This Picarro L2130-i Isotope and Gas Concentration Analyzer is housed at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Julie Richey, Ph.D.
Julie Richey is a Research Geologist at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Paleoclimate and Environmental Change
Establishing a baseline of natural climate variability over the past 2,000 years is essential to accurately predicting regional responses to anthropogenic climate change. My research focus is reconstructing temperature and hydroclimatic variability in the Gulf of Mexico/Subtropical Atlantic Ocean using a broad range of different paleoclimate archives. In addition to generating proxy-based paleoclimate records, I am working on proxy development and calibration studies to improve our ability to quantify past changes in temperature, salinity and precipitation in both terrestrial and marine environments.
Coral Paleoclimate
Research Interests
- Using stable isotopes and trace elements to reconstruct climate from coral skeletons
- Investigating the effect of water quality and coral ecology on geochemical proxies
Field Sites
- US Virgin Islands
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Florida Keys Reef Tract
Project web page: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/coral-reef-ecosystem-studies-crest
Holocene Paleoclimate in the Gulf of Mexico
Project web page: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/climate-and-environmental-change-gulf-mexico-and-caribbean
Research Interests
- Paleoclimate Reconstruction from Marine and Lake Sediments
- Coral Reefs as Climate Archives
- Paleoceanographic Proxy Calibration
Field Sites
- Garrison Basin (Gulf of Mexico)
- Fisk Basin (Gulf of Mexico)
- Pigmy Basin (Gulf of Mexico)
- Sediment Trap Site (Gulf of Mexico)
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey, Research Geologist, St. Petersburg Florida, 2012-present
NOAA/UCAR Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington, School of Oceanography, Seattle, WA, 2010–2012
Education and Certifications
Ph. D. - Marine Geology (2010), Univ. of South Florida, College of Marine Science
M.S. - Marine Geology (2007), Univ. of South Florida, College of Marine Science
B.S. - Geological Sciences/Biological Sciences (2004), The Ohio State Univ.
Science and Products
APPROACH (APplying Proxy-based Reconstruction Of Atlantic Climate CHange)
Reconstructing Ocean Circulation & Hydroclimate in the Subtropical Atlantic
Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)
Reef History and Climate Change
Paleoclimate Reconstruction from Marine and Lake Sediments
Paleoceanographic Proxy Calibration
Climate and Environmental Change in the Gulf of America and Caribbean
Gulf of America Non-spinose Planktic Foraminifera Culture Study From 2020-2022 Gulf of America Non-spinose Planktic Foraminifera Culture Study From 2020-2022
Sr/Ca, Oxygen Isotope, and Linear Extension Data for Five Holocene Orbicella faveolata Corals from Dry Tortugas and Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA Sr/Ca, Oxygen Isotope, and Linear Extension Data for Five Holocene Orbicella faveolata Corals from Dry Tortugas and Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA
Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for a Modern Orbicella faveolata Colony From Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for a Modern Orbicella faveolata Colony From Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA
Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Trace Element Geochemistry (Barium, Magnesium, Strontium, Manganese, and Calcium) From the Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Globorotalia truncatulinoides Trace Element Geochemistry (Barium, Magnesium, Strontium, Manganese, and Calcium) From the Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap
Local Radiocarbon Reservoir Age (Delta-R) Variability from the Nearshore and Open-Ocean Environments of the Florida Keys Reef Tract During the Holocene and Associated U-Series and Radiocarbon Data Local Radiocarbon Reservoir Age (Delta-R) Variability from the Nearshore and Open-Ocean Environments of the Florida Keys Reef Tract During the Holocene and Associated U-Series and Radiocarbon Data
Radiocarbon Dates and Foraminiferal Geochemistry Data for Sediment Core Collected from Garrison Basin, Gulf of Mexico Radiocarbon Dates and Foraminiferal Geochemistry Data for Sediment Core Collected from Garrison Basin, Gulf of Mexico
Foraminiferal Mg/Ca Data from IODP Sediment Core U1446 Foraminiferal Mg/Ca Data from IODP Sediment Core U1446
Globigerinoides ruber Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico Globigerinoides ruber Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for Five Modern O. faveolata Colonies from Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for Five Modern O. faveolata Colonies from Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
GDGT and Alkenone Flux in the Northern Gulf of Mexico GDGT and Alkenone Flux in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
This Picarro L2130-i Isotope and Gas Concentration Analyzer is housed at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Section of a sediment core collected from the deepest basin of Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. USGS scientists are analyzing cores from the lake to reconstruct past changes in rainfall.
