Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00411
Incorporation and preservation of trace elements and isotopes in foraminifera: Implications for climate studies.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor RH James, The Open University, Environment, Earth & Ecosystems
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr O ALARD, The Open University, Faculty of Sci, Tech, Eng & Maths (STEM)
- Grant held at:
- The Open University, Environment, Earth & Ecosystems
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Palaeoenvironments
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, and are now higher than they have been at any time in Earth's recent history. As we cannot look into the future to predict the climate response to changes in the level of greenhouse gases, we must turn to the past to reconstruct it. The world ocean is one of the main constituents of the climate system, and ocean conditions during ancient times can be assessed by analysis of the chemical composition of the shells of tiny plankton that have become fossilized in marine sediments. The aim of this study is to provide better constraints on the relationships between fossil shell chemistry and ocean conditions. The questions we wish to answer include; (i) what is the chemical variability within a shell?, (ii) how do plankton incorporate chemical elements into their shells?, and (iii) does shell chemistry change after burial in sediments? To do this, our team at the Open University have developed a novel technique that incorporates a state-of-the-art laser system to measure the chemical composition of tiny parts of a fossil shell with accuracy. This research will provide a critical component to modellers trying to tune global climate models for future climate prediction.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2003/00411
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £122,155
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £63,689 | £1,186 | £27,983 | £29,297 |
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