Oxygen and carbon stable isotopes of modern land snail shells as environmental indicators from a low-latitude oceanic island

Land snails provide a unique opportunity to study terrestrial paleoenvironments because their shells, which are generally highly abundant and well-preserved in the fossil record, contain a temporal record of environmental change in the form of isotope codes. To evaluate the utility of this approach for a low-latitude oceanic setting, 207 modern shells of 18 species of land snail were analyzed for their oxygen and carbon isotope composition along a north and south facing altitudinal gradient (10-2160 m a.s.l.) in Tenerife Island (∼28°N) of the Canary Archipelago.Shells collected at each locality showed a relatively large range in isotope composition which was greater along the south facing transect (drier and hotter), suggesting that the variance in shell isotope values may be related to water-stress. Although pooled isotope values did not generally show strong relationships with environmental variables (i.e., altitude, temperature and precipitation), mean isotope values were strongly associated with some climatic factors when grouped by site. The mean δ¹⁸O value of the shell (δ¹⁸O_shell) by site displayed a negative correlation with elevation, which is consistent with the positive relationship observed between temperature and the δ¹⁸O value of rain (δ¹⁸O_rain). Calculated δ¹⁸O values of the snail body water (δ¹⁸O_body) derived from observed temperatures and δ¹⁸O_shell values (using the equation of Grossman and Ku [Grossman E. L. and Ku T. L. (1986) Oxygen and carbon isotope fractionation in biogenic aragonite. Chem. Geol. (Isotope Geosci. Sec.)59, 59-74]) displayed a trend with respect to altitude that was similar to measured and hypothetical δ¹⁸O values for local rain water. The calculated δ¹⁸O_body values from the shell declined 0.17‰ (VSMOW) per 100 m, which is consistent with the “altitude effect” observed for tropical rains in Western Africa, and it correlated negatively with rainfall amount. Accordingly, lower δ¹⁸O_shell values indicate lower temperatures, lower δ¹⁸O_rain values and possibly, higher rainfall totals. A positive correlation between the mean δ¹³C values of shells (δ¹³C_shell) and plants by site suggests that shells potentially record information about the surrounding vegetation. The δ¹³C_shell values varied between −15.7 and −0.6‰ (VPDB), indicating that snails consumed C₃ and C₄/CAM plants, where more negative δ¹³C_shell values probably reflects the preferential consumption of C₃ plants which are favored under wetter conditions. Individuals with more positive δ¹³C_shell values consumed a larger percentage of C₄ plants (other potential factors such as carbonate ingestion or atmospheric CO₂ contribution were unlikely) that were more common at lower elevations of the hotter and drier south facing transect. The relatively wide range of shell isotope values within a single site requires the analysis of numerous shells for meaningful paleoclimatic studies. Although small differences were observed in isotope composition among snail species collected at a single sampling site, they were not significant, suggesting that isotope signatures extracted from multi-taxa snail data sets may be used to infer environmental conditions over a broad range of habitats.     

陆生蜗牛壳体碳氧同位素组成与气候

陆生蜗牛响应气候环境变化敏感,其壳体化石碳氧同位素组成（δ¹³C和δ¹⁸O）具有重建古生态和古大气水文条件的巨大潜力。然而目前针对中国黄土古土壤沉积序列中蜗牛化石碳氧同位素组成开展的古环境古气候重建研究却仍然不足,根源在于对蜗牛壳体δ¹³C和δ¹⁸O指标气候意义的认识仍不明确。文章从现代过程研究着手,综述了目前有关蜗牛壳体δ¹³C和δ¹⁸O气候环境意义的研究进展,并指出各自指标存在受控因子的复杂性和多解性等问题。通过总结这些研究认为：陆生蜗牛壳体δ¹³C值主要通过反映植物（尤其C₃）δ¹³C值变化来进一步响应当地降水量变化,进而指示环境的干湿程度,但同时需要考虑环境碳酸盐、大气CO₂等额外因子对壳体δ¹³C的影响;壳体δ¹⁸O值可以在较大程度上反映大气降水δ¹⁸O值变化,但同时需要考虑蒸发作用和温度等因素对壳体δ¹⁸O的影响;壳体δ¹³C和δ¹⁸O在作为气候指标时常受区域和蜗牛种属等因素影响。此外,还介绍了目前中国北方黄土地层中蜗牛壳体化石稳定同位素组成重建季风变化的研究进展和近十年来有关蜗牛壳体团簇同位素新方法的研究进展。最后,论文针对壳体δ¹³C和δ¹⁸O指标存在的问题提出可能的解决办法,并对以后蜗牛碳氧同位素古环境研究方向进行展望。

     

陆生蜗牛壳体碳酸盐团簇同位素组成及其古气候意义

碳酸盐团簇同位素是国际上新近开发的地质温度计,可以精确重建过去的温度变化。蜗牛壳体化石是研究古气候的理想载体,其种属组合和碳、氧同位素组成分析提供了丰富的气候环境信息。在此基础上,蜗牛壳体团簇同位素分析势必会为古温度定量重建提供强有力手段。然而,相关研究却开展得较少,值得我们投入更多的精力去推动该领域的发展。本研究首先介绍了碳酸盐团簇同位素及其制备和分析方法,以便古气候研究者对新兴研究手段有所了解。然后,对蜗牛壳体团簇同位素的研究历史与现状进行了梳理,指出了研究中尚存的不解问题,并对未来的研究进行了展望。总之,尽管野外采集蜗牛的团簇同位素温度系统地高于生长季温度,但二者之间存在较好的线性关系,所以蜗牛壳体团簇同位素可以用来重建蜗牛生长季节的环境温度。然而,在相同地点蜗牛壳体团簇同位素存在种属差异（如华蜗牛团簇同位素温度比巴蜗牛高3℃左右）,所以精确重建古温度需要建立属一级蜗牛壳体团簇同位素-温度转换方程。同时,通过团簇同位素温度和蜗牛壳体δ¹⁸O计算出的蜗牛体液δ¹⁸O可以反映降水的氧同位素信息,是研究古水文循环的重要指标。黄土地层中蜗牛壳体化石团簇同位素研究显示我国北方末次冰期的夏季温度要比现代低7~10℃左右。虽然该温度变幅有待进一步研究确证,但它们至少为冰期-间冰期温度变化提供了独立证据和有用参考。鉴于显口多点螺（Punctum orphana）化石在黄土地层中连续赋存且最可能被广泛用于古温度重建研究,我们未来可优先建立该种属蜗牛的团簇同位素-温度转换方程。

     

团簇同位素的基本原理与地质应用*

团簇同位素指的是含有2个及2个以上的重同位素结合在一起形成的同位素体。团簇同位素的数值定义为同位素体的相对丰度偏离随机分布状态的程度。测量该相对丰度较低的同位素体需要高精度的质谱仪,难点在于利用同位素组成已知的参考气体和不同同位素组成的加热气体,以获得绝对参考体系下的数值。团簇同位素体的相对丰度非常低,但是具有非常独特的物理和化学性质。比如碳酸盐矿物中¹³C¹⁸O¹⁶O的丰度对温度具有敏感性,而与矿物的全岩同位素以及矿物形成时期的流体性质无关,因此可以利用测量的碳酸盐团簇同位素来获得矿物的生长温度,再利用矿物的氧同位素(δ¹⁸O),根据传统的氧同位素温度计原理,可以进一步获得矿物的生长流体(水)的氧同位素。目前,团簇同位素温度计已经在古气候(温度)重建、古高度恢复、碳酸盐岩的成岩作用以及甲烷的成因分析等方面得到了广泛应用。评估深埋高温过程引起的C-O化学键重置对碳酸盐团簇同位素的影响、测试仪器产生对团簇同位素的非线性误差校正、以及其他丰度更低的团簇同位素体或大分子的团簇同位素的测量,是下一步的研究方向。     

Flux balance models for the oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of land snail shells