Section of a sediment core collected from the deepest basin of Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. USGS scientists are analyzing cores from the lake to reconstruct past changes in rainfall.
A CTD-rosette is a commonly used instrument that measures conductivity (that can inform scientists about salinity), temperature, and depth (CTD). As the instrument is lowered into the water--sometimes down to great depths--the cylinders around will open at various depths to collect water samples at discrete locations throughout the water column.
A CTD-rosette is a commonly used instrument that measures conductivity (that can inform scientists about salinity), temperature, and depth (CTD). As the instrument is lowered into the water--sometimes down to great depths--the cylinders around will open at various depths to collect water samples at discrete locations throughout the water column.
Image of live, single-celled foram, Globorotalia truncatulinoides, viewed under a microscope and collected with a plankton net on the R/V Pelican. Its shell is made from Calcium carbonate and the spikes extensions are called rhizopodia.
Image of live, single-celled foram, Globorotalia truncatulinoides, viewed under a microscope and collected with a plankton net on the R/V Pelican. Its shell is made from Calcium carbonate and the spikes extensions are called rhizopodia.

Scanning electron microsope image of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber
Scanning electron microsope image of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber
Insights from growing Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia menardii in the laboratory Insights from growing Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia menardii in the laboratory
Snapshots of mid-to-late Holocene sea-surface temperature variability from a subtropical western Atlantic coral reef Snapshots of mid-to-late Holocene sea-surface temperature variability from a subtropical western Atlantic coral reef
Validation of the U37K' paleotemperature proxy in the South Brazilian Bight from core-top sediments Validation of the U37K' paleotemperature proxy in the South Brazilian Bight from core-top sediments
20th century warming in the lower Florida Keys was dominated by increasing winter temperatures 20th century warming in the lower Florida Keys was dominated by increasing winter temperatures
Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides
Contrasting Common Era climate and hydrology sensitivities from paired lake sediment dinosterol hydrogen isotope records in the South Pacific Convergence Zone Contrasting Common Era climate and hydrology sensitivities from paired lake sediment dinosterol hydrogen isotope records in the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Holocene evolution of sea-surface temperature and salinity in the Gulf of Mexico Holocene evolution of sea-surface temperature and salinity in the Gulf of Mexico
Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions
Imprint of regional oceanography on foraminifera of eastern Pacific Coral Reefs Imprint of regional oceanography on foraminifera of eastern Pacific Coral Reefs
PaCTS 1.0: A crowdsourced reporting standard for paleoclimate data PaCTS 1.0: A crowdsourced reporting standard for paleoclimate data
Considerations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap Considerations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap
Reconstructing precipitation in the tropical South Pacific from dinosterol 2H/1H ratios in lake sediment Reconstructing precipitation in the tropical South Pacific from dinosterol 2H/1H ratios in lake sediment
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
APPROACH (APplying Proxy-based Reconstruction Of Atlantic Climate CHange)
Reconstructing Ocean Circulation & Hydroclimate in the Subtropical Atlantic
Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)
Reef History and Climate Change
Paleoclimate Reconstruction from Marine and Lake Sediments
Paleoceanographic Proxy Calibration
Climate and Environmental Change in the Gulf of America and Caribbean
Gulf of America Non-spinose Planktic Foraminifera Culture Study From 2020-2022 Gulf of America Non-spinose Planktic Foraminifera Culture Study From 2020-2022
Sr/Ca, Oxygen Isotope, and Linear Extension Data for Five Holocene Orbicella faveolata Corals from Dry Tortugas and Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA Sr/Ca, Oxygen Isotope, and Linear Extension Data for Five Holocene Orbicella faveolata Corals from Dry Tortugas and Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA
Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for a Modern Orbicella faveolata Colony From Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for a Modern Orbicella faveolata Colony From Marquesas Keys, Florida, USA
Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Trace Element Geochemistry (Barium, Magnesium, Strontium, Manganese, and Calcium) From the Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Globorotalia truncatulinoides Trace Element Geochemistry (Barium, Magnesium, Strontium, Manganese, and Calcium) From the Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap
Local Radiocarbon Reservoir Age (Delta-R) Variability from the Nearshore and Open-Ocean Environments of the Florida Keys Reef Tract During the Holocene and Associated U-Series and Radiocarbon Data Local Radiocarbon Reservoir Age (Delta-R) Variability from the Nearshore and Open-Ocean Environments of the Florida Keys Reef Tract During the Holocene and Associated U-Series and Radiocarbon Data
