This project will culture planktic foraminifera to address questions concerning the controls upon incorporation of stable isotopes and trace elements in the calcite skelteon. Topics to be addressed include: the role of seawater carbonate chemistry and of temperature in isotopic ratios in warm-and cold-water taxa, the relationship of Mg concentration to temperature, and the relation of Cd concentration to nutrient content. When the environmental controls on these tracers are better understood, it will be possible to use the geochemistry of fossil foraminifera to produce more accurate quantitative estimates of ocean and climate changes. The estimates can be used to test the accuracy of climate models in simulating climate under various conditions such as those of the recent past.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Application #
9729203
Program Officer
David E. Epp
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1998-03-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
$352,906
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618