text: Where does this leave us? In paleoclimate terms, using the adjustment for dissolution as calculated above, the temperature differences in the Pacific Warm Pool are less than one would expect. My guess is that the dissolution adjustment in glacial times will be less than in warm times ??? there??s substantial evidence at modern sites that dissolution is not as serious a problem at cooler sites. However, as long as one is speculating on the proportion of dissolution in the foraminifera, there are layers of uncertainties that are not even hinted at in Hansen et al 2006. We don??t know what the pre-dissolution values of Mg/Ca for the Holocene Optimum were and so comparing modern instrumental values to core top values is little more than speculation. Having said that, Mg/Ca levels in the Holocene Optimum were relatively warm within the Pleistocene ??? reinforcing the observation that the Holocene is a relatively mild period within the Pleistocene. Prior to the last few years, this was usually believed to be a ???good thing?? in human terms.