Journal article
Investigating the hydrological significance of stalagmite geochemistry (Mg, Sr) using Sr isotope and particulate element records across the Late Glacial-to-Holocene transition
R Belli, A Borsato, S Frisia, R Drysdale, R Maas, A Greig
Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2017
Abstract
The trace element and Sr isotope records in two coeval stalagmites characterized by different growth rates and flow regimes at Savi cave (Grotta Savi, NE Italy) reveal different sources and incorporation mechanisms for Mg and Sr. Mg is sourced primarily from dissolved cave host rock while particulate Mg derived from soil plays a subordinate role. The presence of particulate-borne Mg is inferred from the co-variation of Mg and particle-associated elements (Th, Al and Mn) which are preferentially concentrated in open columnar calcite layers. Variation in Mg concentrations corrected for particle-influenced components, the Mgc parameter, is controlled by water–rock interaction, with higher and l..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to F. Corradini (Istituto Agrario S. Michele all'Adige, Italy) for water analyses and F. Cucchi (Universita di Trieste, Italy) for cave access and support during sampling. P. Bence (Melbourne University, Australia) is thanked for LA-ICP-MS analysis of host rock and stalagmite thin sections and S. Moggio (Newcastle University, Australia) is acknowledged for technical assistance and contributions to the discussion. This research was supported by a University of Newcastle Strategic Seed Grant-2009 for <SUP>87</SUP>Sr/<SUP>86</SUP>Sr analysis. RB is the recipient of an Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS) funded by the Australian Government and a PhD scholarship from the University of Newcastle.