This research, led by a team of researchers at the University of California - Davis, seeks to provide fundamental understanding of the environmental and biological processes that control common geochemical proxies in planktonic foraminifera. Specifically, the work will focus on improving and developing new calibrations for and understanding proxy behavior in two paleoceanographically important planktonic foraminifer species (the non-spinose N. dutertrei and N. pachyderma). These species inhabit subsurface waters and polar and subpolar latitudes, and are important in reconstructing past variations in stratification, thermocline depth, upwelling intensity, productivity, monsoon variability, ENSO dynamics, and high latitude processes.
Using high-resolution microanalytical techniques (laser-ICP-MS, electron microprobe, and NanoSIMS) together with stable isotope tracers and controlled foraminiferal culture experiments, the researchers will isolate the impacts of key processes that can affect the shell composition of planktonic foraminifera. The goal of these experiments is to use the mechanistic understanding gained to improve interpretations of paleoceanographic reconstructions of environmental conditions.
The broader impacts of this research include improved calibrations of geochemical proxies widely used by the paleoceanography and paleoclimate communities. The researchers are actively involved in teaching and mentoring both graduate students and young scientists, and several are supported through this project.
