Quantitative assessment of the oxygen isotope composition of fish otoliths from Lake Mungo, Australia

A quantitative assessment of oxygen isotope composition in fish otoliths from Lake Mungo, Australia, reveals that the isotopic signatures previously linked to high evaporation during dry conditions are better explained by evaporation acting on full lakes rather than lake drying. This study challenges prior interpretations by constructing a mass balance model to evaluate the impact of lake desiccation on water δ18O and comparing it with otolith records from the last glacial maximum (LGM). The findings provide subannual-scale insights into flooding and drying regimes, bridging the gap between archaeological evidence and palaeoenvironmental records in the UNESCO-listed Willandra Lakes Region. This approach offers a more nuanced understanding of hydrological changes linked to human occupation and environmental shifts over millennia.

Long, K., Heslop, D., & Rohling, E. J. (2021). Quantitative assessment of the oxygen isotope composition of fish otoliths from Lake Mungo, Australia. Quaternary Research, 102, 234–246. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2020.121