Accurately calibrated X-ray fluorescence corescanning (XRF-CS) record of Ti/Al reveals Early Pleistocene aridity and humidity variability over North Africa and its close relationship to low-latitude insolation

In eastern Mediterranean sediments, the titanium-to-aluminum ratio (Ti/Al) captures relative variability in eolian to river-derived material and predominantly integrates climate signals over the Saharan and Sahel regions. Long Ti/Al time series can, therefore, provide valuable records of North African humidity and aridity changes. X-ray fluorescence core scanning (XRF-CS) can generate near-continuous Ti/Al records with relatively modest effort and in an acceptable amount of time, provided that accurate Ti/Al values are acquired. Calibration of raw XRF-CS data to those of established analytical methods is an important pathway for obtaining the required accuracy. We assess how to obtain reliable XRF-CS Ti/Al calibration by using different calibration reference sample sets for a long sediment record from ODP Site 967 (eastern Mediterranean Sea). The accuracy of reference concentrations and the number of reference samples are important for reliable calibration. Our continuous Ti/Al record allows detailed time series analysis over the past 3 Myr. Near-direct control of low-latitude insolation on the timing and amplitude of North African aridity and humidity is observed from 3 to similar to 1.2 Ma. In our Ti/Al record, most arid North African intervals (i.e., with the longest period and highest amplitude) occur after the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT similar to 1.2-0.7 Ma), when ice ages intensified. We also observe a subdued relationship between low-latitude insolation and North African climate after the MPT. These findings support the growing consensus that African climate became more sensitive to remote high-latitude climate when a threshold ice volume was reached during the MPT.

Automated summary

The Ti/Al ratio in eastern Mediterranean sediments can provide valuable records of North African climate changes. X-ray fluorescence core scanning (XRF-CS) is an effective method for generating continuous Ti/Al records, but accurate calibration is crucial. By analyzing a long sediment record, we observed a direct control of low-latitude insolation on North African aridity and humidity, with a subdued relationship after the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT).