Copyright 2010

Copyright 2010

Ocean Record of Ancient ClimateForaminifera (“Forams”)

One-celled organismsWidespread through the oceans“Tests” = shells

Approximately the size of sand grainsMade of CaCO3 or sediment particles

Fossil tests preserved in ocean sediment layers

Many modern species have existed for millions of years – scientists can study these “proxies” today!

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Living Forams

Photo Credits: Dr. Howard Spero, University of California – DavisVideo: International Council for Science, Scientific Committee on Ocean Research - ScienceMediaNL

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Fossil Foram Tests

Photo Credits: Michael Hesemann, Foraminifera EU

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Neogloboquadrina pachyderma aka “N.

pachy” or “Neo”

right coil = warm ocean water

left coil = cold ocean

water

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OLDER High Percent Right Coil = Warm Ocean

YOUNGER Low Percent Right Coil (Mostly Left Coil) = Cold Ocean

We can use fossil “Neo” tests (shells) to find ancient ocean temperatures

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Photo Credits: Texas A & M University, College Station (Ocean Drilling Program)

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Finding “Neo”

Ocean sediment

core

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OCEAN SEDIMENT

CORE

SOUTHEAST OF NEW

ZEALAND

Layer 1 10,000 ybp

Layer 2 15,000 ybp

Layer 3 20,000 ybp

USE “NEO” TO FIND THE CLIMATE HISTORY

ybp = years before present

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Neogloboquadrina

right coil = warm ocean water

left coil = cold ocean

water

R L

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RL

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RR

L

R