Sabrina Lanker
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Sierra Petersen
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 4 – 2:40pm – 3:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Sabrina Lanker, Jade Zhang, Sierra Petersen
Presenter: 86
Abstract
Reconstructing climate during periods of past global warming can improve predictions for future climate change. During the Last Interglacial period, the Earth experienced a climate 1-2°C warmer and a global sea level 6-9 m higher than today. Fossilized shells of Lucina pennsylvanica were collected from marine carbonate deposits of Bermuda that formed during the Last Interglacial period and are currently exposed above the waterline in Bermuda. We measured multiple shells from each layer at high resolution to determine the d18O isotope values throughout these shells’ lifetimes. Shells d18O value were combined with the current d18O value of ocean water near Bermuda, 1.3 ‰, to calculate the ocean temperatures from when these shells were alive over 116,000 years ago. The high-resolution d18O analysis revealed a pattern indicating a seasonal temperature range similar to today. We compared shells between layers to determine if there was a change in seasonality through time. Prior clumped isotope research of Bermuda suggested this location was colder despite an overall warmer global climate. In the future we will be able to use clumped isotopes testing to further our knowledge and strengthen our research into this remarkable and historical climate.
Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary
