δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies

 
 
 
 

δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies

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Title: δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies
Author: Miller, Brett Alan
Description: Calcium carbonate δ13C values of actively growing/actively dripping speleothems have been evaluated for comparison to the range predicted for modern vegetation. Some geochemical models suggest that speleothem calcium carbonate δ13C values from caves under C3 surface vegetation should exhibit δ13C values predicted for C3 vegetation; however, several field studies have shown that this relationship is unreliable. In this research, δ13C values were measured on speleothem, soil and bedrock samples in various caves in Ohio and Kentucky. These caves include: Crooked Creek Ice Cave, Floyd Mullins Cave, Great Salt Peter Cave, Hard Baker Cave, and Pine Hill Cave located in Rockcastle Co., KY; Seneca Caverns and Perry's Cave in Seneca and Erie Counties, Ohio respectively. Soil organic matter δ13C values closely matched the range for C3 vegetation with a couple of samples demonstrating slight enrichment. Speleothem δ13C values were not consistent with the published predicted values. The modern speleothems collected at the various caves indicate a large d13C variability ranging from -11.34per mille to -2.96per mille vs. PDB. The variation in speleothem δ13C values were at least 20% to as great as 80% depending on which predicted values were used. The process most responsible for the differences between measured and predicted δ13C values remains unclear. At one sample location, enriched values relative to that predicted for C3 vegetation may be attributed to C4 vegetation. Enrichment due to kinetic fractionation during calcium carbonate precipitation, and prior degassing are possible sources at the other locations. In this study, speleothem calcium carbonate δ13C analysis alone does not reliably reflect the modern surface vegetation because of the other processes affecting the 13C in speleothem calcium carbonate.
Permanent Link: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1205450304
http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/15672
Date: 2008

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