Geochemical indicators of paleoclimate changes in sediments of Lake Baikal

An X-ray fluorescent analysis with synchrotron radiation (SR-XFA) and neutr on-activation analysis (INAA) were used to interpret high-resolution geoche mical records of paleoclimate signals in bottom sediments of Lake Baikal. C oncentrations of some elements and their ratios respond to climate change a nd thus mark glacial and interglacial stages. Sr/Ba, Sr/Rb, Sr/Cs, Sr/Ti, U /Th, Zn/Nb, U, Mo, Br, Eu, Tb, and Yb show positive correlations with the c ontent of biogenic silica (Si-bi), which is high in the periods of intergla cials and low in those of glacials, whereas Ba, Rb, Cs, Th, La, Ce, Nd, and La (Ce, Ba)/Yb (Y, Zr) anticorrelate with Sibi and increased concentration s of these elements mark glacial stages. The two series of geochemical sign als, along with biogenic silica, reflect climate fluctuations from glacials to interglacials through the past 780 ka.