Calcium isotopes in caves as a proxy for aridity: Modern calibration and application to the 8.2 kyr event

Abstract

Abstract We present the first study of Ca isotope cycling in a natural cave system, with measurements of bedrock, dripwater and recently formed carbonate, coupled to a first stalagmite time-series spanning the 8.2 kyr event. Dripwaters at Heshang Cave (Central China; 30°27′N, 110°25′E) are isotopically heavy relative to the dolomite bedrock, the result of prior calcite precipitation (PCP) occurring earlier in the drip flow path. A simple Rayleigh fractionation model quantifies the extent of PCP in the modern environment at 36% Ca removal. The observed in situ calcium isotope fractionation factor between dripwater and carbonate is Δ 44 / 42 Ca = − 0.63 ± 0.03 ‰ and does not vary during the annual cycle. Measurements of speleothem carbonate spanning the 8.2 kyr event show the response of Ca isotopes to changing climate. δ44/42Ca increases by 0.35‰ at the onset of the event, coeval with changes in δ18O and Mg/Ca, and remains high for 80 yr. This change is explained by decreased rainfall leading to increased PCP; an interpretation supported by established PCP proxies (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca). Ca isotopes indicate that PCP increased to 60% Ca removal during the event, which, from application of a simple box model, suggests mean annual rainfall decreased by approximately a third in Central China during the 8.2 kyr event. The response of Ca isotopes across this event demonstrates their potential for the assessment of past conditions, including past dripwater flow rates and rainfall.