| Abstract: | In thermodynamic equilibrium with sea water the Sr/Ca ratio of aragonite varies predictably with temperature and the Sr/Ca ratio in coral have thus become a frequently used proxy for past Sea Surface Temperature (SST). However, biological effects can offset the Sr/Ca ratio from its equilibrium value. We report high spatial resolution ion microprobe analyses of well defined skeletal elements in the reef-building coral Porites lutea that reveal distinct monthly oscillations in the Sr/Ca ratio, with an amplitude in excess of ten percent. The extreme Sr/Ca variations, which we propose result from metabolic changes synchronous with the lunar cycle, introduce variability in Sr/Ca measurements based on conventional sampling techniques well beyond the analytical precision. These variations can limit the accuracy of Sr/Ca paleothermometry by conventional sampling techniques to about 2??C. Our results may help explain the notorious difficulties involved in obtaining an accurate and consistent calibration of the Sr/Ca vs. SST relationship. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70025960 |
| Citation Author: | Meibom, A.; Stage, M.; Wooden, J.; Constantz, B. R.; Dunbar, R. B.; Owen, A.; Grumet, N.; Bacon, C. R.; Chamberlain, C. P. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1 |
| Citation Issue: | 7 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | -69 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Monthly Strontium/Calcium oscillations in symbiotic coral aragonite: Biological effects limiting the precision of the paleotemperature proxy; 2003; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Meibom, A.; Stage, M.; Wooden, J.; Constantz, B. R.; Dunbar, R. B.; Owen, A.; Grumet, N.; Bacon, C. R.; Chamberlain, C. P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 71 |
| Citation Volume: | 30 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Monthly Strontium/Calcium oscillations in symbiotic coral aragonite: Biological effects limiting the precision of the paleotemperature proxy; 2003; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Meibom, A.; Stage, M.; Wooden, J.; Constantz, B. R.; Dunbar, R. B.; Owen, A.; Grumet, N.; Bacon, C. R.; Chamberlain, C. P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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