Deciphering late Quaternary land snail shell δO and δC from Franchthi Cave (Argolid,Greece)

This paper investigates the stable isotopic composition from late Pleistocene–Holocene (~ 13 to ~ 10.5 cal ka BP) shells of the land snail Helix figulina, from Franchthi Cave (Greece). It explores the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental implications of the isotope palaeoecology of archaeological shells at the time of human occupation of the cave. Modern shells from around the cave were also analysed and their isotopic signatures compared with those of the archaeological shells. The carbon isotope composition of modern shells depicts the consumption of C₃ vegetation. Shell oxygen isotopic values are consistent with other Mediterranean snail shells from coastal areas. Combining empirical linear regression and an evaporative model, the δ¹⁸Os suggest that modern snails in the study area are active during periods of higher relative humidity and lower rainfall δ¹⁸O, probably at night. Late glacial and early Holocene δ¹⁸Os show lower values compared to modern ones. Early Holocene δ¹⁸Os values likely track enhanced moisture and isotopic changes in the precipitation source. By contrast, lower late glacial δ¹⁸O could reflect lower temperatures and δ¹⁸Op, compared to the present day. Shell carbon isotope values indicate the presence of C₃ vegetation as main source of carbon to late glacial and early Holocene snails.     

Late Pleistocene (MIS 3–4) climate inferred from micromammal communities and δO of rodents from Les Pradelles,France

The middle Paleolithic stratigraphic sequence of Les Pradelles (Charente, France) spans from the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 until the middle of MIS 3. Micromammal remains are present in all the stratigraphic levels, offering a rare opportunity to address the questions of both environmental and climatic fluctuations throughout this period. Climate modes were studied through the taphonomy, biodiversity and oxygen isotope compositions of phosphate (δ¹⁸O_p) from 66 samples of rodent tooth enamel. The δ¹⁸O_p values from the lower sedimentary levels provide summer mean air temperatures of 19 ± 2°C (level 2/1) and of 16 ± 2°C (levels 2A, 2B and 4A). Within the middle of sequence (level 4B), a paleobiodiversity change can be identified with an increase of Dicrostonyx torquatus, which is associated with the largest amplitude in δ¹⁸O_p values and the highest maximal δ¹⁸O_p values. At the top of the sequence (level 5-2), a biodiversity change is observed with the increase of Microtus arvalis, but without any change in δ¹⁸O_p values. The association of cold rodent species with unexpected high and large amplitudes in the δ¹⁸O_p values of their teeth, possibly indicative of aridity, suggests their deposition during a Heinrich event.     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) and Genesis of Carbonates from Phosphorite Deposits in the Lesser Karatau (Kazakhstan)

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The study of structural features along with carbon and oxygen isotope compositions made it possible to discriminate lithological rocks in deposits of the Karatau...     

Origin and migration of brines from Paleozoic strata in Central Tarim,China: constraints from 87Sr/86Sr, δD, δ18O and water chemistry

Chemistry of major and minor elements, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δD, and δ¹⁸O of oilfield waters, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of whole rock were measured from Paleozoic strata in the Central Tarim basin, NW China. The aim is to elucidate the origin and migration of formation water and its relation to petroleum migration. High salinity oilfield waters in Carboniferous, Silurian and Ordovician reservoirs have maintained the same Na/Cl ratio as seawater, indicative of subaerially evaporated seawater. Two possible sources of evaporitic water are Carboniferous (C_II) and Cambrian, both of which contain evaporitic sediments. Geographic and stratigraphic trends in water chemistry suggest that most of the high salinity water is from the Cambrian. Strontium, H and O isotopes as well as ion chemistry indicate at least 3 end member waters in the basin. High-salinity Cambrian evaporitic water was expelled upward into Ordovician, Silurian and Carboniferous reservoirs along faults and fractures during compaction and burial. Meteoric water has likely invaded the section throughout its history as uplift created subaerial unconformities. Meteoric water certainly infiltrated Silurian and older strata during development of the C_III unconformity and again in recent times. Modern meteoric water enters Carboniferous strata from the west and flows eastward, mixing with the high salinity Cambrian water and to a lesser degree with paleometeoric water. The third end member is highly radiogenic, shale-derived water which has migrated eastward from the Awati Depression to the west. Enrichment of Ca and Sr and depletion of K, Mg, and SO₄ relative to the seawater evaporation trajectory suggest waters were affected by albitization of feldspars, dolomitization, illitization of smectite, and SO₄ reduction. The mixing of meteoric water occurred subsequently to seawater evaporation, main water-rock interactions, and brine migration. The direction of brine migration is consistent with that of petroleum migration, suggesting water and petroleum have followed the same migration pathways.     

