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Which increased process alters cave stalactite δ18O ratios?

A)Increased cave water oxygen evaporation
B)Reduced drip water magnesium concentration
C)Decreased surface vegetation evapotranspiration rates
D)Elevated cave carbon dioxide partial pressure

💡 Explanation

Increased isotopic fractionation occurs during evaporation because lighter isotopes evaporate faster; thus, oxygen isotope fractionation causes δ18O ratios to change, therefore the stalactite composition changes due to differing temperature history reflected in oxygen isotope ratios, rather than other chemistry.

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