Journal
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
Volume 194, Issue -, Pages 233-252Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2016.08.039
Keywords
Stalagmite; Tropics; Radiocarbon; Trace elements; Hydroclimate
Categories
Funding
- European Research Council [240167]
- European Union [691037]
- Marie Curie Actions (MSCA) [691037] Funding Source: Marie Curie Actions (MSCA)
- European Research Council (ERC) [240167] Funding Source: European Research Council (ERC)
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Precisely-dated stalagmites are increasingly important archives for the reconstruction of terrestrial paleoclimate at very high temporal resolution. In-depth understanding of local conditions at the cave site and of the processes driving stalagmite deposition is of paramount importance for interpreting proxy signals incorporated in stalagmite carbonate. Here we present a sub-decadally resolved dead carbon fraction (DCF) record for a stalagmite from Yok Balum Cave (southern Belize). The record is coupled to parallel stable carbon isotope (delta C-13) and U/Ca measurements, as well as radiocarbon (C-14) measurements from soils overlying the cave system. Using a karst carbon cycle model we disentangle the importance of soil and karst processes on stalagmite DCF incorporation, revealing a dominant host rock dissolution control on total DCF. Covariation between DCF, delta C-13, and U/Ca indicates that karst processes are a common driver of all three parameters, suggesting possible use of delta C-13 and trace element ratios to independently quantify DCF variability. A statistically significant multi-decadal lag of variable length exists between DCF and reconstructed solar activity, suggesting that solar activity influenced regional precipitation in Mesoamerica over the past 1500 years, but that the relationship was non-static. Although the precise nature of the observed lag is unclear, solar-induced changes in North Atlantic oceanic and atmospheric dynamics may play a role. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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