Climate, water and CO2: a geological perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-294
Author(s):  
J. Veizer
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Stable Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Temperature Signal ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Time Periods

The development of a palaeothermometer for ancient oceans has been a prime goal of stable isotope geochemistry since its inception in the middle of the last century. Following the calibration of the calcite oxygen isotope palaeothermometer by Epstein et al. (1953), and expanding on the seminal papers by Cesare Emiliani, the technique blossomed into a widely applied tool of palaeoceanography. These studies resulted in major advances in our understanding of Quaternary, and to some extent Tertiary oceans, but for older time periods the effort is mired by controversy and is at a standstill. In part this is due to the dearth of well-characterized carrier phases for the temperature signal, such as foraminifera shells, in the pre-Tertiary strata, but an intractable disagreement among practitioners as to the oxygen isotopic composition of ancient seawater is probably a more important stumbling block.

scholarly journals Trace elements and oxygen isotopes of gem spinels in marble from the Luc Yen - An Phu areas, Yen Bai province, North Vietnam

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pham Van Long ◽  
Gaston Giuliani ◽  
Anthony E. Fallick ◽  
Andrian J. Boyce ◽  
Vincent Pardieu
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Oxygen Isotopes ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Stable Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
North Vietnam

Trace elements investigated by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) have been combined with oxygen isotopic composition of pink, red and other colored spinels (blue, purple, brown, orange, lavender) hosted by marbles and found in placers from Luc Yen and An Phu deposits, Yen Bai province, North Vietnam. The deposits are those from Nuoc Ngap, Cong Troi, Bai Son and different placers from the An Phu area. Trace elements such as Fe-Zn-Cr-V in red and pink gem spinels permit to separate those from Cong Troi and those from the others deposits of the An Phu area. Spinels from Cong Troi have low to extremely low Zn (< 500 ppm) and high Fe contents (3,000 to 16,000 ppm) while those from An Phu area are Zn-rich (up to 11,000 ppm). Iron is the dominant element for the other colored spinels whereas Zn, Cr and V contents are extremely variable. The Bai Son blue spinel is Fe-rich (5,000 to 7,200 ppm) with some V (950 to 1,830 ppm), Cr (270 to 480 ppm), Co (240 to 400 ppm) and Ni (550 to 950 ppm). The O-isotope composition of the whole spinels ranges between 12.1 and 24.2‰ (n = 25). Within each deposit, the range of δ18O values for red, pink and colored spinels is usually similar. However, the red and pink spinels from An Phu present two distinct sets of δ18O values, respectively between  13.2 to 17.0‰  (n = 7) and 22.5< δ18O < 24.2 (n = 5). Those from Cong Troi are from 14.8 to 17.7‰ (n = 3) and their range overlaps that of An Phu. The use of O-isotopes is not useful for distinguishing between the deposits, but the low to extremely low Zn content of the Cong Trois spinels is a discriminant. The variation of δ18O values (12.1 <δ18O < 24.2‰) of the whole spinels indicates that the oxygen isotopic compositions of the metamorphic fluids were probably buffered by the local δ18O values of the impure host marbles.ReferencesChauviré B., Rondeau B., Fritsch E., Ressigeac Ph., Devidal J.