The Calcium Cycle and Sea Surface Temperatures: An Investigation Using Ca Isotopes

University Of California-San Diego Scripps Inst Of Oceanography, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT OCE-0116185 A researcher from the University of California-San Diego proposes to continue his studies on the calcium (Ca) cycle in the ocean by making additional measurements of Ca inputs and outputs. Initially, the PI will measure the Ca isotopic composition of additional river water samples to increase the available database and help constrain the present-day river input of Ca. In addition, results from these samples will be used to assess whether the lithology and maturity of the drainage basin affects the Ca isotopic composition of river samples and if adsorption of Ca onto clays influences the isotopic signal. Next, Dr. Macdougall plans to collaborate with Dr. Paytan at Stanford to ascertain if barite samples record the Ca isotopic composition of seawater without the fractionation observed in biogenic carbonate. Lastly, the PI will analyze samples of a single foraminifera (Globigerinoides sacculifer) in downcore sediments from ODP Site 806 in the western Equatorial Pacific which document the Quaternary oxygen isotopic record, to determine whether Ca isotopes can be used as a paleo-temperature proxy.