Initial 234U/238 U variation of stalagmites: Implications for paleoclimate reconstruction

Yan Yang, Daoxian Yuan, Hai Cheng, Jiaming Qin, Yushi Lin, Meiliang Zhang, Xiaoyan Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper focuses an the relationship between initial 234 U/238 U in stalagmites and paleoclimate reconstructions based on 272 precise ICP-MS 230Th data collected from nine big stalagmites in the Dongge Cave (108°5′E, 25°17′N), Yamen Cave (107°54′E, 25°29′N) and Lianhua Cave (109°32′E, 29°08′N) in southwestern China. The initial 234 U/238 U ratios in stalagmites have a parallel relation to δ18O records of SPECMAP and keep a negative relation to summer insolation for 25°N in long term records. The (234 U/238 U)0 in stalagmites fluctuated slowly during interglacial periods and intensively in glacial periods; during transitional stage between glacial and interglacial, the (234 U/238 U)0 in stalagmites shifted sharply. The (234 U/238 U)0 in stalagmites records BA warm events and YD chill events from the Last Glacial to Holocene, which is consistent with the long term (234 U/238 U)0 records, with heavier ratioes of stalagmites during chilling events and lighter ratioes of stalagmites during warm events. Initial 234 U/238 U ratios of stalagmites formed in a closed cave system are similar to δ18O values of the cave stalagmites from the same area, in contrast, the both in the southwestern regions of China display weak negative relationship with summer monsoon changes. (234 U/238 U)0 in stalagmites may be used as a useful proxy for long-term records of paleoprecipitation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)692-701
Number of pages10
JournalActa Geologica Sinica
Volume82
Issue number5
StatePublished - May 15 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Initial U / U
  • Paleoclimate
  • Southwestern China
  • Stalagmite
  • Uranium isotopes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Initial 234U/238 U variation of stalagmites: Implications for paleoclimate reconstruction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this