Characterization and differentiation of rock varnish types from different environments by microanalytical techniques

Our observations allow us to separate rock varnishes into different types, with differences that might be indicators of distinct geneses. Five different types of rock varnish could be distinguished, Type I-V, of which only Type I might be used as potential paleoclimate archive. Each varnish type has specific characteristics in terms of their elemental composition, element distribution, and structures. The combination of element ratios (Mn/Ba, Al/Ni, Mn/REY, Mn/Ce, Mn/Pb, LaN/YbN, and Ce/Ce*), total REE contents, and structures can be used to separate the different types of rock varnish from each other.