Branched tetraether membrane lipids associated with rhizoliths in loess: Rhizomicrobial overprinting of initial biomarker record

► Branched tetraether lipids in rhizoliths and surrounding loess were analysed. ► Offset (7 °C) in branched GDGT-derived temperature between rhizoliths and loess was observed. ► Temperature estimates were opposite of those expected from assumed age of GDGTs. ► Probable overprint of the initial GDGT signal via post-sedimentary rooting of loess. ► There is uncertainty for the application of branched GDGT proxies to loess sequences.