-L., 2015. Blue spinel from the Luc Yen district of Vietnam. Gems & Gemology, 51, 2-17.D'Ippolito V., Andreozzi G.B., Hålenius H., Skogby H., Hametner K., Günther D., 2015. Colour mechanisms in spinel: cobalt and iron interplay for the blue colour. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 42, 431-439.Garnier V., 2003. Les gisements de rubis associés aux marbres de l’Asie Centrale et du Sud-est: genèse et caractérisation isotopique. PhD thesis INPL, Nancy, France, 373p.Garnier, V., Ohnenstetter, D., Giuliani, G., Maluski, H., Deloule, E., Phan Trong Trinh, Pham Van Long, Hoang Quang Vinh, 2005. Age and significance of ruby-bearing marbles from the Red River shear zone, northern Vietnam. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 1315-1329.Garnier V., Giuliani G., Ohnenstetter D., Fallick A.E., Dubessy J., Banks D., Hoang Quang Vinh, Lhomme Th., Maluski H., Pêcher A., Bakhsh K.A., Pham Van Long, Phan Trong Trinh, Schwarz D., 2008. Marble-hosted ruby deposits from central and Southeast Asia: towards a new genetic model. Ore Geology Reviews, 34, 169-191.Giuliani G., Fallick A.E., Garnier V., France-Lanord Ch., Ohnenstetter D., Schwarz D., 2005. Oxygen isotope composition as a tracer for the origins of rubies and sapphires. Geology, 33(4), 249-252.Giuliani G., Fallick A.E., Boyce A.J., Pardieu V., Pham Van Long, 2017. Pink and red spinels in marble: trace elements, oxygen isotopes, and sources. The Canadian Mineralogist, 55, 743-761.Hauzenberger C.A., Häeger T., Baumgartner L.P., Hofmeister W., 2001. High-grade metamorphism and stable isotope geochemistry of N-Vietnamese gem-bearing rocks. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on gems and minerals of Vietnam, Hanoi, 124-138.Hauzenberger C.A., Bagola C., Häeger T., Muellen C., Nguyen Ngoc Khoi, Le Thi Thu Huong, 2014. Mineralogy and petrology of the An Phu marble hosted spinel and corundum deposit, Luc Yen, N-Vietnam. In Proceedings of the 4th International Gem and Jewelry Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 76-78.Kleišmantas A., Daukšyte A., 2016. The influence of Vietnam and Sri Lanka spinel mineral chemical elements on colour. Chemija, 27, 45-51.Kretz R., 1983. Symbols for rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277-279.Le Thi Thu Huong, Häeger T., Hofmeister W., Hauzenberger C., Schwarz D., Pham Van Long, Wehmeister U., Nguyen Ngoc Khoi, Nguy Tuyet Nhung, 2012. Gemstones from Vietnam: An update. Gems & Gemology, 48, 158-176.Malsy A., Klemm L., 2010. Distinction of gem spinels from the Himalayan mountain belt. Chimia, 64(10), 741-746.Malsy A., Karampelas S., Schwarz D., Klemm L., Armbruster T., Tuan Do Anh, 2012. Orangey-red to orangey-pink gem spinels from a new deposit at Lang Chap (Tan Huong - Truc Lau), Vietnam. The Journal of Gemmology, 33, 19-27.Pham Van Long, Hoang Quang Vinh, Garnier V., Giuliani G., Ohnenstetter D., Lhomme,T., Schwarz D., Fallick A.E., Dubessy J., Phan Trong Trinh, 2004. Gem corundum deposits in Vietnam. Journal of Gemmology, 29, 129-147.Pham Van Long, Pardieu V., Giuliani G., Nguy Tuyet Nhung, Pham Thi Thanh Hien, Pham Duc Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Khoi, Hoang Quang Vinh, 2014. Gemmological characteristics of spinel from Luc Yen, Yen Bai. Journal of Geology, 340, 29-36.Pham Van Long, Pardieu V., Giuliani G., 2014. Update on gemstone mining in Luc Yen, Vietnam. Gems & Gemology, 49, 233-245.Pouchou J.L., Pichoir F., 1991. Quantitative analysis of homogeneous or stratified microvolumes applying "PAP" In Electron Probe Quantification (K.F.J. Heinrich & D.E. Newbury eds.). Plenum Press, New York, USA, 31-75.Valley J.W., 1986. Stable isotope geochemistry of metamorphic rocks. Reviews in Mineralogy, 16, 445-481.Yui T.F., Khin Zaw, Wu C.-M., 2008. A preliminary stable isotope study on Mogok ruby, Myanmar. Ore Geology Reviews, 34, 182-199.

