Holocene wet episodes recorded by magnetic minerals in stalagmites from Soreq Cave, Israel

This study demonstrates the feasibility of speleothem magnetism as a paleo-hydrology proxy in speleothems growing in semi-arid conditions. Soil-derived magnetic particles in speleothems retain valuable information on the physicochemical conditions of the overlying soil, and changes in bedrock hydrology. Yet, the link between magnetic and isotopic proxies of speleothems has been only partly established. We reveal strong coupling between the inflow of magnetic particles (quantified using the magnetic flux index, IRMflux) and δ13C in two Holocene speleothems from Soreq Cave (Israel). The stalagmite record spans from ca. 9.7 to ca. 5.4 ka, capturing the warm-humid conditions associated with the early Holocene and the transition to mid-Holocene wet-dry cycles. Extremely low IRMflux during the early Holocene, indicating minimal contribution from the overlying soil, is accompanied by anomalously high δ13C (approaching bedrock values) hypothesized to be caused by high rainfall and soil erosion. By contrast, IRMflux during the mid-Holocene covaries with the saw-tooth cyclicity of δ13C and δ18O, interpreted as rapid fluctuations in rainfall amount. The peaks in IRMflux precede the negative (wet) δ13C peaks by ~60–120 yr. The apparent lag is explained as a rapid physical translocation of overlying soil particles via groundwater (high IRMflux) as a response to increasing rainfall, compared with slower soil organic matter turnover rates (10–102 yr).

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Palaeohydrologic interpretations of Holocene wet episodes recorded in stalagmites from Soreq Cave, Israel: Linking the magnetic and isotopic properties of speleothems

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-9159 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuval Burstyn ◽

Ron Shaar ◽

Jonathan Keinan ◽

Yael Ebert ◽

Avner Ayalon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Holocene ◽

Magnetic Particles ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Magnetic Data ◽

Turnover Rates ◽

Climate Fluctuations ◽

Arid Conditions ◽

Soil Organic Matter Turnover ◽

Hydrological System ◽

Semi Arid

Soil-derived magnetic particles trapped in speleothems can retain valuable information on the physiochemical conditions of the overlying soil and changes in the hydrological system. However, a direct link between magnetic and isotopic properties of speleothems has been only qualitatively established and is known to vary regionally. Here we investigate two Holocene speleothems from Soreq Cave, Israel and provide evidence for strong coupling over centennial to millennial timescales between the inflow of magnetic particles (quantified using the magnetic flux index, IRMflux), &#948;13C, and rainfall amounts. The two stalagmites formed at separate intervals: one at ~9.5 ky BP capturing the transition from pluvial Eastern Mediterranean conditions associated with Sapropel 1 (S1) and a second at 5.4 ky BP recording mid-Holocene wet-dry cycles.The late-Holocene speleothem shows an anomalously high &#948;13C episode that is correlated with extremely low IRMflux, indicating minimal contribution from overlying soils due to either (1) recently denuded soils, or (2) high overland and vadose runoff. By contrast, the mid-Holocene sample shows saw-tooth cycles in both &#948;18O and &#948;13C, which are interpreted as rapid climate fluctuations associated with rainfall changes. IRMflux during this period varies in-phase with the &#948;13C cycles; however, the peaks in IRMflux values precede those of the isotope values. The apparent lag in isotopic values may be explained by the faster response of the IRMflux to increased rainfall resulting from the rapid physical translocation of overlying soil particles via groundwater, compared with slower soil organic matter turnover rates, which may vary on timescales of up to thousands of years.The separate palaeohydrological scenarios resolved from the two speleothems demonstrate how magnetic data can act as a powerful paleo-hydrology proxy, even in weakly-magnetized speleothems growing under semi-arid conditions.

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The use of stable carbon isotopes for estimating soil organic matter turnover rates

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/s0016-7061(97)00096-7 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 82 (1-3) ◽

pp. 43-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 185

Author(s):

Martial Bernoux ◽

Carlos C Cerri ◽

Christopher Neill ◽

Jener F.L de Moraes

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Carbon Isotopes ◽

Stable Carbon Isotopes ◽

Stable Carbon ◽

Turnover Rates ◽

Organic Matter Turnover ◽

Soil Organic Matter Turnover

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Spatial Variation in Soil Organic Matter, Available Phosphorus, and Potassium under Semi-arid Conditions: Research Station Management Implications

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis ◽

10.1080/00103624.2012.716126 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (21) ◽

pp. 2820-2833 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Ryan ◽

M. Singh ◽

S. Masri ◽

H. Ibrikci

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Spatial Variation ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Research Station ◽

Management Implications ◽

Arid Conditions ◽

Phosphorus And Potassium ◽

Semi Arid

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Estimating soil organic matter content from Hyperion reflectance images using PLSR, PCR, MinR and SWR models in semi-arid regions of Iran

Environmental Development ◽

10.1016/j.envdev.2017.10.002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sina Mallah Nowkandeh ◽

Ali Akbar Noroozi ◽

Mehdi. Homaee

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Soil Organic Matter Content ◽

Semi Arid

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Triazine carryover in semi-arid conditions

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/0261-2194(90)90132-q ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 429-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

O.A. Chivinge ◽

B. Mpofu

Keyword(s):

Arid Conditions ◽

Semi Arid

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Genetic parameters of Barki sheep raised under semi-arid conditions

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100027008 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 361-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M. H. Fahmy ◽

E. Salah E. Galal ◽

Y. S. Ghanem ◽

S. S. Khishin

Keyword(s):

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Research Station ◽

Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Arid Conditions ◽

Body Weights ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Fleece Weight ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Desert Research

SUMMARYRecords on 695 lambs were collected over a period of 5 years from 1961/62 to 1965/66, at Ras El-Hekma Desert Research Station, 230 km west of Alexandria. The characters studied were birth, weaning and yearling body weights, pre- and post-weaning daily gains and greasy fleece weight.Birth, 120-day and 365-day body weights were 3·4, 18·2 and 33·4 kg respectively. Greasy fleece weight at 16 months of age was 3·29 kg. Heritability estimates of birth, weaning, yearling weights, pre- and post-weaning daily gains and greasy fleece weight were 0·22, 0·45, 0·41,0·45 and 0·29 respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between birth, weaning and yearling weights were all positive and significant. Genetic correlations between fleece weight and body characteristics were negative and low.

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