Title

Aquaculture-Based Calibration of the M.edulis Isotope Paleothermometer

Investigators

Karl J. Kreutz, Principal Investigator; University of Maine, OronoFollow
Harold Borns, Co-Principal Investigator; University of Maine, OronoFollow
Douglas Introne, Co-Principal Investigator; University of Maine, OronoFollow
Bruce Barber, Co-Principal Investigator; University of Maine, Orono
Sven Funder, Co-Principal Investigator; University of Maine, Orono

Additional Participants

Graduate Student
James Hunt
Alan Wanamaker

Undergraduate Student
Zachary VonHasseln
Scott Fiendel
Nancy Raymond

Partner Organization
University of Copenhagen
Edkerd College
California Institute of Technology

Other Collaborators or Contacts
Coordinating Research on the North Atlantic Network

Project Period

08/01/2002-07/31/2005

Level of Access

Open-Access Report

Grant Number

0222351

Submission Date

8-17-2005

Abstract

Oxygen isotopic analysis of marine carbonate shells (δ¹⁸O_c) is a standard paleoceanographic technique used to document the chronology of seawater temperature change. Shell δ¹⁸O_c depends not only upon seawater temperature, but also upon the isotopic composition of the seawater (δ¹⁸O_w; related to salinity) and any species-specific fractionation that occurs during biomineralization. In the past, the interpretation of shell δ¹⁸O_c has been based upon theoretical studies of chemical equilibrium and kinetics, or laboratory experiments involving the inorganic precipitation of CaCO₃ from solution. Other methods have employed an empirical calibration done by measuring the δ¹⁸O_c of collected shells where only estimates of time-series variability of the key parameters in the isotope paleothermometry equation (water temperature and δ¹⁸O_w) could be made. The actual environmental conditions during biomineralization, any species-dependent fractionation, any growth-dependent changes in δ¹⁸O_c including growth hiati, and any geographical/latitudinal influences that may be affecting δ¹⁸O_c cannot be quantified by these methods. Hence, the ability to quantitatively estimate paleotemperatures and salinities from any particular species of interest and any specific environment is limited.

This project sought to empirically calibrate δ¹⁸O_c in a cultured marine mollusc (Mytilus edulis) with controlled and monitored water temperatures, salinities, and δ¹⁸O_w. The development of this technique enables better correlation of δ¹⁸O_w and δ¹⁸O_c by increasing the temperature and salinity ranges to be used in calibration. The method will contribute significantly to the field of isotope paleoceanography, as it can be used to culture a wide range of species under specific environmental parameters. For example, we are particularly interested in fossil molluscan assemblages from ice-proximal environments where reliable temperature and salinity proxies are unknown.

Rights and Access Note

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Recommended Citation

Kreutz, Karl J.; Borns, Harold; Introne, Douglas; Barber, Bruce; and Funder, Sven, "Aquaculture-Based Calibration of the M.edulis Isotope Paleothermometer" (2005). University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports. 62.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/orsp_reports/62