Search

Microbial communities are known to expand as a result of environmental deterioration during mass extinctions, but differences in microbial community changes between extinction events and their underlying causes have received little study to date. Here, we present a systematic investigation of microbial lipid biomarkers spanning ∼20 Myr (Middle Permian to Early Triassic) at Shangsi, South China, to contrast microbial changes associated with the Guadalupian–Lopingian boundary (GLB) and Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) mass extinctions. High-resolution analysis of the PTB crisis interval reveals a distinct succession of microbial communities based on secular variation in moretanes, 2-methylhopanes, aryl isoprenoids, steranes, n -alkyl cyclohexanes, and other biomarkers. The first episode of the PTB mass extinction (ME1) was associated with increases in red algae and nitrogen-fixing bacteria along with evidence for enhanced wildfires and elevated soil erosion, whereas the second episode was associated with expansions of green sulfur bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and acritarchs coinciding with climatic hyperwarming, ocean stratification, and seawater acidification. This pattern of microbial community change suggests that marine environmental deterioration was greater during the second extinction episode (ME2). The GLB shows more limited changes in microbial community composition and more limited environmental deterioration than the PTB, consistent with differences in species-level extinction rates (∼71% vs. 90%, respectively). Microbial biomarker records have the potential to refine our understanding of the nature of these crises and to provide insights concerning possible outcomes of present-day anthropogenic stresses on Earth's ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1- O-monoalkyl glycerol ethers (MAGEs) were initially viewed as the biomarkers for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) mediating anaerobic oxidation of methane in the marine environments. However, limited information is known about their distribution in terrestrial and other aquatic settings including soils, fresh water lakes, and cave sediments, which may obscure our understanding of their biological sources. Here we found that MAGEs were ubiquitous but differed obviously in distributional pattern among those environments. The surface soils are dominated generally by iC-MAGE, followed by nC-MAGE whereas the lake sediments show the opposite, resulting in significantly higher iC/ nC ratios in soils than in lake sediments. The cave deposits are characterized by considerably higher proportions of branched MAGEs than the former two environments. The logarithm of iC/ aC ratio shows a significant negative correlation with soil pH, likely reflecting an adaptation of microbial cell membrane to change in the ambient proton concentration. The MAGE profiles in cultured bacteria cannot fully explain the MAGE distribution in all the samples analyzed. Therefore, MAGEs in soil, lake sediments, and cave deposits likely have additional biological source(s) other than SRB and cultured MAGE-producing bacteria. The difference in MAGE pattern among environments is likely to be attributed to change in microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High-resolution stratigraphic records through the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) interval of the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) at Meishan, Zhejiang Province, China reveal that the PTB crisis was not a single, abrupt catastrophe. A bed-by-bed analysis of environmental and biotic changes makes clear that the crisis can be resolved into two discrete episodes, each consisting of three stages: A) unstably oscillating conditions, B) peak crisis conditions, and C) ameliorating conditions. The first crisis episode commenced in Bed 23, peaked in Beds 24e–26, and ameliorated in Beds 27 and 28, while the second crisis episode commenced in Bed 29, peaked in Beds 34–38, and ameliorated in Beds 39 and higher. The macroscopic mass extinctions happened not at the beginning, nor the end of each cycle, but at times when the crisis or perturbation of environments began. These extinction events do not show detectable feedbacks to concurrent environmental changes. In each episode, cyanobacteria proliferation postdated the macroscopic extinction while proliferation of green sulfur bacteria predated the environmental crisis. Causational analysis between environmental and microbial changes show that geomicrobial functional groups exercised pronounced