Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T10:14:03.886Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Climate deterioration in the Eastern Mediterranean as revealed by ion microprobe analysis of a speleothem that grew from 2.2 to 0.9 ka in Soreq Cave, Israel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Ian J. Orland ,
Miryam Bar-Matthews ,
Noriko T. Kita ,
Avner Ayalon ,
Alan Matthews  and
John W. Valley
Ian J. Orland*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, 1215 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
Miryam Bar-Matthews
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malchei Israel Street, Jerusalem, 95501, Israel
Noriko T. Kita
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, 1215 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
Avner Ayalon
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malchei Israel Street, Jerusalem, 95501, Israel
Alan Matthews
Affiliation:
The Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
John W. Valley
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, 1215 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Fax: +1 608 262 0693. Email Address:[email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Analysis of oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) by ion microprobe resolves a sub-annual climate record for the Eastern Mediterranean from a Soreq Cave stalagmite that grew between 2.2 and 0.9 ka. In contrast to conventional drill-sampling methods that yield a total variation of 1.0‰ in δ18Ocalcite values across our sample, the methods described here reveal up to 2.15‰ variation within single annual growth bands. Values of δ18O measured by ion microprobe vary in a regular saw-tooth pattern that correlates with annual, fluorescent growth banding where calcite grades from light to dark fluorescence. Modern records of precipitation and of cave dripwater indicate that variable δ18Ocalcite values record regular seasonal differences in δ18Orainfall modified by mixing in the vadose zone. Large differences in δ18O values measured across a single band (i.e., between the dark and light fluorescent calcite, or Δ18Odark-light) are interpreted to indicate wetter years, while smaller differences represent drier years. Oxygen isotopes record: 1) month-scale growth increments, 2) changes in Δ18Odark-light that represent seasonality, 3) a systematic, long-term decrease in maximum Δ18Odark-light values, and 4) an overall increase in average δ18Ocalcite values through time. These results suggest a drying of regional climate that coincides with the decline of the Roman and Byzantine Empires in the Levant region.

Keywords

PaleoclimateSpeleothemOxygen isotopesIon microprobeConfocal laser fluorescent microscopyEastern Mediterranean
Type
Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 71 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 27 - 35
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Asaf, M., (1975). Karstic features in Soreq Cave. Unpublished MSc thesis, Tel Aviv University, 66 p.Google Scholar
Asmerom, Y., and Polyak, V.J. Comment on “A test of annual resolution in stalagmites using tree rings”. Quaternary Research 61, (2004). 119–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayalon, A., Bar-Matthews, M., and Sass, E. Rainfall-recharge relationships within a karstic terrain in the Eastern Mediterranean semi-arid region, Israel: δ18δD characteristics. Journal of Hydrology 207, (1998). 18–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayalon, A., Bar-Matthews, M., and Kaufman, A. Petrography, strontium, barium and uranium concentrations, and strontium and uranium isotope ratios in speleothems as palaeoclimatic proxies: Soreq Cave, Israel. The Holocene 9, (1999). 715–722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayalon, A., Bar-Matthews, M., and Schilman, B. Rainfall isotopic characteristics at various sites in Israel and the relationships with unsaturated zone water. Geological Survey of Israel Reports, GSI/16/04. (2004). The Ministry of National Infrastructures, Jerusalem.Google Scholar
Baker, A., Smart, P.L., Edwards, R.L., and Richards, D.A. Annual growth banding in a cave stalagmite. Nature 364, (1993). 518–520.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baker, A., Proctor, C.J., and Barnes, W.L. Variations in stalagmite luminescence laminae structure at Poole's Cavern, England, AD 1910 to AD 1996: calibration of a paleoprecipitation proxy. The Holocene 9, (1999). 683–688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baker, A., and Genty, D. Comment on “A test of annual resolution in stalagmites using tree rings”. Quaternary Research 59, (2003). 476–478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ban, F., Pan, G., and Wang, X. Timing and possible mechanism of organic substance formation in stalagmite laminae from Beijing Shihua Cave. Quaternary Sciences 25, (2005). 265–268.Google Scholar
Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., Matthews, A., Sass, E., and Halicz, L. Carbon and oxygen isotope study of the active water-carbonate system in a karstic Mediterranean cave: implications for paleoclimate research in semiarid regions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 60, (1996). 337–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., and Kaufman, A. Late Quaternary paleoclimate in the Eastern Mediterranean region from stable isotope analysis of speleothems at Soreq Cave, Israel. Quaternay Research 47, (1997). 155–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., and Kaufman, A. Middle to Late Holocene (6500 years period) paleoclimate in the Eastern Mediterranean region from stable isotopic composition of speleothems from Soreq Cave, Israel. Issar, A.S., and Brown, N. Water, Environment and Society in times of Climate Change. (1998). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. 203–214.Google Scholar
Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., Gilmour, M., Matthews, A., and Hawkesworth, C.J. Sea–land oxygen isotopic relationships from planktonic foraminifera and speleothems in the Eastern Mediterranean region and their implication for paleorainfall during interglacial intervals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 67, (2003). 3181–3199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bar-Matthews, M., and Ayalon, A. Speleothems as paleoclimate indicators, a case study from Soreq Cave located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Israel. Battarbee, R.W., Gasse, F., and Stickley, C.E. Past Climate Variability through Europe and Africa. (2004). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 363–391.Google Scholar
Betancourt, J.L., Grissino-Mayer, H.D., Salzer, M.W., and Swetnam, T.W. A test of “annual resolution” in stalagmites using tree rings. Quaternary Research 58, (2002). 197–199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bookman, R., Enzel, Y., Agnon, A., and Stein, M. Late Holocene lake-levels of the Dead Sea. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 116, (2004). 555–571.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Danin, A. Flora and vegetation of Israel and adjacent areas. Tom-Tov, Y., and Tchernov, E. The Zoogeography of Israel. (1988). Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Dorale, J.A., Edwards, R.L., and Onac, B.F. Stable isotopes as environmental indicators in speleothems. Daoxian, Y., and Cheng, Z. Karst processes and the carbon cycle: Final report of IGCP379. (2002). Geologic Publishing House, Beijing, China. 107–120.Google Scholar
Emeis, K.C., Schulz, H.M., Struck, U., Sakamoto, T., Doose, H., Erlenkeuser, H., Howell, M., Kroon, D., and Paterne, M. Stable isotope and alkenone temperature records of sapropels from sites 964 and 967: constraining the physical environment of sapropel formation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Robertson, A.H.F., Emeis, K.C., Richter, C., Camerlenghi, A. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 160, (1998). Ocean Drilling Program, College Station. 309–331.Google Scholar
Emeis, K.C., Struck, U., Schulz, H.M., Rosenberg, R., Bernasconi, S., Erlenkeuser, H., Sakamoto, T., and Martinez-Ruiz, F. Temperature and salinity variations of Mediterranean Sea surface waters over the last 16,000 years from records of planktonic stable oxygen isotopes and alkenone unsaturation ratios. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 158, (2000). 259–280.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enzel, Y., Bookman, R., Sharon, D., Gvirtzman, H., Dayan, U., Baruch, Z., and Stein, M. Late Holocene climates of the Near East deduced from Dead Sea level variations and modern regional winter rainfall. Quaternary Research 60, (2003). 263–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frumkin, A., Magaritz, M., Carmi, I., and Zak, I. The Holocene climatic record of the salt caves of Mount Sedom, Israel. The Holocene 1, (1991). 191–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frumkin, A., Kadan, G., Enzel, Y., and Eyal, Y. Radiocarbon chronology of the Holocene Dead Sea: attempting a regional correlation. Radiocarbon 43, (2001). 1179–1189.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gat, J.R., and Carmi, I. Effect of climate changes on the precipitation and isotopic composition of water in a climate transition zone: case of the eastern Mediterranean Sea area. IAHS Spec. Publ. 168, (1987). 513–523.Google Scholar
Hendy, C.H. The isotopic geochemistry of speleothems — I. The calculation of the effects of different modes of formation on the isotopic composition of speleothems and their applicability as paleoclimate indicators. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 35, (1971). 801–824.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Issar, A.S., and Zohar, M. Climate Change: Environment and Civilization in the Middle East. (2004). Springer-Verlag, Berlin.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kaufman, A., Wasserburg, G.J., Porcelli, D., Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., and Halicz, L. U-Th isotope systematics from the Soreq Cave, Israel and climatic correlations. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 156, (1998). 141–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kaufman, A., Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., and Carmi, I. The vadose flow above Soreq Cave, Israel: a tritium study of the cave waters. Journal of Hydrology 273, (2003). 155–163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelly, J.L., Fu, B., Kita, N.T., and Valley, J.W. Optically continuous silcrete quartz cements of the St. Peter sandstone: high precision oxygen isotope analysis by ion microprobe. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71, (2007). 3812–3832.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kita, N.T., Ushikubo, T., Fu, B., Spicuzza, M.J., and Valley, J.W., (2007). Analytical developments on oxygen three isotope analyses using a new generation ion microprobe IMS-1280. Lunar Planetary Science Conference Abstracts 38, #1981.Google Scholar
Kolodny, Y., Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., and McKeegan, K.D. A high spatial resolution δ18O profile of a speleothem using an ion-microprobe. Chemical Geology 197, (2003). 21–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kozdon, R., Ushikubo, T., Kita, N.T., Spicuzza, M.J., and Valley, J.W., in press. Intratest oxygen isotope variability in planktonic foraminifera: Real vs. apparent vital effects by ion microprobe. Chemical Geology.Google Scholar
Matthews, A., Ayalon, A., and Bar-Matthews, M. D/H ratios of fluid inclusions of Soreq cave Israel speleothems as a guide to the Eastern Mediterranean Meteoric Line relationships in the last 120 ky. Chemical Geology 166, (2000). 183–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McGarry, S.F., and Baker, A. Organic acid fluorescence: applications to speleothem palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Quaternary Science Reviews 19, (2000). 1087–1101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McGarry, S., Bar-Matthews, M., Matthews, A., Vaks, A., Schilman, B., and Ayalon, A. Constraints on hydrological and paleotemperature variations in the Eastern Mediterranean region in the last 140 ka given by the δD values of speleothem fluid inclusions. Quaternary Science Reviews 23, (2004). 919–934.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mickler, P.J., Stern, L.A., and Banner, J.A. Large kinetic isotope effects in modern speleothems. Geological Society of America Bulletin 118, (2006). 65–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mitchell, T.D., and Jones, P.D. An improved method of constructing a database of monthly climate observations and associated high-resolution grids. International Journal of Climatology 25, (2005). 693–712.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neev, D., and Emery, K.O. The Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and Jericho: Geological, Climatological, and Archaeological background. (1995). Oxford University Press, New York.Google Scholar
O'Neil, J.R., Clayton, R.N., and Mayeda, T.K. Oxygen fractionation in divalent metal carbonates. Journal of Chemical Physics 51, (1969). 5547–5558.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Page, F.Z., Ushikubo, T., Kita, N.T., Riciputi, L.R., and Valley, J.W. High-precision oxygen isotope analysis of picogram samples reveals 2-μm gradients and slow diffusion in zircon. American Mineralogist 92, (2007). 1772–1775.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Polyak, V.J., and Asmerom, Y. Late Holocene climate and cultural changes in the southwest United States. Science 294, (2001). 148–151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schilman, B., Bar-Matthews, M., Almogi-Labin, A., and Luz, B. Global climate instability reflected by Eastern Mediterranean marine records during the late Holocene. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 176, (2001). 157–176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Senesi, N., Miano, T.M., Provenzano, M.R., and Brunetti, G. Characterisation, differentiation and classification of humic substances by fluorescence spectroscopy. Soil Science 152, (1991). 259–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shopov, Y.Y. Activators of luminescence in speleothems as source of major mistakes in interpretation of luminescent paleoclimatic records. International Journal of Speleology 33, (2004). 25–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tan, M., Baker, A., Genty, D., Smith, C., Esper, J., and Cai, B. Applications of stalagmite laminae to paleoclimate reconstructions: comparison with dendrochronology/climatology. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, (2006). 2103–2117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Treble, P.C., Chappell, J., Gagan, M.K., McKeegan, K.D., and Harrison, T.M. In situ measurement of seasonal δ18O variations and analysis of isotopic trends in a modern speleothem from southwest Australia. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 233, (2005). 17–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Treble, P.C., Schmitt, A.K., Edwards, R.L., McKeegan, K.D., Harrison, T.M., Grove, M., Chen, H., and Wang, Y.J. High resolution SIMS δ18O analyses of Hulu Cave speleothem at the time of Heinrich event 1. Chemical Geology 238, (2007). 197–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vaks, A., Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., Matthews, A., Halicz, L., and Frumkin, A. Desert speleothems reveal climatic window for African exodus of early modern humans. Geology 35, (2007). 831–834.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Orland Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material

Download Orland Supplementary Material(PDF)
PDF 216.2 KB