Person:
Muñoz García, María Belén

First Name

María Belén

Last Name

Muñoz García

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/75243

Affiliation

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Faculty / Institute

Ciencias Geológicas

Department

Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología

Area

Estratigrafía

Identifiers

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 14

Fabric and Fluid Inclusions Characterization of a Stalagmite from Eastern Spain: A Precondition for Noble Gas Analysis by Step-Crushing Methodology
(Minerals, 2024) López Elorza, Maialen; Weißbach, Therese; Muñoz García, María Belén; Kluge, Tobias; Aeschbach, Werner; Martín Chivelet, Javier
Fluid inclusions in stalagmites are becoming increasingly important for paleoclimate research. Within this framework, noble gas thermometry, based on noble gases dissolved in water from fluid inclusions, provides quantitative estimations of cave air paleotemperature. Two major issues of Noble Gas Temperature (NGT) determination on speleothems are (1) the potential lack of enough water for the analysis and (2) the presence of trapped gas not dissolved in water that can be released during the analysis from biphasic or all-gas fluid inclusions, as its contribution to the bulk noble gas signal can hinder NGT results. Although the step-crushing method helps to reduce the second issue, it also decreases the amount of water available for the calculations. In order to obtain reliable NGT results with low uncertainties, a major challenge is still to reach a balance between sufficient water for analysis and a small amount of “atmospheric” gas. The difficulty is that the extraction process cannot be standardized since it strongly depends on the type of sample. The objective of this work is to investigate how the characteristics of the speleothem can determine the adequacy of the extraction process. For this purpose, we consider a stalagmite from a Mediterranean cave that consists of columnar elongated calcite and contains a significant quantity of fluid inclusions, which suggests good potential for NGT analysis. Results, however, were poorly satisfactory. Trying to understand the source of the problems, an integrated study of petrography and petrophysical features was performed. The samples were found to be different depending on the stage of coalescence of crystals and thus separated into “open” and “closed” fabrics. Classic petrographic analysis and non-destructive (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques were used to characterize the type and amount of fluid inclusions present in both types of fabrics. The study indicates that the closed fabric (total coalescence of calcite crystals) has most water trapped in water-filled, small intracrystalline fluid inclusions that usually contain very little gas. This fabric is very suitable for NGT determination, but since the amount of water is quite small, the sample should be crushed in only one step with a large number of beats to break all the inclusions. In contrast, samples with open fabric (partial coalescence of calcite crystals) contain a higher amount of water and, also, gas-filled large intercrystalline fluid inclusions. For this fabric, step-crushing of the sample is necessary. However, the low amount of water left for the second and third crushings could lead to flawed NGT results. Thus, we suggest modifying the method to get rid of part of the gas in the first crushing while leaving enough water for the following steps. This work shows the importance of characterizing speleothems and fluid inclusions, including their petrography and petrophysical characteristics, before starting NGT analysis, allowing the selection of the most favorable samples and the customization of the step-crushing procedure.
Land surface temperature changes in Northern Iberia since 4000 yr BP, based on δ13C of speleothems
(Global and Planetary Change, 2011) Martín Chivelet, Javier; Muñoz García, María Belén; Edwards, R. Lawrence; Turrero, María J.; Ortega, Ana I.
The surface temperature changes for the last 4000 years in northern inland Iberia (an area particularly sensitive to climate change) are determined by a high resolution study of carbon stable isotope records of stalagmites from three caves (Kaite, Cueva del Cobre, and Cueva Mayor) separated several tens of kilometers away in N Spain. Despite the local conditions of each cave, the isotopic series show a good overall coherence, and resulted to be strongly sensitive to surface temperature changes. The record reflects alternating warmer and colder intervals, always within a temperature range of 1.6 °C. The timing and duration of the intervals were provided by 43 230Th–234U (ICP-MS) ages. Main climatic recognized periods are: (1) 3950–3000 yr BP: warm period punctuated by cool events around ~3950, 3550 and 3250 yr BP; (2) 2850–2500 yr BP cold interval (Iron Age Cold Period); (3) 2500–1650 yr BP moderate warm period (Roman Warm Period), with maximum temperatures between 2150 and 1750 yr BP; (4) 1650– 1350 yr BP cold interval (Dark Ages Cold Period), with a thermal minimum at ~1500 yr BP; (5) 1350– 750 yr BP warm period (Medieval Warm Period) punctuated by two cooler events at ~1250 and ~850 yr BP; (6) 750–100 yr BP cold period (Little Ice Age) with extremes occurring at 600–500 yr BP, 350–300 yr BP, and 150–100 yr BP; and (7) the last 150 years, characterized by rapid but no linear warming (Modern Warming). Remarkably, the presented records allow direct comparison of recent warming with former warm intervals such as the Roman or the Medieval periods. That comparison reveals the 20th century as the time with highest surface temperatures of the last 4000 years for the studied area. Spectral analysis of the time series shows consistent climatic cycles of ~400, ~900 and ~1300 yr, comparable with those recognized in the North Atlantic marine record, the Greenland ice cores, and other terrestrial records for the middle–late Holocene, suggesting common climate forcing mechanisms related to changes in solar irradiance and North Atlantic circulation patterns.
Estudios paleoclimáticos y paleoambientales en cuevas kársticas
(2011) Martín Chivelet, Javier; Muñoz García, María Belén; Garralón, A.; Gómez, P.; Turrero, M.J.; Ortega, A.I.; Edwards, R.L.; Cheng, H.; Santisteban, J.I.; Mediavilla, R.; Pérez-Monserrat, Elena M.; Charco Romero, María
Fluid-inclusion petrography in calcite stalagmites: Implications for entrapment processes
(Journal of sedimentary research, 2021) López Elorza, Maialen; Muñoz García, María Belén; González Acebrón, Laura; Martín Chivelet, Javier
Fluids trapped in speleothems have an enormous potential in frontier fields of paleoclimate and paleohydrological research. This potential is, however, hampered by diverse scientific and technical limitations, among which the lack of a systematic methodology for genetically characterizing fluid inclusions is a major one, as these can have different origins, and thus, the trapped fluid (usually water), different meanings. In this work, we propose a systematic petrological classification of fluid inclusions, based on: 1) the temporal relation between fluid inclusions and the host calcite, 2) the spatial relation between fluid inclusions and the “crystallites” and crystals aggregates, and 3) the phases (water, air) trapped inside fluid inclusions. The first criterion allows dividing fluid inclusions in two main categories: primary and secondary, whose identification is critical in any research based on trapped fluids. The other two criteria allow the definition of eight types of primary and four types of secondary fluid inclusions. Primary fluid inclusions contain the drip water that fed stalagmites at the time of crystal growth, and can be intercrystalline, i.e., located between adjacent crystallites, or intracrystalline, i.e., with the fluid trapped within crystallites. We differentiate six main types among the intercrystalline fluid inclusions (elongate, thorn-shaped, down-arrow, interbranch, macro-elongate, and bucket) and other two among intracrystalline inclusions (pyriform and boudin). In primary inclusions, water is the main phase, while gas is much less abundant. The presence of gas could be related to slow drip rates or degassing in the cave, but also to later leakage due to changes in temperature and humidity often occurring during inadequate handling of speleothem samples. Secondary fluid inclusions were clearly related to younger water inlet through stratigraphic disruptions or unconformities. They are formed after water infiltration, but sealed before the renewed crystal growth. We differentiate four main types of secondary inclusions: interconnected, rounded, triangular, and vertical fluid inclusions. The identification of primary and secondary fluid inclusions in speleothems is a key for interpretation in paleoclimate studies. Integration of petrological results allow establishment of three different genetic scenarios for the formation of fluid inclusions, whose identification can be relevant because of their predictive character.
El contaje de puntos como método de estimación de la cantidad de agua de las inclusiones fluidas en espeleotemas
(Geotemas, 2021) López Elorza, Maialen; Muñoz García, María Belén; Martín Chivelet, Javier
Las inclusiones fluidas albergan el agua que originó el crecimiento del mineral huésped, y su estudio proporciona información relevante sobre las condiciones de crecimiento del propio mineral. En el caso de los espeleotemas, las inclusiones fluidas primarias atrapan el agua de goteo que originó el crecimiento del espeleotema. Esta agua proviene del agua meteórica que se infiltró desde el epikarst hasta la cueva, lo que supone que las inclusiones fluidas albergan el agua fósil derivada de la que precipitó en los alrededores de la cueva durante el periodo de crecimiento del espeleotema. Estas inclusiones de agua presentan una estrecha relación genética con la fábrica calcítica, y su distribución o la cantidad de agua que contienen dependen de las condiciones de crecimiento del cristal colindante. Para poder analizar todo ello, en este trabajo presentamos un nuevo método de estimación de la cantidad de agua de las inclusiones fluidas de los espeleotemas basada en el contaje de puntos petrográfico. Esta técnica permite 1) caracterizar la fábrica de calcita; 2) determinar la relación espacial entre inclusión-calcita; y por último, 3) cuantificar la cantidad de agua y aire que contienen las inclusiones. La técnica pretende ser una herramienta de gran utilidad previa a los diferentes estudios geoquímicos que se llevan a cabo en las inclusiones fluidas de los espeleotemas.
Chronology of Termination II and the Last Interglacial Period in North Spain based on stable isotope records of stalagmites from Cueva del Cobre (Palencia)
(Journal of iberian geology, 2007) Muñoz García, María Belén; Martín Chivelet, Javier; Rossi, Carlos; Ford, D.C.; Schwarcz, H.P.
New insight into the timing and structure of the Last Interglacial Period (Eemian) was obtained through U-Th dating of four speleothems from Northern Spain and an analysis of their stable isotope records. The four stalagmites examined were collected from different levels of Cueva del Cobre, a cold high-mountain cave in the Cantabrian Ranges (N Spain), in which speleothem growth took place essentially during the warmer interestadials. Through 18 TIMS and ICPMS datings and 263 stable isotope analyses, the onset of the Eemian interglacial period was precisely dated at 150±2 ka, an age consistent with a few other palaeoclimatic records but notably younger than the age ascribed by the Milankovitch theory. We also date the Eemian–Weichselian transition (~115 ka)for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula. U-Th ages revealed a consistent anomaly at ~105-100 ka BP, which could be related to a drastic environmental change during the MIS-5c interestadial. This event would have caused the resetting of the U-Th system at the base of the stalagmites during a short time interval. In addition, we propose a new simple geochemical test to ensure the lack of disturbance of this type of samples for dating purposes.
Comparación del clima interglacial eemiense y holoceno en el norte de España a partir de los indicadores paleoclimáticos de estalagmitas de la Cueva del Cobre (Palencia)
(Geotemas, 2008) Muñoz García, María Belén; Martín Chivelet, Javier; Rossi, Carlos; Ford, D.C.; Schwarez, H.P.
El Eemiense se suele considerar un buen análogo del Holoceno a pesar de la diferente configuración orbital de cada época. La comparación de varios indicadores paleoclimáticos obtenidos en estalagmitas eemienses y holocenas de la Cueva del Cobre (Montaña Palentina) aporta datos que permiten verificar esta supuesta similitud. Los indicadores paleoclimáticos comparados son la tasa de crecimiento de las estalagmitas, las texturas de la calcita y los isótopos estables de oxígeno. En comparación con los holocenos, los espeleotemas eemienses son más grandes porque han crecido sin interrupción durante más tiempo, presentan una variedad menor de texturas de calcita y apenas registran láminas anuales. Además, ni las texturas de calcita ni la composición isotópica de oxígeno muestran signos de alteración diagenética. En función de estos indicadores se ha podido deducir que el clima de la zona de estudio fue durante el Eemiense ligeramente más cálido que durante el Holoceno y considerablemente más seco, contradiciendo las estimaciones más aceptadas del clima global para el Último Periodo Interglacial. El clima eemiense en la zona de estudio fue además más estable y tuvo una estacionalidad menos marcada que en los últimos 6000 años. El análisis de los cambios sincrónicos de estos indicadores ha permitido estimar una duración del Último Periodo Interglacial de ~21ka en esta zona.
Speleothem architectural analysis: integrated approach for stalagmite-based paleoclimate research
(Sedimentary Geology, 2017) Martín Chivelet, Javier; Muñoz García, María Belén; Cruz, Juncal A.; Ortega Martínez, Ana Isabel; Turrero Jiménez, María Jesús
