An isotopic study of a late Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence in SW Germany

Abstract

A late Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence at Schattenhausen (SW Germany) was studied by isotopic methods (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, ¹⁴C age). The stable isotopic composition of organic carbon indicates that C3 vegetation dominated the site during most of the time of formation of the loess-paleosol sequence (δ¹³C = -26 to -20 ‰). However, there was a short period in the Late Pleniglacial with a pronounced C4 excursion of the δ¹³C values (-16 to -19 ‰) of organic matter. Calcified root cells (δ¹³C = -8 to -11 ‰ and δ¹⁸O = ca. -6.5‰) are isotopically different from diffuse carbonate in the loess and soil matrix (δ¹³C = -1 to -2.5 ‰; δ¹⁸O = -6 to -7.5 ‰). The stable isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen of the calcified root cells in combination with their 14C ages suggest that they formed, at least partially, in the Holocene.