Multiple Uplift and Exhumation of the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from Low-Temperature Thermochronology

Since the Cenozoic,the Tibetan Plateau has experienced large-scale uplift and outgrowth due to the India-Asia collision.However,the mechanism and timing of these tectonic processes still remain debated.Here,using apatite fission track dating and inverse thermal modeling,we explore the mechanism of different phases of rapid cooling for different batholiths and intrusions in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.In contrast to previous views,we find that the coeval granitic batholith exposed in the same tectonic zone experienced differential fast uplift in different sites,indicating that the present Tibetan Plateau was the result of differential uplift rather than the entire lithosphere uplift related to lithospheric collapse during Cenozoic times.In addition,we also suggest that the 5-2 Ma mantle-related magmatism should be regarded as the critical trigger for the widely coeval cooling event in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau,because it led to the increase in atmospheric CO_(2)level and a hotter upper crust than before,which are efficient for suddenly fast rock weathering and erosion.Finally,we propose that the current landform of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau was the combined influences of tectonic and climate.

Investigating the Effects of Greenhouse Vegetable Cultivation on Soil Fertility in Lhasa, Tibetan Plateau

The area of land utilized for growing vegetables in greenhouses has expanded rapidly on the Tibetan Plateau over recent decades. However, the effects of greenhouses on soil fertility as well as variations in these effects between the plateau and plain remain unclear on the Tibetan Plateau. This study assessed the effects of vegetable greenhouses in the vicinity of Lhasa, using open field soil as a control. A total of 92 plough layer(0-20 cm depth) soil samples including 54 from greenhouses and 38 from open fields were taken, and soil pH, electrical conductivity(EC), total soluble salt(TS), soil organic matter(SOM), total nitrogen(TN), available phosphorus(AP), and available potassium(AK) were measured. The results reveal that, soil pH was lower 1.0 units in greenhouses than that in open field. TS was higher 82% and AP was higher 160% overall. Similarly, SOM and TN were higher 32% and 46%, respectively, while AK changed slightly at a higher 1% rate. Results also show that soil properties varied depending on cultivation time and vegetable types. Overall, pH continuously decreased with cultivation time while other soil fertility indicators reached a maximum value after nine years of cultivation before starting to decrease. The effect of leafy vegetable planting on soil was slight overall, while the impact of fruits on soil was more serious. Compared with changes in plain greenhouse soil fertility measured across the eastern China, the effects of greenhouses on soil in Lhasa remain relatively limited;and the change in the degree of soil fertility was lower and the extreme values of soil fertility occurred later in Lhasa.

The Late Cretaceous source-to-sink system at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau:Insights from the provenance of the Lanping Basin

The surface uplift of the Tibetan Plateau(TP)and its geomorphology evolution has triggered aridification of Asia's interior and drainage development at the eastern margin of the plateau.However,how the pre-Cenozoic early growth histories of the TP impact the drainage system and climate is poorly constrained.The Late Mesozoic Lacustrine evaporite-bearing basins on the eastern margin of the TP record significant information on the uplift of the source terranes,source-to-sink system development and climate change.In this study,we presented detrital zircon U-Pb ages from the Upper Cretaceous Yunlong Formation in the Lanping Basin,as well as Hf isotopic,petrographic,direct statistical,and multidimensional scaling analyses,and use them to characterize the provenance and reconstruct the drainage system.All of the samples have five major age peaks at 200-290 Ma,400-490 Ma,750-1000 Ma,1750-1950 Ma,and 2400-2600 Ma with mostly negativeε_(Hf)(t)values(81%).We infer the sediments are primarily derived from recycled sediments of the Songpan-Garze terrane,and partly from the Sichuan Basin and the Southern Qiangtang terrane,as well as the exposed magmatic rocks of the Yidun Arc and SongpanGarze terrane.The provenance features of the contemporaneous sediments from the Sichuan,Xichang,Chuxiong,and Simao basins indicate a complex hierarchical drainage pattern on the eastern margin of the TP during the Late Cretaceous.The hierarchical drainage system exhibits a complete gradational cycle of lake-basin types from overfilled freshwater Sichuan Basin through balanced fill saline Xichang Basin and underfilled hypersaline Chuxiong,Lanping,Simao,and Khorat Plateau basins from proximal to distal.The early growth of the TP primarily controlled the drainage and lake-basin evolution by not only causing the uplift and exhumation of the source areas and providing large amounts of clastic material to the proximal sub-drainage areas but also intensifying the aridity and deposition of evaporites.

Spatio-temporal variation of spring phenology in Tibetan Plateau and its linkage to climate change from 1982 to 2012

The influence of climate change on vegetation phenology is a heated issue in current climate change study.We used GIMMS-3g NDVI data to detect the spatio-temporal dynamics of the start of the growing season(SGS) over the Tibetan Plateau(TP) from 1982 to 2012 and to analyze its relationship with temperature and precipitation.No significant trend was observed in the SGS at the regional scale during the study period(R^2 = 0.03,P = 0.352).However,there were three time periods(1982-1999,1999-2008 and 2008-2012) with identifiable,distinctly different trends.Regions with a significant advancing trend were mainly scattered throughout the humid and semi-humid areas,whereas the regions with a significant delaying trend were mostly distributed throughout the semi-arid areas.Statistical analysis showed that the response of the SGS to climate change varies spatially.The SGS was significantly correlated with the spring temperature and the start of the thermal growth season(STGS) in the relatively humid area.With increasing aridity,theimportance of the spring temperature for the SGS gradually decreased.However,the influences of precipitation and winter temperature on the SGS were complicated across the plateau.

Impacts of Indian summer monsoon and stratospheric intrusion on air pollutants in the inland Tibetan Plateau

Air pollutants can be transported to the pristine regions such as the Tibetan Plateau,by monsoon and stratospheric intrusion.The Tibetan Plateau region has limited local anthropogenic emissions,while this region is influenced strongly by transport of heavy emissions mainly from South Asia.We conducted a comprehensive study on various air pollutants (PM_(2.5),total gaseous mercury,and surface ozone) at Nam Co Station in the inland Tibetan Plateau.Monthly mean PM_(2.5)concentration at Nam Co peaked in April before monsoon season,and decreased during the whole monsoon season (June–September).Monthly mean total gaseous mercury concentrations at Nam Co peaked in July and were in high levels during monsoon season.The Indian summer monsoon acted as a facilitator for transporting gaseous pollutants (total gaseous mercury) but a suppressor for particulate pollutants (PM_(2.5)) during the monsoon season.Different from both PM_(2.5)and total gaseous mercury variabilities,surface ozone concentrations at Nam Co are primarily attributed to stratospheric intrusion of ozone and peaked in May.The effects of the Indian summer monsoon and stratospheric intrusion on air pollutants in the inland Tibetan Plateau are complex and require further studies.

Influence of South Asian Biomass Burning on Ozone and Aerosol Concentrations Over the Tibetan Plateau

In this work,the influence of South Asian biomass burning emissions on O_(3) and PM_(2.5)concentrations over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)is investigated by using the regional climate chemistry transport model WRF-Chem.The simulation is validated by comparing meteorological fields and pollutant concentrations against in situ observations and gridded datasets,providing a clear perspective on the spatiotemporal variations of O_(3) and PM_(2.5)concentrations across the Indian subcontinent,including the Tibetan Plateau.Further sensitivity simulations and analyses show that emissions from South Asian biomass burning mainly affect local O_(3) concentrations.For example,contribution ratios were up to 20%in the Indo-Gangetic Plain during the pre-monsoon season but below 1%over the TP throughout the year 2016.In contrast,South Asian biomass burning emissions contributed more than 60%of PM_(2.5)concentration over the TP during the pre-monsoon season via significant contribution of primary PM_(2.5)components(black carbon and organic carbon)in western India that were lofted to the TP by westerly winds.Therefore,it is suggested that cutting emissions from South Asian biomass burning is necessary to alleviate aerosol pollution over the TP,especially during the pre-monsoon season.