A simple flux balance model with a diffusive, evaporative boundary layer indicates that the time constant (characteristic time) for approach to oxygen isotope steady state in the body fluid of land snails is ∼19 min or less. These comparatively short times support an assumption that the snail’s aragonitic shell is commonly precipitated from a body fluid that is at, or near, isotopic steady state. The model indicates that the steady-state δ¹⁸O value of snail shell carbonate depends upon the temperature, relative humidity, δ¹⁸O of the input liquid water, and δ¹⁸O of ambient water vapor. Model shell δ¹⁸O values were calculated for the warm, wet months corresponding to times of snail activity at some European sites. Linear regression of these predicted values against published, measured values yielded the expression: δ¹⁸O_calc = 0.93(±0.13) δ¹⁸O_meas −0.9(±0.2), with r² = 0.65. As indicated by the value of r², there is scatter in the relationship, but the slope and intercept are close to one and zero, respectively, which lends credence to the model. Therefore, temporal or spatial changes recorded in the δ¹⁸O values of land snail shells appear to be selectively seasonal—commonly the warm, wet months—and include the effects of relative humidity.For carbon, the time constant for approach to isotopic steady state in the bicarbonate dissolved in the body fluid of land snails is predicted to be ∼16 min or less. New and published δ¹³C measurements of aragonite shell and associated organic matter exhibit an overall correlation, but with considerable scatter. As noted by previous workers, ¹³C-rich dietary “limestone” may account for some of the scatter. Additional scatter, according to the model presented herein, could arise from changes in the proportion of total oxidized carbon that is expelled by the snail as bicarbonate dissolved in body fluid (i.e., effects of relative changes in metabolic rates). These results affirm the need for caution in the interpretation of δ¹³C values of land snail aragonite shells solely in terms of dietary proportions of C₃ and C₄ plants.     

Chronostratigraphic studies of sediments in the Negev desert, using amino acid epimerization analysis of land snail shells

The chronostratigraphy of mostly Holocene sediments in the Northern Negev desert of Israel was studied through amino acid epimerization analysis (alloisoleucine/isoleucine ratio, A/I) of individual land snail shells and ¹⁴C analysis of bulk samples of land snail shells contained within the sediments. Analysis of 31 deposits shows a very strong correlation between A/I and ¹⁴C age. A/I analyses indicate that age mixtures occur within all colluvial and in some fluvial deposits. Consequently, radiocarbon dates of bulk samples, which give an average age, overestimate the time of deposition. Sedimentation rates were generally rapid in both fluvial and colluvial deposits. Colluviation shows a maximum in the early Holocene and decreases progressively thereafter, in accordance with the change in average rainfall. Accumulation of fluvial sediments shows a distinct mid-Holocene maximum and apparently relates to the interaction between variation in rainfall, extent of bedrock exposure, and vegetation density. Late Holocene fluvial deposition may relate to agricultural activity. The understanding of the chronology of sedimentation is dependent on an integrated approach employing amino acid epimerization analysis to study age variation within a layer and ¹⁴C analyses for establishment of an absolute chronology.     

Assessment of integrity and geochronology of archaeological sites using amino acid racemization in land snail shells: Examples from central Texas

Detailed racemization analyses were carried out on samples of the land snail Rabdotus mooreanus from archaeological sites at Fort Hood, in central Texas. D -alloisoleucine/L -isoleucine (A/I) values were determined for 260 individual shells from 29 proveniences, including sites in alluvium, colluvium, and rockshelters, as well as burned rock middens. A/I values show a good correlation with radiocarbon age, and so provide reasonably precise estimates of ages. Analyses indicate the presence of redeposited material in a large number of proveniences. These result from sedimentary processes involved in burial of the sites as well as from later disturbance (aboriginal or recent) of site stratigraphy. Because amino acid racemization analyses are relatively easy to carry out, this method lends itself to very detailed chronostratigraphic analyses of archaeological sites, thus permitting assessment of site integrity and assisting in the interpretation of site formation processes. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pleistocene–Holocene environmental change in the Canary Archipelago as inferred from the stable isotope composition of land snail shells

