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Geochemistry of Quaternary travertines in the region north of Rome (Italy): structural, hydrologic and paleoclimatic implications |
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| Authors: | A Minissale DM Kerrick |
| Institution: | a C.N.R. (Italian Council for Research) - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (Section of Florence), Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy b Department of Geosciences, Penn State University, 243 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA c C.N.R. (Italian Council for Research) - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via Alfieri 1, Loc. San Cataldo, 56127 Pisa, Italy d Chemistry Division, MS-J514, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA e Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy f Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, Université Louis Pasteur, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France g Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607-7059, USA |
| Abstract: | In the Tyrrhenian region of central Italy, late Quaternary fossil travertines are widespread along two major regional structures: the Tiber Valley and the Ancona-Anzio line. The origin and transport of spring waters from which travertines precipitate are elucidated by chemical and isotopic studies of the travertines and associated thermal springs and gas vents. There are consistent differences in the geochemical and isotopic signatures of thermal spring waters, gas vents and present and fossil travertines between east and west of the Tiber Valley. West of the Tiber Valley, δ13C of CO2 discharged from gas vents and δ13C of fossil travertines are higher than those to the east. To the west the travertines have higher strontium contents, and gases emitted from vents have higher 3He/4He ratios and lower N2 contents, than to the east. Fossil travertines to the west have characteristics typical of thermogene (thermal spring) origin, whereas those to the east have meteogene (low-temperature) characteristics (including abundant plant casts and organic impurities). The regional geochemical differences in travertines and fluid compositions across the Tiber Valley are interpreted with a model of regional fluid flow. The regional Mesozoic limestone aquifer is recharged in the main axis of the Apennine chain, and the groundwater flows westward and is discharged at springs. The travertine-precipitating waters east of the Tiber Valley have shallower flow paths than those to the west. Because of the comparatively short fluid flow paths and low (normal) heat flow, the groundwaters to the east of the Tiber Valley are cold and have CO2 isotopic signatures, indicating a significant biogenic contribution acquired from soils in the recharge area and limited deeply derived CO2. In contrast, spring waters west of the Tiber Valley have been conductively heated during transit in these high heat-flow areas and have incorporated a comparatively large quantity of CO2 derived from decarbonation of limestone. The elevated strontium content of the thermal spring water west of the Tiber Valley is attributed to deep circulation and dissolution of a Triassic evaporite unit that is stratigraphically beneath the Mesozoic limestone. U-series age dates of fossil travertines indicate three main periods of travertine formation (ka): 220-240, 120-140 and 60-70. Based on the regional flow model correlating travertine deposition at thermal springs and precipitation in the recharge area, we suggest that pluvial activity was enhanced during these periods. Our study suggests that travertines preserve a valuable record of paleofluid composition and paleoprecipitation and are thus useful for reconstructing paleohydrology and paleoclimate. |
| Keywords: | travertine Italy paleoclimatology paleohydrology |
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