Age and origin of secondary carbonatesfrom several caves in the Bohemian Paradise

 

Jiří Bruthans, Zdenka Churáčková, Petr Jenč, Jana Schweigstillová

Geoscience Research Reports 42, 2009 (GRR for 2008), pages 54–59

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Abstract

Secondary carbonates in 4 sandstone caves in the Bohemian Paradise were dated by means of 14C and U/Th methods. Secondary carbonates (cave sinters) were deposited 5-13 kyr BP. Stable isotope values of C and O of carbonates from Krtola and Petráskova caves fall into values typical for cave sinters. In Sintrová and U studánky caves the isotope composition indicates evaporation and fast CO2 degassing. Secondary carbonate deposits proved that sides of studied caves were not enlarged for at least last 5-8 kyr BP. Caves were thus created probably during last glacial or at glacial/Holocene transition.