Browsing by Subject "Blackwater Draw Formation (Tex. and N.M.)"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Paleoclimate interpretation using stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from caliche in the Blackwater Draw and Blanco formations(1996-05) Soliz, Stuart Byran; Barnes, Calvin G.; Karlsson, Hal; Lehman, ThomasStable carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios were measured for caliche horizons in the Blackwater Draw Formation, at Blanco Canyon, in order to determine the paleoclimatic history of the Southern High Plains for approximately the past 1.6 Ma Carbon isotopes were analyzed to determine the proportion of C4 to C3 vegetation, and possible soil conditions at the time of carbonate formation. It was found to be quantitatively difficult to determine the fraction of c4 to c3 vegetation once supported by the Blackwater Draw Formation paleosols, however it has likely varied from less than 50% C4 prior to 1.6 Ma up to as much as 80% C4 in more recent times. Modeling of paleosol conditions suggested that the caliches formed under low soil C02 concentrations, which resulted from sparse surface vegetation giving rise to low soil respiration rates and allowing for a higher influence of atmospheric C02 • Oxygen isotopes were analyzed in order to calculate paleometeoric water compositions and to determine primary sources for precipitation on the Southern High Plains. Measured ~180 compositions suggest that the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation has not changed drastically over the past 1.6 Ma and modem precipitation for the Southern High Plains is more depleted in 180 relative to values calculated in this study. It is suggested that pre-Holocene atmospheric circulation patterns, over the Southern High Plains, were similar as today but allowed for a higher influence of precipitation from Gulf moisture.Item Stable isotope geochemistry of caliche in the Blackwater Draw Formation, southern High Plains, Texas(Texas Tech University, 2001-12) Alomar-Camacho, LynetteStable carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios were measured for soil carbonate and organic matter from three successive caliche horizons in the type section of the Blackwater Draw Formation in northern Lubbock County, Texas. These data allow for interpretation of the Pleistocene paleoclimatic history of the Southern High Plains. Carbon isotopes were measured to determine the fraction of C4 to C3 vegetation that grew on the soil surface during the time that the Blackwater Draw Formation caliches formed. The caliche horizons probably formed under low soil CO2 concentrations and high atmospheric CO2 input leading to a higher difference between carbonate and organic matter ä^13C values than is typical of modem soils. The fraction of C4 vegetation increased, and the climate became progressively warmer as the Blackwater Draw Formation profile aggraded over the past 2 million years. Oxygen isotopes were analyzed in order to interpret the paleometeoric water compositions and possible temperatures under which the Blackwater Draw Formation accumulated. Oxygen isotopic values suggest that the ä^18O of meteoric waters from which the caliche precipitated has remained relatively constant for the past 2 million years, and that modem precipitation is more depleted in ä^18O relative to the values calculated for the Blackwater Draw Formation at Lubbock.