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The 10Be record in laminated travertines is a potential proxy for reconstructing past solar activity down to the annual scale; however, correcting for the potential influence of climatic or environmental variations remains challenging. Here, we present an annually resolved 10Be record using travertines from Baishuitai, China, covering the period from 1510 to 1701 CE, along with environmental proxies, to evaluate climatic influences and implement corrections to accurately reconstruct solar activity. We demonstrate that the 10Be deposition in travertines exhibits two environmental impacts: the transport efficiency of atmospheric 10Be into travertine and the additional 10Be inflow from overland flow associated with rainfall. We show that these impacts can be corrected based on iron and potassium contents. The resulting corrected record agrees with ice‐core and tree‐ring records, demonstrating the feasibility of using such carbonate sediment 10Be records to reconstruct past solar activity. Plain Language Summary The travertine 10Be record has great potential as a proxy for high‐resolution reconstruction of past solar activity; however, the methodology for correcting the potential influence of climatic or environmental variations has not been fully established. This study presents a new high‐precision annual 10Be record using travertines from Baishuitai, China, covering the period 1510–1701 CE, together with records of environmental proxies, allowing us to evaluate the climatic influences and establish a methodology for correcting them to facilitate accurate solar activity reconstruction. We find that there are two environmental impacts on the deposition of 10Be in travertine: one is the transport efficiency of atmospheric 10Be into travertine, and the other is the additional 10Be inflow from the runoff following rainfall events, and we use iron (Fe) and potassium (K) contents to correct these impacts. The corrected travertine 10Be record exhibits good agreement with ice‐core 10Be and tree‐ring 14C records, supporting that the 10Be record in Baishuitai travertine reliably reflects the atmospheric radionuclide production rate as regulated by solar activity. This result demonstrates the feasibility of using such carbonate sediment 10Be records to reconstruct annual solar activity and suggests the possibility of extending the annual records further back in time than previously obtained. Key Points A high‐precision annual record of travertine 10Be from 1510 to 1701 CE was obtained to assess its potential as a proxy for solar activity Climatological and environmental impacts on 10Be deposition were found to be correctable based on the content of trace elements The travertine 10Be record corrected for climatological impacts reasonably preserves the decadal and centennial‐scale solar cycles

Aim: To assess ancient biotic connections between the Amazon Forest (AmF) and the Atlantic Forest (AtF) based on environmental niche modelling (ENM), palaeobiological, and molecular evidence; to test Por (1992)'s hypothesis of the south-eastern -—north-western (SE—NW) route as the most important route in terms of frequency and duration; to evaluate past climatic conditions associated with the routes. Location: South America. Methods: We generated random points in climate space of AmF and AtF and identified two major climatic groups in the shared environmental space (colder and warmer) with a K-means cluster analysis. We modelled each climatic group using eleven algorithms of ENM and selected the best model, projecting the results back to 120 ka. We used published data on South American palaeopalynology, speleothem and travertine chronology for model validation. We also accessed vertebrate molecular studies and extracted the split timing of lineages distributed both in the AmF and the AtF to test Por (1992)'s hypothesis in more ancient times. Results: Palynological and speleothem studies supported the results of our ENM models, indicating expansion of cold-adapted species along the SE—NW and NE routes in the LGM. The SE—NW route was also supported in the LIG, however, involving warm-adapted species. Our results support Por (1992)'s hypothesis and suggest that the SE—NW was established more than once in the past, involving different plant communities each time, adapted to different temperature conditions. Vertebrate molecular studies also support Por (1992)'s hypothesis and suggest that the SE—NW route was established since the Andean uplift. Main Conclusions: The SE—NW route is the most ancient connection route between the AmF and the AtF and probably was established since the Andean uplift and the formation of the South American monsoon system. This route was established many times in the past, alternating by the distribution expansion of cold-adapted and warm-adapted plant communities.

Romania is not a large country but, due to the very complex geological structure, it has 110 mineral and power substances with identified and quantified resources and reserves. In time, the most numerous from these (82) have been exploited at the ground surface, in over 3,492 identified quarries and open pits. Travertine has been exploited since ancient times in Romania The exploitation of Brezinta (Mehedinti county) has been known since the Roman times. Although resources are found in many other zones, only two travertine deposits are presently exploited by Marmosim S.A.: Banpotoc-Carpinis and Geoagiu. Travertine extraction began at the Banpotoc-Carpinis deposit in 1870 and 9 quarries have functioned during time from which only one is still active today. This paper presents the way in which the research and valuation of the deposit was made, how the exploitation and processing of the travertine is made nowadays and what are its uses.

