Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record
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...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/5/806 |
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| author | Aritina Haliuc Alicja Bonk Jack Longman Simon M. Hutchinson Michal Zak Daniel Veres |
| author_facet | Aritina Haliuc Alicja Bonk Jack Longman Simon M. Hutchinson Michal Zak Daniel Veres |
| author_sort | Aritina Haliuc |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:14:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-db7ac8ddff63421a96308032954f281e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:14:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-db7ac8ddff63421a96308032954f281e2023-11-24T00:03:36ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-03-0114580610.3390/w14050806Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment RecordAritina Haliuc0Alicja Bonk1Jack Longman2Simon M. Hutchinson3Michal Zak4Daniel Veres5Romanian Academy, Institute of Speleology, Clinicilor 5, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDivision of Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, PL80-309 Gdańsk, PolandMarine Isotope Geochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, GermanySchool of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UKDepartment of Atmospheric Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Holešovičkách 2, 180 00 Prague, Czech RepublicRomanian Academy, Institute of Speleology, Clinicilor 5, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/5/806paleolimnologygeochemistryclastic sedimentsdata treatmentSE Europe |
| spellingShingle | Aritina Haliuc Alicja Bonk Jack Longman Simon M. Hutchinson Michal Zak Daniel Veres Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record Water paleolimnology geochemistry clastic sediments data treatment SE Europe |
| title | Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record |
| title_full | Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record |
| title_fullStr | Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record |
| title_short | Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record |
| title_sort | challenges in interpreting geochemical data an appraisal of analytical techniques applied to a karstic lake sediment record |
| topic | paleolimnology geochemistry clastic sediments data treatment SE Europe |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/5/806 |
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