Annual trace element variations in a Holocene speleothem

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

5

Scientific paper

High resolution secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis along the growth axis of a Holocene speleothem from northern Scotland reveals high frequency oscillations and longer term trends in Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca. At the scale of the high frequency oscillations, Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca display a well-defined anticorrelation, while Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca are positively correlated. Imaging of elemental ratios in two dimensions reveals that the high frequency signal is well preserved and laterally continuous across the sample. TIMS 230Th ages and annual ultraviolet luminescence banding provide chronological control and demonstrate that the high frequency cyclicity is annual. Trace element variations in speleothem calcite are a reflection of hydrochemical processes in the unsaturated zone overlying the cave (supply effects) and partitioning at the water-calcite interface. Mg partitioning between water and calcite is temperature dependent. Calculations suggest that the annual Mg/Ca oscillations may be caused by seasonal temperature changes. However, the longer timescale variations in Mg/Ca are too great to be explained by this mechanism. Seasonal variations in water residence time in the unsaturated zone (which reflect effective precipitation) provide a more probable explanation for the observed annual oscillations and also explain the inverse relationship between Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca. This record suggests that trace elements in speleothems have the potential to provide the high resolution insights into interannual palaeoclimatic variability required for assessment of general circulation models.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Annual trace element variations in a Holocene speleothem does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Annual trace element variations in a Holocene speleothem, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Annual trace element variations in a Holocene speleothem will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1655109

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.