In:
Quaternary Research, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 99 ( 2021-01), p. 114-127
Abstract:
To ascertain the provenance of water reaching wetlands in an area sustaining a population of Pleistocene–Holocene foragers, 87-strontium/86-strontium isotopic ratios ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) of mollusks from channels of the Old River Bed inland delta of central Utah were measured. Potential provenances examined included overflow from Pleistocene–Holocene Lake Gunnison, ground water flow from the Sevier basin, ground water discharge from piedmont aquifers infiltrated by Lake Bonneville, and ground waters from local regional aquifers. Old River Bed inland delta channels active from ~13.2 cal ka BP until ~11.2 cal ka BP have 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values of 0.70930–0.71049 that are consistent with water sourced from Lake Gunnison in the Sevier basin. Inland delta channels active from ~11.2 cal ka BP until shortly after ~9.3 cal ka BP have 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values of 0.70977–0.71033, suggesting ground water flowed from the Sevier basin during the early Holocene. Ratios of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr did not match known values for Lake Bonneville, but the youngest Old River Bed inland delta channel system has an 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio consistent with a local ground water source, perhaps Government Creek. Consistent ground water discharge may explain the persistence of foragers in the region despite the increasingly arid climate of the Great Basin.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0033-5894
,
1096-0287
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1471589-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
205711-6
SSG:
13
SSG:
14
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