Study of the formation of biogenic speleothems found in submarine caves at the cape of Otranto, Italy, by 14C AMS

Abstract: Submarine caves at the Cape of Otranto, Italy, contain eccentric stalactites that were recently identified as entirely biogenic. One of these stalactites was sectioned along its longitudinal axis in order to select samples for radiocarbon dating. 14C AMS measurements provided fundamental information for the interpretation of the biogenic process and revealed that the formation of the stalactite continued for approximately 5000years with a decrease in the longitudinal growth rate over time. Measurements of modern organisms were performed to assess the accuracy of the radiocarbon determinations, calibrated in calendar years by measuring the local marine reservoir age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]