Carbonate stalagmites have become increasingly attractive to Quaternary paleoclimate research, as they can be accurately dated by radiometric methods and concurrently yield high-resolution multi-proxy records of past climate conditions. Reliable series however require the precise characterization of stalagmite internal icrostratigraphy,4 a task too often poorly accomplished despite the recent advances in speleothem research. This weakness is due to the lack of a robust integrative methodological framework capable of integrating the wide range of petrographical and micro-stratigrafical methods currently used in speleothem characterization. For covering this need, this review introduces the Speleothem Architectural Analysis (SAA), a holistic approach inspired in well-established stratigraphic procedures such as the architectural element analysis and the sequence stratigraphy, commonly used by geoscientists for categorizing internal stratigraphic heterogeneities in sedimentary deposits. The new approach establishes a six-fold hierarchy of speleothem architectural elements and their bounding surfaces: individual crystallites (1st order), single growth layers (2nd order), speleothem fabrics (3rd order), stacking patterns sets (4th order), morphostratigraphic units (5th order), unconformity-bounded units and major unconformities (6th order). Each category of architectural element is formed in a different range of time, from intervals as short as a year/season to others of centuries or millennia. The SAA, which has the capability of incorporating any petrographic or stratigraphic classification, provides a useful, systematic, and versatile tool for unraveling the complexities of speleothem growth, and thus for genetically interpreting stalagmites in a multi-temporal scale. A detailed speleothem stratigraphy must be the basis for performing robust reconstruction of paleoclimate series. They should precede and accompany any work focused in absolute age dating or in reconstructing paleoclimate by means of any geochemical proxy
The Blake geomagnetic excursion recorded in a radiometrically dated speleothem
(Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2012) Osete López, María Luisa; Martín Chivelet, Javier; Rossi, Carlos; Edwards, R. Lawrence; Egli, Ramon; Muñoz García, María Belén; Wang, Xianfeng; Pavón Carrasco, Francisco Javier; Heller, Friedrich
One of the most important developments in geomagnetism has been the recognition of polarity excursions of the Earth’s magnetic field. Accurate timing of the excursions is a key point for under standing the geodynamo process and for magnetostratigraphic correlation. One of the best-known excursions is the Blake geomagnetic episode, which occurred during marine isotope stage MIS 5, but its morphology and age remain controversial. Here wes how, for the first time, the Blake excursion recorded in a stalagmite which was dated using the uranium-series dis equilibrium techniques. The characteristic remanent magnetisation is carried by fine-grained magnetite. The eventis documented by two reversed intervals (B1 and B2). The age of the eventis estimated to be between 116.5 ± 0.7 kyr BP and 112.0 ± 1.9 kyr BP, slightly younger (~3–4 kyr) than recent estimations from sedimentary records sated by astronomical tuning. Low values of relative palaeointensity during the Blake episode are estimated, but a relative maximum in the palaeofield in tensity coeval with the complete reversal during the B2 interval was observed. Duration of the Blake geomagnetic excursion is 4.5 kyr, two times lower than single excursions and slightly higher than the stimated diffusion time for the inner core (~3 kyr).
Datación de carbonatos por el método de U/Th: ejemplos en España
(Cuaternario y geomorfología, 2022) Muñoz García, María Belén; Martín Chivelet, Javier
El método de U/Th permite datar materiales diversos de hasta 600.000 años de antigüedad. En este trabajo se revisan sus fundamentos y las técnicas analíticas disponibles, centrándose en su aplicación más habitual, que es la datación de carbonatos. En concreto, se discuten su potencial y limitaciones en la datación de espeleotemas, travertinos, calcretas, cementos, corales y moluscos aprovechando los ejemplos publicados en España. El cálculo de edades mediante U/Th se basa en la serie de desintegración del 238U e involucra medidas de 238U, 234U y 230Th. Su fundamento radica en el fraccionamiento entre los radionucleidos del uranio y del torio en los sistemas naturales. En el caso de la precipitación de carbonato puro, éste incorpora uranio en el momento de su formación, pero está libre de torio inicial de tal forma que, pasado un tiempo, todo el 230Th medido en la muestra deriva de la desintegración del 234U y esta relación permite calcular la edad de formación del mineral. Teóricamente, por tanto, el carbonato a datar: (1) debe incorporar cierta cantidad de uranio en el momento de su formación, (2) no debe incorporar cantidad significativa de torio y (3) debe comportarse como un sistema cerrado. De estas premisas, la segunda y la tercera no siempre se cumplen por lo que el método se ha adaptado a estos casos añadiendo cálculos y correcciones adicionales. Dada la variedad de carbonatos susceptibles de ser datados, este método es de amplia aplicación en paleoclimatología, paleontología, arqueología, estratigrafía, geomorfología, tectónica y oceanografía, entre otras disciplinas.