The Sr/Ca-temperature relationship in coralline aragonite: Influence of variability in (Sr/Ca)[sub seawater] and skeletal growth parameters

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(94)90457-X· OSTI ID:5176152

de Villiers, S; Shen, G T; Nelson, B K ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)

This paper provides an evaluation of two of the most likely pitfalls of Sr/Ca thermometry, i.e., the effect of biogenic cycling of Sr vs. Ca in the surface ocean and the effect of variable extension rate on Sr incorporation in coralline aragonite. The authors also report calibration of the Sr/Ca-temperature relationship for three coral species, Porites lobata, Pocillopora eydouxi, and Pavona clavus, collected for the Hawaiian and Galapagos islands. Analyses of seawater samples show significant spatial and depth variability in the Sr:Ca ratio. The uncertainty introduced by this effect is estimated to be <0.2[degrees]C for corals located in tropical oligotrophic waters, and potentially larger for corals located in upwelling areas. Sr/Ca along two different growth axes of a Galapagos Pavona clavus, with annual extension rates of [approximately]6 and 12 mm/y, respectively, indicate an offset of 1-2[degrees]C, with higher Sr/Ca values associated with slower extension rates. The offset observed between the two growth axes may be the result of variations in extension and/or calcification rate. These results are important in determining past sea surface temperatures for reconstruction of paleoclimates.

• OSTI ID: 5176152
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Vol. 58:1; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ARAGONITE
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CALCIUM
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CORALS
EARTH PLANET
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
SEAWATER
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
STRONTIUM
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMALS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CNIDARIA
COELENTERATA
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEONTOLOGY
PLANETS
WATER
540310* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540110