Prior calcite precipitation and source mixing process influence Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr of a stalagmite developed in southwestern Japan during 18.0 4.5ka
Journal
Chemical Geology
Journal Volume
347
Pages
190-198
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
We measured Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, δ18O and δ13C values in a stalagmite, which developed 18.0-4.5thousand years ago (ka) in southwestern Japan. Dripwater and two major bedrocks (limestone and andesite) in the locality were also studied. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the stalagmite are relatively homogeneous (0.706852-0.706921), suggesting a steady source mixing ratio of ~40% from high-87Sr/86Sr limestone and ~60% from low-87Sr/86Sr andesite. The stalagmite Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios were higher than the ratio expected from the dissolved fraction of limestone and andesite. The covariance among Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, and δ13C profiles suggests a significant role of prior calcite precipitation (PCP), i.e., carbonate precipitation from infiltrating water before the water drips on a stalagmite. The relationships among stalagmite Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca ratios and δ13C values are consistent with the Rayleigh-type fractionation model, supporting that PCP results in successive enrichment of Sr, Ba and 13C in the aqueous phase and the resulting stalagmite. The degree of PCP calculated for the stalagmite is highly variable from 0 to 85%, and generally decreased from the last glacial period to the middle Holocene. The large degree of PCP observed during 18-15ka implies a relatively dry climate during this period, which is consistent with weak monsoon intensity inferred by the δ18O values. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the stalagmite show a slight decrease through the entire period. The increase in the andesite-derived fraction with relatively high 87Sr/86Sr may result from accelerated silicate weathering in the epikarst with increasing temperature, humidity, and soil pCO2. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Subjects
Holocene; Prior calcite precipitation; Sr isotopes; Stalagmite
SDGs
Other Subjects
Carbonate precipitation; Holocenes; Increasing temperatures; Last glacial period; Prior calcite precipitations; Silicate weathering; Sr isotopes; Stalagmite; Calcite; Isotopes; Lasers; Limestone; Mixing; Strontium; barium; bedrock; calcite; calcium; climate effect; Holocene; isotopic ratio; Last Glacial; mixing; monsoon; paleoclimate; precipitation (chemistry); stalagmite; strontium isotope; Japan
Type
journal article