Uranium series dating of Great Artesian Basin travertine deposits: Implications for palaeohydrogeology and palaeoclimate

Priestley, Stacey C.; Karlstrom, Karl E.; Love, Andrew J.; Crossey, L. J.; Polyak, Victor J.; Asmerom, Yemane; Meredith, Karina; Crow, Ryan S.; Keppel, Mark; Habermehl, M. A.

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.10.024

Cited by 26 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…2F) was dated by Prescott & Habermehl (2008) at 10.9 AE 1.5 ka using thermoluminescence of quartz sand grains. This provides the maximum age of the first phytoherm framestone tufa formation at this site (Table 1) and coincides with the early stage of Lake Eyre's wet, high lake-level phase I (Prescott & Habermehl, 2008;Priestley et al, 2018). Despite the age uncertainty it could also coincide with climate instability in Australia following the end of the Younger Dryas (Black & Mooney, 2006).…”

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…1B) yielded thermoluminescence ages of ca 60 AE 8 ka (Prescott & Habermehl, 2008), which correspond with the final part of Lake Eyre's wet, high lake-level phase III, the last deep-water perennial lake episode in the basin (Priestley et al, 2018). Priestley et al (2018) demonstrated that spring carbonate deposition occurred episodically at around 465 ka, 370 ka, 335 ka, 285 to 240 ka, 185 ka, 160 to 150 ka, 110 to 100 ka and during the past 30 ka (U-series dating). Those authors also demonstrated that high carbonate deposition rates were synchronous with humid periods within glacial cycles and that carbonate deposition occurred during high rainfall periods (Magee et al, 2004;Priestley et al, 2018).…”

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Samples from inactive mounds at Strangways Spring (Fig. 1B) yielded thermoluminescence ages of ca 60 AE 8 ka (Prescott & Habermehl, 2008), which correspond with the final part of Lake Eyre's wet, high lake-level phase III, the last deep-water perennial lake episode in the basin (Priestley et al, 2018). Priestley et al (2018) demonstrated that spring carbonate deposition occurred episodically at around 465 ka, 370 ka, 335 ka, 285 to 240 ka, 185 ka, 160 to 150 ka, 110 to 100 ka and during the past 30 ka (U-series dating).…”

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Priestley et al (2018) demonstrated that spring carbonate deposition occurred episodically at around 465 ka, 370 ka, 335 ka, 285 to 240 ka, 185 ka, 160 to 150 ka, 110 to 100 ka and during the past 30 ka (U-series dating). Those authors also demonstrated that high carbonate deposition rates were synchronous with humid periods within glacial cycles and that carbonate deposition occurred during high rainfall periods (Magee et al, 2004;Priestley et al, 2018). Past changes in surface water levels in the Lake Eyre Basin and formation of large expanses of wetland during the Pleistocene might have been caused by groundwater discharge, which was controlled by both climatic conditions and fault re-activation during the Pleistocene (e.g.…”

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crystallization pathways in the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) spring mound carbonates: Implications for life signatures on Earth and beyond

Franchi

Frisia

2020

Sedimentology

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Recent studies of continental carbonates revealed that carbonates with similar fabrics can be formed either by biotic, biologically‐induced, biologically‐influenced or purely abiotic processes, or a combination of all. The aim of this research is to advance knowledge on the formation of carbonates precipitated (or diagenetically altered) in extreme, continental environments by studying biotic versus abiotic mechanisms of crystallization, and to contribute to the astrobiology debate around terrestrial analogues of Martian extreme environments. Both fossil (upper Pleistocene to Holocene) and active carbonate spring mounds from the Great Artesian Basin (South Australia) have been investigated. These carbonates consist of low‐Mg to high‐Mg calcite tufa. Four facies have been described: (i) carbonate mudstone/wackestone; (ii) phytohermal framestone/boundstone; (iii) micrite boundstone; and (iv) coarsely crystalline boundstone. The presence of filaments encrusted by micrite, rich in organic compounds, including ultraviolet‐protectants, in phytohermal framestone/boundstone and micrite boundstone is clear evidence of the existence of microbial mats at the time of deposition. In contrast, peloidal micrite, despite commonly being considered a microbial precipitate, is not directly associated with filaments in the Great Artesian Basin mounds. It has probably formed from nanocrystal aggregation on colloid particulate. Thus, where biofilms have been documented, it is likely that bacteria catalyzed the development of fabrics. It is less certain that microbes induced calcium carbonate precipitation elsewhere. Trace elements, including rare earth element distribution from laminated facies, highlight strongly evaporative settings (for example, high Li contents). Carbon dioxide degassing and evaporation are two of the main drivers for an increase in fluid alkalinity, resulting in precipitation of carbonates. Hence, although the growth of certain fabrics is fostered by the presence of microbial mats, the formation of carbonate crystals might be independent from it and mainly driven by extrinsic factors. More generally, biological processes may be responsible for fabric and facies development in micritic boundstone whilst micrite nucleation and growth are driven by abiotic factors. Non‐classical crystallization pathways (aggregation and fusion of nanoparticles from nucleation clusters) may be more common than previously thought in spring carbonate and this should be carefully considered to avoid misinterpretation of certain fabrics as by‐products of life. It is proposed here that the term ‘organic‐compound catalyzed mineralization’ should be used for crystal growth in the presence of organic compounds when dealing with astrobiological problems. This term would account for the possibility of multiple crystallization pathways (including non‐classical crystallization) that occurred directly from an aqueous solution without the direct influence of microbial mats.

