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δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies

Miller, Brett Alan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1205450304

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Geology.
Calcium carbonate δ13C values of actively growing/actively dripping speleothems have been evaluated for comparison to the range predicted for modern vegetation. Some geochemical models suggest that speleothem calcium carbonate δ13C values from caves under C3 surface vegetation should exhibit δ13C values predicted for C3 vegetation; however, several field studies have shown that this relationship is unreliable. In this research, δ13C values were measured on speleothem, soil and bedrock samples in various caves in Ohio and Kentucky. These caves include: Crooked Creek Ice Cave, Floyd Mullins Cave, Great Salt Peter Cave, Hard Baker Cave, and Pine Hill Cave located in Rockcastle Co., KY; Seneca Caverns and Perry’s Cave in Seneca and Erie Counties, Ohio respectively. Soil organic matter δ13C values closely matched the range for C3 vegetation with a couple of samples demonstrating slight enrichment. Speleothem δ13C values were not consistent with the published predicted values. The modern speleothems collected at the various caves indicate a large d13C variability ranging from -11.34‰ to -2.96‰ vs. PDB. The variation in speleothem δ13C values were at least 20% to as great as 80% depending on which predicted values were used. The process most responsible for the differences between measured and predicted δ13C values remains unclear. At one sample location, enriched values relative to that predicted for C3 vegetation may be attributed to C4 vegetation. Enrichment due to kinetic fractionation during calcium carbonate precipitation, and prior degassing are possible sources at the other locations. In this study, speleothem calcium carbonate δ13C analysis alone does not reliably reflect the modern surface vegetation because of the other processes affecting the 13C in speleothem calcium carbonate.
Dr. Joe Elkins (Advisor)
Dr. Jeff Snyder (Committee Member)
Dr. John Farver (Committee Member)
43 p.
Geology
speleothem; C3 vegetation; carbon isotope

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Miller, B. A. (2008). δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1205450304

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Miller, Brett. δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies. 2008. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1205450304.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Miller, Brett. "δ13C of Cave Speleothems Located in Kentucky and Ohio, U.S.A.: Implication for Paleovegetation and Paleoclimate Studies." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1205450304

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1205450304
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.