Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00473

Predicting sea surface temperatures over glacial-interglacial time scales from fossil coral skeletons.

Principal Investigator:: Professor A Finch, University of St Andrews, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Grant held at:: University of St Andrews, Earth and Environmental Sciences

ENRIs:: Global Change
Science Topics:: Properties Of Earth Materials; Palaeoenvironments; Climate & Climate Change

Abstract:: The chemistry of coral skeletons records climatic information at the time the coral lived e.g. both skeletal Sr/Ca and delta l8O are affected by seawater temperature. The analysis of fossil coral skeletons offers an excellent opportunity to reconstruct past ocean conditions and therefore to predict past climates. However the chemistry of coral skeletons may alter over time as parts of the skeleton dissolve and new materials are deposited. This process is called diagenesis. In the present study we will investigate the distribution of diagenetic materials in a range of fossil corals. We will investigate how diagenesis modifies the geochemistry and textures of the original coral skeleton. We will investigate if cleaning techniques can be developed to treat coral skeletons to remove diagenetic materials before analysis. We will use microanalytical techniques to analyse unaltered areas of the coral skeleton and will use these measurements to construct accurate records of sea surface temperature and salinity variations at key times in the western equatorial Pacific over the last 130,000 years. This study will demonstrate the best way to advance the development of corals as indicators of past sea surface temperatures and will act as a template for similar studies across the globe.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £140,708

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£81,818	£11,982	£9,273	£37,636

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