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Development, calibration and application of independent salinity proxies
www.awi.de/en/research/research_divisions/biosciences/projects/paleosalt

Acronym: PaleoSalt
Period: 2005 till 2008
Status: Completed
 Institutes 

Institutes (9)  Top 
  • Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar- and Marine Research (AWI), more, partner
  • Universität Münster; Physikalisches institut, more, partner
  • Universiteit Utrecht; Faculteit Geowetenschappen, more, partner
  • Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ), more, partner
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Faculteit Wetenschappen & Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen; Vakgroep Chemie; Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), more, partner
  • Université d'Angers, more, partner
  • Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer; Laboratoire des Sciences de l'environment Marin (IUEM/LEMAR), more, partner
  • Koninklijk Museum voor Midden Afrika; Afdeling Mineralogie, more, partner
  • Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Departament de Geologia; Unitat d'Estratigrafia, more, partner

Abstract
The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop, calibrate and verify three independent salinity proxies which will be used in climate reconstruction and modeling.

Project aims and objectives
Most proxy calibrations are based on empirical relationships based on observations in recent systems that cover only part of the total variability through time. Ideally, proxy relationships should be based on an understanding of the mechanisms (biological, chemical, physical) by which proxies are linked to their environmental target parameters. Such a mechanistic understanding includes a detailed knowledge of the actual shell formation process (how are proxies incorporated?) and of the ecological niche of the organism (when and where are proxies incorporated?).



Paleosalt methodology
1) A mechanistic study of Mg incorporation during biomineralisation
2) a. Develop an independent salinity proxy based on the δD of organic compounds
b. Develop an independent salinity proxy based on the difference in δD and 18O
3) Develop an independent salinity proxy based on trace element ratios

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