effects on the marine C–N–S cycles and ocean redox conditions during the PTB crisis. It is possible thus that the microbial crises played an important role in strengthening or evening triggering the environmental crisis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report the results of a comparative study of n-alkane biomarkers and pollens in lacustrine and peat deposits at Dingnan, Jiangxi Province in southern China, and discuss the likely causes for the discrepancy in the interpretations of the n-alkane biomarker and pollen records in terms of climate and vegetation change. The results show that past changes in climate and vegetation revealed by the n-alkane record are not always consistent with the pollen assemblage record in the whole section. Biomarkers do not permit direct identification of the plant family and/or genus and mainly record compositions of local plant remains, while pollens mainly reflect the regional vegetation change. Bio-markers and pollen records complement each other, providing a better picture of local and regional environments. Furthermore, biomarkers are more sensitive than pollen to climatic and vegetational change. Several climatic events are clearly identified by the n-alkane biomarker proxies, such as C31/(C27+C29+C 31) ratio and can be correlated to the North Atlantic Heinrich event, B/A, YD and two dry-cool events during the early Holocene such as the periods of 9850 to 9585 cal a B.P. and 8590 to 7920 cal a B.P. These events are consistent with those found in the surrounding regions, suggesting that the regional climate was coupled with global-scale abrupt climatic events. Our results suggest that biomarker and pollen data can record the more detailed climate and vegetation information, thus improving the resolution and precision of vegetation and climate reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lipid biomarker and organic carbon isotope were presented for identifying the microbial characteristics and paleovegetation changes of Tianmushan area, Zhejiang Province, China, since the Middle Holocene. Our results showed that organic carbon isotopic values (δ13Corg) ranged from −26.51‰ to −30.44‰, with an average value of −28.49‰, evidently indicating the predominance of C3 plants in this area since the formation of peat. The results from lipid biomarkers denoted a mixed organic contribution from lower and higher plants. The small molecules dominated by C17 were mainly from algae and bacteria, whereas the heavy-molecular-weight homologues (> C21) were chiefly from higher plants. Lipid analysis of peat profile revealed the carbon number distributions of n-alkanes, varying from C15 to C33, having a distinct odd-over-even predominance and a unimodal distribution in partial samples peaking primarily at C29 in the woodlands. The paleovegetation changes in relation to relative organic contribution can hereby be clearly detected by combining variations of C27, C29 and C31. We also found that the contribution of organic matter was largely from the higher plants below 68 cm. In relatively deeper part of the peat profile, more inputs were probably from the algae and bacteria, whereas the organic compositions were primarily from high vegetation and largely reduced contribution from algae and bacteria in the upper peat section. Combined analysis of biomarker and organic carbon isotope signature consequently revealed three remarkable paleoenvironmental stages, including the early stable era between 4100 and 3200 a B.P., the middle changeable period from 3200 to 700 a B.P., and a relatively warm stage since 700 a B.P. In addition, our results were well in line with the pertinent research results in the study area, thereby complementing molecular data in paleoclimate studies and providing a useful basis for comparing global changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous studies have found that wetlands prevailed in western Chinese Loess Plateau and pine pollen could reach up to 80% in Qin'an area of the plateau during middle Holocene. It was then deduced that forest vegetation covered Qin'an area in a warm and wet climate during middle Holocene. The proxies of molecule biomarkers from two Holocene sections, a swamp-alluvial loess section and a typical loess-paleosol section are used to reconstruct regional vegetation history. It is found that the heavy-molecular-weight (HMW) homobogues of the n-alkanes in all samples exhibit a pronounced odd-over-even predominance, maximizing at C31 and the abundance of the nC27-alkanes is the lowest in nC27, nC29, nC31, i.e. C272931, a typical grass n-alkanes model. The