Techniques for assessing spatial heterogeneity of carbonate δ13C values: Implications for craton‐wide isotope gradients

The sedimentary record of carbonate carbon isotopes (δ¹³C_carb) provides one of the best methods for correlating marine strata and understanding the long‐term evolution of the global carbon cycle. This work focuses on the Late Ordovician Guttenberg isotopic carbon excursion, a ca 2·5‰ positive δ¹³C_carb excursion that is found in strata globally. Substantial variability in the apparent magnitude and stratigraphic morphology of the Guttenberg excursion at different localities has hampered high‐resolution correlations and led to divergent reconstructions of ocean chemistry and the biogeochemical carbon cycle. This work investigates the magnitude, spatial scale and sources of isotopic variability of the Guttenberg excursion in two sections from Missouri, USA. Centimetre‐scale isotope transects revealed variations in δ¹³C_carb and δ¹⁸O_carb greater than 2‰ across individual beds. Linear δ¹³C_carb to δ¹⁸O_carb mixing lines, together with petrographic and elemental abundance data, demonstrate that much of the isotopic scatter in single beds is due to mixing of isotopically distinct components. These patterns facilitated objective sample screening to determine the ‘least‐altered’ data. A δ¹⁸O_carb filter based on empirical δ¹⁸O_carb values of well‐preserved carbonate mudstones allowed further sample discrimination. The resulting ‘least‐altered’ δ¹³C_carb profile improves the understanding of regional as well as continental‐scale stratigraphic relations in this interval. Correlations with other Laurentian sections strongly suggest that: (i) small‐scale variability in Guttenberg excursion δ¹³C_carb values may result in part from local diagenetic overprinting; (ii) peak‐Guttenberg excursion δ¹³C_carb values of the Midcontinent are not distinct from their Taconic equivalents; and (iii) no primary continental‐scale spatial gradient in δ¹³C_carb (for example, arising from chemically distinct ‘aquafacies’) is required during Guttenberg excursion‐time. This study demonstrates the importance of detailed petrographic and geochemical screening of samples to be used for δ¹³C_carb chemostratigraphy and for enhancing understanding of epeiric ocean chemistry.     

Estimating past leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit from terrestrial plant δ13C

δ¹³C was determined in lignin extracted from present-day cladodes of Phyllocladus alpinus (a small coniferous tree) from seven well-lit sites across New Zealand. The δ¹³C values ranged from −30.9‰ to −23.6‰ and were compared with monthly means of temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and vapour pressure deficit from the nearest recording stations. Of these parameters, the leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit of the first month of cladode growth and expansion proved to be the most significantly correlated with lignin δ¹³C, over a range of 0.3 to 0.8 kPa, confirming the importance of atmospheric moisture content on stomatal conductance. The carbon isotopic signature of lignin from fossilised cladodes preserved under the Kawakawa Tephra (22.6 k ¹⁴C yr BP) on the North Island is identical to that of the whole tissue, suggesting that for this species at least, fossil material can be used to approximate the lignin δ¹³C. The δ¹³C of species- and organ-specific fossil terrestrial plant material therefore provides an excellent method to quantify past changes in leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi‐proxy constraints on the significance of covariant δ13C values in carbonate and organic carbon during the early Mississippian

This study investigates the covariation between carbonate and organic δ¹³C values in a proximal to distal transect of four outcrops in the Madison Limestone in the Western United States Rockies, combined with δ³⁴S values of carbonate associated sulphate, the concentration of acid‐insoluble material and measurements of total organic carbon. These new geochemical datasets not only allow for an evaluation of carbon isotope covariance during one of the largest perturbations to the global carbon cycle over the past 550 Myr, but also constrain the cause of the excursion in carbonate δ¹³C values. The results support the hypothesis that a period of anoxia did not play a role in generating the positive carbonate δ¹³C values, but rather favour interpretations by previous workers that the proliferation of land plants destabilized the Carboniferous carbon cycle, setting the stage for a significant change in the carbonate δ¹³C values of contemporaneous marine carbonates. These results also demonstrate that one of the largest perturbations to the global carbon cycle did not produce synchronous variations in carbonate and organic δ¹³C values, emphasizing the importance of local depositional controls on carbon isotope covariance in the geological record in both modern and ancient environments.     

