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Trace-element variations in an annually layered stalagmite as recorders of climatic changes and anthropogenic pollution in Central China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Liangcheng Tan ,
Chuan-Chou Shen ,
Yanjun Cai ,
Li Lo ,
Hai Cheng  and
Zhisheng An
Liangcheng Tan*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710075, China
Chuan-Chou Shen
Affiliation:
High-precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Yanjun Cai
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710075, China
Li Lo
Affiliation:
High-precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Hai Cheng
Affiliation:
Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
Zhisheng An
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710075, China
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail addresses:tanlch@ieecas.cn, tlch1209@163.com (L. Tan).
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Abstract

We analyzed variations in the Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, REE/Ca (REE: rare earth element), Zn/Ca, and Pb/Ca ratios preserved in an annually layered stalagmite, XL21, from central China. The stalagmite record spans the 95 year period AD 1914–2008. The Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios have a significant positive correlation with the stalagmite's growth rate, suggesting that they were primarily controlled by growth-rate variations. Variations in REE/Ca ratios are consistent with local temperature changes, suggesting temperature influenced REE concentrations in the stalagmite over decadal to annual timescales. Higher temperature in this humid area can increase vegetation cover, microbial activity, and organic decomposition in the soil, resulting in enhanced pCO2, organic matter concentration and reduced pH, and consequently increased REE mobilization from the overlying soil layer and host rock. Higher temperatures may also increase the natural Zn mobilization from the overlying soil mediated by organic matter and consequently may have led to increased Zn retention in XL21. An increasing trend is seen in the Pb/Ca ratios from XL21 since 1985, which is consistent with increased lead production in this area, and indicates an increase in mine-derived lead pollution in the local environment over the past 30 years.

Keywords

Annually layered stalagmiteTrace elementsREE geochemistryClimate changeEnvironmental pollutionCentral China

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Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 81 , Issue 2 , March 2014 , pp. 181 - 188
Copyright
University of Washington

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