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Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Age Of the Great Artesian Basin Spring Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Crystallization pathways in the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) spring mound carbonates: Implications for life signatures on Earth and beyond

Franchi

Frisia

2020

Sedimentology

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“…Numerous authors posit that travertine deposition is episodic and high deposition rates are synchronous with times of wet climate and high rainfall (e.g. Frank et al ., ; Faccenna et al ., ; Priewisch et al ., ; Priestley et al ., ), while others suggest a correlation between travertine deposition and periods of cold and dry climate (e.g. Uysal et al ., , ; Brogi et al ., ; Özkul et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global travertine deposition modulated by oscillations in climate

Ricketts

Wagler

et al. 2019

J Quaternary Science

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Travertine deposits are important records of past fluid flow in the Earth's crust, and document fluid migration through both tectonic activity and changes in climate. While many studies hint at possible relationships between travertine formation and global climate, none have investigated these connections on a global scale. Here we compile 1649 published travertine ages from six continents to test the hypothesis that global and/or regional changes in climate regulate travertine deposition. Peaks in bedded travertine ages occur with main frequencies that correspond to 100‐kyr changes in global climate, where most peaks occur during glacial terminations or interglacial periods, including a large peak that coincides with the Early Holocene climatic optimum. Time–series analysis also suggests a possible connection with 41‐kyr obliquity cycles. At regional scales, many peaks also correspond with local times of high precipitation or wet conditions. This can be attributed to higher groundwater recharge rates, providing the necessary water to form travertine. Many bedded travertine‐depositing systems may therefore be water‐limiting and sufficient CO2 may be present even during times of no travertine deposition. Exceptions to this conclusion are banded vein travertine deposits, which typically form during times of dry climate when water tables are low. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Sedimentary evolution of the Dawan travertines and their geological environmental significance, Huanglong, China

Qiu

Wang

Dong

et al. 2021

The Depositional Record

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The Huanglong travertine landscape, which is located on the eastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, is a World Natural Heritage Site with important tourism, aesthetic and scientific research value. However, no convincing travertine sedimentary age data have been reported for this area, and these late Cenozoic terrestrial carbonates have not been effectively included in studies of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau geological environment. In this study, U‐series dating of the travertines was carried out using a multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to determine a time series for travertine deposition in the Dawan Valley (only a mountain away from Huanglong). The analyses of the processes operating during travertine deposition as the trench system evolved are performed based on a comprehensive study of the geological setting, structure and glacial landforms. The results suggest that travertine deposition in the Dawan Valley started at ca 13 ka and had begun to wane by the early Holocene (ca 7 ka). At the same time, the Huanglong Valley travertines began to be deposited on a large scale in response to a hydrological transition event. This event might reflect tectonic activity in particular, or possibly earthquakes or glacial retreat caused by climate warming. The findings reported here provide age data for late Cenozoic geological and environmental events such as climate variations and continental activity on the eastern margin of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. It also presents new insights for research on glaciation, tectonic activity and seismicity; however, depositional breaks and forcing factors need to be explored further.

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Uranium series dating of Great Artesian Basin travertine deposits: Implications for palaeohydrogeology and palaeoclimate

Cited by 26 publications

References 79 publications

Crystallization pathways in the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) spring mound carbonates: Implications for life signatures on Earth and beyond

Crystallization pathways in the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) spring mound carbonates: Implications for life signatures on Earth and beyond

Global travertine deposition modulated by oscillations in climate

Sedimentary evolution of the Dawan travertines and their geological environmental significance, Huanglong, China

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