Publication Date:
2021-06-16
Description:
In this study, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios in a Lateglacial to Holocene stalagmite (CC26) from
Corchia Cave (central Italy) are compared with stable isotope data to define palaeohydrological changes. For most
of the record, the trace element ratios show small absolute variability but similar patterns, which are also consistent
with stable isotope variations. Higher trace element-to-calcium values are interpreted as responses to decreasing
moisture, inducing changes in the residence time of percolation, producing prior calcite precipitation and/or
variations in the hydrological routing. Statistically meaningful levels of covariability were determined using
anomalies of Mg/Ca, d18O and d13C. Combining these three time series into a single ‘palaeomoisture-trend’
parameter, we highlight several events of reduced moisture (ca. 8.9–8.4, 6.2, 4.2, 3.1 and 2.0 ka), a humid period
between ca. 7.9 and 8.3 ka and other shorter-term wet events at ca. 5.8, 5.3 and 3.7 ka. Most of these events can
be correlated with climate changes inferred from other regional studies. For both extremities of the record (i.e.
before ca. 12.4 ka and after ca. 0.5 ka) Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca are anti-correlated and show the greatest amplitude of
values, a likely explanation for which involves aragonite and/or gypsum precipitation (the latter derived from pyrite
oxidation) above the CC26 drip point.
Description:
Published
Description:
381–392
Description:
4A. Clima e Oceani
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
restricted
Keywords:
central Italy; Corchia Cave; Holocene; speleothems; trace elements
;
01. Atmosphere::01.01. Atmosphere::01.01.02. Climate
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
