Validation of glacial-interglacial rainfall variations in southwest Sulawesi using Mg/Ca and δ18O in speleothems

Kimbrough, Alena; Gagan, Michael K.; Dunbar, Gavin B.; Hantoro, Wahyoe S.; Shen, Chuan‐Chou; Hu, Hsun-Ming; Cheng, Hai; Edwards, Laura; Rifai, Hamdi; Suwargadi, B. W.

doi:10.31223/x5r054

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The adjusted d 18 O record is interpreted in terms of relative changes in monsoon rainfall on the premise that the d 18 O of tropical rainfall is inversely proportional to rainfall amount. Measurements of Mg/Ca in stalagmites from the Maros karst have validated the large change in d 18 O between drier glacials and wetter interglacials in southwest Sulawesi (Kimbrough, 2016).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

Gagan¹,

Halide²,

Permana³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The Maros-Pangkep karst in southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia, contains some of the world’s oldest rock art. However, the Pleistocene images survive only as weathered patches of pigment on exfoliated limestone surfaces. Salt efflorescence underneath the case-hardened limestone substrate causes spall-flaking, and it has been proposed that the loss of artwork has accelerated over recent decades. Here, we utilise historical photographs and superposition constraints toshow that the bulk of the damage was present before 1950 CE, and describe the role of anthropogenic sulphuremissions in promoting gypsum-salt efflorescence and rock art decay. The rock art shelters have been exposed to domestic fire-use and intensive rice cultivation with post-harvest burning of straw for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, both of which release chemically reactive sulphur oxides for gypsum formation, with cumulative effects. Analysis of time-lapse photography indicates that the rate of rock art loss may be on the decline, consistent with the history of fire-use in southwest Sulawesi. At present, vandalism and sulphur emissions from diesel-powered traffic and cement-based infrastructure development constitute localised threats. Our findings indicate that there are grounds for being cautiously optimistic that targeted conservation measures will ensure the longevity of some of our oldest artistictreasures.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

Gagan¹,

Halide²,

Permana³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The adjusted δ 18 O record is interpreted in terms of relative changes in monsoon rainfall on the premise that the δ 18 O of tropical rainfall is inversely proportional to rainfall amount. Measurements of Mg/Ca in stalagmites from the Maros karst have validated the large change in δ 18 O between drier glacials and wetter interglacials in southwest Sulawesi 62 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

Gagan

Halide

Permana

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Maros-Pangkep karst in southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia, contains some of the world’s oldest rock art. However, the Pleistocene images survive only as weathered patches of pigment on exfoliated limestone surfaces. Salt efflorescence underneath the case-hardened limestone substrate causes spall-flaking, and it has been proposed that the loss of artwork has accelerated over recent decades. Here, we utilise historical photographs and superposition constraints to show that the bulk of the damage was present before 1950 CE, and describe the role of anthropogenic sulphur emissions in promoting gypsum-salt efflorescence and rock art decay. The rock art shelters have been exposed to domestic fire-use and intensive rice cultivation with post-harvest burning of straw for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, both of which release chemically reactive sulphur oxides for gypsum formation, with cumulative effects. Analysis of time-lapse photography indicates that the rate of rock art loss may be on the decline, consistent with the history of fire-use in southwest Sulawesi. At present, vandalism and sulphur emissions from diesel-powered traffic and cement-based infrastructure development constitute localised threats. Our findings indicate that there are grounds for being cautiously optimistic that targeted conservation measures will ensure the longevity of some of our oldest artistic treasures.

show abstract

Validation of glacial-interglacial rainfall variations in southwest Sulawesi using Mg/Ca and δ18O in speleothems

Cited by 2 publications

References 40 publications

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

The historical impact of anthropogenic air-borne sulphur on the Pleistocene rock art of Sulawesi

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