Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Strong kinetic effects on Sr/Ca ratios in the calcitic bivalve Pecten maximus
Lorrain, A.; Gillikin, D.P.; Paulet, Y.-M.; Chauvaud, L.; Le Mercier, A.; Navez, J.; André, L. (2005). Strong kinetic effects on Sr/Ca ratios in the calcitic bivalve Pecten maximus. Geology (Boulder Colo.) 33(12): 965-968. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G22048.1
In: Geology. Geological Society of America: Boulder. ISSN 0091-7613; e-ISSN 1943-2682, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    mollusc; calcite; strontium; magnesium; daily growth; temperature proxy

Project Top | Authors 
  • Validation of alternative marine calcareous skeletons as recorders of global climate change, more

Authors  Top 
  • Lorrain, A.
  • Gillikin, D.P., more
  • Paulet, Y.-M.
  • Chauvaud, L.
  • Le Mercier, A.
  • Navez, J., more
  • André, L., more

Abstract
    Although Sr/Ca ratios in abiogenic calcite are strongly controlled by precipitation rates, such a kinetic effect has never been demonstrated in calcitic bivalve shells. Therefore, we report Sr/Ca ratios together with daily growth rates in the calcitic shells of four individuals of the bivalve Pecten maximus (age class I). Ratios of Sr/Ca were found to be variable among individuals that grew at the same location, illustrating that vital effects dominate over environmental controls. Although daily growth rate was correlated with shell Sr/Ca ratios, it explained only half of the Sr/Ca variations. However, daily shell surface area increment, an estimation of the total quantity of carbonate precipitated for a given time, explained 74% of the Sr/Ca variability in the shells of P. maximus. This proves, for the first time in a calcitic bivalve, that shell Sr/Ca partitioning is mainly controlled by kinetic effects. The Sr/Ca ratio should therefore be tested as a potential proxy of calcification rate in modern or fossil calcitic biocarbonates.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors