A high-resolution late Holocene speleothem record from Kaite Cave, northern Spain: delta O-18 variability and possible causes

作者：Dominguez-Villar, David; Wang, Xianfeng; Cheng, Hal; Martin-Chivelet, Javier; Edwards, R. Lawrence

来源：Quaternary International, 2008, 187: 40-51.

DOI：10.1016/j.quaint.2007.06.010

• CLIMATE VARIABILITY
• PLANKTONIC-FORAMINIFERA
• ATLANTIC-OCEAN
• ASIAN MONSOON
• SEA-SURFACE
• OXYGEN
• TEMPERATURE
• CALIBRATION
• STALAGMITES
• SAUERLAND

A high-resolution calcite oxygen stable isotopic (delta O-18) record, covering the past 4000 years, was obtained from Kaite Cave, northern Spain. The record has a mean delta O-18 value of -6.25 parts per thousand VPDB and a range of 2 parts per thousand. Spectral analysis of the delta O-18 data shows significant periodicities of 2400-1900, 600, 150, 27, and 22 years. The amplitudes during these periods range from 0.2 parts per thousand to 2 parts per thousand. Factors controlling the isotopic ratio in the speleothem were evaluated. The calcite is most likely precipitated under equilibrium conditions, with the cave calcite delta O-18 interpreted as a proxy of oxygen isotopic composition in local rainwater. Other factors such as temperature or fractionation in the karst system prior to calcite precipitation are considered of negligible or of minor importance. Mechanisms affecting rainfall isotopic composition were also investigated on different time scales. Precipitation amount is the primary factor controlling the high-frequency delta O-18 oscillations. Other climate parameters, such as changes of storm tracks may have significant contributions on centennial and millennial time scales.

• 出版日期2008-8-15