Late Holocene stable isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) records of lacustrine organic matter in Guangdong Province,south China,and their palaeoenvironmental implications

This study presents the results of TOC/TN (C/N) ratio, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N analyses of lake sedimentary organic matter (OM) from the Hedong section, western Guangdong Province in south China, with the objective to reveal the history of hydrological and ecological variations in the region influenced by both the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Variations in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of sedimentary OM may be closely related to past climatic conditions, which results in variations in surface runoff, lake level, allochthonous and autochthonous sources of OM, and lake productivity. Based on the interpretation of these proxies, four periods, i.e. 4370–4100, 3700–2900, 2400–2100 and 1900–900 cal. a BP, are characterized by low lake level, weakened surface runoff and deteriorated status of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, whereas the periods 4100–3700, 2900–2400, 2100–1900 and 900–600 cal. a BP are dominated by high lake level, strengthened surface runoff, and flourishing terrestrial and aquatic plants. A remarkable positive correlation between the δ¹³C values of the section and the ENSO number record obtained from the tropical Pacific implies that the impact of the ISM is greater than that of the EASM in the study area. The abnormal correspondence between the δ¹³C and solar activity reconstructed from ¹⁰Be and ¹⁴C records in GRIP ice‐core occurred from 1500–800 and particularly from 4200–4000 cal. a BP, suggesting that these two cool and dry intervals may be caused by stronger volcanic activities that are recorded in the GISP2 and Dome C ice‐cores. This study reveals that changes in solar insolation and solar activity, as well as changes in oceanic–atmospheric circulation (e.g. the ENSO intensity) and intensive volcano eruptions may have exerted influence on late Holocene climate variability in the study area.     

50 Myr recovery from the largest negative δ13C excursion in the Ediacaran ocean

Sedimentary rocks deposited during the Ediacaran period (～630–542 Ma) contain carbonates whose carbon isotopic ratios show a marked negative excursion consisting of a precipitous drop from +5‰ to ?12‰, followed by a sub‐linear recovery to positive δ¹³C values. Isotopic ages (U/Pb) and thermal subsidence modelling are combined to constrain the excursion in time and indicate an onset at ～600 Ma, and duration of recovery of approximately 50 Myr. The excursion is widely recognized in Oman and has potential correlatives in Ediacaran strata elsewhere, and may thus represent a characteristic feature of the Ediacaran period. The amplitude of this carbon isotope excursion far exceeds those of other Neoproterozoic anomalies. The isotopic trend of negative excursion and long‐term recovery spanned at least one short‐lived glacial episode (at 580 Ma), but appears unrelated to glaciation, which indicates that negative anomalies in the Neoproterozoic marine carbon isotope record are not directly or uniquely linked to ice ages.     

Possible reasons for the δ13C anomaly of Lower Proterozoic sedimentary carbonates

Detailed isotopic study (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O) of Lower Proterozoic sedimentary carbonates from biostratigraphically dated successions in Karelia (Russia) revealed a large positive δ¹³C anomaly (average δ¹³C-value constitutes approximately +10‰ PDB) at 2.3 Byr ago and a huge drop of δ¹³C-values in the subsequent ‘black shale period’(2.2 Byr ago). These data are interpreted to be a result of large-scale changes in the oxygen content of the atmosphere. According to this model the positive carbon isotopic anomaly of sedimentary carbonates at about 2.3 Byr ago reflects a very high O₂-content of the atmosphere at this time; the subsequent drop in δ¹³C-values equates with a sharp decrease of the O₂-content of the atmosphere.     

Lower Triassic δC isotope curve from shallow-marine carbonates in Japan, Panthalassa realm: Confirmation of the Tethys δC curve

