delta C-13 of loess organic matter as a potential proxy for paleoprecipitation

Paleoprecipitation reconstructions on the basis of pollen are well known, b ut they do not provide high temporal resolution for glacial periods. High-r esolution paleoprecipitation reconstructions for the last glaciation based on the isotopic record organic matter in loess from Nussloch (Rhine Valley, Germany) are consistent with paleoprecipitation inferred from peat in the same area using an independant method. Thus, delta C-13 of loess organic ma tter can be used as a proxy for paleoprecipitation. (C) 2001 University of Washington.