Cryosphere evapotranspiration in the Tibetan Plateau:A review

Land surface actual evapotranspiration is an important process that influences the Earth's energy and water cycles and determines the water and heat transfer in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere system.Meanwhile,the cryosphere's hydrological process is receiving extensive attention,and its water problem needs to be understood from multiple perspectives.As the main part of the Chinese cryosphere,the Tibetan Plateau faces significant climate and environmental change.There are active interaction and pronounced feedback between the environment and ETa in the cryosphere.This article mainly focuses on the research progress of ETa in the Tibetan Plateau.It first reviews the ETa process,characteristics,and impact factors of typical underlying surfaces in the Tibetan Plateau(alpine meadows,alpine steppes,alpine wetlands,alpine forests,lakes).Then it compares the temporal and spatial variations of ETa at different scales.In addition,considering the current greening of cryosphere vegetation due to climate change,it discusses the relationship between vegetation greening and transpiration to help clarify how vegetation activities are related to the regional water cycle and surface energy budget.

Research progress on behaviors and environmental effects of mercury in the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau:a critical review

The behavior and fates of environmental pollutants within the cryosphere and the associated environmental impacts are of increasing concerns in the context of global warming.The Tibetan Plateau(TP),also known as the"Third Pole",represents one of the most important cryospheric regions in the world.Mercury(Hg)is recognized as a global pollutant.Here,we summarize the current knowledge of Hg concentration levels,pools and spatio-temporal distribution in cryospheric environments(e.g.,glacier,permafrost),and its transfer and potential cycle in the TP cryospheric region.Transboundary transport of anthropogenic Hg from the surrounding heavily-polluted regions,such as South and Southeast Asia,provides significant sources of atmospheric Hg depositions onto the TP cryosphere.We concluded that the melting of the cryosphere on the TP represents an increasing source of Hg and brings a risk to the TP environment.In addition,global warming acts as an important catalyst accelerating the release of legacy Hg from the melting cryosphere,adversely impacting ecosystems and biological health.Furthermore,we emphasize on the remaining gaps and proposed issues needed to be addressed in future work,including enhancing our knowledge on some key release pathways and the related environmental effects of Hg in the cryospheric region,integrated observation and consideration of Hg distribution,migration and cycle processes at a key region,and uses of Hg isotopic technical and Hg models to improve the understanding of Hg cycling in the TP cryospheric region.

Evaluation of a traditional method for peak flow discharge estimation for floods in the Wenchuan Earthquake area,Sichuan Province,China

Peak discharge of flood in small mountainous watershed is usually calculated using the "Rainstorm–runoff calculation method in small watersheds in Sichuan Province"(RRM). This study evaluated the RRM calculation using real-time monitored rainfall and hydrologic data from a small watershed in the Wenchuan Earthquake area of Sichuan Province, China. The results indicated that the discharge values given by the RRM are commonly overestimating the measured discharge. The overestimation rate was discussed and empirical equations were proposed for improving RRM estimations, based on the relationship between calculated and measured discharge values at different watershed scales(2, 30, and 40 km2), under different rainfall probabilities(0.97–0.5, 0.5–0.2, and 0.2–0.002), and for different rainfall durations(0–6, 6–24, and >24 h). The results of this study help contribute to the understanding of water floods formation and help provide more accurate estimations of peak flow discharge in small watersheds in the Wenchuan Earthquake area.

Modulation of the Intensity of Nascent Tibetan Plateau Vortices by Atmospheric Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation

The modulation of the intensity of nascent Tibetan Plateau vortices(ITPV) by atmospheric quasi-biweekly oscillation(QBWO) is investigated based on final operational global analysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The spatial and temporal distributions of the ITPV show distinct features of 10–20-day QBWO. The average ITPV is much higher in the positive phases than in the negative phases, and the number of strong TPVs is much larger in the former,with a peak that appears in phase 3. In addition, the maximum centers of the ITPV stretch eastward in the positive phases,indicating periodic variations in the locations where strong TPVs are generated. The large-scale circulations and related thermodynamic fields are discussed to investigate the mechanism by which the 10–20-day QBWO modulates the ITPV. The atmospheric circulations and heating fields of the 10–20-day QBWO have a major impact on the ITPV. In the positive QBWO phases, the anomalous convergence at 500 hPa and divergence at 200 hPa are conducive to ascending motion. In addition, the convergence centers of the water vapor and the atmospheric unstable stratification are found in the positive QBWO phases and move eastward. Correspondingly, condensational latent heat is released and shifts eastward with the heating centers located at 400 hPa, which favors a higher ITPV by depressing the isobaric surface at 500 hPa. All of the dynamic and thermodynamic conditions in the positive QBWO phases are conducive to the generation of stronger TPVs and their eastward expansion.

Estimating interaction between surface water and groundwater in a permafrost region of the northern Tibetan Plateau using heat tracing method

Understanding the interaction between groundwater and surface water in permafrost regions is essential to study flood frequencies and river water quality, especially in the high latitude/altitude basins. The application of heat tracing method,based on oscillating streambed temperature signals, is a promising geophysical method for identifying and quantifying the interaction between groundwater and surface water. Analytical analysis based on a one-dimensional convective-conductive heat transport equation combined with the fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing method was applied on a streambed of a mountainous permafrost region in the Yeniugou Basin, located in the upper Heihe River on the northern Tibetan Plateau. The results indicated that low connectivity existed between the stream and groundwater in permafrost regions.The interaction between surface water and groundwater increased with the thawing of the active layer. This study demonstrates that the heat tracing method can be applied to study surface water-groundwater interaction over temporal and spatial scales in permafrost regions.

Effects of surface heating on precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau and its eastern margin

The high terrain of the Tibetan Plateau(TP)has a very important impact on the weather and climate of China,East Asia,South Asia,and even the Northern Hemisphere.However,in recent years,the reasons for the decrease in precipitation in the southeastern edge of the plateau have resulted in cutting-edge research regarding the impact of the TP and its surrounding areas on downstream weather and climate.In this study,the spatial and temporal distribution of surface heat flux and precipitation were analyzed from 1998 to 2022,and the possible mechanism of the decrease of precipitation in the eastern edge of the plateau is explored.The main conclusions are as follows:The annual average sensible heat flux in the TP and its east side is positive,with an average of 33.73 W/m^(2).The annual average latent heat flux is positive,with an average of 42.71 W/m^(2).Precipitation has a similar annual average and seasonal distribution,with modest amounts in the northwest and substantial amounts in the southeast.The average annual accumulated precipitation is 670.69 mm.The first mode of the Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF)shows that sensible heat flux decreases first,then increases,and then finally decreases during 1998–2022.The modes show the opposite trend in middle part of the plateau.The latent heat flux initially decreases,then increases,and finally decreases in the western plateau and near Sichuan Basin.The mode,however,displays the opposite tendency throughout the rest of the region.The precipitation in the north and south sides of the plateau has decreased since 2013,which is consistent with the changing trend of sensible heat flux.In the rest of the region,the change trend is not obvious.The sensible heat of the main body of the plateau and its east side and Sichuan Basin is negatively correlated with precipitation,that is,when sensible heat flux of the main body of the plateau and its east side and Sichuan Basin is more(less),local precipitation is less(more).The latent heat of the main body of the plateau and its east side,Sichuan Basin is positively correlated with precipitation,indicating that when latent heat flux of the main body of the plateau and its east side,Sichuan Basin is more(less),local precipitation is more(less).