The isotopic composition of land snail shells was analyzed to investigate environmental changes in the eastern Canary Islands (28–29°N) over the last ~ 50 ka. Shell δ¹³C values range from −8.9‰ to 3.8‰. At various times during the glacial interval (~ 15 to ~ 50 ka), moving average shell δ¹³C values were 3‰ higher than today, suggesting a larger proportion of C₄ plants at those periods. Shell δ¹⁸O values range from −1.9‰ to 4.5‰, with moving average δ¹⁸O values exhibiting a noisy but long-term increase from 0.1‰ at ~ 50 ka to 1.6–1.8‰ during the LGM (~ 15–22 ka). Subsequently, the moving average δ¹⁸O values range from 0.0‰ at ~ 12 ka to 0.9‰ at present. Calculations using a published snail flux balance model for δ¹⁸O, constrained by regional temperatures and ocean δ¹⁸O values, suggest that relative humidity at the times of snail activity fluctuated but exhibited a long-term decline over the last ~ 50 ka, eventually resulting in the current semiarid conditions of the eastern Canary Islands (consistent with the aridification process in the nearby Sahara). Thus, low-latitude oceanic island land snail shells may be isotopic archives of glacial to interglacial and tropical/subtropical environmental change.     

碳酸盐岩团簇同位素约束下的川东地区二叠系热演化

有效古温标的缺乏制约了碳酸盐岩层系热史的研究,团簇同位素作为一种新兴古温标,对碳酸盐岩层系热史重建具有重要意义。四川盆地二叠系是天然气勘探开发的重点层系,本文通过对川东地区二叠系碳酸盐岩样品进行团簇同位素测试,联合镜质组反射率重建了二叠纪以来的热史,在此基础上明确了二叠系烃源岩的热演化,并讨论了峨眉山地幔柱对川东热体制的影响。川东地区碳酸盐岩的团簇同位素温度在101. 7~178. 7℃,利用交换/扩散模型进行热史模拟认为：川东地区晚白垩世古温度最高,最高古温度在213~225℃,古地温梯度在23~33 ℃/km;川东地区二叠纪古热流最高,最高古热流约为55~70 mW/m 2,二叠纪之后热流逐渐降低至现今大地热流。烃源岩热演化分析认为：川东地区二叠系烃源岩热演化具有阶段性,热演化受控于构造运动,受印支期运动和燕山 喜马拉雅期运动影响存在两期热演化停滞,晚白垩世达到最高古温度后停止生烃,现今处于生气阶段。川东地区二叠纪热流值和烃源岩热演化主要受到地壳拉张减薄作用的影响,受峨眉山地幔柱的影响较小且具有局限性。     

Geochemical fingerprints of dolomitization in Bahamian carbonates: Evidence from sulphur,calcium, magnesium and clumped isotopes

In an effort to constrain the mechanism of dolomitization in Neogene dolomites in the Bahamas and improve understanding of the use of chemostratigraphic tracers in shallow‐water carbonate sediments the δ³⁴S, Δ₄₇, δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, δ^44/40Ca and δ²⁶Mg values and Sr concentrations have been measured in dolomitized intervals from the Clino core, drilled on the margin of Great Bahama Bank and two other cores (Unda and San Salvador) in the Bahamas. The Unda and San Salvador cores have massively dolomitized intervals that have carbonate associated sulphate δ³⁴S values similar to those found in contemporaneous seawater and δ^44/40Ca, δ²⁶Mg values, Sr contents and Δ₄₇ temperatures (25 to 30°C) indicating relatively shallow dolomitization in a fluid‐buffered system. In contrast, dolomitized intervals in the Clino core have elevated values of carbonate associated sulphate δ³⁴S values indicating dolomitization in a more sediment‐buffered diagenetic system where bacterial sulphate reduction enriches the residual in ³⁴S, consistent with high sediment Sr concentrations and low δ^44/40Ca and high δ²⁶Mg values. Only dolomites associated with hardgrounds in the Clino core have carbonate associated δ³⁴S values similar to seawater, indicating continuous flushing of the upper layers of the sediment by seawater during sedimentary hiatuses. This interpretation is supported by changes to more positive δ^44/40Ca values at hardground surfaces. All dolomites, whether they formed in an open fluid‐buffered or closed sediment‐buffered diagenetic system have similar δ²⁶Mg values suggesting that the HMC transformed to dolomite. The clumped isotope derived temperatures in the dolomitized intervals in Clino yield temperatures that are higher than normal, possibly indicating a kinetic isotope effect on dolomite Δ₄₇ values associated with carbonate formation through bacterial sulphate reduction. The findings of this study highlight the utility of applying multiple geochemical proxies to disentangle the diagenetic history of shallow‐water carbonate sediments and caution against simple interpretations of stratigraphic variability in these geochemical proxies as indicating changes in the global geochemical cycling of these elements in seawater.     