Distribution of δ~(34)S and δ~(18)O in SO_4~(2-) in Groundwater from the Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin and Geological Implications

<正>The Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin,located in an arid-semiarid area in northwestern China,is a large-style groundwater basin.SO_4~(2-) is one of the major harmful components in groundwater.Dissolved SO_4~(2-) concentrations,andδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater from 14 boreholes and in gypsum from aquifer were analyzed.Results show that SO_4~(2-) in shallow groundwaters originates from precipitation,sulfide oxidation,and dissolution of stratum sulphate,with a big range ofδ~(34)S values,from-10.7‰to 9.2‰,and addition of SO_4~(2-) in deep groundwater results from dissolution of stratum sulphate,with biggerδ~(34)S values,from 7.8‰to 18.5‰,compared with those in shallow groundwater.This research also indicates that three types of sulphate are present in the strata,and characterized by highδ~(34)S values and highδ~(18)O values-style,highδ~(34)S values and middleδ~(18)O valuesstyle, middleδ~(34)S values and lowδ~(18)O values-style,respectively.Theδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater have a good perspective for application in distinguishing different groundwater systems and determining groundwater circulation and evolution in this area.     

Past Century Fossil Fuel Burning Recorded by Tree-Ring δ~(13)C and δ~(34)S from Chaling,South China

工业革命以来由人类活动带来的大量化石燃料燃烧导致严重的环境污染,并引起气候变化。我国自1970年代开始大量排放人类活动产生的CO2和SO2,而且现在我国已经成为世界最大的CO2和SO2排放国。树轮碳-硫同位素及硫含量能很好地记录长时间尺度的气候变化,水利用效率,及化石燃料燃烧。本摘要报道了来自南方森林115年全树树轮碳-硫同位素及硫含量,目的在于记录人类活动产生的CO2和SO2历排放历史,及试图探讨人类活动产生的CO2和SO2对树碳同位素及水利用效率的影响。结果显示树轮碳同位素自1940年代后期至2000年代后期持续下降,是由持续增加的化石燃料产生的CO2导致的;大气CO2校正后的树轮碳同位素反映了全年降雨量。此外,树轮细胞内CO2浓度及水利用效率自1940年代后期持续升高,其原因是大气CO2浓度增加。另一方面,树轮硫含量没有明显的变化,表明硫是树的基本元素,而硫同位素自1890年代后期以来持续下降,记录了化石燃料(北方煤)使用历史。与之前发表的数据,显示最近几年或几十年来树轮碳同位素的增加(1.2‰~2.5‰),但不能证明是由大气污染(SO2增加)引起的,因其被气候变化所掩盖。     

Chemistry,isotope values (δD, δ18O, δ34SSO4) and temperatures of the water inflows in two Gotthard tunnels,Swiss Alps

Water inflows in the Gotthard Highway Tunnel and in the Gotthard Exploration Tunnel are meteoric waters infiltrating at different elevations, on both sides of an important orographic divide. Limited interaction of meteoric waters with gneissic rocks produces Ca–HCO₃ and Na–Ca–HCO₃ waters, whereas prolonged interaction of meteoric waters with the same rocks generates Na–HCO₃ to Na–SO₄ waters. Waters circulating in Triassic carbonate-evaporite rocks have a Ca–SO₄ composition. Calcium-Na–SO₄ waters are also present. They can be produced through interaction of either Na–HCO₃ waters with anhydrite or Ca–SO₄ waters with a local gneissic rock, as suggested by reaction path modeling. An analogous simulation indicates that Na–HCO₃ waters are generated through interaction of Ca–HCO₃ waters with a local gneissic rock. The two main SO₄-sources present in the Alps are leaching of upper Triassic sulfate minerals and oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals of crystalline rocks. Values of δ³⁴S_SO4 < ∼+9‰ are due to oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals, whereas δ³⁴S_SO4 >∼+9‰ are controlled either by bacterial SO₄ reduction or leaching of upper Triassic sulfate minerals. Most waters have temperatures similar to the expected values for a geothermal gradient of 22°C/km and are close to thermal equilibrium with rocks. However relatively large, descending flows of cold waters and ascending flows of warm waters are present in both tunnels and determine substantial cooling and heating, respectively, of the interacting rocks. The most import upflow zone of warm, Na-rich waters is below Guspisbach, in the Gotthard Highway Tunnel, at 6.2–9.0 km from the southern portal. These warm waters have equilibrium temperatures of 65–75°C and therefore constitute an important low-enthalpy geothermal resource.     

Paleo-climate of the Boise area, Idaho from the last glacial maximum to the present based on groundwater δH and δO compositions

A 30 ka paleo-climate record of the Boise area, Idaho, USA has been delineated using groundwater stable isotopic compositions. Groundwater ages are modern (cold batholith), 5-15 ka (thermal batholith) , 10-20 ka (frontal fault) , and 20-30 ka (Snake River plain thermal). The stable isotopic composition of groundwaters have been used as a surrogate for the stable isotopic composition of precipitation. Using δ²H and δ¹⁸O compositions, local groundwater lines (LGWL's) were defined for each system. Each LGWL has been evaluated with defined slopes of 6.94 and 8, respectively, and resulting deuterium excess values (d) were found for each groundwater system for each slope. Time dependent changes in moisture source humidity and temperature, and Boise area recharge temperatures, calculated from stable isotopic data and the deuterium excess factors, agree with previous paleo-climate studies. Results indicate that from the last glacial maximum to the present time the humidity over the ocean moisture source increased by 9%, sea surface temperature at the moisture source increased 6-7°C, and local Boise temperature increased by 4-5°C. A greater increase of temperature at the moisture source as compared to the Boise area may impart be due to a shift in the moisture source area.     

Ground ice recharge via brine transport in frozen soils of Victoria Valley, Antarctica: Insights from modeling δO and δD profiles

Soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica contain ice and considerable amounts of salt. Ice often occurs at shallow depth throughout the Dry Valleys and other areas of hyperarid permafrost, notably on Mars. This common occurrence of shallow ice is enigmatic; however, since according to published sublimation models it should disappear relatively quickly (at rates of order 0.1 mm a⁻¹) due to vapor loss to the atmosphere. This loss may be offset by recharge from snowmelt infiltrating and freezing in the soil. Herein, we present a first quantitative estimate of this recharge based on measured vertical profiles of δD and δ¹⁸O that reveal considerable detail about the sources and sinks of ice. We model these profiles, taking into account the salt content and a soil temperature record along a 1.6 m depth profile of ∼10 ka old ice-cemented soils in Victoria Valley, Antarctica. The stable isotopes of ice are enriched in heavy isotopes at the top of the ice cement (20 cm depth); both δD and δ¹⁸O values plotted against depth exhibit a concave upward curve. At depth, the isotope composition is similar to that of Lake Victoria and modern meteoric water. The concave shape of the isotope profile is suggestive of downward advection-dispersion of snowmelt water enriched in heavy isotopes into the ice cement. Our advection-dispersion model, coupled with field data, enables us to quantify the advective flux and dispersion of melt water into the ice. The advective velocity and dispersion coefficient depend on the time since advection began and the ice-to-brine ratio; they are, respectively, of the order of 10⁻¹¹-10⁻¹⁰ m s⁻¹ and 10⁻¹²-10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹. These values suggest that over the ∼10 ka time period, a total of 190 mm water infiltrated into the ice-cemented ground. The isotope composition and deuterium excess values of the uppermost ice cement can be modeled from snowmelt water enriched in salts using open system-Rayleigh fractionation. To develop the isotopic signature of the upper ice cement requires evaporation of ∼95% of the snowmelt water. Based on 190 mm brine infiltrating into the soil requires an initial total of ∼4 m of snowmelt water. This corresponds to ∼0.4 mm a⁻¹ suggesting that, under the current climate condition, water from snowmelt is sufficient to compensate modeled sublimation rates, and therefore conserve ground ice in Victoria Valley.     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) of Carbonate Concretions from Terrigenous Deposits in the Northern Caucasus

The isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen was studied in carbonate concentrations with different compositions (calcite, dolomite, and siderite) from Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary terrigenous deposits of the Northern Caucasus. Wide variations in the isotopic composition (from 41.4 to 18.1 for ¹³C and from 11.7 to 33.5 for ¹⁸O) point to different formation conditions in the early diagenesis zone and the later catagenesis zone.     

