Deciphering orbital and suborbital signatures from lacustrine sediments: Insights into the MIS-3 and the Last Termination in Northwest Africa

Swiss partners

• ETH Zürich: Heather Stoll (main applicant)

Partners in the MENA region

• Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Maroc: Yassine Ait Brahim (main applicant), Khalil Azennoud

• University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Maroc: Abdennasser Baali

Presentation of the project

Our research project aims to investigate climate variability in Northwest Africa by examining lacustrine sediments, focusing particularly on sedimentation patterns during the last glaciation and present interglacial, the Holocene. We specifically explore how changes in the Earth’s orbital parameters and rapid climatic events (known as Heinrich Events and Dansgaard–Oeschger oscillation) influenced sedimentation in Lake Ifrah, located in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco. Through detailed sedimentological analyses, stable isotope measurements on ostracod shells, and radiocarbon dating, we seek to reconstruct the region’s past climate conditions, including historical lake levels and temperature changes, and the impact on human occupation in the region

For this project, we performed a comprehensive study involving the collection and analysis of lake sediments from northern Morocco, focusing specifically on four key objectives:

1) Conducting an extensive review of existing paleolimnological data in the region to identify potential knowledge gaps and better understand regional responses to climate forcing.

2) Undertaking detailed fieldwork to perform thorough sedimentological investigation and to look for archaeological evidence reflecting historical human occupation around the lake.

3) Carrying out advanced geochemical analyses, including stable isotope and trace element measurement on ostracod shells, complemented by radiocarbon dating of charcoal and organic material.

These methods were applied to reconstruct paleoclimatic variability and establish a precise chronological framework.