USGS scientists publish results from a long-term study of Globigerinoides ruber in the Gulf of Mexico, aiding in reconstruction of past climatic conditions
The planktic foraminifer, Globigerinoides ruber, is the most widely used proxy recorder for reconstructing past temperature and salinity in the low to mid-latitude oceans.
USGS scientists have had a sediment trap mooring in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the past decade, 2008–2019, to investigate seasonal and inter-annual variations in the flux and morphometry in addition to the isotopic and trace metal geochemistry of this geologically important species. This study shows that two chromotypes of this species (pink and white) can be used interchangeably to reflect mean annual surface ocean conditions. This study also demonstrates that the canonical 9% increase in shell Mg/Ca per 1ºC increase in temperature is an overestimate of temperature sensitivity, and that pH has an important influence on Mg/Ca-derived ocean temperature records in this species. Partners in the study include University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California, and Brown University.
To read the accepted article please visit: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018PA003417
To view the associated USGS Data Release please visit: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KK7UD6
Read what else is new at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
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