δ¹³C data from Tethyan sections provide evidence of profound changes in the carbon cycle during the Lower Triassic. Sections from the Panthalassa realm were investigated to establish whether these variations are also present there. In the Jurassic accretionary wedges in Japan, exotic blocks having a Panthalassan affinity, have been incorporated. The majority of the blocks are pelagic cherts but rare shallow-water carbonates are also present. We present a δ¹³C study on the Lower Triassic of a shallow-water carbonate succession deposited on a mid-oceanic seamount and accreted to the Chichibu Belt, Japan. Two sections have been measured at Kamura, central Kyushu Island. The carbon isotope curve shows depleted values across the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB), subsequently followed by an increase to heavier values into the Dienerian, culminating in a maximum of almost +4‰ V-PDB, before a steep drop at a stratigraphic gap. Low values are recorded in the Smithian, but rise to enriched δ¹³C values > +3.5‰ near the Smithian–Spathian boundary. The observed trend of the stable carbon isotope curve from Japanese sediments mirrors the curves derived from sections in the Tethys (e.g. Italy, Iran, Turkey, Oman and the South China Nanpanjing Basin). Our results support the interpretation of this curve as representing a global trend across the PTB and in the Lower Triassic, although some distinct features are absent around the Dienerian/Smithian boundary. Profound variations of the carbon isotope curve in the Lower Triassic are presented for the first time from a marine section outside of the Tethys. They indicate severe, global changes in the Lower Triassic carbon cycle, and the causative processes must have significantly contributed to the delayed biotic recovery after the PTB. Large amounts of carbon were shifted between carbon reservoirs, most probably between shallow- and deep-ocean waters, and/or ocean and sediment. Anoxia followed by overturn of the ocean water masses may have been the mechanism which quickly altered ecological conditions in the ocean leading to variable availability of nutrients and oxygen, and changes in isotope composition of the available carbon in the surface waters that was incorporated in the precipitated carbonate.     

The palaeoenvironmental significance of δ13C of stalagmite BW‐1 from Beijing,China during Younger Dryas intervals inferred from the grey level profile

High‐resolution records of carbon isotope composition and grey level were analysed from a stalagmite, BW‐1, from Beijing, China, deposited between c. 14 and 10.5 ka BP, the δ¹⁸O profile of which has been used to discuss the timing and structure of the Younger Dryas (YD) event in north China. The high grey level and low δ¹³C match the milk‐white coloured locations on the polished stalagmite surface and coincide with enhanced luminescent bands within which the concentration of both impurities and the total organic carbon (TOC) are high. Additionally, the fluorescence of speleothems was derived from organic acids that have been flushed onto the stalagmite surface along with impurities from the overlying soil by heavy summer rain and co‐precipitated with the speleothem calcite. Thus, predominantly low δ¹³C and high grey level values indicate increased summer precipitation that supports abundant vegetation and robust biological productivity. Consequently, three distinct time intervals are defined by the palaeoenvironmental conditions expressed in the δ¹³C and grey level records of stalagmite BW‐1: (i) a warm‐humid stage (Pre‐YD, 13.97 to 12.85 ka BP, including a hiatus from 12.99 to 13.21 ka BP reported before); (ii) a cool‐arid stage (YD, 12.85 to 11.56 ka BP); and (iii) a warm‐humid stage (Post‐YD, 11.56 to 10.39 ka BP). The inferences based on our research are generally consistent with other regional vegetation and climatic records.     

The Origin of Paleokarst in the Huanglong Formation of the Eastern Sichuan Basin: Evidence from δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr

Karst rocks from the Huanglong Formation exposed at the margin of the Eastern Sichuan Basin can be divided into four types:slightly corroded, moderately corroded porous, intensely corroded brecciated and intensely corroded and replaced secondary calcic karstic rocks. The carbon, oxygen and strontium isotope compositions of the various karst rocks are analyzed systematically and compared to rocks without karst corrosion. The results indicate that(1) the Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was a restricted bay supplied and controlled by freshwater in which mudmicrite and mud-dolomicrite exhibit low δ13C and δ18O values and high 87Sr/86 Sr ratios;(2) all types of karstic rocks in the paleokarst reservoirs of the Huanglong Formation in the research area are affected by atmospheric freshwater with the δ13C and δ18O values and 87Sr/86 Sr ratios in the original formation approaching those of atmospheric freshwater, which reflects ancient hydrological conditions, fluid properties, isotopic source and the fractionation effect;(3) the intensely corroded and replaced secondary limestone is affected by a variety of diagenetic fluids, often reflected by δ13C and δ18O values, while the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios exhibit the strong degree of the corrosion;(4) after comparing the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios of each type of karst rock, the diagenetic fluids are determined to be mainly atmospheric freshwater, and depending on the strength of corrosion, and the low 87Sr/86 Sr ratio fluids in the layer will participate in the karst process. The carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes of different karstic reservoirs can provide meaningful geochemical information for forecasting and evaluating the development and distribution rules of the Huanglong Formation at the margin of the eastern Sichuan Basin in time and space.     

