Northeast Brazil Speleothem/Travertine Growth Phases ----------------------------------------------------------------------- World Data Center for Paleoclimatology, Boulder and NOAA Paleoclimatology Program ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: PLEASE CITE ORIGINAL REFERENCE WHEN USING THIS DATA!!!!! NAME OF DATA SET: Northeast Brazil Speleothem/Travertine Growth Phases LAST UPDATE: 2/2009 (Original receipt by WDC Paleo) CONTRIBUTOR: Xianfeng Wang, University of Minnesota IGBP PAGES/WDCA CONTRIBUTION SERIES NUMBER: 2009-009 WDC PALEO CONTRIBUTION SERIES CITATION: Wang, X., et al. 2009. Northeast Brazil Speleothem/Travertine Growth Phases. IGBP PAGES/World Data Center for Paleoclimatology Data Contribution Series # 2009-009. NOAA/NCDC Paleoclimatology Program, Boulder CO, USA. ORIGINAL REFERENCE: Wang, X., A.S. Auler, R.L. Edwards, H. Cheng, P.S. Cristalli, P.L. Smart, D.A. Richards, and C.-C. Shen. 2004. Wet periods in northeastern Brazil over the past 210 kyr linked to distant climate anomalies. Nature, Vol. 432, pp. 740-743, 9 December 2004. doi:10.1038/nature03067 ABSTRACT: The tropics are the main source of the atmosphere's sensible and latent heat, and water vapour, and are therefore important for reconstructions of past climate. But long, accurately dated records of southern tropical palaeoclimate, which would allow the establishment of climatic connections to distant regions, have not been available. Here we present a 210,000-year (210-kyr) record of wet periods in tropical northeastern Brazil - a region that is currently semi-arid. The record is obtained from speleothems and travertine deposits that are accurately dated using the U/Th method. We find wet periods that are synchronous with periods of weak East Asian summer monsoons, cold periods in Greenland, Heinrich events in the North Atlantic and periods of decreased river runoff to the Cariaco basin. We infer that the wet periods may be explained with a southward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This widespread synchroneity of climate anomalies suggests a relatively rapid global reorganization of the ocean- atmosphere system. We conclude that the wet periods probably affected rainforest distribution, as plant fossils show that forest expansion occurred during these intermittent wet intervals, and opened a forest corridor between the Amazonian and Atlantic rainforests. GEOGRAPHIC REGION: South America, northeastern Brazil PERIOD OF RECORD: 210 KYrBP - present FUNDING SOURCES: This work was supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), the