Oxygen and carbon isotope measurements of land snail shell carbonate

δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O analyses have been performed on the aragonite shells of a variety of modern land snails from a number of different geographic and climatic locales. The δ¹⁸O values of the waters assumed to be in isotopic equilibrium with the shell carbonate were calculated. These calculated δ¹⁸O values are more positive than the δ¹⁸O values of the average meteoric waters in the locales in which the snails lived. The ¹⁸O enrichment appears to be linearly related to the reciprocal of the local relative humidity, which is consistent with the notion that these ambient waters have undergone isotopic steady-state evaporation. Measurements of the δ¹⁸O values of ancient land snail shells from the excavation of Sudden Shelter (42SV6) at Ivie Creek, Utah, suggest that the climate at this site was probably warmer and/or drier around 7100–7800 BP than at present.     

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic variations in modern Rabdotus land snail shells in the southern Great Plains, USA, and their relation to environment

Variations of stable isotopic ratios of carbon (¹³C/¹²C) and oxygen (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) were investigated in modern shells of two species of Rabdotus land snails (R. dealbatus and R. alternatus) in the southern Great Plains. Geographic variation in relation to climate and vegetation, microgeographic variation, variability among individuals, and detailed records of seasonal variations within individual shells were studied. Stable carbon isotopic ratios in shell carbonate are primarily a function of the isotopic composition of the diet of the snails, as represented by the isotopic composition of shell organic matter. This in turn reflects the presence or absence of CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) or C₄ plants. Vegetation density may have a small effect on the carbon isotope ratios. Microgeographic variation (samples within 25 to 300 m) is greater than that seen across different climatic regions and points to very local control of isotopic variations, predominantly related to vegetation. Seasonal variations, as assessed through serial analysis of individual shells (up to 35 samples per shell), may provide a means for distinguishing between isotopic influences of perennial CAM vs. annual C₄ plants. Carbon isotopic variations in time-series of shells from a site provide a means of reconstructing temporal changes in environment and climate.Oxygen isotopic values of shell carbonate are uniform across the region and also show no significant microgeographic variation. The oxygen isotopic composition appears to be mainly a function of the rainwater isotopic composition, with no direct influence of rainfall amount or evaporative effects. The δ¹⁸O values are only 2‰ enriched relative to estimated equilibrium with rainwater. Variability is low (SD of 0.8‰ among sites), so the isotopic composition of fossil Rabdotus shells can provide a precise record of changes in the isotopic composition of rain over time.     

龙门山泥盆纪腕足化石锶同位素组成特征及其古环境意义

生物成因的海相碳酸盐岩中Sr同位素组成与演化是目前研究古海平面变化、造山运动以及古气候变化的主要工具,在海相地层定年及全球等时对比研究中发挥着重要作用。对四川龙门山泥盆纪剖面腕足化石Sr同位素组成进行了研究。保存鉴定结果显示：腕足化石壳体结构保存完整;阴极射线照射下壳体不发光或部分壳体呈微弱橙黄色;大多数壳体微量元素Mn〈250μg／g、Sr〉400μg／g。表明腕足化石保存完好,后期成岩作用影响微弱。锶同位素结果显示：龙门山泥盆纪sr同位素演化同全球泥盆纪Sr同位素演化基本一致,表明龙门山泥盆纪Sr同位素演化受全球性变化影响。早泥盆世较高Sr同位素比值（甘溪组0．708437）可能是受加里东造山运动的影响,大量古陆的出露,风化作用的加强所致。其后的缓慢下降可能受海平面上升古陆面积缩小的影响。中泥盆世Sr同位素组成低值平台显示着幔源Sr和陆源Sr（风化作用较弱）输入量之间的平衡。随后的Sr同位素组成的上升可能是受中泥盆世开始温度上升的影响,致使风化作用的加强所致。     