δ18O and δ13C in fossil shells of Radix sp. from the sediment succession of a dammed palaeo‐lake in the Yarlung Tsangpo valley,Tibet, China

A series of confirmed and suspected dammed palaeo‐lake sedimentary successions is scattered within the middle Yarlung Tsangpo valley in Tibet. However, the chronology, the genesis of the dam and its location, the water level of the dammed lake, the process of dam failure and the spatiotemporal relationships between the sedimentary successions remain controversial. Here, we focus on one sedimentary succession of the suspected dammed palaeo‐lake at Xigazê. We measured the grain‐size distribution, magnetic susceptibility, organic and inorganic carbon content, and δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N_total ratios of the sediments. In addition, we measured the δ¹⁸O_shell and δ¹³C_shell values of modern and fossil Radix sp. shells, and the δ¹⁸O_water and δ¹³C_DIC values of the ambient water with different hydrological regimes. The results indicate that the δ¹⁸O_shell values of modern Radix sp. and the δ¹⁸O_water of the ambient water body significantly depend on its hydrological status. In addition, a strong positive relationship was observed between δ¹⁸O_shell values of modern Radix sp. shells and the δ¹⁸O_water of the ambient water on the Tibetan Plateau. According to this correlation, the δ¹⁸O_water values of the palaeo‐water body are reconstructed using the δ¹⁸O_shell values of Radix sp. fossil shells in the Xigazê section. Further, based on the δ¹⁸O_shell values of fossil Radix sp., the reconstructed δ¹⁸O_water of the palaeo‐water body and the specific habitats of Radix sp., we infer that the sedimentary succession in the Xigazê broad valley was mainly formed within the backwater terminal zone of a dammed palaeo‐lake and that the elevation of the water level of the lake was approximately 3811 m a.s.l. AMS ¹⁴C dating indicates that the deposits of the dammed palaeo‐lake were formed at about 33–22 cal. ka BP. Finally, the presence of Radix sp. fossil shells within the Xigazê section suggests that Radix sp. survived the late Last Glacial Period on the Tibetan Plateau.     

The Paleoceanography during the Time with High δ13C of Phanerozoic marine carbonates

Carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonates is a record for various important geological events in the process of earth development and evolution. The carbonates of Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic, as the transition from Paleozoic to Mesozoic-Cenozoic have very high ¹³C value. Taking this as the main point, and combined with the oxygen, strontium isotopic composition in carbonates, distribution of carbonate basin area through geologic time, the correlation of carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonates to sea level change, organic carbon burial flux, exchange of CO₂ content in atmosphere and ocean, and long cycle evolution of the earth ecosystems were approached. The results are shown as follows: ①The interval of ¹³C >3‰ during Phanerozoic was concentrated in Carboniferous, Permian and the beginning of Triassic, but the beginning of Triassic was characterized by higher frequency and larger fluctuations in ¹³C value during a short time, whereas the Carboniferous-Permian presented a continuously stable high ¹³C value, indicating a larger amount of organic carbon accumulation in this time interval. Relatively high ¹⁸O values during this time was also observed, showing a long time of glaciations and cold climate, which suggest a connection among rapid organic carbon burial, cold climate, as well as pCO₂ and pO₂ states of atmosphere. ②The over consumption of atmosphere CO₂ by green plants during the time with high ¹³C of seawater forced CO₂ being transferred from ocean to atmosphere for the balance, but the decrease in the seawater amount and water column pressure caused by the global cooling could weaken dissolution capacity of CO₂ in seawater and carbon storage of marine carbonates, and also reduce the carbonate sedimentary rate and decrease the carbonate basin area globally from Devonian to Carboniferous and Permian. During the middle-late Permian carbonate was widely replaced by siliceous sediments even though in shallow carbonate platform, which resulted in the decrease of marine invertebrates, suggesting the Permian chert event should be global. ③The Phanerozoic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr trend of seawater showed a sharp fall in Permian and drop to a minimum at the end of the Permian, indicting input of strontium from the submarine hydrothermal systems (mantle flux). Such process should accompany with a supplement of CO₂ from deep earth to atmosphere and ocean system, but the process associated with widespread volcanism and rises of earth’s surface temperature pricked up the mass extinction during the time of end Permian. ④Cold climate and increase of continental icecap volume, the amalgamation of northern Africa and Laurentia continentals were the main reasons responsible for the sea level drop, but the water consumption result from the significantly increased accumulation of organic carbon should also be one of the reasons for the sea level drop on the order of tens of meters. ⑤The mass extinction at the end Permian was an inevitable event in the process of earth system adjustment. It was difficult for marine invertebrates to survive because of the continuously rapid burial of organic carbon, and of the decrease of sea water amount and its dissolution ability to CO₂. At last, at the end of Paleozoic, the supplement of CO₂ to atmosphere and ocean by widely magma activities resulted in a high temperature of earth surface and intensified mass extinction.     

