Factors controlling the oxygen isotopic composition of lacustrine authigenic carbonates in Western China: implications for paleoclimate reconstructions.

ABSTRACT: In the carbonate-water system, at equilibrium, the oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate is dependent not only on the temperature but also on the isotopic composition of host water in which the carbonate is formed. In this study, lake surface sediment and water samples were collected from 33 terminal lakes in Western China to evaluate controls on the oxygen isotopic composition of lacustrine authigenic carbonates (δ¹⁸O_carb) and its spatial distribution. Our results show that water oxygen isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O_water) rather than lake summer water temperature (T_water), is the main determinant of δ¹⁸O_carb, irrespective of whether oxygen isotope equilibrium is achieved. There are significant linear correlations

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7529879 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature