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Topics and sessions > Topic I - Advances in limnogeologyI-1-Advances in lake geochronologyConveners
Lakes provide valuable sedimentary records for the reconstruction of rapid environmental changes, shifts and crises that have transformed ecosystems in the past. However, precise sediment chronologies are essential for accurately interpreting changes that occur on different timescales (seasonal to multi-millennial) preserved in lake sediment. This session invites studies that use dating techniques such as natural and artificial radionuclides, tephrochonology, varves, OSL, paleomagnetic secular variation and others to establish a detailed lake sediment chronology. We also encourage the presentation of new chronological methods, instrumental developments or numerical advances that allow better or more rigorous age model estimations.
I-2-Bridging Traditional and Cutting-Edge Techniques in Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironmental ReconstructionConveners
This session delves into both pioneering and established techniques in paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruction, bringing together experts in geochemistry, sedimentology, paleobiology, and physical modeling. It will spotlight cutting-edge methodologies—such as fluid inclusions, clumped isotopes, biomarker analysis, and AI-driven proxy integration—alongside traditional tools like stable isotope and microfossil analysis. Presentations will highlight methodological breakthroughs, interdisciplinary applications, and case studies from diverse environments across geographical and temporal scales, with an emphasis on high-resolution records of abrupt climatic events and regional reconstructions. By assessing the strengths, limitations, and future directions of these techniques, the session aims to deepen our understanding of past ecosystems and climates, improving forecasts of future environmental changes driven by human activity.
I-3-Method developments and applications of micrometer-scale geochemical imaging techniques on lake sedimentsConveners
Resolving past changes on human-relevant time scales (seasons to decades) is key to better constraining the long-term impacts of climate change on the environment and our society. Recent advances in the development of imaging techniques allow near-continuous analysis of the geochemical compositions and distributions needed to provide this temporal resolution. Such scanning techniques include X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), hyperspectral imaging (HIS), mass spectrometry imaging or micro-computed tomography (μCT). These techniques provide qualitative and quantitative information that can even resolve seasonal changes from annually resolved palaeoclimate archives. This session welcomes all contributions that develop methods and explore applications of imaging techniques, preferably but not exclusively on seasonally or annually resolved climate archives.
I-4-Organic geochemistry in lakes: recent methodological developments and applications in lacustrine environmentsConveners
Biomarkers provide information on many processes such as ecology, hydrology, sediment transport, diagenesis, atmospheric or water chemistry, and paleoclimate. The interpretation of molecular and isotopic signals from organic matter, including plant waxes, algal markers, alkenones, GDGTs, or other compounds, mostly relies on empirical correlations. In recent years, environmental DNA has emerged as a potent tool that requires further refinement. Progress towards mechanistic understandings on the influence of environmental factors on biosynthesis, as well as signal modifications during transport and deposition increase the validity of the proxies and open opportunities for broader applications. This session invites submissions that examine these themes from source to sink, encompassing biosynthesis, transport, and post-depositional changes across all timeframes and in any depositional environment (with a focus on lakes). We welcome research that employs or evaluates process-based interpretations of biomarker data to deduce environmental, ecological, or climatic variables, both historical and contemporary, from lacustrine records.
I-5-Sedimentology and stratigraphy in lake records through Earth historyConveners
Lake basins are relatively heterogeneous and small-sized when compared to marine basins, with diverse depositional settings and rapidly changing conditions represented by variable facies and stratigraphic packaging. Lacustrine successions record clues to understanding the physical and chemical processes involved in sedimentation, the dynamic responses to water (plus sediment) input, and local variability that relates to lake-basin development. Spatially, the sediments reflect changing rates of subsidence and erosion, sediment supply routes, and local and regional control by active faulting and folding as well as mantle-driven topography. Studies that employ detailed sedimentology and focus on deciphering patterns in stratigraphy are essential to reconstruct the processes and conditions operating in lacustrine systems, especially when integrated with other proxies (e.g., paleoecology, geochemistry, mineralogy). This session invites submissions that highlight the significance of sedimentology and stratigraphy for understanding lacustrine successions in case studies throughout Earth history.
I-6-Merging outcrop and sediment coring in paleolimnology and limnogeologyConveners
Paleolimnology and limnogeology rely on reconstructing past environmental and climatic conditions using lacustrine archives. Traditionally, sediment coring has provided high-resolution, continuous records, while outcrop studies have offered spatially extensive and stratigraphically integrated insights. Merging these two approaches enhances our ability to interpret past lake systems by combining the temporal precision of cores with the contextual framework of outcrop exposures. This session aims to gather scientists using innovative methodologies with case studies that integrate sediment coring and outcrop data in paleolimnological and limnogeological research. We aim to explore how the combined approach refines interpretations of depositional environments, improves chronological constraints, and reveals basin-wide processes such as lake-level fluctuations, sedimentary dynamics, biological indicators, and climate-driven changes. Advances in geochronology, sedimentology, and geochemical analysis are welcomed, with holistic studies that showcase their role in bridging the gap between core-derived records and outcrop interpretations.
I-7-From garage tips to very big deals: the never-ending challenge of taking mud from lake bottomsConveners
Despite humanity’s fantasy of colonizing other planets, taking a nice well-preseved piece of mud from a Planet Earth lake bottom remains a daily challenge for limnogeologists and paleolimnologists. Yet, taking a good core is the fundamental act conditionning most of our community’s studies. With this session we aim at offering a forum to those of us, researchers, engineers, technicians and managers who act to offer the community new tools and organisations that help us, both on the field and in the lab, with the scientific act of collecting, storing and handling cores. The presentation of any initiative/innovation is welcomed, from the very smallest DIY low cost/low tech tips, up to big machines and international organisations, provided it permitts to investigate lake bottoms (bathymetry, sediment profiles, etc.), take cores (corers, platforms, etc.), as wele as storing and handling them in the lab (core openers, sampling benches, etc.). A particular attention will be paid to initiatives that favor open access, in the aim of sharing tips (open hardware) and opening access to mutualised ressources. If possible, we aim at accompanying this session with a half-day of demonstrations on Lake Bourget.
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