Early Cretaceous (late Berriasian to early Aptian) palaeoceanographic change along the northwestern Tethyan margin (Vocontian Trough,southeastern France): δ13C, δ18O and Sr-isotope belemnite and whole-rock records

Stable carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotope records were obtained from uppermost Hauterivian to lowermost Aptian belemnite rostra, which were collected in well-dated sections from the Vocontian Trough (southeastern France). This data set complements previously published belemnite-isotope records from the uppermost Berriasian-Hauterivian interval from the same basin. The belemnite carbon and oxygen isotope record is compared to the carbonate bulk-rock isotope record from the same sections, and from additional Italian sections. With regards to their long-term trends, both belemnite and whole-rock δ¹⁸O records are well correlated, except for the uppermost Hauterivian-lower Barremian interval, within which they deviate. This discrepancy is interpreted to be linked to the latest Hauterivian Faraoni oceanic anoxic event and its early Barremian aftermath. The Faraoni level is characterized by enhanced sea-water stratification, probably induced by the onset of a warmer and more humid climate along the northern Tethyan margin. The early Barremian was characterized by stronger vertical sea-water mixing reflected by a decrease in density contrast between sea-surface and deeper waters. The belemnite oxygen isotope record shows a more stable evolution with smaller fluctuations than its bulk-rock counterpart, which indicates that deeper water masses were not as much subjected to density fluctuations as sea-surface water. The comparison of belemnite and bulk-rock carbon isotope records allows observing the impact of regional influence exerted by platform carbonate ooze shedding on the carbon cycle. Discrepancies in the two records are observed during time of photozoan carbonate platform growth. The strontium isotopic record shows a gradual increase from the uppermost Berriasian to the uppermost lower Barremian followed by a rapid decrease until the uppermost Barremian and a renewed small increase within the lowermost Aptian. The major inflection point in the uppermost lower Barremian appears to predate the onset in the formation of the Ontong-Java volcanic plateau.     

Li, Be, B concentrations and δ7Li values in plagioclase phenocrysts of dacites from Nea Kameni (Santorini, Greece)

Li, Be, B and δ⁷Li SIMS analyses of plagioclase phenocrysts from the 1040–1941 Niki dacite lava (Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece) exhibit varied processes. From their anorthite contents alone, the crystals may be segregated into four main types: type-N shows the normal decline in An during crystallisation (An_62–40); type-O has only oscillatory zoning accompanied by resorption surfaces (An_58–39); type-C is complex with high-An cores (subtype C1: An_64–58, subtype C2: An_88–73) and normal rims (An_55–42). Type-A plagioclase with high An content (An_92–82) is found within mafic enclaves. On the basis of their Li concentrations, type-O crystals may be subdivided into subtype O1 with flat Li concentration profiles and subtype O2 with decreasing Li concentration from core to rim. The concentrations of Be and B of all four types show a negative correlation with anorthite content (An), but Li concentration profiles differ amongst the different plagioclase types. Types N and O1, and the cores of type-C, are equilibrated in Li concentration. Types O2 and A, and the mantles of type-C display an initial enrichment in Li, probably from volatile influx into the melt. Consistent with the propensity towards equilibrium with the melt, these crystals display dramatic rim-ward declines in Li concentration. All analysed plagioclase crystals, except for the xenocrystic type-A, have nearly the same Li, Be and B concentrations at their rims. These coincide with the composition of plagioclase microlites in the groundmass, thereby affording estimates of plagioclase-melt partitioning for the light elements: K _Li = 0.19–0.28, K _Be = 0.24–0.38 and K _B = 0.007–0.009. δ⁷Li profiles in type-O2 and type-A phenocrysts manifest an unmistakable inverse relation to Li concentration, with variations of up to ~39 ‰, revealing preferential kinetic diffusion. This may have been driven by Li loss from the melt, most likely through degassing during decompression, perhaps in the course of magma ascent to subsequent eruption. Considering the rapid diffusion of Li in plagioclase, in situ phenocryst analyses may yield useful information about processes leading up to, or even causing, eruptions.     

Holocene climate variability in Europe: Evidence from δ18O,textural and extension-rate variations in three speleothems

Time-series O isotope profiles for three U–Th dated stalagmites have revealed that for much of the Holocene, a site on the Atlantic seaboard (SW Ireland) exhibits first-order δ¹⁸O trends that are almost exactly out of phase with coupled δ¹⁸O curves from two southern European sites (SE France and NW Italy). In the Irish stalagmite (CC3 from Crag Cave, SW Ireland), low δ¹⁸O at 10,000 cal yr BP reflects cool conditions. By the early to mid-Holocene (9000–6000 cal yr BP) δ¹⁸O had increased, reflecting the onset of warmer conditions on the Atlantic seaboard. This shift to higher δ¹⁸O was accompanied by a marked increase in the stalagmite extension rate, reinforcing our interpretation that this was a period of relative warmth. Except for an episode of increased extension rate about 5500 yr ago, δ¹⁸O in the Crag stalagmite exhibits a gradual decrease, accompanied by declining extension rates between 7800 and 3500 cal yr BP, interpreted as a cooling trend. There is evidence for increases in both δ¹⁸O and stalagmite extension rate in the period from 3500 cal yr BP to the present day suggesting a return to warmer conditions on the Atlantic seaboard. In the stalagmite from NW Italy (ER76, Grotta di Ernesto, Trentino province) the early-Holocene (c. 9200-7800 cal yr BP) is characterised by high δ¹⁸O, probably indicative of warm and/or dry conditions. Exceptionally low δ¹⁸O from 7800 to 6900 cal yr BP at this site reflects a well-defined wet phase (Cerin wet phase). In the last three millennia, this stalagmite exhibits a shift to lower δ¹⁸O, interpreted as some combination of cooler and/or wetter conditions. Unlike the Irish stalagmite, the Italian sample does not show a correlation between δ¹⁸O and extension rate. Instead, its extension rate correlates roughly with δ¹³C, presumably reflecting a climate-driven vegetation change. In the early Holocene, δ¹⁸O in the French stalagmite (CL26, Grotte de Clamouse, Herault province, SE France) was low relative to its Holocene average. For much of the period since c. 3500 cal yr BP this stalagmite exhibits higher δ¹⁸O than in the early Holocene, suggesting warmer conditions. Like the Irish stalagmite, the French sample exhibits a well-defined correlation between δ¹⁸O and extension rate. Had drip-water availability been the dominant control on δ¹⁸O at this semi-arid site then higher δ¹⁸O would have been accompanied by lower, not higher extension rates. This suggests strongly that temperature rather than rainfall amount was the dominant control at this site. While conclusions regarding the patterns of climate variability on a continent scale must remain tentative because of the limited number of stalagmites studied we argue that early Holocene warm conditions on the Atlantic seaboard (Irish site) coincided with relatively cool conditions at the Clamouse site. By c. 3500 yr ago the pattern appears to have been reversed.     

Modelling δC and δO in the solution layer on stalagmite surfaces

We derive equations describing the evolution of the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of the bicarbonate in a calcite precipitating solution on the surface of a stalagmite using a classical Rayleigh approach. The combined effects of calcite precipitation, degassing of CO₂ and the buffering effect of the water reservoir are taken into account. Whereas δ¹³C shows a progressive increase to a final constant value, δ¹⁸O shows an initial isotopic enrichment, which exponentially decays due to the buffering effect of the water reservoir. The calculated evolution is significantly different for both carbon and oxygen isotopes than derived in a recent paper [Dreybrodt W. (2008) Evolution of the isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen in a calcite precipitating H₂O-CO₂-CaCO₃ solution and the related isotopic composition of calcite in stalagmites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta72, 4712-4724.].Furthermore, we discuss the isotopic evolution of the bicarbonate in the solution for long residence times on the stalagmite surface, i.e., for t→∞. The equilibrium isotope ratio of the bicarbonate is then determined by isotopic exchange between the cave atmosphere and the bicarbonate in the solution and can be calculated by equilibrium isotope fractionation. For strongly ventilated caves exchange with the cave atmosphere will result in higher δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values than those observed in a pure Rayleigh distillation scenario, for sparsely ventilated caves it will result in lower δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values.     