results are the same as those of model surface soil samples under grass cover but different from both forest cover and modern pine leaves, which yield preferentially nC29-alkanes peak. It could be inferred that the area was dominated by grass cover but not forest cover during whole Holocene epoch. The study shows that combining both molecule biomarkers and pollen analysis can avoid the disadvantage of pollen analysis in reconstruction of regional vegetation cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lipid biomarker abundances and δ 13C values were determined across the Permian–Triassic (P–Tr) boundary at Meishan of southern China. The δ 13C values of n-alkanes showed large (∼9‰) fluctuations, which suggest major episodic changes in oceanographic conditions during faunal mass extinctions. Environment-related biomarker ratios, including pristane to phytane ratios (Pr/Ph), gammacerane to C31 homohopane ratios (γ/C31HP) and C27 18α(H)-22,29,30-trinorneohopane to C27 17α(H)-22,29,30-trinorhopane ratios (Ts/Tm), vary extensively throughout the section, with values typically associated with anoxic conditions coinciding with maximum δ 13C values. In particular, both faunal mass extinction horizons (beds 25 and 28) are characterised by biomarker ratios consistent with anoxic conditions and elevated n-alkane δ 13C values. The records of environment-related biomarkers and n-alkane δ 13C values clearly signify multiple environmental perturbations in association with faunal mass extinctions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Molecular stratigraphic analyses using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry have been performed in the upper section (S0, L1, S1) of the Yuanbo loess–paleosol sequences in northwest China, with a record extending from the last interglaciation through the present interglaciation. The CPI (Carbon Preference Index) values of both n-alkanols and n-alkan-2-ones display variations between loess deposits and paleosols, showing a correlation with the magnetic susceptibility record, an indicator of the East Asian summer monsoon. The observed variations in the indexes in relation to changes in lithology/paleoclimate are proposed to result from microbial degradation of higher plant lipids in the paleosols. The CPI values of n-alkanes, n-alkanols, and n-alkan-2-ones are negatively correlated with δ13C of bulk organic matter. The correlations suggest that the observed glacial–interglacial variations of δ13C data in the loess stratigraphy reflect the relative importance of the contribution of paleovegetation compared with microorganisms (including both the degradation and the addition of organic matter) and allochthonous loess/soil parent materials. It is thus necessary to evaluate the contributions of the latter two before the paleovegetation can be reconstructed based on the δ13C analysis of bulk organic matter in some loess–paleosol sequences of the Chinese Loess Plateau. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lipid extracts from a 61.7-cm-long subtropical stalagmite in southern China, spanning the period of ca. 10,000–21,000 yr ago as constrained by U–Th dating, were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The higher plants and microorganisms in the overlying soils contribute a proportion of n-alkanes identified in the stalagmite. The occurrence of LMW (lower molecular weight) n-alkanols and n-alkan-2-ones in the stalagmite was mainly related to the soil microorganisms. We suggest that HMW (higher molecular weight) n-alkanols and n-alkan-2-ones identified in the stalagmite originate from soil organics and reflect input from contemporary vegetation. Shifts in the ratio of LMW to HMW n-alkanols or n-alkan-2-ones indicative of the variation of soil ecosystems (e.g., microbial degradation of organic matter and/or the relative abundance of soil microorganisms to higher plants) are comparable with the subtropical alkenone-SST (sea surface temperature) record of the same period. The similar trends seen in the δ13C data and the lipid parameters in this stalagmite imply that the overlying soil ecosystem response to climate might be responsible for the variation of δ13C values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents information on a study which involved the identification of a series of biomarkers in hydrocarbon inclusions through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methodology used in study; Optical and spectral characteristics of the individual hydrocarbon inclusions; Extractable organic matter (EOM) and biomarkers in hydrocarbon inclusions; Concluding remarks.

