PI will calibrate the chemical and stable isotopic composition of sclerosponges for use as a proxy for climate and ocean chemistry changes. Extant sponges from Caribbean, Exuma Sound and jamaica will be used. Previously strained sclerosponges are available from Jamaica. Exuma Sound is one of the few places in the world from which a suitable collection of sclerosponges collected over wide depth range is available. This will allow the opportunity to test whenther sclerosponges can be used to reconstruct ancient thermoclines.