Fluid Composition, δD of Channel H2O,and δ18O of Lattice Oxygen in Beryls: Genetic Implications for Brazilian,Colombian, and Afghanistani Emerald Deposits

The fluid composition, δD of channel H₂O, and δ₁₈O of lattice oxygen have been determined in beryl and emerald from a variety of geological environments and used to constrain the origin of the parental fluids from which beryl has grown. Step-heating analyses performed by quadrupolar mass spectrometry were used to quantify the composition of the fluid phases in beryl from granitic pegmatites and greisens and emerald from Brazil, Colombia, and Afghanistan. An important conclusion is that beryl and emerald have a similar fluid composition, with concentrations of H₂O being greater than 90% of the total water in the mineral irrespective of the age of formation (2.0 Ga to 32 Ma) and tectonic settings. However, the Brazilian Santa Terezinha shear-zone emerald deposit contains abundant CO₂, up to 13 wt% of the total fluid. A second conclusion is that the channel H₂O content for some Brazilian emeralds is higher than the range defined for beryl in the literature, especially for those related to the shear-zone type (2.99 lt; H₂O < 3.16 wt%) and the pegmatite type from the Pombos, Pela Ema, and Pirenopolis deposits (2.78 < H₂O < 3.01 wt%). Colombian emeralds have very low H₂O contents (1.30 < H₂O < 1.96 wt%), among the lowest in the world.

Brazilian, Colombian, and Afghanistani emeralds have contrasting and restricted ranges of δ¹⁸O values. In Brazil, emeralds related to pegmatites have a systematic δ¹⁸O inter-deposit variability (+6.3 < δ¹⁸O < +12.4‰). The calculated δ¹⁸O of the fluid was buffered by the host ultrabasic rocks during fluid-rock interaction. Emerald and cogenetic phlogopite related to shear-zone-type deposits have a quite restricted δ¹⁸O range (+12.0 < δ¹⁸O 7lt; +12.4‰); the calculated is interpreted to represent the original isotopic composition of the hydrothermal fluid. Relative to Brazil, the δ¹⁸O of Colombian and Afghanistani emeralds shows strong enrichment in ¹⁸O (+13.4 < δ¹⁸O < +23.6‰), and the high calculated δ¹⁸O of the fluid suggests extensive reaction with 18O-rich sedimentary or metasedimentary rocks.

In Brazil, the δD composition of channels in emerald and the calculated δ¹⁸O^H₂O for phlogopite are compatible with both magmatic and metamorphic origins. A magmatic origin is supported for emeralds associated with the pegmatitic Socotó and Carnaiba deposits (mean δD = ?37.8 ± 8‰) and a metamorphic origin is suggested for the Santa Terezinha shear-zone type (mean δD = ?32.4 ± 3‰). A metamorphic origin is proposed for Colombian emeralds. Afghanistani emeralds have a δD composition of channels (mean δD = ?46.3 ± 1.3‰) that is compatible with both magmatic and metamorphic origins.     

The δ18O and δ13C records in an aragonite stalagmite from Furong Cave,Chongqing, China: A-2000-year record of monsoonal climate

A 7-cm long aragonite stalagmite, FR0510-1, from Furong Cave, Chongqing, was dated by ²¹⁰Pb and ²³⁰Th methods, revealing a-2000-year record of climate history under the influence of the East Asian Monsoon. The FR0510-1 record resembles Dongge Cave DA record on 10–100-year scales, but quite different from the Wanxiang Cave WX42B record, indicating that while stalagmite δ¹⁸O record represents local/regional moisture change, spatial variability of the monsoonal rainfall over eastern China must take into account. During the past 2000 years, climate in Chongqing was relatively wet in the intervals of 50 BC–AD 250, AD 1150–1450 and AD 1600–1950, and relatively dry during the periods of AD 250–1150 and AD 1450–1600. Dry conditions were prevailing over the Medieval Warm Period, whereas wet climates were dominant during the most time of the Little Ice Age in Chongqing area.     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C and δ18O) and Genesis of Mn-bearing Sediments in the Ushkatyn-III Deposit,Central Kazakhstan

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The Ushkatyn-III deposit is located 300 km west of Karaganda (Central Kazakhstan). It is classified as a weakly metamorphosed Atasu-type hydrothermal-sedimentary...     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) and Origin of Manganese Carbonate Ores of the Usa Deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau)

Isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen are studied in different (rhodochrosite, calcareous-rhodochrosite, and chlorite–rhodochrosite) types of manganese carbonate ores from the Usa deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau). The ¹³C value varies from –18.4 to –0.7, while the ¹⁸O value ranges between 18.4 and 23.0. Host rocks are characterized by higher values of ¹³C (–1.9 to 1.0) and ¹⁸O (21.2 to 24.3). The obtained isotope data suggest an active participation of oxidized organic carbon in the formation of manganese carbonates. Manganese carbonate ores of the deposit are probably related to metasomatic processes.