low lake levels occurred during higher δ18O MIS intervals, suggesting tectonic and/or volcanic events, in addition to climatic forcing, influenced the drainage, outlet heights and accommodation space. The 870–470 ka period of deeper freshwater lakes at Koora correlates well with the neighbouring Lake Magadi pollen record that suggests generally wetter conditions at this time. Wet-dry cycles after 470 ka at Koora developed when the Magadi record indicates a change towards drier conditions, but with many wetter intervals. High lake level periods at Koora also correlate with phases of diatom-inferred flooding at Magadi. Outcrops north of Koora also document several large lakes during deposition of parts of the Olorgesailie Formation prior to ∼500 ka. The Koora environmental history helps to fill an environmental gap (500–320 ka) encompassing critical changes in hominin lithic technology caused by a hiatus at Olorgesailie. During the first part of this interval (470–390 ka), Koora was occupied by a shallow alkaline lake, suggesting relatively dry conditions. The second part (390–320 ka) was characterised by fluctuating deeper lakes that imply greater variability and wetter conditions. Subsequently, both the Olorgesailie and Koora records indicate variable environments.

AB - The Koora Basin (south Kenya Rift) preserves a continental, tropical, one-million-year record of environmental change driven by global climate, regional tectonism and volcanism. Diatom-based reconstructions from Olorgesailie Drilling Project (ODP) cores indicate lakes that expanded and contracted with conductivities ranging between ∼200 and > 25,000 μS.cm−1 and pH of 7.9–11.2. Benthic and planktonic diatoms document mostly shallow fresh water between 1 Ma and 870 ka with deeper freshwater lakes from 870 to 470 ka. After the Mid-Brunhes Event at about 430 ka, diatoms record many transgression-regression cycles with both freshwater and saline-alkaline lakes present. Palaeosols also indicate episodes of desiccation and lower water tables. Carbonates and zeolites are present in younger sediments, especially after 400 ka. Many high-lake-level stages correlate with low values in ocean benthic δ18O stack data. Most, but not all, low lake levels occurred during higher δ18O MIS intervals, suggesting tectonic and/or volcanic events, in addition to climatic forcing, influenced the drainage, outlet heights and accommodation space. The 870–470 ka period of deeper freshwater lakes at Koora correlates well with the neighbouring Lake Magadi pollen record that suggests generally wetter conditions at this time. Wet-dry cycles after 470 ka at Koora developed when the Magadi record indicates a change towards drier conditions, but with many wetter intervals. High lake level periods at Koora also correlate with phases of diatom-inferred flooding at Magadi. Outcrops north of Koora also document several large lakes during deposition of parts of the Olorgesailie Formation prior to ∼500 ka. The Koora environmental history helps to fill an environmental gap (500–320 ka) encompassing critical changes in hominin lithic technology caused by a hiatus at Olorgesailie. During the first part of this interval (470–390 ka), Koora was occupied by a shallow alkaline lake, suggesting relatively dry conditions. The second part (390–320 ka) was characterised by fluctuating deeper lakes that imply greater variability and wetter conditions. Subsequently, both the Olorgesailie and Koora records indicate variable environments.

KW - Africa

KW - Diatoms

KW - Hominins

KW - Kenya Rift

KW - Lake levels

KW - Palaeolimnology

KW - Pleistocene

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DO - 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107106

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85111733784

SN - 0277-3791

VL - 267

JO - Quaternary Science Reviews

JF - Quaternary Science Reviews

M1 - 107106

ER -

Quaternary diatoms and palaeoenvironments of the Koora Plain, southern Kenya rift

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Keywords

UN SDGs

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