PALEOCLIMATIC INVESTIGATION OF KARAIN CAVE (ANTALYA) USING STALAGMITE DATA

Date

2024-1-26

Author

Türkmenoğlu, Evren

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This study investigates a stalagmite obtained from the Karain cave to understand its significance for paleoclimatologic reconstructions. Mineralogical, petrographical and chemical properties of the stalagmite are investigated using a petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD), oxygen-, carbon- stable isotope analysis and Th/U radiometric age dating by using test samples collected along the growth axis of the stalagmite. The results of the petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD) show that calcite is the major carbonate mineral that forms hard and compact layers along the growth axis of the stalagmite. It exhibits elongated and equant shapes and in some calcite layers fluid inclusions are present. Minor amounts of iron oxide, clay minerals and aragonite accompanied by porous texture form thin laminations alternating with calcite layers. These features correspond to hiatuses due to fluctuations in paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions. Variations of the δ 13C and δ 18O ratios obtained along the stalagmite growth axis based on the Stable Isotope Analysis are almost co-variant and are characterized by minor fluctuations. The δ 18O and δ 13C values range between -3.27‰ to -4.74‰ and -2.13‰ to -5.44‰, respectively. More enriched δ 18O values indicate slightly cooler and dryer climate conditions that may be associated with C4 (grassland) type plants in the cave environment. However, when the δ 18O ratios become slightly depleted, they indicate more warm and wet climates associated with C3 (forest) type of plants. Except for these minor differences in the δ 18O ratios, measurements showed no significant climatic reversals recorded by the stalagmite sample.

Subject Keywords

Stalagmite, Paleoclimate, Paleoenvironment, Karain Cave, Antalya

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/108819

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Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis