Journal article
A new perspective on the δ13C signal preserved in speleothems using LC-IRMS analysis of bulk organic matter and compound specific stable isotope analysis
AJ Blyth, CI Smith, RN Drysdale
Quaternary Science Reviews | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2013
Abstract
The analysis of δ13C in speleothem calcite is established as a palaeoenvironmental proxy, but records can often be complex to interpret due to multiple controls on the signal. Here we present a novel palaeoenvironmental application of non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) δ13C analysis and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to speleothems, and compare the resultant signals to a conventional calcite δ13C record. By accessing the carbon pool held in molecular organic matter, we are able for the first time to produce stable isotope records complementary to the CO2-derived signal from the speleothem calcite, and begin to identify separate ecological and climatic controls. In this sample fro..
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Awarded by Leverhulme Trust
Funding Acknowledgements
Funding for the study is gratefully acknowledged from AINSE (Research Fellowship to AJB), ARC (Future Fellowship to CS, grant number: FT0992258), and The Leverhulme Trust (Early Career Fellowship to AJB). Calcite micromilling and isotopic analyses were undertaken at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Compound specific isotope analyses were undertaken at The Open University, UK, and Dr Mabs Gilmour is thanked for her assistance with these. Dr Matthew Box assisted in sample drilling.