陆生蜗牛壳体高分辨率的稳定氧同位素记录与季节的干湿变化

季节变化是气候系统的基本特征,然而受研究材料和方法所限,陆相沉积序列中难以获得古气候的季节变化信息。文章选择兰州地区,在旱季和雨季分别采集两个现生条华蜗牛（Cathaica fasciola）,通过沿壳体生长轴高分辨率取样分析,发现兰州地区旱季生长的蜗牛壳体稳定氧同位素组成（δ¹⁸O）整体偏正、雨季生长的壳体显著偏负,单个壳体内部δ¹⁸O的波动幅度捕获了季节干湿变化信号。综合现代观测、黄土高原其他地区记录、通量平衡模式等证据,提出蜗牛壳体δ¹⁸O旱季偏正,主要受蒸发效应和温度影响,蒸发效应可能更为重要;蜗牛壳体δ¹⁸O雨季偏负,主要受降水氧同位素组成和温度影响。蜗牛壳体高分辨率的稳定氧同位素研究在揭示亚洲古季风季节干湿变化方面有巨大应用潜力,系统的现代过程研究是推动该方法进一步发展的关键所在。

     

鄂尔多斯奥陶系碳酸盐岩碳氧同位素特征及其意义*

鄂尔多斯古生代海相地层沉积厚度巨大。鄂尔多斯奥陶系碳酸盐岩的碳氧同位素组成受后期成岩作用影响较小,基本保留了原始海洋的同位素组成： δ¹³C值分布于-7.30‰～2.26‰之间,均值-0.30‰;δ¹⁸O值分布于-13.14‰～-1.94‰之间,均值-6.38‰,碳氧同位素组成与全球基本一致。区域上,鄂尔多斯西缘具有相对较高的δ¹³C值,南缘次之,而东缘最低。纵向上,碳同位素组成逐渐增重,并在中晚奥陶世发生明显的正向偏移,δ¹³C均值由马家沟组的-0.36‰增加到平凉组的0.15‰,至背锅山组增加至0.68‰。碳同位素的区域分布差异表明鄂尔多斯西缘水体相对较深,南缘次之,东缘相对较浅,由早奥陶世至晚奥陶世水体逐渐加深,碳同位素组成反映的海平面变化趋势与沉积相演化一致。鄂尔多斯西南缘中晚奥陶世碳同位素组成的正向偏移,标志着较高的生产力和有机碳埋藏率,具有重要的石油地质学意义,西南缘的平凉组/乌拉力克组和背锅山组是下古生界最重要和有效的烃源岩层。     

植硅石研究在考古及古环境解释中的应用

植硅石研究在我国是近二、三十年才开展起来的一门研究古气候、古环境的新兴的边缘学科，国外开展较早，且广泛地应用于考古及古气候和古环境的解释中。我国虽起步较晚，已在考古学及植物起源、古环境解释中已取得可喜成果。由于我国历史悠久，考古遗址很多，加之幅员辽阔，具各种植被类型的土壤，研究领域广阔，所以我国将在国际植硅石研究中发挥非常重要的作用。     

Stable carbon isotopes in freshwater mussel shells: Environmental record or marker for metabolic activity?

Mussel shells have been used in a number of paleoecological and environmental studies. The interpretation of stable carbon isotopic composition of shell material is still controversial. The carbon for shell carbonate precipitation can either be derived from ambient dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), with shells recording environmental signals, or from metabolic CO₂, with the potential to disguise environmental signals. To gain insight into this question, we investigated four nearly 100-yr long-term records of aragonite shells from an extant freshwater bivalve species, the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.). Single growth increments of the outer prismatic and the inner nacreous zones were successfully and easily separated with a simple heat treatment for chronological analyses of δ¹³C in single layers of each zone. Autocorrelation and semivariance statistical methods reveal that mussels show distinct individual signal patterns, which extend up to 25 yr. Signal patterns are reliably reproduced with replicate samples from defined layers within one shell and show similar patterns with a slight offset for inner nacreous and outer prismatic layers for individual animals. Mussels exposed to the same environmental conditions exhibit distinct and contradictory signature patterns, which do not match between individuals. This observation can only be explained by strong metabolic influences on shell precipitation. Environmental changes in pH, temperature, electric conductivity and atmospheric carbon signature had no or little (<5%) influence, whereas body tissue protein and body tissue δ¹³C signatures negatively correlated with the youngest produced shell δ¹³C signatures, indicating that respiration causes a preferential loss of light isotopes from body mass and an inverse enrichment in shell aragonite. Hence, the shells of the freshwater pearl mussel yield a long-term record of metabolic activity, whereas the use of δ¹³C in these shells as recorder for environmental signals is questionable. This may also be true for shells from other species, for which metabolic carbon incorporation has been acknowledged.     