Groundwater has emerged as a crucial water source, supplying half of the world’s domestic water needs, particularly in rural areas without supply systems. This study assesses the impact of travertine formations, on water quality in Chahar Takab village, Iran, focusing on suitability for human consumption and ecosystem sustainability where groundwater is the primary source. Thirty-four samples from various sources, including travertine springs, surface water, and groundwater, underwent ICP-OES analysis. Travertine springs exhibited higher electrical conductivity (EC), lower pH, and elevated concentrations of major cations (Na, Ca, Mg) and anions (Cl, HCO 3 ). In them, all samples exceeded European Union limits for Cl and Na in drinking water. Hydrochemical facies were influenced by water-rock interactions, leading to Ca-HCO 3 dominance in surface and groundwater samples and Ca-Mg-Cl dominance in travertine springs. Heavy metal analysis revealed high concentrations of As, B, Fe, Mn, and Pb in travertine spring and surface water samples, with As exceeding World Health Organization limits by up to 28.5 times. Additionally, the Metal Index indicated values exceeding drinking water guidelines set by the World Health Organization in 58% of the samples. Travertine springs had the highest toxicity risks, especially for As, Cd, and Pb. Results suggest a tectonic origin for heavy metal contamination (As-containing travertine springs), emphasizing the need for mitigation measures and regular monitoring. Action is necessary to address water quality issues in the region. Highlights Travertine reduces groundwater quality. Ca-HCO 3 dominates surface and groundwater. Ca-Mg-Cl dominantes in travertine springs. High concentrations of As, B, Fe, Mn, and Pb. Toxicity risks associated with As, Cd, and Pb.

A global heritage stone designated by International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is a natural stone that has been widely used in significant architecture and monuments, recognized as integral aspects of human culture.The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of the Quaternary travertine formations located in Western Türkiye called ‘Denizli Travertine’ as a global heritage stone candidate. The Denizli Travertine have been commonly used as building stones in the ancient cities of the Lycus Valley since the second century BC. The cotton-white Pamukkale Travertine , which was designated as one of The First 100 Geological Heritage by IUGS in 2022, is the recent part of the Denizli Travertine. The travertine-dominated structures have given a privileged feature to the aforementioned ancient cities. In these cities, public buildings such as theatre, agora, bath basilica, monumental fountain, bridges and fortification wall were predominantly built in travertine. Since the thirteenth century, the use of the travertine also continued in the buildings of Seljuk Period, like caravanserais, monumental tombs and castle walls. The travertine consists of carbonate minerals (i.e. mostly calcite, with less amount of aragonite) and is porous. The main texture is significantly wackestone to packstone including peloid, bacterial/crystalline dendrite, and coated grain. Another type is banded travertines, which occurs as a fissure fill or vein, have a completely crystalline texture and has been mostly used for decorative purpose. Contemporarily, the stone is widely used in many areas such as flooring, cladding, stair steps, countertops, table, coffee tables and sculptures and is traded worldwide, and therefore considered to deserve to be designated as a global heritage stone resource.

This study investigates differently colored travertines (red, yellow, black, and white) from the Shenxianchi scenic spot using multi-technique characterization to analyze their mineralogical characteristics. SEM images reveal that YT, RT, and BT exhibit irregular calcite morphologies with surface coatings of clay minerals or organic matter, while WT comprises high-purity, well-formed calcite. EDS and XRF results show significant variation in Ca, Si, Fe, and Al contents among samples, with Fe enrichment in YT and RT. PLM images indicate the presence of Fe(OH) 3 colloids in these samples, consistent with local geochemical conditions that favor colloid formation. IR and Raman spectra confirm typical CO 3 2− absorption bands in all samples, and broad bands between 2900 and 3500 cm − 1 indicate the presence of O-H vibrations and organic functional groups. These findings clarify mineralogical differences and suggest that Fe(OH) 3 colloids and clay minerals are key chromogenic factors in YT and RT, while black coloration relates to organic matter oxidation. This study provides a scientific basis for ecological restoration and supports further research on travertine formation and color evolution in karst environments.

