Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGT) distributions from soil to cave: refining the speleothem paleothermometer

摘要: Abstract The glycerol dialkyl tetraether (GDGT) paleothermometer has potential application as a speleothem paleoclimate proxy. However, the sources of GDGTs found in speleothems are poorly understood, with multiple from soil to surface. Here we analysed soils, leachates, in-cave surfaces and cave drip waters at two Australian montane caves. We observed significantly different GDGT distributions between significant spatial differences distributions. Comparison published modern karst groundwater datasets Australia, Europe China shows that those all sources. hypothesise have calcifying, alkaline, oxic, wet, carbon-available, environment supports microbial community is other possible propose presence related anoxic or methanogenic conditions, water on surfaces, can be used identify these confirm TEX86 based paleothermometers robust paleothermometers, whose calibration further refined through improved understanding measurement temperatures.