Geochemical effects of biomass burning and land degradation on Lanyu Islet, Taiwan

Abstract

Reconstructed coral skeletal Pb : Ca and Ba : Ca ratios from the Northern Coast of Lanyu Islet are shown to be sensitive indicators of land–use practices which took place on the islet during the past 30 years. Coral skeletal Pb : Ca and Ba : Ca both increased dramatically. Pb : Ca ratios are very sensitive to biomass burning on Lanyu Islet while Ba : Ca generally respond to rainfall variations except in case of instantaneous flooding. The method presented here provides a quantitative technique for identifying human effects that can be used for coastal land management and offers a way to study the environment during prehistoric times, where no written records are available.