Finding alternative stone, like artificial stone, instead of travertine stone, a raw material, can prepare the building industry's requirements and improve environmental issues. Previous studies evaluated travertine stone's mechanical and durability performances, the filled travertine stone with epoxy resin, and ten mixed proportions of artificial stones under the same test setup. To find an alternative between recycled artificial stones and improved natural stones, a sustainability evaluation was conducted in this study. For this purpose, 12 indicators, including some new environmental, social, and economic indicators, are defined and determined for the first time, although the sustainability evaluation to select the option between sones for flooring and facades is conducted for the first time. Four environmental indicators, including CO 2 emission, reuse of waste, reuse of hazardous waste, and energy consumption, are calculated and determined, and four technical indicators, including compressive strength, resistance against salt attack, UV radiation, freezing–thawing cycles, and thermal-shock cycles, are considered as social indicators because their effect on the life quality of the users. Capital cost and benefit for avoiding stabilization and solidification of hazardous waste are calculated as economic indicators. Two multi-criteria decision analyses, including the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the applied effect of changing intensity in each indicator (AECIEI), were used to sort the stones and select the best and worst options. The results of AECIEI were more accurate than TOPSIS because this method applies the effect of varying intensities of sustainability evaluation. Results illustrated that using the filled and polished travertine could be the worst option, and the recycled stone prepared by 312.5 kg/m 3 of hazardous sediment and 312.5 kg/m 3 of travertine sludge is the best option. Because of using 312.5 kg/m 3 of hazardous waste, 195.40 $/m 3 is saved due to avoiding the solidification and stabilization process with cement. This stone's mechanical and durability performance is acceptable and stronger than the natural travertine stone. Graphical abstract

The fluvial capture of endorheic basins represents a milestone in basin chronology, implying a profound disequilibrium that triggers critical geomorphological, sedimentological, paleogeographic, and even paleoecological transformations. The primary goal of many geomorphological studies is to determine the timing of endorheic-to-exorheic transitions with the objective of unveiling the dynamics that follow the capture event. The age of the Guadix-Baza Basin capture in the Central Betic Cordillera (S Spain) remains a subject of controversy, with proposed estimates ranging from 17 to 600 ka. In this study, we present new 234U/230Th and optically stimulated luminescence ages from exorheic deposits exposed within the basin's main fluvial valley, the Guadiana Menor River. We acquired the oldest numerical age recorded to date for a postcapture deposit within the basin. This age corresponds to a travertine platform formed 240.8 ± 25 ka on a surface level that was already incised into the glacis surface at approximately 250 m. Using these data, we estimate that basin capture took place earlier than ca. 240 ka, plus the time required for the river to incise 250 m to the position of the travertine. Furthermore, the proximity of the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal (781 ka) to the top of the endorheic succession and the ages of the paleontological sites (> ca. 750 ka) throughout the basin suggest that the capture could have occurred earlier than the oldest previously proposed age of 600 ka.

In this study, the current travertine strength and bacterial diversity of Kaklık Cave was analyzed in Honaz, Türkiye. In this context, on-site strength tests were carried out using a needle penetrometer testing device and the samples were taken from each needle penetration test point for microorganism analyses. Overall, a total of 22 phyla were detected, and the Kaklık Cave displayed the highest abundance of Proteobacteria (78.60%), Actinobacteria (71.60%), Cyanobacteria (72.40%) and Bacteriodetes (11.10%). The relative abundance of archaeal was dominated by Euryarchaeota (24.70%), while the archaeal community exhibited a low abundance of Thaumarchaeota (1.40%). According to the mechanical parameters of current travertine deposition, the travertine deposits on slope surfaces of terraces (ATA2), the side wall of the cave (ATA6) and the terraced pool (ATA1) had high strength values. Also, the calcite composition of these travertines was verified by FESEM analysis. A total of 22, 31 and 33 families were characterized in ATA2, ATA1, and ATA6, respectively. Current travertine deposition on the ceiling environment (ATA3, ATA4 and ATA5) has the lowest strength and, the anhydrite (CaSO 4 ) and bassanite (CaSO 4 .1/2H 2 O) were detected in these travertines. The relative abundance of the Proteobacteria phylum in the high-strength and calcite-containing samples was 67.20%, 78.60% and 49.90% respectively. The microbial effect on the strength of these samples was clearly visible. Because the Proteobacteria phylum was absent from other samples containing calcium sulfate. This result can be interpreted the contribution of this phylum members to travertine strength and calcite mineralization, but further research needs to be done.