The Effects of Cave Ventilation on Stalagmite Deposition and Paleoclimate Records—A Case Study from Cathedral Caverns, Alabama

Abstract

Speleothems (e.g., stalagmites) have been established as valuable archives of paleoclimate proxies (δ18Ocarbonate and δ13Ccarbonate). Studying stalagmites along the Gulf Coast has a high potential for producing paleo-rainfall records due to the abundance of carbonate (karst) in the region. In order to properly interpret these proxy records, the conditions within the cave in which the stalagmite was deposited must be well understood. Although the air temperature (~mean annual temperature) and relative humidity (~100%) of the atmosphere within caves are typically quite stable, recent studies have shown that slow density-driven movement of cave air can have profound seasonal changes in the chemistry of the cave air (pCO₂ and δ13CpCO₂), dripwater ([DIC], δ13CDIC), and the stalagmite (δ13Ccarbonate). Furthermore, the primary season (e.g., winter) of stalagmite deposition can be controlled by this seemingly subtle process, which could have a profound influence on both the δ18O and δ13C chemistry preserved in the stalagmite.

The measurement of pCO₂ throughout the year is the first step in determining cave ventilation and stagnation, because typically CO₂-rich cave air is diluted by CO₂-depleted atmospheric air during winter (ventilation mode). An on-going study since January 2015 at Cathedral Caverns (34°34′N, 86°13′W), located in northeastern Alabama, consists of the collection of air from the back of the cave (as well as ten other locations within the cave) near our stalagmite sample location. Preliminary results have shown a minimum and a maximum of 550 ppmV in February and 2820 ppmV in August, respectively, which indicates ventilation in winter (low pCO₂ values) and stagnation in summer (high pCO₂ values). These preliminary data indicate that a winter-bias of calcite deposition may be occurring and the interpretation of the paleo-record from Cathedral Caverns could be affected by such bias.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90219 © 2015 GCAGS, Houston, Texas, September 20-22, 2015