Collaborative Research: Calibration of Sclerosponges as Proxy Indicators of Environmental Conditions

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

Summary: This project will complete an effort to calibrate isotope and trace element chemistry in the skeletons of sclerosponges as proxies for temperature and salinity. The study will measure Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca as well as O and C isotopes in sclerosponge skeletons from Discovery Bay, Jamaica previously stained in the field and for which continuous water temperature and composition data are available. In addition sclerosponge skeletons from different water depths at Lee Stocking Island will be analyzed to reconstruct the thermocline structure.