The potential of near-entrance stalagmites as high-resolution terrestrial paleoclimate proxies: Application of isotope and trace-element geochemistry to seasonally-resolved chronology

Carlson, Peter E.; Miller, Nathaniel R.; Banner, Jay L.; Breecker, Daniel O.; Casteel, Richard C.

doi:10.1016/j.gca.2018.04.036

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…This temperature phenomenon occurs in HBC during the winter months, unfortunately, the cave air δ 13 C CO2 measurements were not made at a temporal resolution for determining seasonality in ventilation. Despite the fact that less ventilated caves are generally preferable for climate studies, we note that research suggest that well‐ventilated areas may still preserve high‐resolution climatic information (Carlson et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Dripwater and Calcite Geochemistry Variations in a Monitored Bahamas Cave

Arienzo

Mehterian

Swart

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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A cave-monitoring study in Hatchet Bay Cave on the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas, has examined the origins of variations in oxygen and carbon isotopic and minor element composition in cave calcites. Every 3 to 8 months, between 2012 and 2016, temperature, humidity, cave air (δ 13 C CO2 ), dripwaters (δ 18 O and δ 2 H values, and Ca, Sr, and Mg concentrations), and the chemical composition of precipitating calcite (δ 18 O and δ 13 C values, and Ca, Sr, and Mg concentrations) were analyzed in two rooms in the cave. Results from the elemental analyses show that throughout the cave prior calcite precipitation was a driver of the elemental chemistry of the precipitated calcites. In addition, cave calcites show that δ 13 C and δ 18 O values were positively correlated with Mg/Ca ratios. The Mg/Ca ratios were also positively correlated with lower calcite precipitation rates. Therefore, water/rock interactions may also influence δ 13 C and δ 18 O values and Mg/Ca ratios of the calcite. Differences were observed between the two rooms, with the Main Room of the cave exhibiting increased prior calcite precipitation, more ventilation, lower calcite precipitation rates, and δ 18 O values, which were farther from equilibrium when compared to the more isolated portion of the cave. These results also validated previous interpretations from Pleistocene stalagmites collected from a nearby Bahamian cave suggesting that a positive covariation between Mg/Ca and δ 13 C values reflects water/rock interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Dripwater and Calcite Geochemistry Variations in a Monitored Bahamas Cave

Arienzo

Mehterian

Swart

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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“…We suggest that the mechanism that promotes the preservation of seasonal signals in the C132 proxy records is the seasonal cycle in drip water supersaturation, leading to sub-annual changes in stalagmite growth rate. These factors produce seasonal variation in geochemical proxy records in fast-growing speleothems (Carlson et al, 2018;Hartland et al, 2014).…”

Section: Greyscale Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mid-Holocene rainfall changes in the southwestern Pacific

Fernandez

Braun

Fox

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Abstract. A better understanding of ENSO dynamics is essential for modelling future climate change and its impacts on the ecosystems and lives of the inhabitants of the tropical Pacific islands, which face considerable environmental risk in the coming decades. This study reconstructs past ENSO dynamics using a multi-proxy approach applied to a stalagmite from Niue Island that covers the period 6.4–5.4 ka BP. δ18O and δ13C, trace-element concentrations and image analysis are linked to an age-depth model constrained by eight U/Th dates and a complete lamina count. Principal component analysis of the proxy time series reveals hydrological changes at seasonal scale that are expressed in differential stalagmite lamina growth and geochemical characteristics. Increased concentrations of host-rock derived elements (Mg/Ca and U/Ca) and higher δ18O and δ13C values are observed in the dark, dense calcite laminae that are deposited during the dry season, whereas during the wet season higher concentrations of soil derived elements (Zn/Ca, Mn/Ca) and higher δ18O and δ13C values are found in pale, porous calcite laminae. Greyscale intensity values measured along the stalagmite growth axis are used here as an indicator of colour and density changes of the alternating laminae, allowing for the construction of a further seasonality record which expresses the contrast between wet and dry seasons. The multi-proxy record from Niue shows seasonal cycles associated with hydrological changes controlled by the South Pacific convergence zone. Wavelet analysis of the greyscale record reveals that ENSO was continuously active during the depositional period, with two weaker intervals at 6–5.9 and 5.6–5.5 ka BP. ENSO activity is also observed in the seasonality record, but muted periods are more prolonged, and intervals of significant ENSO-band power are more episodic. Recurrence analysis of nonlinear behaviour shows the influence that ENSO activity exerts on seasonality patterns and allows us to quantify the predictability of the climate system. Our results suggest that recurrence in the seasonal cycle of rainfall was reduced during periods when ENSO activity was stronger, pushing the system towards stochastic conditions. The tipping points from stochastic to predictable conditions may represent transitions in the Tropical Pacific mean state.

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“…Furthermore, these methods could be applied not only to fish otoliths but also to corals, mollusks, and stalactites. For corals and stalactites, studies have reported that the milling widths of 50–125 μm are required for the high‐resolution isotope analysis 38,39 . The precise high‐resolution milling and analytical techniques demonstrated in this study are capable of milling a narrower width than these studies and enable isotope analysis of slow‐growing calcium carbonates, such as deep‐sea corals and stalactites at high resolution.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Extracting daily isotopic records on fish otolith (Trachurus japonicus) by combining micro‐milling and micro‐scale isotopic analysis (MICAL‐CF‐IRMS)

Muto

Ishimura

Takahashi

et al. 2022

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Rationale The recent progress in micro‐scale isotopic analytical techniques for otoliths has enabled the reconstruction of the experienced water temperature history of fish in every few days resolution using the stable oxygen isotope ratio (δ18O) of otoliths. We aimed to improve those techniques and extract the daily δ18O records of otoliths formed during the juvenile period. Methods Growth rings were formed daily in fish otoliths. We precisely distinguished the daily rings in otoliths of Japanese jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus, and milled them along daily growth rings using a high‐spatial resolution micromilling system (Geomill326). Then, we determined the stable carbon and oxygen (δ13C, δ18O) isotopic compositions using a high‐precision micro‐scale isotopic analytical system (MICAL3c with IsoPrime 100). Results We successfully milled each daily ring with width ranging from 14.0 to 62.9 μm (average 27.0 μm) during the high growth period (30–70 days after hatching), and determined the isotopic compositions of otolith aragonite. Conclusions Our improved micro‐scale analytical method is the first to determine the daily δ18O history of fish otoliths. By using our method together with the δ18O – water temperature equation, the daily history of experienced water temperature can be elucidated. Our high‐resolution milling and analytical technique can also be applied to high‐resolution isotope analysis for stalactites, clams, and corals.

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The potential of near-entrance stalagmites as high-resolution terrestrial paleoclimate proxies: Application of isotope and trace-element geochemistry to seasonally-resolved chronology

Cited by 15 publications

References 75 publications

Dripwater and Calcite Geochemistry Variations in a Monitored Bahamas Cave

Dripwater and Calcite Geochemistry Variations in a Monitored Bahamas Cave

Mid-Holocene rainfall changes in the southwestern Pacific

Extracting daily isotopic records on fish otolith (Trachurus japonicus) by combining micro‐milling and micro‐scale isotopic analysis (MICAL‐CF‐IRMS)

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