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Stable isotope and trace element record of a stalagmite in Heshang Cave, Hubei and its palaeoclimatic significance

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Abstract

Through a combined analysis of sedimentary characteristics, C and O isotopes, Mg and Sr trace elements of a stalagmite from Heshang Cave, Hubei, with uranium-series dating, alaeopalaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental information from 19.0ka to 6.9ka in the Hubei area is obtained. The Average resolution is 17a, and the local resolution is 7a. The following results are obtained: (1) from 19.0-16.6 kaBP: C and O isotope is lighter, the climate is cold and wet; (2) 16.6-11.1 kaBP: C, O isotope is a little heavy, temperature rises, rainfall is inclined to be little; (3) 11.1-10.3 kaBP: an excursion during dry and hot period responds to Younger Dryas Event; (4) 10.3-6.9 kaBP: C, O isotope is lighter, but Mg/Sr value is bigger, which shows temperature is continuing rising and rainfall is greater. These reflect the variation tends from wet-cold climate, to dry-hot climate, and to wet-warm climate in history, and some climatic variation trends of thousand years and hundred years cycle are got.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Test center, China University of Geosciences, 430074, Wuhan, China

    Huang Junhua, Hu Chaoyong, Zhou Qunfeng & Lin **ulun

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  1. Huang Junhua
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  2. Hu Chaoyong
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  3. Zhou Qunfeng
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  4. Lin **ulun
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Correspondence to Huang Junhua.

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Huang, J., Hu, C., Zhou, Q. et al. Stable isotope and trace element record of a stalagmite in Heshang Cave, Hubei and its palaeoclimatic significance. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 44 (Suppl 1), 123–128 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916802

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