Caitlin Reynolds is a Geologist at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
My research primarily focuses on a climate history calibration study in the Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to provide a better understanding of current paleoenvironmental proxies, such as planktic foraminifera. Using a sediment trap mooring to collect foraminifera, we also analyze corresponding temperature and salinity data that is used for our modern calibration. The modern calibration and geochemistry can then be applied to records from deep-sea sediments collected over longer time scales. My favorite foraminifera is Globorotalia truncatulinoides!
I have also been lucky enough to be a part of various interdisciplinary field work studies in Mobile Bay, Seahorse Key, The Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park and cruises on multiple large research vessels across the Gulf of Mexico.
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey, Geologist, St. Petersburg, FL, 2008-present
Education and Certifications
M.S. - Geological Oceanography (2018) The University of South Florida, College of Marine Science
B.A. - Geology (2008) The University of Akron
Science and Products
Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides
Considerations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap
Environmental controls on the geochemistry of Globorotalia truncatulinoides in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for paleoceanographic reconstructions
Seasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008–14
Lunar periodicity in the shell flux of planktonic foraminifera in the Gulf of Mexico
Weekly resolution particulate flux from a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2012
Seasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2012
Seasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-11
Seasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2010
Benthic habitat classification in Lignumvitae Key Basin, Florida Bay, using the U.S. Geological Survey Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS)
Paleoceanographic Proxy Calibration
Climate and Environmental Change in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
Science and Products
- Publications
Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides
Observations of elevated barium-to-calcium ratios (Ba/Ca) in Globorotalia truncatulinoides have been attributed to contaminant phases, deep calcification depth and diagenetic processes. Here we investigate intra- and inter-test Ba/Ca variability in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, G. truncatulinoides, from a sediment trap time series in the northern Gulf of Mexico to gain insights into the enAuthorsJulie N. Richey, Jennifer S. Fehrenbacher, Caitlin E. Reynolds, Catherine Z. Davis, Howard J. SperoConsiderations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap
We present a detailed analysis of the seasonal distribution, size, morphological variability and geochemistry of co‐occurring pink and white chromotypes of Globigerinoides ruberfrom a high‐resolution (1–2 weeks) and long‐running sediment trap time series in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We find no difference in the seasonal flux of the two chromotypes. Although flux of G. ruber is consistently loweAuthorsJulie N. Richey, Kaustubh Thirumalai, Deborah Khider, Caitlin E. Reynolds, Judson W. Partin, Terrence M. QuinnEnvironmental controls on the geochemistry of Globorotalia truncatulinoides in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for paleoceanographic reconstructions
Modern observations of planktic foraminifera from sediment trap studies help to constrain the regional ecology of paleoceanographically valuable species. Results from a weekly-resolved sediment trap time series (2008–2014) in the northern Gulf of Mexico demonstrate that 92% of Globorotalia truncatulinoides flux occurs in winter (January, February, and March), and that encrusted and non-encrusted iAuthorsCaitlin E. Reynolds, Julie N. Richey, Jennifer S. Fehrenbacher, Brad E. Rosenheim, Howard J. SperoSeasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008–14
The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico in January 2008 to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the previous time-series data to include continuous results from January 2013 through May 2014. Ten taxa constituted ~95 percent of both the 2013 and 2014 assemAuthorsCaitlin E. Reynolds, Julie N. RicheyLunar periodicity in the shell flux of planktonic foraminifera in the Gulf of Mexico
Synchronised reproduction offers clear benefits to planktonic foraminifera – an important group of marine calcifiers – as it increases the chances of successful gamete fusion. Such synchrony requires tuning to an internal or external clock. Evidence exists for lunar reproductive cycles in some species, but its recognition in shell flux time series has proven difficult, raising questions about reprAuthorsLukas Jonkers, Caitlin E. Reynolds, Julie N. Richey, Ian R. HallWeekly resolution particulate flux from a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2012
The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico to collect time-series data on sediment flux from 2008 to 2012. There are continuous measurements of total mass flux and organic carbon flux (ogC) at 7–14 day resolution from 2008 to 2012. The flux of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), particulate nitrogen (nitro), and biogenic silica (Opal) were also measured from January-AuthorsJulie N. Richey, Caitlin E. Reynolds, Eric Tappa, Robert ThunellSeasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2012
The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico beginning in 2008 to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the previous time-series data to include results from 2012. Ten species, or varieties, constituted ~92 percent of the 2012 assemblage: Globigerinoides ruber (AuthorsCaitlin E. Reynolds, Julie N. Richey, Richard Z. PooreSeasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-11
The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the previous time-series data to include results from 2011. Ten species, or varieties, constituted ~92 percent of the 2011 assemblage: Globigerinoides ruber (pink and white varAuthorsCaitlin E. Reynolds, Richard Z. PooreSeasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2010
The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the previous time-series data to include results from 2010. Ten species, or varieties, of planktic foraminifers constituted ~90 percent of the assemblage: Globigerinoides ruberAuthorsJessica W. Spear, Caitlin E. Reynolds, Richard Z. PooreBenthic habitat classification in Lignumvitae Key Basin, Florida Bay, using the U.S. Geological Survey Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS)
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) funded in partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District, and other Federal, local and Tribal members has in its mandate a guideline to protect and restore freshwater flows to coastal environments to pre-1940s conditions (CERP, 1999). Historic salinity data are sparse for Florida Bay, so it is diffiAuthorsC. D. Reich, D.G. Zawada, P.R. Thompson, C.E. Reynolds, A.H. Spear, D.K. Umberger, R. Z. Poore - Science
Paleoceanographic Proxy Calibration
A sediment trap time series in the northern Gulf of Mexico is used to better assess the control of environmental variables (e.g., temperature and salinity) on the flux of both microfossils and molecular fossils to the sediments. The information gained from sediment trap studies is used to develop better proxy-based estimates of past oceanographic conditions from analyses of microfossils and...Climate and Environmental Change in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
This project documents paleoceanographic, climatic, and environmental changes in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent land areas over the last 10,000 years. The paleoenvironmental data is used to determine rates of change in the past, and to better understand both the natural and anthropogenic factors that contribute to climate variability on inter-annual to millennial timescales. - Data
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
Modern observations of planktic foraminifera from sediment trap studies help to constrain the regional ecology of paleoceanographically valuable species. Results from a weekly-resolved sediment trap time series (2008-2014) in the northern Gulf of Mexico demonstrate that 92% of Globorotalia truncatulinoides flux occurs in winter (January, February, and March), and that encrusted and non-encrusted i - Multimedia
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