Dating young stalagmite using 210Pb excess method: example from Han-sur-Lesse cave, Belgium

Speleothem cave deposits (particularly stalagmites) represent often high–resolution continental records for reconstruction of paleoclimate and/or paleoenvironmental conditions through their trace elements concentrations (e.g., Mg, Sr and Ba) and stable isotopes compositions 18O and 13C (Fairchild, et al., 2000, 2001; McDermott, 2004). The advantage of using very young speleothems (1-120 yrs timescale) is the possibility to validate such reconstructions when compared with historical and instrumental records (e.g., meteorological parameters). U-series radiochronology remains the most suitable me... Mehr ...