Gary Comer Science and Education Foundation, and the CNPq of Brazil. DESCRIPTION: Uranium and thorium isotopic compositions and 230Th ages from speleothem and travertine deposits in northern Bahia state, northeastern Brazil (~10°10'S, 40°50'W, 500m above sea level). Speleothem and travertine deposition are indicative of wet periods in the currently semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Calcite speleothems were collected from 3 caves: Toca da Boa Vista (TBV), Lapa dos Brejoes (LBR), and Toca da Barriguda (TBR), and travertine deposits were collected from the surrounding Salitre and Jacare river valleys. DATA: Table 1. Uranium and thorium isotopic compositions and 230Th ages for northeastern Brazil speleothems Column 1: Sample ID Column 2: 238U (ppb) Column 3: 232Th (ppt) Column 4: d234U (measured) Column 5: 230Th/238U (activity) Column 6: 230Th Age (ka) (uncorrected) Column 7: 230Th Age (ka) (corrected) Column 8: d234U initial (corrected) Sample ID 238U 232Th d234U 230Th/238U 230Th Age(ka) 230Th Age(ka) d234U initial (ppb) (ppt) (measured) (activity) (uncorrected) (corrected) (corrected) TBV62 TBV62-5mm 48.2 ± 0.1 61 ± 2 1247 ± 5 0.2884 ± 0.002 14.82 ± 0.13 14.8 ± 0.13 1300 ± 5 TBV62-125mm 34.6 ± 0.1 604 ± 2 1381 ± 6 0.3177 ± 0.003 15.43 ± 0.15 15.22 ± 0.18 1442 ± 6 TBV62-287mm 46.7 ± 0.1 1978 ± 6 1502 ± 6 0.3434 ± 0.003 15.89 ± 0.13 15.41 ± 0.27 1569 ± 6 LBR08 LBR08T 183.9 ± 0.3 1985 ± 6 2820 ± 6 0.504 ± 0.003 15.19 ± 0.09 15.11 ± 0.1 2943 ± 7 LBR08B 365.9 ± 0.6 135 ± 3 3211 ± 5 0.579 ± 0.002 15.87 ± 0.06 15.86 ± 0.06 3358 ± 5 TBV37 TBV37-2.5mm 63.5 ± 0.1 52 ± 3 619 ± 4 0.215 ± 0.002 15.46 ± 0.16 15.44 ± 0.16 646 ± 4 TBV37-6mm 58.7 ± 0.1 70 ± 8 593 ± 2 0.216 ± 0.002 15.79 ± 0.19 15.76 ± 0.19 620 ± 2 TBV37-95mm 38.3 ± 0 31 ± 13 620 ± 2 0.221 ± 0.003 15.89 ± 0.22 15.88 ± 0.22 649 ± 2 TBV40 TBV40-4mm 68.3 ± 0.1 11 ± 3 1857 ± 5 0.886 ± 0.004 38.89 ± 0.23 38.89 ± 0.23 2073 ± 6 BTV40-20mm 64.3 ± 0.2 43 ± 4 1949 ± 13 0.916 ± 0.007 38.97 ± 0.4 38.97 ± 0.4 2176 ± 15 TBV40-104mm 112 ± 0.2 19 ± 6 2001 ± 6 0.941 ± 0.005 39.34 ± 0.26 39.34 ± 0.26 2237 ± 7 TBV40-108mm 4576 ± 8 80 ± 10 2258 ± 2 1.03 ± 0.003 39.66 ± 0.14 39.66 ± 0.14 2526 ± 3 BTV40-160mm 4474 ± 25 363 ± 4 2041 ± 7 0.958 ± 0.006 39.55 ± 0.31 39.55 ± 0.31 2282 ± 8 hiatus BTV40-170mm 4339 ± 28 776 ± 5 1861 ± 8 1.364 ± 0.01 65.44 ± 0.65 65.44 ± 0.65 2239 ± 11 BTV40-196mm 6078 ± 34 96 ± 4 1865 ± 7 1.369 ± 0.009 65.65 ± 0.61 65.65 ± 0.61 2245 ± 9 TBV40-204mm 7819 ± 20 31 ± 11 1939 ± 3 1.417 ± 0.005 66.37 ± 0.33 66.37 ± 0.33 