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Biomineralization and past climate change: The ion microprobe revolution

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Reef-building corals and other carbonate-producing organisms are used extensively as proxies for past variations in global climate based on the elemental and isotopic composition of their skeletons and shells. Typically, biological processes offset the composition of the skeleton from thermodynamic equilibrium with seawater. It is therefore of wide interest to understand the degree to which biological versus inorganic processes control the chemistry of the coral skeleton. We will study the trace element and isotopic manifestations of biological processes in the coral skeletal mineralization process using state-of-the-art ion microprobe analytical equipment that has never before been applied to this important problem.

Project: Biomineralization and past climate change: the ion micro-probe revolution
Funding Source: Environmental Venture Projects 
Funding Year: 2004 
Research Areas: Climate, Oceans 
Regions: South America

Research Team:
Anders Meibom,
Brian Constantz,
Rob Dunbar (Oceans),
Art Owen (Statistics)
Joe Wooden