Cenozoic History of Lithium Isotopes in Seawater as Recorded in Foraminifera - A Feasibility Study

Florida State University, Tallahassee FL

Investigators

Abstract

The effort will develop ICP-MS analytical methods needed to analyze lithium isotopes in small samples (~2mg) of planktic foraminifers. If the technique, which utilizes a quadrupole ICP-MS, is successful the study will analyze core top samples to determine if current seawater Li-isotope signal is accurately recorded and retained in chemically cleaned planktic foraminifer shells. In addition the study will analyze separate species of planktic foraminifers in core top samples to test for isotopic fractionation among different species as a function of biologic or calcification depth.