2339 ± 4 TBV63 TBV63-9mm 52.6 ± 0.1 77 ± 4 643 ± 6 0.5035 ± 0.005 38.98 ± 0.45 38.96 ± 0.45 717 ± 7 TBV63-58mm 124.2 ± 0.3 303 ± 4 746 ± 4 0.5411 ± 0.003 39.41 ± 0.29 39.37 ± 0.29 833 ± 5 hiatus TBV63-70mm 91.2 ± 0.2 32 ± 5 711 ± 4 0.627 ± 0.005 48.18 ± 0.47 48.17 ± 0.47 815 ± 5 TBV63-83mm 3697 ± 8.7 574 ± 5 843 ± 2 0.6806 ± 0.002 48.45 ± 0.22 48.44 ± 0.22 967 ± 3 hiatus TBV63-87mm 122.7 ± 0.2 19 ± 4 543 ± 4 0.6677 ± 0.004 59.62 ± 0.48 59.61 ± 0.48 643 ± 4 TBV63-200mm 121.2 ± 0.3 242 ± 3 544 ± 4 0.6771 ± 0.004 60.65 ± 0.45 60.61 ± 0.45 646 ± 4 TBV63-209mm 83.6 ± 0.2 3847 ± 10 546 ± 5 0.6821 ± 0.004 61.11 ± 0.54 60.3 ± 0.68 648 ± 6 TBV63-267mm 104 ± 0.2 4459 ± 12 585 ± 4 0.7023 ± 0.004 61.36 ± 0.54 60.62 ± 0.65 694 ± 5 TBV34 TBV34-1mm 3880 ± 11 328 ± 15 1248 ± 3 1.045 ± 0.004 64.05 ± 0.37 64.05 ± 0.37 1495 ± 4 TBV34-17mm 3237 ± 6 242 ± 18 1283 ± 2 1.057 ± 0.004 63.61 ± 0.29 63.61 ± 0.29 1536 ± 3 hiatus TBV34-21mm 1984 ± 3 1897 ± 14 1346 ± 2 1.116 ± 0.003 65.78 ± 0.27 65.77 ± 0.27 1621 ± 3 TBV34-36mm 9039 ± 14 15 ± 12 1305 ± 2 1.089 ± 0.003 65.23 ± 0.26 65.23 ± 0.26 1570 ± 3 TBV34-42mm 7013 ± 11 63 ± 15 1387 ± 2 1.138 ± 0.003 65.98 ± 0.27 65.98 ± 0.27 1671 ± 3 hiatus TBV34-77mm 3872 ± 8 2342 ± 23 1248 ± 2 1.092 ± 0.004 67.78 ± 0.33 67.77 ± 0.33 1512 ± 3 hiatus TBV34-80mm 5661 ± 10 1638 ± 17 1067 ± 2 1.05 ± 0.003 72.23 ± 0.32 72.23 ± 0.32 1308 ± 3 TBV34-84mm 9553 ± 15 330 ± 12 1026 ± 2 1.032 ± 0.003 72.52 ± 0.31 72.52 ± 0.31 1260 ± 3 TBV34-100mm 5331 ± 8 1343 ± 12 1093 ± 2 1.071 ± 0.003 72.85 ± 0.3 72.85 ± 0.3 1343 ± 3 TBV34-103mm 478 ± 1 277 ± 7 1081 ± 3 1.063 ± 0.003 72.71 ± 0.34 72.7 ± 0.34 1328 ± 3 hiatus TBV34-111mm 5986 ± 24 2761 ± 20 1123 ± 4 1.1 ± 0.006 74.03 ± 0.58 74.02 ± 0.58 1385 ± 5 LBR04 LBR04-4mm 176.4 ± 0.2 16 ± 3 1998 ± 3 1.766 ± 0.005 86.49 ± 0.38 86.49 ± 0.38 2551 ± 5 LBR04-141mm 187.4 ± 0.4 9 ± 3 1932 ± 5 1.73 ± 0.007 86.85 ± 0.54 86.85 ± 0.54 2469 ± 8 LBR04-249mm 220.7 ± 0.4 17 ± 3 1937 ± 5 1.745 ± 0.006 87.61 ± 0.48 87.61 ± 0.48 2481 ± 7 LBR04-252mm 230.2 ± 0.2 173 ± 3 1973 ± 3 1.761 ± 0.005 87.25 ± 0.33 87.24 ± 0.33 2524 ± 4 TBV35 TBV35-3mm 88.7 ± 0.2 462 ± 14 1975 ± 6 2.363 ± 0.011 136.1 ± 1.2 136.1 ± 1.2 2901 ± 14 TBV35-49mm 80.2 ± 0.2 1009 ± 14 1867 ± 6 2.279 ± 0.011 136.8 ± 1.2 136.7 ± 1.2 2748 ± 13 TBR17 TBR17-5mm 397.1 ± 0.7 1310 ± 6 928 ± 3 1.452 ± 0.005 130.5 ± 0.9 130.4 ± 0.9 1341 ± 6 TBR17-113mm 36.7 ± 0.1 36 ± 3 1157 ± 7 1.646 ± 0.01 131.5 ± 1.6 131.5 ± 1.6 1678 ± 13 hiatus TBR17-118mm 37.7 ± 0.1 273 ± 4 947 ± 7 1.481 ± 0.009 132.6 ± 1.7 132.5 ± 1.7 1377 ± 12 TBR17-163mm 36.7 ± 0.1 169 ± 3 1120 ± 7 1.626 ± 0.01 133 ± 1.6 132.9 ± 1.6 1631 ± 12 hiatus TBR17-165mm 39.5 ± 0.1 16 ± 3 924 ± 6 1.477 ± 0.01 135 ± 1.7 134.9 ± 1.7 1353 ± 11 TBR17-345mm 132.8 ± 0.3 181 ± 4 874 ± 4 1.433 ± 0.006 134.5 ± 1.1 134.5 ± 1.1 1278 ± 7 Flowstone TBV70 4123 ± 8.6 12963 ± 23 888 ± 2 1.2777 ± 0.004 109.8 ± 0.6 109.7 ± 0.6 1211 ± 4 hiatus TBV57 336.4 ± 0.7 224 ± 6 684 ± 4 1.4717 ± 0.005 177.6 ± 1.7 177.6 ± 1.7 1131 ± 9 TBV56 314.5 ± 0.6 1211 ± 5 559 ± 3 1.3649 ± 0.004 182.2 ± 1.6 182.2 ± 1.6 935 ± 7 hiatus TBV55 135.7 ± 0.3 105 ± 4 477 ± 4 1.349 ± 0.006 205.4 ± 2.8 205.3 ± 2.8 852 ± 10 TBV54 768.6 ± 1.3 2520 ± 9 590 ± 3 1.4699 ± 0.004 205.9 ± 1.9 205.8 ± 1.9 1056 ± 8 hiatus TBV53 784.8 ± 1.3 3075 ± 6 660 ± 2 1.5471 ± 0.004 207.1 ± 1.6 207 ± 1.6 1185 ± 7 TBV52 764.1 ± 1.3 3984 ± 11 696 ± 2 1.5918 ± 0.005 209.3 ± 1.8 209.3 ± 1.8 1257 ± 8 Sample ID is given as a combination of sample name and depth. Analytical errors are 2sigma of the mean. d234U = ([234U/238U]activity - 1) x 1000. [230Th/238U]activity = 1 - e-L230T + (d234Umeasured/1000)[L230/(L230 - L234)](1 - e-(L230 - L234) T ), where T is the age. Decay constants are 9.1577 x 10-6 yr-1 for 230Th, 2.8263 x 10-6 yr-1 for 234U (Cheng et al., 2000), and 1.55125 x 10-10 yr-1 for 238U (Jaffey et al., 1971). Age corrections were calculated using an average crustal 230Th/232Th atomic ratio of 4.4 x 10-6 ± 2.2 x 10-6. Those are the values for a material at secular equilibrium, with the crustal 232Th/238U value of 3.8. The errors are arbitrarily assumed to be 50%. d234Uinitial corrected was calculated based on 230Th age (T), i.e., d234Uinitial = d234Umeasured X eL234*T, and T is corrected age. Table 2. Uranium and thorium isotopic compositions and 230Th ages for northeastern Brazil travertines Column 1: Sample ID Column 2: 238U (ppb) Column 3: 232Th (ppt) Column 4: d234U (measured) Column 5: 230Th/238U (activity) Column 6: 230Th Age (ka) (uncorrected) Column 7: 230Th Age (ka) (corrected) Column 8: d234U initial (corrected) Sample ID 238U 232Th d234U 230Th/238U 230Th Age (ka) 230Th Age (ka) d234U initial (ppb) (ppt) (measured) (activity) (uncorrected) (corrected) (corrected) Travertine deposits in Salgadinho, Salitre valley TVT10 377.4 ± 0.5 940 ± 4 6497 ± 7 1.085 ± 0.003 16.71 ± 0.06 16.7 ± 0.06 6811 ± 7 TVT11 405.7 ± 0.7 765 ± 5 6518 ± 10 1.1 ± 0.005 16.9 ± 0.08 16.89 ± 0.08 6836 ± 11 TVT12 404.4 ± 0.8 125 ± 2 6858 ± 11 1.211 ± 0.005 17.86 ± 0.08 17.86 ± 0.08 7213 ± 11 TVT13 407.7 ± 0.7 124 ± 2 6855 ± 9 1.219 ± 0.005 17.99 ± 0.08 17.98 ± 0.08 7212 ± 9 TVT14 402.7 ± 0.6 1130 ± 4 6867 ± 8 1.344 ± 0.005 19.92 ± 0.08 19.91 ± 0.08 7265 ± 9 TVT15 409.7 ± 0.6 1689 ± 4 6865 ± 8 1.35 ± 0.004 20.02 ± 0.07 20 ± 0.07 7265 ± 8 TVT16 435.2 ± 0.7 1093 ± 3 6789 ± 8 1.415 ± 0.004 21.28 ± 0.07 21.27 ± 0.07 7210 ± 9 TVT17 454.9 ± 0.7 1252 ± 3 6776 ± 8 1.443 ± 0.004 21.77 ± 0.08 21.76 ± 0.08 7206 ± 9 TVT18 244.6 ± 0.4 648 ± 3 6038 ± 9 0.735 ± 0.003 11.86 ± 0.05 11.85 ± 0.05 6244 ± 9 TVT19 257.8 ± 0.5 483 ± 3 6061 ± 9 0.734 ± 0.003 11.8 ± 0.06 11.8 ± 0.08 6266 ± 10 TVT20 274.7 ± 0.4 260 ± 3 6100 ± 8 0.732 ± 0.003 11.7 ± 0.04 11.7 ± 0.04 6305 ± 8 TVT21 282 ± 0.5 296 ± 3 6095 ± 11 0.735 ± 0.003 11.77 ± 0.06 11.77 ± 0.06 6301 ± 11 TVT22 326 ± 0.6 55 ± 2 6167 ± 9 0.737 ± 0.003 11.68 ± 0.06 11.68 ± 0.06 6374 ± 9 TVT23 330.1 ± 0.6 33 ± 1 6173 ± 8 0.738 ± 0.003 11.68 ± 0.05 11.68 ± 0.05 6380 ± 8 Travertine deposits in Pacuí Junction, Salitre valley TVT24 153 ± 0.4 96 ± 2 4509 ± 12 0.572 ± 0.004 11.8 ± 0.08 11.79 ± 0.08 4661 ± 12 TVT25 152.5 ± 0.4 137 ± 2 4531 ± 11 0.578 ± 0.004 11.88 ± 0.08 11.88 ± 0.08 4685 ± 11 Travertine deposits in Lagoa Branca, Salitre valley TVT26 60.7 ± 0.2 2451 ± 16 379 ± 8 1.548 ± 0.017 >600 ka *a TVT27 60.7 ± 0.2 13390 ± 62 366 ± 8 1.532 ± 0.016 >600 ka TVT28 47.9 ± 0.2 1967 ± 11 388 ± 7 1.565 ± 0.015 >600 ka TVT29 61.6 ± 0.2 50980 ± 190 441 ± 8 1.643 ± 0.02 >600 ka TVT30 55.3 ± 0.1 16405 ± 39 504 ± 5 1.733 ± 0.012 >600 ka TVT31 66.9 ± 0.2 19514 ± 84 495 ± 8 1.723 ± 0.016 >600 ka TVT32 78.7 ± 0.2 66800 ± 310 502 ± 7 1.805 ± 0.02 possibly altered *b TVT33 72.8 ± 0.3 325 ± 9 527 ± 12 1.806 ± 0.012 possibly altered TVT34 64.6 ± 0.2 11439 ± 33 462 ± 9 1.669 ± 0.013 >600 ka TVT35 80.1 ± 0.2 27202 ± 78 492 ± 9 1.722 ± 0.015 >600 ka TVT36 47.2 ± 0.2 13779 ± 37 449 ± 11 1.662 ± 0.015 >600 ka TVT37 56.1 ± 0.2 17985 ± 48 464 ± 10 1.677 ± 0.014 >600 ka TVT38 63.5 ± 0.2 220100 ± 1040 356 ± 9 1.639 ± 0.039 possibly altered TVT39 56.9 ± 0.2 199340 ± 990 461 ± 10 1.756 ± 0.046 possibly altered TVT40 69 ± 0.1 55580 ± 200 572 ± 4 1.843 ± 0.019 >600 ka TVT41 61.8 ± 0.3 59600 ± 330 509 ± 12 1.78 ± 0.026 possibly altered Travertine deposits in Iate Branco, Salitre valley TVT42 84.6 ± 0.2 65080 ± 390 832 ± 9 2.378 ± 0.035 possibly altered TVT43 80.2 ± 0.2 60660 ± 190 849 ± 10 2.365 ± 0.018 possibly altered TVT44 153.9 ± 0.3 14090 ± 29 921 ± 5 2.592 ± 0.009 possibly altered TVT45 147 ± 0.2 14796 ± 31 926 ± 4 2.583 ± 0.009 possibly altered Travertine deposits in Lagoa Branca, Salitre valley TVT46 92.3 ± 0.2 7392 ± 15 454 ± 5 1.66 ± 0.006 >600 ka TVT47 82.3 ± 0.2 4452 ± 16 477 ± 9 1.703 ± 0.011 >600 ka TVT48 65 ± 0.1 