The oxygen isotope stratigraphic record of the Late Pleistocene

1977 ◽  
Vol 280 (972) ◽  
pp. 169-182 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Stratigraphic Correlation ◽  
Equatorial Atlantic ◽  
Deep Sea Sediment ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Isotope Measurements

Oxygen isotope measurements have been made in foraminifera from over 60 deep-sea sediment cores. Taken together with the oxygen isotope measurements published by Emiliani from Caribbean and Equatorial Atlantic cores, this comprises a unique body of stratigraphic data covering most of the important areas of calcareous sediment over the whole world ocean. The oxygen isotopic composition of foraminifera from cores of Late Pleistocene sediment varies in a similar manner in nearly all areas; the variations reflect changes in the oxygen isotopic composition of the ocean. The oceans are mixed in about 1 ka so that ocean isotopic changes, resulting from fluctuations in the quantity of ice stored on the continents, must have occurred almost synchronously in all regions. Thus the oxygen isotope record provides an excellent means of stratigraphic correlation. Cores accumulated at rates of over about 5 cm/ka provide records of oxygen isotopic composition change that are almost unaffected by post-depositional mixing of the sediment. Thus they preserve a detailed record of the advance and retreat of the ice masses in the northern hemisphere, and provide a unique source of information for the study of ice-sheet dynamics.

scholarly journals Cryogenic and non-cryogenic pool calcites indicating permafrost and non-permafrost periods: a case study from the Herbstlabyrinth-Advent Cave system (Germany)

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Richter ◽  
P. Meissner ◽  
A. Immenhauser ◽  
U. Schulte ◽  
I. Dorsten
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Isotopic Equilibrium ◽  
Climate History ◽  
Cave System ◽  
Air Ventilation ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic

Abstract. Weichselian cryogenic calcites collected in what is referred to as the Rätselhalle of the Herbstlabyrinth-Advent Cave system are structurally classified as rhombohedral crystals and spherulitic aggregates. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of these precipitates (δ13C = +0.6 to −7.3‰ δ18O = −6.9 to −18.0‰) corresponds to those of known slowly precipitated cryogenic cave calcites under conditions of isotopic equilibrium between water and ice of Central European caves. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition varies between different caves which is attributed to the effects of cave air ventilation before the freezing started. By petrographic and geochemical comparisons of Weichselian cryogenic calcite with recent to sub-recent precipitates as well as Weichselian non-cryogenic calcites of the same locality, a model for the precipitation of these calcites is proposed. While the recent and sub-recent pool-calcites isotopically match the composition of interglacial speleothems (stalagmites, etc.), isotope ratios of Weichselian non-cryogenic pool-calcites reflect cooler conditions. Weichselian cryogenic calcites show a trend towards low δ18O values with higher carbon isotope ratios reflecting slow freezing of the precipitating solution. In essence, the isotope geochemistry of the Weichselian calcites reflects the climate history changing from overall initial permafrost conditions to permafrost-free and subsequently to renewed permafrost conditions. Judging from the data compiled here, the last permafrost stage in the Rätselhalle is followed by a warm period (interstadial and/or Holocene). During this warmer period, the cave ice melted and cryogenic and non-cryogenic Weichselian calcite precipitates were deposited on the cave ground or on fallen blocks, respectively.

scholarly journals Revealing the climate of snowball Earth from Δ17O systematics of hydrothermal rocks

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (17) ◽  
pp. 5337-5341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Herwartz ◽  
Andreas Pack ◽  
Dmitri Krylov ◽  
Yilin Xiao ◽  
Karlis Muehlenbachs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Snowball Earth ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Mass Dependent ◽  
Insight Into

The oxygen isotopic composition of hydrothermally altered rocks partly originates from the interacting fluid. We use the triple oxygen isotope composition (17O/16O, 18O/16O) of Proterozoic rocks to reconstruct the 18O/16O ratio of ancient meteoric waters. Some of these waters have originated from snowball Earth glaciers and thus give insight into the climate and hydrology of these critical intervals in Earth history. For a Paleoproterozoic [∼2.3–2.4 gigayears ago (Ga)] snowball Earth, δ18O = −43 ± 3‰ is estimated for pristine meteoric waters that precipitated at low paleo-latitudes (≤35°N). Today, such low 18O/16O values are only observed in central Antarctica, where long distillation trajectories in combination with low condensation temperatures promote extreme 18O depletion. For a Neoproterozoic (∼0.6–0.7 Ga) snowball Earth, higher meltwater δ18O estimates of −21 ± 3‰ imply less extreme climate conditions at similar paleo-latitudes (≤35°N). Both estimates are single snapshots of ancient water samples and may not represent peak snowball Earth conditions. We demonstrate how 17O/16O measurements provide information beyond traditional 18O/16O measurements, even though all fractionation processes are purely mass dependent.