Abstract: By using gas chromatograph (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry, a series of biomarkers were identified in the aliphatic fractions of extracts from microbialites following the end-Permian faunal mass extinction in Chongyang section, Hubei Province, South China. The dominance of lower-molecular-weight n-alkanes in the samples from the section suggests that algae and bacteria were the dominant contributors to the organic fraction preserved in this marine section, with bacteria particularly enhanced within the stromatolite. The end-Permian biotic crisis coincided with a short-term suppression of autotrophs, indicated by the ratio of pristane (Pr) and phytane (Ph) to C17 and C18 n-alkanes, and proliferation of heterotrophs, shown by the ratio of branched-to-normal C17 alkanes. The biotic crisis also may have been associated with a transient oxygenation event in the shallow marine, indicated by elevated Pr/Ph ratios and lowered C27 18α(H)-22,29,30-Trisnorneohopane (Ts) to C27 17α(H)-22,29,30-Trisnorhopane (Tm) and gammacerane (γ) to C31 homohopane (C31HP) ratios. Subsequently, three short-term episodes of intensified anoxia or enhanced salinity at Chongyang are recorded by decreases in Pr/Ph ratios in conjunction with lithological boundaries in the section. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

5-n-Alkylresorcinols with alkyl chain lengths varying from C19 to C25 were identified solely in bog-forming plant species classified as sedges (Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum and Rhynchospora alba). These compounds were then identified throughout the peat deposit on which these plants grow. Total abundances of 5-n-alkylresorcinols were found to reflect macrofossil abundances of sedges in a 40 cm peat profile from Bolton Fell Moss, Cumbria, UK, thereby complementing macrofossil data in palaeoclimate studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

3-Hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH-FAs), derived from Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes, have received recent attention for their potential as new terrestrial pH and temperature proxies for palaeoclimate studies. Initial studies from altitudinal transects of contemporary soils – correlating bacterial 3-OH-FA compositions to air temperature and pH – have shown promising results. But the geographical extent of recent calibrations is limited. In this study, we analyse 3-OH-FA lipid distributions in 186 globally distributed soil samples to study the environmental factors controlling the relative distribution of the 3-OH-FA isomers. Our sample-set covers a wide range of temperatures (−0.4 to 27 °C) and pH (3.6–9.2). For the global compilation we find that the ratio of anteiso to normal 3-OH-FAs of the C 15 or C 17 homologues (RAN 15 or RAN 17) shows a strong linear relationship with mean annual air temperature (MAAT) (R2 = 0.48, p < 0.001 and R2 = 0.41, p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, the negative logarithm of the ratio of the summed iso and anteiso to the total amount of normal 3-OH-FAs (RIAN) is also strongly anticorrelated with the soil pH (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.001). However, we find that for our 3-OH-FA based proxies there are significant differences in slope and intercept of the linear corrections at regional scales. Thus local or regional calibrations are likely preferable (at this stage of 3-OH-FA proxy development) for application to specific palaeoclimate archives. We also explore the relationship of 3-OH-FA isomer fractional abundances to environmental parameters using machine learning tool (a Gaussian Process (GP) emulator). This confirms the first order relationships to environmental parameters highlighted by the empirical equations and also derives several alternative GP emulator models for reconstructing MAAT and pH which give higher R2 values (0.66 for MAAT; 0.63 for pH) and lower RSME values (3.5 °C for MAAT; 0.76 for pH) compared to simple linear regressions at the global scale. We compare our 3-OH-FA based indices with bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) based indices from the same soil samples. At a global scale RAN 15 and RAN 17 show negative correlations with the MBT′ 5ME -MAAT (MBT′ 5ME , methylation index of 5-methyl branched tetraethers) (r = −0.59, p < 0.001 and r = −0.42, p < 0.001, respectively), whilst RIAN shows strong linear correlations with the cyclisation ratio of branched tetraethers (CBT) (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Similar to 3-OH-FA based temperature proxies, GDGT based temperature proxy MBT′ 5ME also showed different regional calibrations. Our new field-based correlations demonstrate the broad physiological response of Gram-negative bacterial cell membranes to external environmental changes on a global scale. We suggest that 3-OH-FA based proxies have widespread potential for palaeoenvironmental studies to estimate past MAAT and soil pH, but that regional/local and context specific calibrations may need to be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the trajectory of the marine mass extinction at the ∼252-Ma Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) boundary has been well studied, details of the coeval collapse of terrestrial ecosystems remain murky. Here, we use hydrocarbon biomarker compositions and other geological records (i.e., organic carbon isotopes (δ 13 