δ13C signature of early graphite and subsequently formed microdiamond from the Saxonian Erzgebirge,Germany

Microdiamond and graphite occur in quartzofeldspathic rocks (saidenbachites) of the central Erzgebirge in Saxony. Zircon from such rocks contains not only relatively high but also variable amounts of early formed graphite and later crystallized diamond, however no carbonate. Six purified zircon concentrates were analysed by mass spectrometry for δ₁₃C(PDB) values which were between −24 and −33‰. The carbon inclusions resulted in C contents of the concentrates as high as 0.5 wt%. It is hypothesized that the observed δ₁₃C signature results from organic material in the sedimentary protoliths of the saidenbachites probably deposited not earlier than Mid‐Devonian. This material was transformed to graphite during early metamorphism and subsequently to diamond after an anatectic event at great depths (>150 km). During these processes, the δ₁₃C signature of the carbon did not (significantly) change.     

The complex diagenetic history of discontinuities in shallow‐marine carbonate rocks: New insights from high‐resolution ion microprobe investigation of δ18O and δ13C of early cements

Sedimentary gaps are a major obstacle in the reconstruction of a carbonate platform's history. In order to improve the understanding of the early diagenesis and the succession of events occurring during the formation of discontinuity surfaces in limestones, secondary ion mass spectrometry was used for the first time to measure the δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C signatures of 11 early cement and fabric stages in several discontinuity surfaces from the Jurassic carbonate platform of the Paris Basin, France. Pendant cements show a high variability in δ ¹⁸O, which was impossible to detect by the less precise microdrilling method. The morphology of a given cement can be produced in various environments, and dogtooth cements especially can precipitate in marine phreatic and meteoric phreatic to vadose environments. Marine dogtooth cements and micritic microbially induced fabrics precipitated directly as low‐magnesium calcite in marine waters, as attested to by the preservation of their initial δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C signals. Five discontinuity types are recognized based on high‐resolution geochemical analyses, and their palaeoenvironmental history can be reconstructed. Two exposure surfaces with non‐ferroan pendant or meniscus cements formed in the oxidizing vadose zone. A hardground displays marine fibrous cements and non‐ferroan dogtooth cements that formed in a subtidal environment in oxidizing water. Two composite surfaces have undergone both marine and subaerial lithification. Composite surface 1 displays non‐luminescent ferroan dogtooth cements that precipitated in reduced conditions in seawater, followed by brown‐luminescent dogtooth cements characteristic of a meteoric phreatic environment. Composite surface 2 exhibits microbially induced fabrics that formed in marine water with abundant organic matter. The latter discontinuity, initially formed in a subtidal environment, was subsequently exposed to meteoric conditions, as evidenced by ferroan geopetal cements. A high‐resolution ion microprobe study is essential to precisely document the successive diagenetic environments that have affected carbonate rocks and discontinuities with a polygenic and intricate history.     

Foraminiferal and δ13C isotopic event‐stratigraphy across the Danian–Selandian transition at Zumaya (northern Spain): chronostratigraphic implications

The Zumaya section, northern Spain, is a suitable candidate to define the Global Stratotype Section and Point for the base of the Selandian Stage (Palaeocene) because of its excellent accessibility, exposure and stratigraphic continuity. Uncertainties exist, however, with regard to the stratigraphic horizon where to place the Danian/Selandian (D/S) boundary. Five potential stratigraphic horizons (HDS1 to HDS5) to define the D/S boundary have been identified at Zumaya, based on integrated stratigraphic studies that include quantitative planktic and benthic foraminiferal results, as well as δ¹³C isotopic and lithological data. Two of these horizons (HDS2 and HDS4) placed in Zone C26r appear to have particularly good potential for serving as the D/S boundary marker, because they may represent significant global palaeoceanographic, palaeoclimatic and eustatic events.     

