In my doctoral research, I investigate the hydroclimatic variability of the Eastern Mediterranean during the onset of the last interglacial (~130 ka BP). For my study, I use lake sediment cores obtained from the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), extracted from the Dead Sea and Lake Van.
These terminal lakes serve as critical archives for reconstructing past climates, with features such as annually deposited layers (varves) enabling the reconstruction of climatic changes at an annual resolution.
The study employs a range of analytical techniques, including stable isotope analysis, microfacies analysis, XRF elemental scans, tephrochronology, and leaf wax biomarker analysis.Given that the Eastern Mediterranean is currently warming at a rate exceeding the global average, understanding its past hydroclimatic responses to global warming is essential. This knowledge is key to predicting future hydrological impacts, such as water availability and the frequency of extreme events.