Social development and living environment changes in the Northeast Tibetan Plateau and contiguous regions during the late prehistoric period

The relationship between the evolution of human societies and their living environments has been discussed intensively in recent decades.It is important to understand the patterns and mechanisms of human–environment interaction and evolution in order to cope with rapidly changing environments in the modern world.We reviewed the results of dating,archaeobotanical,and zooarchaeological studies from 139 prehistoric sites in the Northeast Tibetan Plateau(NETP)and contiguous regions(NETP-CR:i.e.,the Hexi Corridor and western margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau)and compared them with paleoenvironmental records to study variations in spatiotemporal patterns of social development in the area and their relationships with climate and vegetation changes.Our results show that hunter-gatherer groups occupied vast areas of the NETP at low intensities during^15,000–5500 BP(years before present).This was directly related to forest cover and climate change.An increase in temperature and precipitation turnover of vegetation from desert steppe to alpine meadow/subalpine shrub,and recovery of animal population on the Tibetan Plateau created more food resources and space for hunter-gatherers.Millet farmers settled extensively below 2500 m a.s.l.(meters above sea level)in the NETP-CR between^5500 and 3600 BP,and might have coexisted with hunting groups above 2500 m a.s.l.via subsistence exchange.The distribution of human settlements during that period was affected by climate change,with the relatively warm and wet climate promoting the expansion of millet agriculture to the NETP-CR during 5500–4500 BP,while climate deterioration caused humans to retreat to lower altitudes.During 3600–2200 BP,a range of livelihoods emerged in different regions of the NETPCR.This was promoted by early trans-Eurasian exchange and the development of an agro-pastoral economy that utilized cold-tolerant crops and livestock.This eventually promoted the expansion of permanent human settlements to high-altitude areas in the NETP.This study found that human societies adopted various strategies to adapt to the changing living environment throughout late prehistoric times in the NETP-CR.The results provide a long-term perspective on the trajectory of regional socio-environmental co-evolution.

The Growth of Two Species of Subalpine Co-nifer Saplings in Response to Soil Warming and Inter-Competition in Mt. Gongga on the South-Eastern Fringe of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

In conjunction with global climate change, soil temperatures have been recorded to be increasing more rapidly than air temperatures at Mt. Gongga, China. Plant density is also increasing, and a means of combining the effects of changes in soil temperature and competition on the growth and regeneration of the constructive coniferous species seedlings in the subalpine ecotones is needed. Thus, a split-plot design experiment was conducted with Sargent spruce (Picea brachytyla) and Purple cone spruce (P. purpurea) saplings, using four soil temperatures (control Tsoil = 11.9℃ ± 0.3℃, low Tsoil = 13.4℃ ± 0.140℃, intermediate Tsoil = 15.4℃ ± 0.1℃, high Tsoil = 16.4℃ ± 0.2℃) and three plant densities (one, two and three saplings per pot), in the subalpine ecotone. Soil temperatures were controlled through a cable heating system. After two growing seasons under the soil temperature treatments, 107 Sargent spruce saplings and 110 of the same-aged Purple cone spruce saplings were harvested. The results showed that Sargent spruce grew faster and with a greater biomass productivity than Purple cone spruce. Increased soil temperature significantly increased leaf biomass, branch biomass, above-ground biomass, and total plant biomass for developing crown architecture in Sargent spruce, whereas plant competition (i.e., higher density) notably caused a decline in leaf biomass, branch biomass, and above-ground biomass. Purple cone spruce did not respond to either an increases in soil temperature or plant competition. Neither plant species was influenced by the interaction of soil temperature and plant competition. These results suggest that Sargent spruce may expand the upper and lower limits of its distribution as global warming continues, but the expansion is likely to be restricted by plant competition in the future, including that from Purple cone spruce. Below-ground, fine root biomass does not change with soil warming although other sized roots do in both species. This signifies that light availability is more important in the acclimation of Sargent spruce to the changing environments than soil nutrient availability. Purple cone spruce is unaffected by the complex changing environment, suggesting that this spruce may stably grow and continue to thrive in the subalpine ecotone in future scenarios of climate change.

Determination of Land Surface Heat Fluxes at Different Temporal Scales over the Tibetan Plateau

Surface energy budget components(such as net radiation flux,sensible heat flux,latent heat flux and soil heat flux)at multiple temporal scales have significant meaning for understanding the energy and water cycle over the Tibetan Plateau(TP).In the framework of ESA-MOST Dragon Programme 4,the surface energy balance system(SEBS)was tested and used to derive surface heat fluxes at different temporal scales over the TP by a combination use of geostationary satellite(FY-2 C)data,polar orbiting satellite(SPOT/VGT,Terra/MODIS)data and ITPCAS forcing data.The validation results show there is a good agreement between derived heat fluxes and in situ measurements from Third Pole Environment Observation and Research Platform(TPEORP),which means the feasibility to derive surface heat fluxes over heterogeneous landscapes by a combination use of geostationary and polar orbiting satellite data in SEBS.The diurnal,seasonal and inter-annual variation characteristics were also clearly identified through analyses of derived turbulent fluxes.