56330 ± 180 516 ± 6 1.758 ± 0.015 >600 ka TVT49 64.3 ± 0.2 35006 ± 94 577 ± 10 1.842 ± 0.014 >600 ka TVT50 60.7 ± 0.1 1701 ± 7 362 ± 5 1.518 ± 0.009 >600 ka TVT51 57.9 ± 0.1 20913 ± 66 371 ± 6 1.546 ± 0.011 >600 ka TVT52 82.2 ± 0.2 76020 ± 340 467 ± 5 1.73 ± 0.018 >600 ka Travertine deposits in José Gregório, Jacaré valley TVT60 66.4 ± 0.1 699 ± 3 2713 ± 7 0.393 ± 0.003 12.04 ± 0.08 11.96 ± 0.09 2807 ± 7 TVT61 63.7 ± 0.2 2806 ± 8 2676 ± 19 0.391 ± 0.004 12.12 ± 0.14 11.78 ± 0.22 2766 ± 20 Travertine dein Brejões da Gruta, Jacaré valley TVT62 77.7 ± 0.1 90690 ± 460 1189 ± 5 2.6 ± 0.024 444 ± 31 437 ± 30 4100 ± 400 TVT63 69.3 ± 0.2 82040 ± 570 1387 ± 6 2.98 ± 0.034 700 ± 142 697 ± 140 9900 ± 5000 TVT64 39 ± 0.1 47980 ± 220 845 ± 8 2.123 ± 0.027 431 ± 44 421 ± 41 2780 ± 380 TVT65 40.9 ± 0.1 36440 ± 120 926 ± 9 2.183 ± 0.022 376 ± 24 369 ± 23 2620 ± 190 TVT68 53.7 ± 0.1 43920 ± 160 1279 ± 6 2.61 ± 0.022 351 ± 14 346 ± 14 3400 ± 140 TVT69 51.6 ± 0.2 46410 ± 190 1438 ± 14 2.883 ± 0.028 395 ± 26 390 ± 25 4330 ± 340 TVT70 43.9 ± 0.1 26845 ± 78 1474 ± 7 2.88 ± 0.021 362 ± 13 358 ± 13 4060 ± 160 TVT71 46.8 ± 0.1 34100 ± 140 1448 ± 7 2.915 ± 0.024 410 ± 22 406 ± 22 4560 ± 310 TVT72 33.9 ± 0.1 13149 ± 43 1133 ± 9 2.477 ± 0.019 395 ± 20 392 ± 20 3430 ± 210 TVT73 39.5 ± 0.1 25717 ± 95 1138 ± 9 2.498 ± 0.023 408 ± 26 404 ± 26 3560 ± 290 Analytical errors are 2sigma of the mean. d234U = ([234U/238U]activity - 1) x 1000. [230Th/238U]activity = 1 - e-L230T + (d234Umeasured/1000)[L230/(L230 - L234)](1 - e-(L230 - L234) T ), where T is the age. Decay constants are 9.1577 x 10-6 yr-1 for 230Th, 2.8263 x 10-6 yr-1 for 234U (Cheng et al., 2000), and 1.55125 x 10-10 yr-1 for 238U (Jaffey et al., 1971). Age corrections were calculated using an average crustal 230Th/232Th atomic ratio of 4.4 x 10-6 ± 2.2 x 10-6. Those are the values for a material at secular equilibrium, with the crustal 232Th/238U value of 3.8. The errors are arbitrarily assumed to be 50%. d234Uinitial corrected was calculated based on 230Th age (T), i.e., d234Uinitial = d234Umeasured X eL234*T, and T is corrected age. *a Approximate ages for these old travertines (older than the dating limit of this method, > c . 650,000 yr B.P.) from Lagoa Branca can be calculated taking account of their measured d234U (around 450) and assuming that intial d234U is approximately equal to the initial d234U of younger samples from neighbouring Salgadinho site (about 6000). This rough estimate yields ages around 910 ka. *b These samples may have undergone postdepositional isotopic remobilization.