Challenges in interpreting geochemical data : an appraisal of analytical techniques applied to a karstic lake sediment record

Haliuc, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5681-8210, Bonk, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9863-9408, Longman, J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2725-2617, Hutchinson, SM ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0072-1062, Zak, M and Veres, D 2022, 'Challenges in interpreting geochemical data : an appraisal of analytical techniques applied to a karstic lake sediment record' , Water, 14 (5) , e806.

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (4MB) | Preview

Abstract

The paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental changes inferred from shifts in lake sediment geochemistry require reliable, efficient and cost-effective methods of analysis. The available geochemical techniques, however, suggest that different analytical approaches can influence data interpretation. X-ray fluorescence core scanner analyses (XRF-CS), field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) were concurrently applied to provide a multi-method geochemical appraisal of a 6000-year-long karstic sediment record (Lake Ighiel, Romania). The comparison between techniques was based on a set of elements that are widely employed in environmental reconstructions (Ti, K, Fe, Ca). Descriptive and statistical approaches were used to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method and assess their optimal use in karstic environments. Our data display similar downcore patterns, with strong to moderate correlations between the datasets. The discrepancies observed between method-specific downcore multi element behaviour are related to the preparation steps and sampling. To best capture the complexity of past environmental changes in karstic settings, a combination of quantitative and qualitative geochemical methods would be the most appropriate approach to reliable data acquisition and subsequent paleoenvironmental interpretation of lake sediment data.

Item Type:	Article
Contributors:	Alexakis, DE (Editor) and Yakirevich, A (Editor)
Additional Information:	** From MDPI via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ **Journal IDs: eissn 2073-4441 **History: published 04-03-2022; accepted 02-03-2022
Schools:	Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences
Journal or Publication Title:	Water
Publisher:	MDPI
ISSN:	2073-4441
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, Romanian Ministry of Research and Innovation
SWORD Depositor:	Publications Router
Depositing User:	Publications Router
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2022 15:14
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2022 15:55
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/63320

Actions (login required)

Edit record (repository staff only)