Oxygen Isotopes of Phosphate in Authigenic Carbonate-fluorapatite a Potential Recorder of Deep-water Oxygen Isotope Ratios and Temperatures A Proof of Concept Study

University Of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA

Investigators

Abstract

This project explore the feasibility of using 18-O isotopes preserved in phosphate-bound oxygen in fluorapatite from oceanic environments where calcium carbonate is not preserved to asses bottom water temperatures. To do so the PI proposes to collect and analyze the ä18O of deep seawater, pore waters and authigenic carbonate-fluorapatite from several push cores in the California Margin. The PI will participate in an already scheduled cruise in the region. Additionally, the PI will analyze the ä18O of authigenic carbonate-fluorapatite extracted from a few samples representing different locations and ages for which a robust carbonate based benthic ä18O record exist and compare the data sets.