C org), charcoal abundance, and Hg content) from a tropical peatland succession in southwestern China to reconstruct in detail the history of terrestrial ecosystem collapse during the P-Tr crisis. Our high-resolution hydrocarbon biomarker records reveal that this collapse proceeded in a stepwise manner with increasing intensity as the crisis unfolded. We recognize three discrete crisis stages: Stage I within the uppermost Xuanwei Formation and Stages II and III within the lowermost Kayitou Formation. Stage I, the early crisis stage, is marked by a significant decline in terrestrial biomass (continuing into the later stages), as recorded by reduced C 29 steranes relative to total steranes and a concomitant reduction in the ratio of pristane to phytane (Pr/Ph). Stage II, the main crisis stage, records intensified soil erosion and sediment flux as revealed by rising dibenzofuran (DBF) content and high hopane/sterane ratios, the disappearance of coal seams, a sharp negative shift in δ 13 C org , and peak concentrations of charcoal reflecting increased wildfire incidence. Stage III, the late crisis stage characterized by enhanced soil erosion, corresponds to peak values of Hg and Hg/TOC but no charcoal peak, suggesting intensified volcanism and a return to a humid climate. These stages closely follow temperature records, which show a stepwise rise during the crisis interval, implying that the deforestation process was strongly influenced by punctuated rises in temperature and/or its attendant effects (e.g., climate aridification). This P-Tr transition scenario suggests that global warming can trigger deforestation and reduce terrestrial carbon storage, thus serving as a positive climate feedback, with important implications for present-day climate change. • Three stages of terrestrial crisis are recognized during P-Tr in South China. • Plant biomass was decreased and soil erosion was enhanced during P-Tr crisis. • The crisis of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems can be well correlated. • Rising temperature played a substantial role in the terrestrial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lipids can survive long geological intervals within sediments and provide a unique tool that allows the reconstruction of past organismic diversity and environmental conditions. The lipids discussed in this review include all substances produced by organisms that are insoluble in water but extractable by organic solvents. Lipid biomarkers refer to both functionalized biolipids as well as their hydrocarbon derivatives in geological materials that contain diverse information about biotic sources and environmental conditions. In spite of diagenetic and catagenetic alteration, lipid biomarkers commonly preserve the hydrocarbon structure of their biotic counterparts and have been found in rocks up to 1.6 billion years in age. These features have promoted the use of lipid biomarkers in many fields, including petroleum geology, paleoclimatology, oceanography, meteorology, geobiology and environmental science. Here, we (i) review the use of lipid biomarker records for the reconstruction of environmental conditions in deep time, including climatic conditions (temperature), sedimentary environments (redox, salinity and chemical composition) as well as catastrophic terrestrial events (soil erosion and wildfire), and (ii) generate new insights into environmental perturbations during the Permian-Triassic transition based on investigation of lipid biomarkers. We further propose that the ratio of dibenzothiophene to phenanthrene (DBT/P) in marine carbonates may be a robust proxy for seawater sulfate concentrations in deep time. Our compiled DBT/P records show substantial variations in seawater sulfate levels through Earth history that are consistent with the results of other proxies. We discuss the future outlook for application of lipid biomarker records to deep-time environmental research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incursion of euxinic waters into the ocean-surface layer is hypothesized to have been an important killing agent during the end-Permian mass extinction. However, both the causes and extent of oceanic euxinia during this crisis remain poorly known, making assessment of its role in the mass extinction difficult. Here, we document the distribution of aryl isoprenoids (AIs), which are biomarkers of obligate anaerobic green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae) that are indicative of photic-zone euxinia, in 12 Permian-Triassic Boundary (PTB) sections with a wide distribution globally. Profiles of AI abundance for the 12 study sections show significant spatio-temporal variation. No AIs were identified in the shallowest sections, but AIs are present both prior to and following the mass extinction in intermediate-depth sections and following the mass extinction in deep-water sections. This pattern suggests a combination of upward and oceanward expansion of photic-zone euxinia during the PTB crisis, possibly fueled by elevated riverine nutrient fluxes as a consequence of climatic warming, terrestrial ecosystem destruction, and enhanced erosion. This hypothesis is supported by the close association of AIs with elevated abundances of moretanes and dibenzofuran (DBF), which are biomarkers for terrestrial erosion. Expansion of oceanic euxinia at intermediate water depths may have established a long-term reservoir that fed episodic incursions of H 2 S-bearing waters into shallow-marine environments, delaying the recovery of marine ecosystems during the Early Triassic. The biomarker records of the present study thus provide significant evidence of terrestrial-marine linkage during the PTB crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microbialites flourished globally immediately following the latest Permian mass extinction. In this study, lipid biomarker records were analyzed in the Cili section (Hunan Province, South China) in order to determine the types of microbes involved in microbialite formation and their response to contemporaneous environmental changes. Various biomarkers were identified in the aliphatic and aromatic fractions using gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Low abundance of steranes in the microbialite layer suggests that it did not contain large amounts of algae, in striking contrast to the abundant algal fossils and algal-derived steranes present in the underlying (pre-crisis) skeletal limestone. Although pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios increased in the microbialite layer, covariation of Pr/Ph with the ratio of low- to high-molecular-weight n-alkanes (C20−/C20+) suggests that the former proxy was controlled by microbial (particularly cyanobacterial) inputs rather than by redox conditions. The microbialite also yielded low ratios of hopanes to short-chain n-alkanes (HP/Lalk) and high abundances of C21 n-alkylcyclohexane, indicating that, in addition to cyanobacteria, anaerobic bacteria, archaea, and possibly acritarchs flourished in the aftermath of the marine extinction event. The upper part of the thinly bedded micritic limestone overlying the microbialite exhibits a bimodal distribution of n-alkanes as well as increased abundances of extended tricyclic terpanes and steranes, suggesting a return of habitable shallow-marine conditions for eukaryotic algae several hundred thousand years after the latest Permian mass extinction. Increases in the dibenzofuran ratio (i.e., DBF/(DBF+DBT+F)) and in the coronene to phenanthrene ratio (Cor/P) in the skeletal limestone immediately below the microbialite are evidence of enhanced soil erosion rates and wildfire intensity, marking the collapse of terrestrial ecosystems. The terrestrial crisis thus slightly preceded the marine biotic crisis in the South China region, to which it may have been a major contributing factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lipid biomarkers in stalagmites have potential in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, but glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in stalagmites have rarely been investigated. We report the occurrence of archaeal isoprenoid GDGTs and bacterial branched GDGTs in Heshang Cave stalagmites in central China. The archaeal component, crenarchaeol, dominated bacterial branched GDGTs in the stalagmites and on the weathered parent rock surface collected inside the cave. In contrast, the distribution of GDGTs in the overlying soil shows that branched GDGTs dominated archaeal GDGTs. Hence, the majority of archaeal GDGTs in stalagmites may be produced by Crenarchaeota inhabiting the cave rather than being inherited from the overlying soil. Bacterial branched GDGT distributions, expressed as MBT and CBT indices, showed remarkable differences between stalagmite and soil samples, implying that most branched GDGTs may also be produced in situ in the cave. The TEX86 or values were found to increase with more depleted δ 18O values representing much stronger monsoon and therefore usually higher temperatures, in the study region. However, the MBT/CBT index in stalagmites may be influenced by a variety of factors besides palaeotemperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The peat sequence at Hani in northeastern China accumulated over the past 16calkyr in a percolation mire in which rain water and ground water seeped through the peat system. The molecular compositions of n-alkanes, n-alkanols, and n-alkanoic acids extracted from the Hani peat sequence reveal different responses to the progressive evolution of climate and changes in the nature of the peat-forming vegetation. Long chain length components that originate from the waxy coatings of subaerial vascular plants dominate the n-alkane distributions throughout the Hani peat sequence. The paleoclimate integrity of these biomarker molecules appears to be well preserved. Most of the n-alkanol distributions are similarly dominated by long chain components that indicate their origins from subaerial plants. In contrast, n-alkanoic acid distributions are dominated by secondary components that record the importance of post-depositional microbial activity in this peat sequence, which evidently can be extensive in a percolation mire. Elevated n-alkane P aq values and C23/C29 ratios, which are both molecular proxies for water-loving plants, record an especially moist local climate in the Bølling-Allerød (14.5 to 12.9ka), Younger Dryas (12.9 to 11.5ka), and Pre-Boreal (11.5 to 10.5ka) portions of the Hani peat sequence. Depressed P aq values and C23/C29 ratios and larger n-alkane average chain length values indicate that the Holocene Climatic Optimum (10.5 to 6ka) was a period of warmer climate with lower effective precipitation, which contrasts with evidence of wetter climates in most of East Asia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]