The Silurian of Gotland (Sweden): facies interpretation based on stable isotopes in brachiopod shells

The Silurian of Gotland, Sweden, consists of 440 m of carbonate deposits. Repeatedly, uniform sequences of micritic limestones and marls are interrupted by complex-structured reefs and by adjacent platform sediments. Generally, the alteration of facies is interpreted as the result of sea-level fluctuations caused by a gradual regression with superimposed minor transgressive pulses. The purpose of this study is a facies interpretation based on both field observations and stable isotope measurements of brachiopod shells. Approximately 700 samples from stratigraphically arranged localities in different facies areas have been investigated. The carbon and oxygen isotopes show principally parallel curves and a close relationship to the stratigraphic sequence. Lower values occur in periods dominated by deposition of marly sequences. Higher values are observed in periods dominated by reefs and extended carbonate platforms. The oxygen isotope ratios are interpreted to reflect paleosalinity changes due to varying freshwater input, rather than to paleotemperature. Carbon isotope ratios are believed to have been connected to global changes in the burial of organic carbon in black shales during periods of euxinic deep water conditions. Consequently, the facies succession on Gotland results from global paleoclimatic conditions. Changes in terrigenous input due to different rates of weathering and freshwater runoff, rather than sea-level fluctuations, control the carbonate formation of the Silurian on Gotland.     

南极科考断面水汽同位素观测与模拟及其反映的水循环信息

大气水汽同位素实时监测为水循环和区域大气环流分析提供了新的定量化方法. 依托雪龙号考察船, 利用水同位素激光光谱仪(PICARRO L1102-i)完成了38° N~69° S海表大气水汽氢氧稳定同位素的观测, 结合表层海水和GNIP降水同位素分析了多相水同位素纬向特征. 结果表明: 水汽、降水和表层海水同位素比率(δ¹⁸O, δD)随纬度呈明显的递变性规律, 赤道最低, 副热带升高, 而在南极大陆外围高纬区域则急剧降低;过量氘(d-excess)变化与此相反, 反映出副热带下沉气流对同位素富集影响以及高纬度极地气团经过洋面时过饱和分馏的剧烈变化. 实测水汽同位素与LMDZ4-iso和ECHAM5-wiso模型对比表明了模拟结果较好, 根据模拟进一步分析了南极内陆Dome A水汽同位素反映的水汽源区. 结果显示, 除了中纬度印度洋海区之外, 中低纬东太平洋海域也是冰盖内陆的重要水汽源区.     

Paleoenvironment of the Folsom archaeological site, New Mexico, USA, approximately 10,500 C yr B.P. as inferred from the stable isotope composition of fossil land snail shells

Well-preserved aragonitic land snail shells (Vallonia) from late Pleistocene Eolian sediment in the Folsom archaeological site in New Mexico exhibit an overall decrease of δ¹⁸O_PDB from maximum values of +2.7‰ (more positive than modern) to younger samples with lower average values of about −3.6‰ (within the modern range). The age of the samples (approximately 10,500 ¹⁴C yr B.P.) suggests that the decrease in δ¹⁸O may manifest climatic changes associated with the Younger Dryas. Some combination of increased relative humidity and cooler temperatures with decreased δ¹⁸O of precipitation during the times of snail activity can explain the decrease in shell δ¹⁸O. A well-known Paleoindian bison kill occurred at the Folsom site during this inferred environmental transition.Average δ¹³C values of the aragonite shells of the fossil Vallonia range from −7.3 to −6.0‰ among different archaeological levels and are not as negative as modern values. This suggests that the proportion of C₄ vegetation at the Folsom site approximately 10,500 ¹⁴C yr B.P. was greater than at present; a result which is consistent with other evidence for higher proportions of C₄ plants in the region at that time.