Radiocarbon Dates and Foraminiferal Geochemistry Data for Sediment Core Collected from Garrison Basin, Gulf of Mexico Radiocarbon Dates and Foraminiferal Geochemistry Data for Sediment Core Collected from Garrison Basin, Gulf of Mexico
Foraminiferal Mg/Ca Data from IODP Sediment Core U1446 Foraminiferal Mg/Ca Data from IODP Sediment Core U1446
Globigerinoides ruber Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico Globigerinoides ruber Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for Five Modern O. faveolata Colonies from Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA Sr/Ca and Linear Extension Data for Five Modern O. faveolata Colonies from Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA
Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico
GDGT and Alkenone Flux in the Northern Gulf of Mexico GDGT and Alkenone Flux in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
This Picarro L2130-i Isotope and Gas Concentration Analyzer is housed at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
This Picarro L2130-i Isotope and Gas Concentration Analyzer is housed at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Section of a sediment core collected from the deepest basin of Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. USGS scientists are analyzing cores from the lake to reconstruct past changes in rainfall.
Section of a sediment core collected from the deepest basin of Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. USGS scientists are analyzing cores from the lake to reconstruct past changes in rainfall.
A CTD-rosette is a commonly used instrument that measures conductivity (that can inform scientists about salinity), temperature, and depth (CTD). As the instrument is lowered into the water--sometimes down to great depths--the cylinders around will open at various depths to collect water samples at discrete locations throughout the water column.
A CTD-rosette is a commonly used instrument that measures conductivity (that can inform scientists about salinity), temperature, and depth (CTD). As the instrument is lowered into the water--sometimes down to great depths--the cylinders around will open at various depths to collect water samples at discrete locations throughout the water column.
Image of live, single-celled foram, Globorotalia truncatulinoides, viewed under a microscope and collected with a plankton net on the R/V Pelican. Its shell is made from Calcium carbonate and the spikes extensions are called rhizopodia.
Image of live, single-celled foram, Globorotalia truncatulinoides, viewed under a microscope and collected with a plankton net on the R/V Pelican. Its shell is made from Calcium carbonate and the spikes extensions are called rhizopodia.

Scanning electron microsope image of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber
Scanning electron microsope image of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber
Insights from growing Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia menardii in the laboratory Insights from growing Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia menardii in the laboratory
Snapshots of mid-to-late Holocene sea-surface temperature variability from a subtropical western Atlantic coral reef Snapshots of mid-to-late Holocene sea-surface temperature variability from a subtropical western Atlantic coral reef
Validation of the U37K' paleotemperature proxy in the South Brazilian Bight from core-top sediments Validation of the U37K' paleotemperature proxy in the South Brazilian Bight from core-top sediments
20th century warming in the lower Florida Keys was dominated by increasing winter temperatures 20th century warming in the lower Florida Keys was dominated by increasing winter temperatures
Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides Barium enrichment in the non-spinose planktic foraminifer, Globorotalia truncatulinoides
Contrasting Common Era climate and hydrology sensitivities from paired lake sediment dinosterol hydrogen isotope records in the South Pacific Convergence Zone Contrasting Common Era climate and hydrology sensitivities from paired lake sediment dinosterol hydrogen isotope records in the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Holocene evolution of sea-surface temperature and salinity in the Gulf of Mexico Holocene evolution of sea-surface temperature and salinity in the Gulf of Mexico
Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions
Imprint of regional oceanography on foraminifera of eastern Pacific Coral Reefs Imprint of regional oceanography on foraminifera of eastern Pacific Coral Reefs
PaCTS 1.0: A crowdsourced reporting standard for paleoclimate data PaCTS 1.0: A crowdsourced reporting standard for paleoclimate data
Considerations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap Considerations for Globigerinoides ruber (white and pink) paleoceanography: Comprehensive insights from a long‐running sediment trap
Reconstructing precipitation in the tropical South Pacific from dinosterol 2H/1H ratios in lake sediment Reconstructing precipitation in the tropical South Pacific from dinosterol 2H/1H ratios in lake sediment
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.