Calthemite records of the industriaL era

The project is an innovative research initiative that seeks to unlock a new climate and environmental archive by investigating calthemitessecondary mineral deposits formed in man-made structures. Unlike common mineral deposits found in caves, so-called speleothems, which have long been studied for their ability to record climate over long timescales, calthemites offer a unique, high-resolution record spanning the industrial to post-industrial era. This pioneering study will examine calthemites from various sites across the UK, a nation with a rich industrial history. By analyzing these deposits, the project aims to reconstruct detailed climate and environmental changes over the past several centuries. The research will track industrializations rise and decline while also providing insights into climate variability during this transformative period. The project employs a combination of well-established and novel scientific techniques, including stable isotope analysis, trace elements, magnetic minerals, and persistent organic pollutants. These analyses will not only help determine whether calthemites can serve as reliable climate archives but also refine methodologies for extracting high-resolution climate data from these formations. If successful, the study could establish calthemites as a valuable new tool in climate and environmental research, applicable to urban areas worldwide. The project represents a significant opportunity for climate science, archaeology, and heritage conservation. By bridging the gap between natural and man-made archives, the project will enhance our understanding of historical climate patterns, environmental pollution, and anthropogenic impacts. Furthermore, findings from this study will contribute to ongoing discussions about the Anthropocene and its implications for future climate and environmental policies. Through collaboration with landowners and site caretakers, the project will ensure ethical and sustainable sample collection while engaging with local communities and scientific stakeholders. The projects results will have broad implications, offering a new lens to study past climates in regions where conventional climate archives are absent. By pushing the boundaries of speleothem-based research, this project has the potential to transform how we interpret historical climate data, industrial legacies, and human- environment interactions, paving the way for groundbreaking advances in climate science and heritage studies.