Yuanhai Zhang

During the last glacial, Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events are mostly characterized by moderate and shorter fluctuations. Here, we present the three-year-resolution stalagmite isotopic record from Shouyuangong Cave (SYG), southern China, revealing a detailed history of Asian summer monsoon (ASM) and local environmental changes during the middle and late period of DO 14. During this period, the SYG1 δ¹⁸O is characterized by the persistence of centennial-scale oscillations. These centennial δ¹⁸O enrichment excursions are clearly mirrored in the δ¹³C signal. This correlation suggests that changes in soil CO₂ production at this site are closely correlated with centennial-scale ASM variability. Furthermore, power spectrum analysis shows that δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C display the common periodicities consistent with solar activity cycles, implicating a control of solar activity on the ASM and soil humidity. Particularly, weak solar activity generally corresponds to weak ASM and a decline in soil CO₂ production. One possible link between them is that external forcing controls the ASM intensity via the thermal contrast between the ocean and land. Subsequently, the balance of soil moisture co-varies with the hydrological responses. Finally, the soil CO₂ production is further amplified by ecological effect.