Holocene climatic conditions in the eastern Adriatic recorded in stalagmites from Strasna pec Cave (Croatia)

In the study we present results of stable isotope analysis (delta O-18, delta C-13) of two stalagmites (SPD-1 and SPD-2) from Strasna pec Cave, situated on Dugi otok Island in the Central Adriatic region. The growth interval of the speleothems based on U-Th dating covers the period from 4.4 ka to 1.5 ka. Both speleothems show frequent delta O-18 and delta C-13 fluctuations with similar average values (delta O-18 value of -4 parts per thousand for both speleothems; and average value of delta C-13-8.5 parts per thousand and - 8.8 parts per thousand, respectively). In order to reconstruct the Holocene climatic conditions in the Eastern Adriatic, the speleothem isotopic record is discussed and compared with other Holocene records. They reveal periods of drought which occurred at 4.3-4 ka and around 3.5 ka, with relatively we phases between. From 3 ka, there is a general trend towards dryness as evidentiated by the relatively high delta O-18 values of -3.5 parts per thousand to -2.5 parts per thousand recorded in speleothem SPD-1. There is distinct trend of drying during the Roman Warm Period and further toward the Dark Age Cold Period (DACP) with shorter periods of wetter conditions. These changes coincide well with the other records, thus revealing regional events along the Eastern Adriatic.