>Howdy!
>
>Does anyone have any thoughts on cutting cave stalgmites with an
>anti-freeze cooled saw vs. a water-cooled saw and the possible effects of
>such on oxygen and carbon isotopes?  I've heard that anti-freeze will mess
>things up but I haven't heard how or why.  Any help might save me a long
>days drive to the nearest water cooled saw tha'ts large enough.  Thank you.
>
>Ethan Goddard

Ethan,

My question to you is: Is the antifreeze recycled in the saw's cooling
system? It probably is... in that case, the cut surface of your stalagmite
would be contaminated with the C & O isotopic signature of the antifreeze,
plus the C & O isotopic signatures of any tiny particles from previous
samples cut in the saw prior to yours. You might alleviate the potential
contamination from previous samples by making sure you use fresh antifreeze
every time you cut your sample... otherwise, i would go ahead & make that
long days' drive.

Dave Wayne
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Chemical Sciences & Technology Div.
CST-8, MSG-740
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM USA 87545
Phone: 505-665-5933 <OR> 505-667-9868
FAX: 505-665-4737
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