Preservation and modification of the isotopic composition (18O/16O and 2H/1H) of structurally-bound hydration water of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) in aqueous solution

Gázquez, Fernando; Hodell, David A

doi:10.1016/j.gca.2022.09.042

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Unlike stable isotopes of lacustrine carbonates, the oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionations between the fluid and GHW are insignificantly affected by temperature and salinity during gypsum precipitation (for temperatures from 10 to 35 °C and salinities below 100 g/L) 32 , 33 . Importantly, recent investigations on GHW demonstrated that the primary lake water isotope composition can be preserved by lacustrine gypsum 34 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roman water management impacted the hydrological functioning of wetlands during drought periods

Gázquez-Sánchez,

Jiménez-Espejo,

Rodríguez-Rodríguez

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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During the Roman domain of the Iberian Peninsula (from 201 BCE to 460 CE) water management infrastructures were built to satisfy high water demand. However, whether the Roman activities affected the hydrological balance of Iberian wetlands remains unclear. Here, we investigate the paleo-hydrology of Lake Zóñar (southern Iberia) by using the stable isotopes (16O, 17O, 18O, 1H and 2H) of its gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) sediments and reconstruct the isotopic composition of the lake water during Roman times. A period of recurrent lake low stand occurred between 2120 and 1890 cal. yr BP (ca. 170 BCE to 60 CE), coinciding with a relatively dry climate stage recorded by most regional paleoclimate archives. The stable isotopes and hydrochemistry of the lake water during gypsum precipitation are consistent with a shallow saline lake that evaporated under relative humidity ~ 10% lower than the present annual mean and at least 20% less rainfall amount. Our analytical and archeological findings support lake level lowering during the Roman period was probably caused by combined arid climate conditions and diversion of the inlets feeding the lake. Spring capturing was likely necessary to satisfy the high water demand of nearby Roman settlements, in the framework of a period of persistent droughts.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%