Changes of Ionic and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of the Snowpack at the Glacier Austre Okstindbreen, Norway, 1995

1998 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Raben ◽  
Wilfred H. Theakstone
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Oxygen Isotopes ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Vertical Variations ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Liquid Precipitation ◽  
Different Altitudes

Marked vertical variations of ions and oxygen isotopes were present in the snowpack at the glacier Austre Okstindbreen during the pre-melting phase in 1995 at sites between 825 m and 1,470 m above sea level. As the first meltwater percolated from the top of the pack, ions were moved to a greater depth, but the isotopic composition remained relatively unchanged. Ions continued to move downwards through the pack during the melting phase, even when there was little surface melting and no addition of liquid precipitation. The at-a-depth correlation between ionic concentrations and isotopic ratios, strong in the pre-melting phase, weakened during melting. In August, concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+ ions in the residual pack were low and vertical variations were slight; 18O enrichment had occurred. The difference of the time at which melting of the snowpack starts at different altitudes influences the input of ions and isotopes to the underlying glacier.

scholarly journals δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar biomarker proxies from leaves and topsoils of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, and implications for paleoclimate reconstructions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruk Lemma ◽  
Lucas Bittner ◽  
Bruno Glaser ◽  
Seifu Kebede ◽  
Sileshi Nemomissa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Thermal Conversion ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Calibration Study ◽  
Microclimatic Conditions ◽  
Paleoclimate Reconstructions

AbstractThe hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf wax–derived n-alkane (δ2Hn-alkane) and oxygen isotopic composition of hemicellulose–derived sugar (δ18Osugar) biomarkers are valuable proxies for paleoclimate reconstructions. Here, we present a calibration study along the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia to evaluate how accurately and precisely the isotopic composition of precipitation is imprinted in these biomarkers. n-Alkanes and sugars were extracted from the leaf and topsoil samples and compound–specific δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar values were measured using a gas chromatograph–thermal conversion–isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC–TC–IRMS). The weighted mean δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar values range from − 186 to − 89‰ and from + 27 to + 46‰, respectively. Degradation and root inputs did not appear to alter the isotopic composition of the biomarkers in the soil samples analyzed. Yet, the δ2Hn-alkane values show a statistically significant species dependence and δ18Osugar yielded the same species–dependent trends. The reconstructed leaf water of Erica arborea and Erica trimera is 2H– and 18O–enriched by + 55 ± 5 and + 9 ± 1‰, respectively, compared to precipitation. By contrast, Festuca abyssinica reveals the most negative δ2Hn-alkane and least positive δ18Osugar values. This can be attributed to “signal–dampening” caused by basal grass leaf growth. The intermediate values for Alchemilla haumannii and Helichrysum splendidum can be likely explained with plant physiological differences or microclimatic conditions affecting relative humidity (RH) and thus RH–dependent leaf water isotope enrichment. While the actual RH values range from 69 to 82% (x̄ = 80 ± 3.4%), the reconstructed RH values based on a recently suggested coupled δ2Hn-alkane –δ18Osugar (paleo–) hygrometer approach yielded a mean of 78 ± 21%. Our findings corroborate (i) that vegetation changes, particularly in terms of grass versus non–grassy vegetation, need to be considered in paleoclimate studies based on δ2Hn-alkane and δ18Osugar records and (ii) that the coupled δ2Hn-alkane –δ18Osugar (paleo–) hygrometer approach holds great potential for deriving additional paleoclimatic information compared to single isotope approaches.

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