Organic proxies in speleothems – New developments, advantages and limitations. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blyth, Alison J.; Hartland, Adam; Baker, Andy
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 149(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Speleothem -- Organic matter -- Biomarker -- Fluorescence -- Trace element; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: Research into organic matter in speleothems has progressed recently to encompass new analytical approaches and applications, which offer increased potential in areas such as palaeo-temperature reconstruction and high-resolution palaeo-environmental records from the Quaternary. Here we review three major areas of relevance for future work in the field – the origin, transport and transformation of the organic matter which is ultimately preserved in speleothems; the types of proxies currently available for use or in development, and their advantages and issues; and the recently developed prospect of high-resolution organic matter records derived from the analysis of organic/trace elements complexes. The continuing extension of work in these research areas offers excellent potential for organic speleothem proxies to grow as a valuable tool in palaeoenvironmental research. Highlights: Analysis of organic matter in speleothems offers potential vegetation and temperature proxies. Understanding OM sources, transport and alteration is key to robust interpretation of records. Novel approaches including trace element analysis offer the potential to acquire high temporal resolution records of OM input.