Organic geochemical records of environmental variability in Lake Malawi during the last 700 years, Part I: The TEX₈₆ temperature record

We have applied the TEX86 paleothermometer to produce a surface water temperature record for Lake Malawi spanning the past 700 years. Over much of the record temperature fluctuates from similar to 24-27 degrees C with a mean of similar to 25 degrees C however, there has been a substantial increase in temperature of similar to 2.0 degrees C during the past similar to 100 years. The TEX86 temperature record reveals a strong similarity to the instrumental record: both records demonstrate warming (similar to 0.7-1.4 degrees C) over the past similar to 50 years as well as a cooling anomaly around 1959. Comparison of the TEX86 temperature record with the proxy records of primary productivity suggests that wind induced upwelling and/or precipitation have a strong influence on the surface temperature of Lake Malawi