Reconstruction of climate variation for the last millennium in the Bükk Mountains, northeast Hungary, from a stalagmite record

This paper presents the high-resolution stable isotope and trace element records from a stalagmite from Hungary (Kiskohat Shaft, Bukk Mts.). Based on the variation of the isotopic and chemical composition of the carbonate deposit along the growth axis, changes in temperature and precipitation amount are assumed. Our first results on the younger part (ca. last 1100 years) of the deposit suggest that not only major changes but several short period cycles can be recognized within the stalagmite, which are partly caused by temperature, precipitation amount, and vegetation changes. The oxygen isotope variation of the stalagmite can be explained mainly by the changes of the temperature, while carbon isotope ratios mainly reflect the changes in water recharge or precipitation amount. Combined trace element (Mg, Sr, and P) variations were used to reconstruct evapotranspiration changes. The stalagmite recorded a generally wet and warm Medieval Warm Period, a colder but humid Little Ice Age, and several variably dry periods between.