Long-term changes in precipitation recorded by magnetic minerals in speleothems

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2015 Long-term changes in precipitation recorded by magnetic minerals in speleothems Mark D. Bourne; Mark D. Bourne 1Institute for Rock Magnetism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joshua M. Feinberg; Joshua M. Feinberg 1Institute for Rock Magnetism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Becky E. Strauss; Becky E. Strauss 1Institute for Rock Magnetism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ben Hardt; Ben Hardt 3US Geological Survey, Eastern Geology & Paleoclimate Science Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hai Cheng; Hai Cheng 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Harold D. Rowe; Harold D. Rowe 4Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, University Station, Austin, Texas 78713, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gregory Springer; Gregory Springer 5Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. Lawrence Edwards R. Lawrence Edwards 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2015) 43 (7): 595–598. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36695.1 Article history received: 10 Feb 2015 rev-recd: 22 Apr 2015 accepted: 23 Apr 2015 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Mark D. Bourne, Joshua M. Feinberg, Becky E. Strauss, Ben Hardt, Hai Cheng, Harold D. Rowe, Gregory Springer, R. Lawrence Edwards; Long-term changes in precipitation recorded by magnetic minerals in speleothems. Geology 2015;; 43 (7): 595–598. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G36695.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Speleothems are important paleoclimate archives. Researchers typically compile measurements of stable isotopic ratios dated using high precision U-Th radiometric techniques to reconstruct regional and global climate. Magnetic material incorporated within speleothems can provide an independent means of connecting large-scale climatic changes with their impact on more localized processes in soils overlying cave systems. Under certain environmental conditions, pedogenic processes can produce magnetite nanoparticles. Enhancement of pedogenic magnetite in soil profiles depends strongly on local precipitation. Pedogenic magnetite can be subsequently transferred via drip-waters into underlying cave-systems and incorporated into speleothems as they grow. Here, we employ high-resolution magnetic methods to analyze a well-dated stalagmite from Buckeye Creek Cave, West Virginia (USA), and find that changes in magnetite concentration follow both changes in stable isotopes measured in the same stalagmite and global climate proxies. We interpret the changes in magnetite concentration as reflecting variations in local pedogenic processes, controlled by changes in regional precipitation. This record demonstrates how magnetic measurements on speleothems can constrain interpretations of speleothem climate proxies. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.