First alpine evidence of in situ coarse cryogenic cave carbonates (CCCcoarse)

Abstract

A layer of coarse cryogenic cave carbonate (CCC^coarse) is documented within a subsurface ice outcrop (in-situ) in a cave of the Julian Alps (southeastern Alps). This original finding, representing the first alpine evidence of in-situ CCC^coarse and the first occurrence from the southern side of the Alps, provides a unique opportunity to better understand the processes associated with the formation of CCC^coarse with respect to the cave ice mass balance. Here, we discuss first considerations on the shape and characteristics of CCC^coarse samples and their potential for palaeoclimate reconstructions in the southern Alps. In the light of accelerated climate change, we emphasize the need for scientific actions to exploit the available physical, chemical, isotopic and biological records from still untapped and fragile cryospheric archives such as ice caves.