Paleohydrological Changes in the Western Tibetan Plateau over the Past 16,000 years Based on Sedimentary Records of n-Alkanes and Grain Size

Both monsoons and westerlies have exerted influence on climate dynamics over the Tibetan Plateau(TP) since the last deglaciation, producing complex patterns of paleohydroclimatic conditions. Diverse proxy records are essential to forge a robust understanding of the climate system on the TP. Currently, there is a general lack of understanding of the response of inland lakes over the TP to climate change, especially glacier-fed lakes. Paleohydrological reconstructions of such lakes could deepen our understanding of the history of lake systems and their relationship to regional climate variability. Here we use records of n-alkanes and grain size from the sediments of Bangong Co in the western TP to reconstruct paleohydrological changes over the past 16,000 years. The Paq record(the ratio of non-emergent aquatic macrophytes versus emergent aquatic macrophytes and terrestrial plants) is generally consistent with the variations in summer temperature and precipitation isotopes. The changes in grain-size distributions show a similar trend to Paq but with less pronounced fluctuations in the early-middle Holocene. The new data combined with previous results from the site demonstrate that: 1) Bangong Co experienced relatively large water-level fluctuations during the last deglaciation, with a steadily high lake-level during the early-middle Holocene and a decreasing lake-level in the late Holocene;2) The lake level fluctuations were driven by both high summer temperatures via the melting water and monsoon precipitation. However, the dominant factor controlling lake level changed over time. The lake-level history at Bangong Co deduced from the n-alkanes and grain-size records reveals the past hydrological changes in the catchment area, and stimulates more discussion about the future of glacier-fed lakes under the conditions of unprecedented warming in the region.

Late Holocene glacier variations indicated by theδ18O of ice core enclosed gaseous oxygen in the central Tibetan Plateau

Theδ18O of ice core enclosed gaseous oxygen(δ18Obub)has been widely used for climate reconstruction in polar regions.Yet,less is known about its climatic implication in the mountainous glaciers as the lack of continuous record.Here,we present a long-term,continuousδ18Obub record from the Tanggula glacier in the central Tibetan Plateau(TP).Based on comparisons of its variation with regional climate and glacier changes,we found that there was a good correlation between the variation of theδ18Obub in this alpine ice core and the accumulation and melting of this glacier.The more developed the firn layer on glacier surface,the more positive theδ18Obub.Conversely,the more intense the glacier melting,the more negative theδ18Obub.Combined with the chronology of ice core enclosed gases,the glacier variations since the late Holocene in the central TP were reconstructed.The result showed that there were four accumulation and three deficit periods of glaciers in this region.The strongest glacier accumulation period was 1610-300 B.C.,which corresponds to the Neoglaciation.The most significant melting period was the last 100 years,which corresponds to the recent global warming.The Medieval Warm Period was relatively significant in the central TP.However,during the Little Ice Age,there was no significant glacier accumulation in the central TP,and even short deficit events occurred.Comparisons of the late Holocene glacier variation in the central TP with glacier and climate variations in the TP and the Northern Hemisphere showed that it was closely related to the North Atlantic Oscillation.

Sequestration of carbon as carbonate in the critical zone：insights from the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau

The carbon pool stored in soil carbonate is comparable to the soil organic carbon.Therefore,secondary calcite precipitation in supersaturated catchment could be an important,yet poorly constrained,carbon sink within the modern global carbon cycle.The chemical analysis of some dissolved species transported by rivers,such as elevated Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios but also heavy stable Ca isotopic compositions,witness the formation of secondary calcite in rivers draining arid regions.However,in areas affected by active tectonics and rapid physical erosion,co-variations in the fluvial Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios could also be related to incongruent carbonate weathering processes.Here,we present a model to assess the roles played by incongruent carbonate dissolution and secondary calcite precipitation in modern weathering processes.We tested and applied the model to rivers draining the Himalayan–Tibetan region.The results suggest that regional aridity in the drainage basin promotes carbon sequestration as secondary carbonate but that for a given runoff,incongruent dissolution of carbonate possibly related to rapid physical erosion amplifies such sequestration.The isotopic compositions(^(13)C/^(12)C and^(18)O/^(16)O)of detrital carbonate transported by the main rivers in South and South-East Tibet imply that around 1%of the suspended material transported by those rivers corresponds to secondary carbonate and can represent between 5%and 15%of the alkalinity flux.Most of these alkalinity transported as particulate material is,nevertheless related to the weathering of carbonate lithologies and is also subjected to dissolution prior its final storage in sedimentary basins.However,on glacial-interglacial timescale this will amplify the significant role of mountain weathering on climatic variations.

Stream temperature dynamics in Nam Co basin, southern Tibetan Plateau

Stream temperatures are sensitive to climate change and runoff regime variations. A comprehensive understanding on the effects of glacial melting on the stream temperatures are important in the Tibetan Plateau, of which contains the largest ice volume outside Polar Regions. This study documented the high-resolution stream temperature thermal regimes from glacier-fed and non-glacial rivers at four sites, versus a high-resolution glacier mass balance monitoring at Zhadang glacier, during summer melt seasons from 2007-2009 in the Nam Co basin of southern Tibetan Plateau. The results showed mean summer stream temperature and magnitude of daily thermal variation were lower at all sites when compared with alpine glacierized environments at lower latitudes. Mean stream temperatures for glacier-fed rivers(4.0℃ to 6.5℃)were minimum and least variable near the glacier terminus with increasing toward downstream(+0.13℃ km^(–1) to +0.28℃ km^(–1)). Meanwhile, stream temperature in 2008 was similar to that in 2007 and2009. For the non-glacial rivers, mean stream temperatures was about 9.0℃ with significantly warmer in summer months in 2009 and 2007 than that in 2008. These differences indicated that stream temperature was strongly influenced by discharge and precipitation. Particularly, the glacier mass balance played a large role on the stream temperature directly when the glacier melt contributed more than 50% of the glacial river runoff. Our results demonstrated the stream thermal variability from southern Tibetan rivers and provided new insight into the influence of glacier mass balance on stream thermal variability in high-altitude river system.

Atmospheric insight to climatic signals of δ^18O in a Laohugou ice core in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau during 1960–2006

Ice documentation and response to prominent warming, especially after the 1990s, is further investigated because it is concerned whether ice records have absence. A δ^18O series of a Laohugou （LHG） shallow ice core （20.12 m） in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was reconstructed covering the period of 1960–2006. The ice core δ^18O record had sig-nificant positive correlations with the warm season （May–September） air temperatures at adjacent meteorological stations and the 500 hPa temperatures in boreal China, indicating that the δ^18O record could be considered a credible proxy of regional temperature. A clear, cold temperature event in 1967 and rapid warming after the 1990s were captured in the LHG δ^18O series, revealing that it could record extreme air-temperature events on both regional and global scales. The LHG δ^18O variations had evident positive correlations with both the summer surface outgoing longwave radiation （OLR） in the Mongolia region and the summer meridional wind at 500 hPa in the LHG region during 1960–2006, suggesting that the increased OLR in the Mongolia region might have intensified the Mongolia Low and expanded the pressure gradient to the LHG region （the Shulehe High）, which would have pushed the westerlies further north and suppressed southward incursions of cold air into the LHG region, and thus augmented the temperature rise. The regional atmospheric circulation difference （1985–2006 minus 1960–1984） suggested that the anticyclone in the Mongolia region might have developed the easterly wind, which transported warmer air from the east toward the LHG region and weakened the cold penetration of the westerlies, resulting in the temperature rise since the middle 1980s.