Change of Organic δ13C in Ornithogenic Sediments of the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea and its Implication for Ecological Development

Organic carbon isotopes in sediments have been frequently used to identify the source of organic matter.Here we present a study of organic δ~(13)C on two sediment profiles influenced by guano from Guangjin and Jinqing islands in the Xisha Archipelago,South China Sea.Organic matter from ornithogenic coral sand sediments has two main sources,guano pellets and plant residues,and their organic δ~(13)C(δ~(13)C_(OM)) are significantly different.Organic carbon δ~(13)C_(guano) is much higher thanδ~(13)C_(plants),and δ~(13)C_(OM)of bulk samples is intermediate.Based on a two-end-member mixing model,the proportions of guano-and plant-derived organic matter in the bulk samples were reconstructed quantitatively.The results showed that seabirds began to inhabit the islands around approximately1200-1400 AD,and that guano pellets have been an important source of soil organic matter since then.With the accumulation of guano-derived nutrients,plants began to develop prosperously on the islands in the last 200 years,which is reflected by the significant increase of plant-derived organic matter in the upper sediment layer.However,guano-derived organic matter decreased greatly in recent decades,indicating a rapid decrease in seabird population.Our results show that organic δ~(13)C can be effectively used to quantitatively determine different source contributions of OM to bulk ornithogenic coral sand sediments.     

Paleoclimate reconstruction derived from speleothem strontium and δC in Central Florida

Variability of strontium and carbon isotopes are reported from a speleothem from Central Florida, USA. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry of uranium–thorium isotopes indicate the speleothem was precipitated during the last 4000 years. Sr concentrations are negatively correlated with δ¹³C, a relationship inferred to record changes in soil productivity. Coeval changes in the Sr content and δ¹³C signals, as induced by soil productivity, are explained by changing precipitation above the cave. Both proxies record a 170–180-year solar cycle that has also been found in the Gulf of Mexico marine records and elsewhere. Consequently, this result provides evidence of an extraterrestrially driven modulator of precipitation in Central Florida.     

Research Status and Advance in Carbon Isotope (δ13C) Variation from Stalagmite

The application of carbon isotope (δ¹³C) collected from stalagmite to reconstruct the past climate and/or ecologic evolution, relative to other preserved indicators, is much limited due to its complex influencing factors including climate outside cave and complicated and site-specific karstic process. In terms of various climate and non-climate limiting factors on stalagmite δ¹³C, and combined with a large number of geological records and modern cave monitoring data of the latest researches, the pathway and behavior of the signal transmission of δ¹³C in the cave system were analyzed. The possible relationship between δ¹³C excursions and climate oscillations under different time scales was thus discussed. Although the degree of noise becomes increasing mixed with δ¹³C on centennial scales or shorter, the climatic elements, such as temperature and humidity (or precipitation), as predominant modulators exert directly or indirectly influence on vegetation overlying the soil and associated soil CO₂ productivity on millennial-orbital scales. Future work should be focused on further deeply extracting the common δ¹³C signals from specific caves by exploring the controlling factors, both including climatic and non-climatic ones, attaching importance to the seasonal characteristics of stalagmite δ¹³C, and taking full advantage of its potential in the indication of local environmental events. The use of multi-proxy and multi-method will contribute to better understanding the interesting linkages among the δ¹³C characteristics, karstic process, global carbon cycle and associated climate change.     

Climatic and non-climatic effects on the δO and δC compositions of Lake Awassa, Ethiopia, during the last 6.5 ka

A comparison of a 6450 ¹⁴C yr δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C record of authigenic calcite from Lake Awassa, Ethiopia, with other proxy climate records in the area suggests that the lake records long-term regional climate changes. Co-varying and increasing δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values from 4800 BP suggest an aridification of climate after the early Holocene insolation maximum. After 4000 BP, humid conditions return until after 2800 BP when δ¹⁸O increases again, reflecting more arid conditions recorded elsewhere in Ethiopia. In addition to these long-term changes, there are abrupt decreases in both δ¹⁸O_calcite and δ¹³C_calcite immediately after tephra layers. The likeliest explanation for these abrupt decreases in isotopes is the effect of tephra on the lake's catchment vegetation. δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C and lake-level measurements from Lake Awassa since the 1970s suggest that the lake is currently isotopically sensitive to short-term (annual–decadal) climate change. However, during this period, the catchment has undergone progressive deforestation that may have caused an increase in runoff. Caution is therefore required when reconstructing palaeoclimates as a contemporary lake may not always be a good analogue for lake hydrology in the past.