- https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GC008140
- 10.1029/2018GC008140
Abstract — Application of novel proxies, such as the stable isotope compositions and noble gas concentrations of fossil drip-water trapped as inclusions in stalagmites, have the potential to provide unique constraints on past hydroclimate states and surface temperatures. Geochemical analysis of inclusion waters, however, requires an understanding of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of dominantly liquid- vs. air-filled inclusions in a given stalagmite. Here, we couple neutron-computed tomography (NCT) and medium- to high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (XCT) to map out the 3-dimensional calcite density and distribution of liquid- vs. air- filled inclusions within a Sierra Nevada stalagmite (ML-1), which formed during the last deglaciation (18.5 to 11.7 ka). Comparison of coupled NCT-XCT results with a time series of stalagmite calcite fabrics indicates that although highest density calcite contains abundant liquid(fluid)-filled inclusions, calcite density and fabric overall were secondary controls on the liquid-inclusion distribution (LID). Furthermore, a multi-statistical evaluation of the stalagmite time series indicates a significant relationship at the multi-century to millennial-scale between LID and calcite δ18O and δ13C that suggests a potential link between LID and water availability to the cave.