08:40–09:00
09:00–09:10
09:10–09:40
09:40–10:00
10:30–10:50
10:50–11:10
11:10–11:30
11:30–11:50
11:50–12:10
12:10–12:30
14:20–14:40
14:40–15:00
15:00–15:20
15:20–15:40
15:40–16:00
16:30–16:50
16:50-17:10
17:10–17:30
17:30–17:50
17:50–18:10

24-28th July 201008:30–09:00
09:00–09:20
09:20–09:40
09:40–10:00
10:30–10:50
10:50–11:10
11:10–11:30
11:30–11:50
11:50–12:10
12:10–12:30
14:00–14:20
14:20–14:40
14:40–15:00
15:00–15:20
15:20–15:40
16:10–16:30
16:30–16:50
16:50-17:20
17:20–17:40
17:40–18:00

KN Black BA
S4 Wacker U
S4 Nützel A
S4 Nunn EV
Coﬀee
S4 Hetzinger S
S4 Halfar J
S4 DeLong KL
S4 Storz D
S4 Zinke J
S4 Pfeiﬀer M
Lunch
S4 Sto KJ
S4 Butler PG
S4 Scourse JD
S4 Carroll ML
S4 Versteegh EAA
Coﬀee
S4 Jacob DE
S4 Watanabe T
KN Andrus CFT
S5 Burchell M
S5 Hallmann N

Tuesday 27th July

ISC2010 – Conference schedule

KN Richardson CA
S2 Johnson ALA
S2 Richardson CA
S2 Friedrich LA
Coﬀee
KN Witbaard R
S3 Goodwin DH
S3 Peharda M
S3 Witbaard R
S3 Santos S
S3 Miyaji T
S3 Arkhipkin AI
Lunch
Posters

Monday 26th July
08:30–09:00
09:00–09:20
09:20–09:40
09:40–10:00
10:30–11:00
11:00–11:20
11:20–11:40
11:40–12:00
12:00–12:20
12:20–12:40
12:40–13:00
14:30–17:30

S1 Proxy development
S2 Environmental monitoring and pollu on
S3 Invertebrate (paleo)ecology and evolu on
S4 Paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruc ons
S5 Shell midden archaeology
S6 Paleobiology and life history of vertebrates
S7 Biomineraliza on processes and crystal fabrics
S8 Cross-links and visions

Introductory notes
Oﬃcial welcome
KN Romanek CS
S1 Giry C
Coﬀee
S1 Grove CA
S1 Wisshak M
S1 Marali S
S1 López Correa M
S1 Reynolds DJ
S1 Schwartzmann C
Lunch
S1 Chauvaud L
S1 Bauwens M
S1 Hatch MBA
S1 Gillikin DP
S1 Clarke LJ
Coﬀee
S1 Thébault J
S1 Poulain C
S1 Schöne BR
S1 Shirai K
S1 Lazareth CE

Sunday 25th July

2nd Interna onal Sclerochronology Conference

Program and Abstracts

08:30–09:00
09:00–09:20
09:20–09:40
09:40–10:00
10:30–10:50
10:50–11:10
11:10–11:30
11:30–12:00
12:00–12:20
12:20–12:40
14:00–14:30
14:30–14:50
14:50–15:10
15:10–15:30
15:30–16:00
16:30–17:15

KN Tütken T
S6 Gerdeaux D
S6 Witzel C
S6 Zazzo A
Coﬀee
S6 Smith KM
S6 Bromage TG
S6 Hänsel L
KN Meibom A
S7 Cobb RM
S7 Radermacher P
Lunch
KN Lohmann G
S8 Ersek V
S8 Scholz D
S8 Frank DC
KN Wanamaker AD Jr
Coﬀee
ISC ballot; awards

Wednesday 28th July

Mainz, Germany

24-28th July 2010
Mainz, Germany

Main entrance

N

100m

Main
Gate

Bus stops
Recommended restaurants

Mensaria(2nd floor)

DeDe

Greek
Restaurant

External sponsors and supporters
Asian
Restaurant

town

Conference place:
Le
ect
c ur
u e hallh llll The
ha
T e Mussel
Th
Muss
Mu
s el
ss
el
LectureTaberna Academica

Italian Restaurant

TERRA NOSTRA
Schriften der Geo-Union Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung 2010/3

2nd International
Sclerochronology Conference
24-28th July 2010
Program and Abstracts

IMPRINTTERRA NOSTRA – Schriften der GeoUnion Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung
Publisher
Verlag

GeoUnion Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung
Arno-Holz-Str. 14, 12165 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 30 7900 660, Fax: +49 30 7900 6612
Email: infos@geo-union.de
Editorial office
Schriftleitung

Christof Ellger
GeoUnion Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung
Arno-Holz-Str. 14, 12165 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 30 7900 6622, Fax: +49 30 7900 6612
Email: Christof.Ellger@gfe-berlin.deVol. 2010/3
Heft 2010/3

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference
ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Editors
Herausgeber

Bernd R Schöne, Elizabeth V Nunn

Editorial staff

Pascal Radermacher, Lars Beierlein
INCREMENTS

Printed by
Druck

University of Mainz

Recommended citation: Schöne, B. R. & Nunn, E. V. (Eds) 2010. 2nd International Sclerochronology
Conference, 24-28th July 2010, Program and Abstracts.
Copyright and responsibility for the scientific content of the contributions lie with the authors.
Copyright und Verantwortung für den wissenschaftlichen Inhalt der Beiträge liegen bei den Autoren.
ISSN 0946-8978
GeoUnion Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung – Berlin, July 2010

Dear Colleague,
On behalf of the conference organization team, I welcome you to
the 2nd International Sclerochronology Conference (ISC2010) at
the University of Mainz.
Three years ago, sclerochronology entered a new era. For the firsttime, sclerochronologists from all over the world came together in
St. Petersburg, FL, USA to exchange thoughts and discuss new
research. ISC2007 was overwhelmingly successful and thedelegates agreed that this should be the starting point for future,
regular meetings of this kind.
Since that time, sclerochronology has gained considerable
momentum. Numerous research papers on trace elements, novel
isotope techniques and applications attest to the growing interest in
this field. However, there is still far more potential to be realized. By addressing key
paradigms, envisaging the big picture and provding precisely temporally aligned, robust andquantifiable environmental proxy data, we can attract the attention of the broader scientificcommunity and increase the visibility of sclerochronology. This requires a concerted andholistic approach together with interdisciplinary collaboration. As such, the remit of ISC2010
was to integrate traditional sclerochronological research with the expertise from neighboring
disciplines. I am extremely pleased to see that the presentations received for ISC2010
contribute strongly to this purpose.
Aside from the scientific program, the venue offers a broad spectrum of tourist attractions andentertainment. The capital of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate looks back over a
history of more than two thousand years. The region is famous for its Roman history (Mainz
was known as Moguntiacum during Roman times) and, of course, its delicious wines! Mainz
is also the place where one of the most groundbreaking machines was invented: theletterpress.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to participate in ISC2010 and contribute bothoral and poster presentations. My special thanks to the international and local organization
teams as well as to our sponsors and supporters. They facilitated the conference planning andkept things manageable. Ultimately, their help and support made this conference possible.
Conference Chair,

Bernd R. Schöne

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 20102

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Table of Contents

Organizing committee ..……………………………………………………………………

5

Campus map ………………………………………………………………………………

6

General information .………………………………………………………………………

7

Conference schedule ………………………………………………………………………

9

Poster presentations .……………………………………………………………………… 17
Oral presentation abstracts ………………………………………………………………… 27
Poster presentation abstracts ……………………………………………………………… 93
Author index ……………………………………………………………………………… 159
WLAN access: Windows Firewall configuration .………………………………………… 168

32nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 20104

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Organizing committee

Chair
Bernd R Schöne, University of Mainz, Germany

International Team
Andrew LA Johnson, University of Derby, UK
Claire E Lazareth, LOCEAN – Paleoproxus, Bondy, FranceDavid P Gillikin, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
Kazushige Tanabe, University of Tokyo, Japan
Meghan Burchell, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Thomas Tütken, University of Bonn, Germany

Local Team (University of Mainz)- Scientific advisory board
Elizabeth V Nunn, Kotaro Shirai, Anne-France Maurer- Organization
Michael Maus, Jochen Körner, Lars Beierlein, Pascal Radermacher, Dorrit E Jacob- Workshop
Nadine Hallmann- Assistants
Christoph S Füllenbach, Jessica Zirkel, Hilmar A Holland, Stefanie Thiele, Tobias
Grützner, Julia Broska, Johannes Gattinger, Lars Heller, Etienne Neuhaus, Magnus
Reutter- Secretarial team
Christina Scharhag, Beate Nikoley, Ute Stieffenhofer, Christine Weller

5Main entrance

N

100m

Main
Gate

MPI-C

MPI-C

Bus stops
Recommended restaurants

Mensaria (2nd floor)

DeDe

P

Greek Restaurant

Asian RestaurantÆ townConference place:
Lecture hall The Mussel

Taberna Academica

Italian Restaurant

Campus map

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

General information
Location and conference address
The Mussel
University of Mainz
Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 2355128 Mainz
Tel.: +49 6131 39 24757; Fax: +49 6131 39 24768
Email: ISC2010@uni-mainz.de
URL: http://www.scleroconferences.de
Official language
The official language of ISC2010 is English.
Registration desk
- Open during normal conference hours (see Conference schedule)- General enquiries and information- Lost and found- Messages and special announcement board- First Aid- Transport information and taxi phone numbers
Emergency- Phone numbers:
110 Police
112 Ambulance, Fire Department- Fire extinguishers can be found on both levels of the building; please refer toemergency maps
Refreshments and lunch
Recommendations (see campus map):(1) Mensaria, University campus, Staudingerweg, open Mon-Fri (note: theMensa downstairs from the Mensaria only accepts student cards, but no cash)(2) Italian restaurant, Pizzeria Campa Bistrorante, An der Allee 120 (keep left oncrossing Saarstraße/Albert-Schweitzer-Straße/Dr.-Martin-Luther-King-Weg,
follow Saarstraße W, cross bridge heading NNW), open Tue-Sat 17:30 –23:00, Sun 12:30 – 14:30 and 17:30 – 23:00(3) Greek restaurant, ca. 150m S of crossing Dalheimer Weg/Albert-SchweitzerStraße toward the district of Bretzenheim(4) Taberna Academica, University campus, opens Mon-Fri at 10:15, Sat 12:00 –15:00(5) DeDe, Turkish specialities, University campus, Staudingerweg
Note: Complimentary refreshments will be served during the coffee breaks.

7

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Internet access (for Windows Firewall configuration see p. 168)
Free internet access is available. EduRoam is accessible to delegates from certain
European and Australasian universities. Other delegates will require a guest accountand password, which is available from the registration desk. Internet can be accessed
through the following options:- Wireless Internet Access (WLAN)- Cable-bound internet access (LAN; for cables ask at the registration desk)- University Computing Center
WorkshopPlease meet in front of the conference center at 09:00. Workshop runs from 09:00
until ca. 18.00. The additional Friday workshop will follow the same schedule.
Round-Table Discussions (RTD)
Currently, four moderated RTDs (Thursday) have been offered for which delegatescan sign-up at the registration desk: Shell midden archaeology (Meghan Burchell),Sclerochronology data banks with global coverage and accessability (Thomas Brey),
Proxy development (Thomas Tütken) and Paleoclimate (Andrew Johnson).
Field Trip
Please meet in front of the conference center at 08:00 on Friday. We will return atapproximately 19:30. Proper walking boots are strongly recommended. A geologicalhammer and hand lens would also be very useful.
Conference events (refer to “Mainz City Map” and “Ausgehen in Mainz” leaflets)- Icebreaker Party: Conference building, Saturday, 18:00 – 21:00- Mid-conference dinner: Eisgrub Bräu (Weißliliengasse 1a), Monday, starts at 18:30- Farewell dinner: Proviantmagazin (Schillerstraße 11a), Wednesday, starts at 18:30(free drinks until 20:30)
Posters
Posters should be put up on Sunday or Monday morning at the latest and should
remain until Wednesday. Posters are assigned a poster board number (see list of poster
presentations). Attachment materials are available.
Speaker Ready Room
Oral presentations can be rehearsed in the Speaker Ready Room.
Uploading oral presentations
Oral presentations must be uploaded in the Speaker Ready Room on the morning ofyour talk before sessions commence (at the latest).
Rules of conduct- Smoking is prohibited throughout the conference center and in the immediate
vicinity of the university buildings.
- It is prohibited to copy any oral presentations from the conference computers.
- It is prohibited to take photographs of any scientific material in either oral or poster
presentations.

8

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Conference schedule
Saturday 24th July 2010
15:00 – 18:00

Registration

18:00 – 21:00

Icebreaker Party (The Mussel, Campus, University of Mainz)

Sunday 25th July 2010
08:40 – 09:00

Introductory notes

09:00 – 09:10

Official welcome

Session 1A Proxy Development
Conveners: David P Gillikin, Christopher S Romanek
09:10 – 09:40

Christopher S Romanek – Trace element and stable isotope profiles ofaccretionary biological tissues – Keynote

09:40 – 10:00

Cyril Giry, Felis T, Kölling M and Scheffers S – Geochemistry andskeletal structure of Diploria strigosa, implications for coral-based
climate reconstruction

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)

Session 1B Proxy Development
Conveners: Andrew LA Johnson, Claire E Lazareth, Christopher S Romanek
10:30 – 10:50

Craig A Grove, Nagtegaal R, Zinke J, Scheufen T, Koster B, Kaper S,
McCulloch MT, van den Bergh G and Brummer G-JA – River runoff
reconstructions from novel spectral luminescence scanning of massive
coral skeletons

10:50 – 11:10

Max Wisshak, López Correa M, Marali S and Freiwald A – A quest for
long-lived geochemical archives in the deep sea (Azores)

9

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

11:10 – 11:30

Soraya Marali, Wisshak M, López Correa M, Montagna P, McCulloch MT
and Freiwald A – Skeletal and geochemical properties of scleractiniancold-water corals from the Azores

11:30 – 11:50

Matthias López Correa, Sherwood O, Roark B, Montagna P, Edinger E,
Rüggeberg A and McCulloch MT – Patterns of elemental and stable
isotopic (δ13C and δ18O) variability in deep-sea bamboo corals of
Newfoundland and Labrador

11:50 – 12:10

Dave J Reynolds, Wanamaker AD Jr, Brocas WM, Richardson CA and
Butler PG – The dog cockle, Glycymeris glycymeris: a new annuallyresolved multi-centennial marine palaeoenvironmental archive

12:10 – 12:30

Schwartzmann C, Durrieu G, Sow M, Ciret P, Claire E Lazareth, andMassabuau JC – One year of giant clam growth: a combined HFNI
valvometry and sclerochronology study

12:30 – 14:20

Lunch

Session 1C Proxy Development
Conveners: David P Gillikin, Christopher S Romanek
14:20 – 14:40

Laurent Chauvaud, Thébault J, Clavier J, Lorrain A and Strand Ø –What’s hiding behind ontogenetic δ13C variations in mollusk shells?
New insights from the great scallop (Pecten maximus)

14:40 – 15:00

Maite Bauwens, Beelaerts V, Dehairs F and Schoukens J – Which proxies
should be integrated in the multi-proxy model?

15:00 – 15:20

Marco BA Hatch, Schellenberg SA, McGowan JA and Carter M – Ba/Ca
variations in the modern intertidal bean clam Donax gouldii: an
upwelling proxy?

15:20 – 15:40

David P Gillikin, Haveles AW, Lorrain A, Ivany LC, Versteegh EAA and
Dehairs F – Barium in mollusk shells: a dual proxy of environmental
conditions

15:40 – 16:00

Leon J Clarke, Wanamaker Jr AD, Kreutz KJ, Borns Jr HW and Introne
DS – Can calcite bivalve shell B/Ca be used as a palaeosalinity proxy?

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)10

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Session 1D Proxy Development
Conveners: Thomas Tütken, Bernd R Schöne, Christopher S Romanek
16:30 – 16:50

Julien Thébault, Schöne BR, Chauvaud L, Hallmann N, Richard M, BarthM, Nunn EV and Bassoullet C – Investigation of Li/Ca ratio temporalvariations in shells of two marine bivalves: Arctica islandica (Iceland)and Pecten maximus (France)

16:50 – 17:10

Poulain C, Anne Lorrain, Thebault J, Gillikin, DP, Munaron JM, Bohn M,
Robert R and Paulet Y-M – The impact of solution chemistry on theincorporation of Mg, Sr and Ba in the aragonite shell of Ruditapes
philippinarum: results from a laboratory study

17:10 – 17:30

Bernd R Schöne, Zhang Z, Radermacher P, Thébault J, Jacob DE, Nunn
EV and Maurer A-F – Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of ontogenetically old,
long-lived bivalve shells (Arctica islandica) and their function as
paleotemperature proxies

17:30 – 17:50

Kotaro Shirai and Radermacher P – Micro scale elemental distribution inshells of Arctica islandica

17:50 – 18:10

Claire E Lazareth, Le Cornec F, Candaudap F and Freydier R – Traceelement high-resolution distribution in bivalve isochronous growthlayersMonday 26th July 2010
Session 2 Environmental Monitoring and Pollution
Conveners: Kazushige Tanabe, Christopher A Richardson
08:30 – 09:00

Christopher A Richardson – Mollusc shells: archives of environmental
and anthropogenic change – Keynote

09:00 – 09:20

Andrew LA Johnson, Schöne BR and Chenery SRN – Influences on the
trace-element content of freshwater bivalve shells

09:20 – 09:40

Christopher A Richardson, Jones NJE, Butler PG, Scourse JD, Chenery
SRN and Hartley JP – Assessing the history of trace element
concentrations in the northern North Sea through Laser AblationICP-MS of Arctica islandica shells

09:40 – 10:00

Lisa A Friedrich, Halden NM and Palace VP – Using otolith
microchemistry to delineate environmental effects of mining

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)11

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Session 3 Invertebrate (Paleo)ecology and Evolution
Conveners: Kazushige Tanabe, Christopher A Richardson
10:30 – 11:00

Rob Witbaard – Sclerochronology and Ecology: They need each other!
– Keynote

11:00 – 11:20

David H Goodwin, Anderson LC, Roopnarine PD and Kercher PM – New
sclerochronological constraints for ontogenetic patterns in tropical
American bivalves: heterochronic evolution associated with the
emergence of the Central American Isthmus

11:20 – 11:40

Melita Peharda, Ezgeta-Balić D, Richardson CA, Vrgoč N and Isajlović I –Sclerochronology and population structure of a commercially
important bivalve: the smooth clam Callista chione in the eastern
Adriatic Sea

11:40 – 12:00

Rob Witbaard and Hippler D – Following seasonal shell growth in
Arctica islandica

12:00 – 12:20

Silvia Santos, Cardoso JFMF, Nieuwland G, Guimarães F, Witbaard R,
Luttikhuizen PC, van der Veer HW and Machado JP – Validation of theseasonality in growth bands in the bivalve Macoma balthica using
stable isotope and trace element analysis

12:20 – 12:40

Miyaji T, Kazushige Tanabe, Matsushima Y, Sato S, Yokoyama Y andMatsuzaki H – Response of daily and annual shell growth patterns of ashallow marine bivalve to Holocene coastal climate change in Japan: acase study on Phacosoma japonicum (Veneridae)

12:40 – 13:00

Alexander Arkhipkin and Shcherbich ZN – A new increment bearing
structure for age estimation in jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas(Ommastrephidae)

13:00 – 14:30

Lunch

14:30 – 17:30

Poster Session

18:30 onward

Mid-conference Dinner (Eisgrub Bräu, Microbrewery)12

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Tuesday 27th July 2010
Session 4A Paleoclimate & Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
Conveners: Andrew LA Johnson, Bryan A Black08:30 – 09:00

Bryan A Black – Sclerochronology and the potential for multi-species
perspectives on past climate and ecological variability – Keynote

09:00 – 09:20

Ulrike Wacker, Munnecke A and Joachimski MM – Fossil brachiopod
shells: reliable archives of seawater temperatures?

09:20 – 09:40

Alexander Nützel, Joachimski MM and López Correa M – Seasonality inthe Late Triassic tropics – High-resolution oxygen and carbon isotope
records from aragonitic bivalve shells (Cassian Formation, northern
Italy)

09:40 – 10:00

Elizabeth V Nunn and Price GD – High-latitude seasonality during the
Early Cretaceous greenhouse

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)

Session 4B Paleoclimate & Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
Conveners: Dorrit E Jacob, Kazushige Tanabe, Bryan A Black
10:30 – 10:50

Steffen Hetzinger, Halfar J, Keenlyside N, Mecking J, Kronz A, Steneck R,
Adey W and Lebednik PA – A link between North Pacific and North
Atlantic climate on multidecadal time scales: new insights fromcoralline algae

10:50 – 11:10

Jochen Halfar, Williams B, Hetzinger S, Steneck R and Adey W – Skeletal
density trends in coralline algae suggest ocean acidification impacts in
the North Pacific and North Atlantic

11:10 – 11:30

Kristine L DeLong, Quinn TM, Shen C-C and Lin K – A snapshot ofclimate variability at Tahiti 9.5 ka using a fossil coral from IODP
expedition 310

11:30 – 11:50

David Storz and Gischler E – Skeletal extension-rate record of a coralfrom the Maldives tracks ENSO and Indian monsoon variability

11:50 – 12:10

Jens Zinke, Pfeiffer M, Crueger T, Wassenburg J and Hardman E – IndoPacific teleconnections on decadal time-scales assessed by multiple
Sr/Ca and oxygen isotope records from the southwestern Indian Ocean

12:10 – 12:30

Miriam Pfeiffer, Zinke J, Dullo W-C, Timm O, Cahyarini SY and Weber
ME – Evaluating twentieth century warming trends with Porites corals
from the Indian Ocean

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch

13

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Session 4C Paleoclimate & Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
Conveners: Bernd R Schöne, Bryan A Black
14:00 – 14:20

Keziah J Stott, Austin WEN, Sayer MDJ and Wilson RJS – Theinvestigation of growth rates, enviroment and climate signals in Arctica
islandica from NW Scotland

14:20 – 14:40

Paul G Butler, Wanamaker AD Jr, Richardson CA, Scourse JD and
Reynolds DJ – A 1350-year crossdated sclerochronology for the North
Icelandic shelf based on growth increments from shells of Arctica
islandica

14:40 – 15:00

James D Scourse, Wanamaker AD Jr, Weidman C, Heinemeier J, Reimer
PJ, Butler PG and Richardson CA – The marine radiocarbon bomb-pulse
across the temperate North Atlantic: Δ14C inventories from Arctica
islandica growth increments

15:00 – 15:20

Michael L Carroll, Ambrose WA Jr, Levin BS, Henkes GA, Hop H, Ryan
S, Locke W, Renaud PE, Cottier F and Berge J – Growth rate andgeochemical variability in the Arctic bivalve Serripes groenlandicus: amulti-scale Pan-Svalbard proxy

15:20 – 15:40

Emma AA Versteegh, Blicher ME, Troelstra SR and Dehairs F – Theapplication of bivalve sclerochemistry in reconstructing past
Greenland meltwater runoff

15:40 – 16:10

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)

Session 4D Paleoclimate & Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
Conveners: C Fred T Andrus, Meghan Burchell, Bryan A Black
16:10 – 16:30

Dorrit E Jacob, Soldati AL, Schöne BR, Bianchi MM and Hajduk A –Climate signals in shells of Diplodon chilensis patagonicus bivalves,
Northern Patagonia, Argentina

16:30 – 16:50

Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Komoto Y and Shirai K – Comparison of daily andseasonal changes in shell microstructures and trace elemental signals
for river bivalve Margaritifera laevis with in-situ environmental
parameters

Session 5 Shell midden archaeology
Conveners: Elizabeth V Nunn, C Fred T Andrus, Meghan Burchell
16:50 – 17:20

14

C Fred T Andrus – Sclerochronology in archaeology: beyond season of
capture analysis – Keynote2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

17:20 – 17:40

Meghan Burchell, Cannon A, Hallmann N, Schöne BR and Martindale A –Understanding ancient shellfish use in British Columbia, Canada
through high-resolution sclerochronology and oxgyen isotope profiles

17:40 – 18:00

Nadine Hallmann, Burchell M, Martindale A, Cannon A and Schwarcz HP– Holocene climate changes in British Columbia and seasonality
estimates reconstructed from the bivalve Saxidomus gigantea using
high-resolution isotope sclerochronology

Wednesday 28th July 2010
Session 6A Paleobiology and Life history of vertebrates (skeletochronology)
Conveners: Anne-France Maurer, Thomas Tütken
08:30 – 09:00

Thomas Tütken – Fossil bones and teeth: geochemical and histologicalarchives for life history and palaeobiology – Keynote

09:00 – 09:20

Daniel Gerdeaux and Dufour E – Contribution of intra-otolith variations
in stable carbon and oxygen isotopes to age validation of pike (Esoxlucius) scales and otoliths

09:20 – 09:40

Carsten Witzel, Kierdorf U, Frölich K and Kierdorf H – A study of theperiodicity of incremental markings in dental enamel of sheep

09:40 – 10:00

Antoine Zazzo, Balasse M, Passey BH, Moloney AP, Monahan FJ andSchmidt O – The isotope record of short- and long-term dietarychanges in sheep tooth enamel: implications for quantitative
reconstruction of paleodiets

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)

Session 6B Paleobiology and Life history of vertebrates (skeletochronology)
Conveners: Anne-France Maurer, Thomas Tütken
10:30 – 10:50

Kathlyn M Smith, Fisher DC and Rountrey AN – Use of tusk growth andstable isotope records to assess an unusual all-female American
mastodon (Mammut americanum) assemblage

10:50 – 11:10

Timothy G Bromage, Juwayeyi YM, Smolyar IV, Gomez S, Hu B and
Chisi J – Incremental lamellar bone rhythms revealed on multi-annual
timescales in humans

11:10 – 11:30

Lena Hänsel and Alt KW – Incremental lines in human teeth: a reliable
method for biological age determination?
15

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Session 7 Biomineralization: Processes & Crystal Fabrics
Conveners: Kotaro Shirai, Anders Meibom
11:30 – 12:00

Anders Meibom – New tools to study paleoenvironmental proxyprecision and biological effects – Keynote

12:00 – 12:20

Robin M Cobb, Andrus CFT, Pérez-Huerta A and Olson JB – Analysis ofskeletal growth in stylasterid corals

12:20 – 12:40

Pascal Radermacher, Shirai K and Zhang Z – Heterogeneity of Sr/Ca andcrystal fabrics in the shell of Arctica islandica: developing a reliablepaleothermometer

12:40 – 14:00

Lunch

Session 8 Cross-links and Visions
Conveners: Alan D Wanamaker Jr, Gerrit Lohmann, Bernd R Schöne
14:00 – 14:30

Gerrit Lohmann, Brey T, Lomovasky B and Schöne BR – Marinebiological proxies and climate circulation: methods and applications –Keynote14:30 – 14:50

Vasile Ersek, Clark PU, Mix AC, Cheng H and Edwards L – Response of
the Pacific Northwest to Holocene climate forcings

14:50 – 15:10

Denis Scholz, Hoffmann D, Spötl C, Hopcroft P, Mangini A and Richter
DK – Decoupled evolution of temperature and precipitation in western
Germany during the Last Interglacial reconstructed from a precisely
dated speleothem

15:10 – 15:30

Frank DC, Jan Esper, Raible CC, Büntgen U, Trouet V, Stocker B and JoosF – Sensitivity of the carbon cycle estimated from ensemble climate
reconstructions

15:30 – 16:00

Alan D Wanamaker Jr – Visions: the future of sclerochronology –Keynote16:00 – 16:30

Coffee Break (refreshments will be provided)

16:30 – 17:15

Ballot: 3rd ISC (ISC2013) & Awards

18:30 onward

Farewell Dinner (Proviantmagazin; free drinks until 20:30)

16

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Poster presentations
Poster #Author(s) – Title

51

Konstantina Agiadi and Girone A – Sclerochronological examination, Sr/Ca
spectral analysis and signal processing of two Ceratoscopelus otolithmorphotypes from the Quaternary Ionian Sea

20

Jessica R Bean and Hill TM – Intermittent growth in gastropod shells:
seasonal changes in apertural morphology and shell oxygen isotope
records

21

Jessica R Bean and Jacobs LM – Seasonal and tidal influences on gastropod
shell oxygen isotope records

52

Veerle Beelaerts, Bauwens M, Versteegh EAA, Pintelon R and Dehairs F –Periodic time-series modeling with guaranteed positive growth rateestimation for environmental records

54

Lars Beierlein – Investigating climatic archives from archaeological sites in
East Germany: a calibration study on Unio crassus

15

Erin C Beirne and Wanamaker AD Jr – Experimental calibration of Arctica
islandica shell carbonate as a geochemical proxy for environmental
dissolved inorganic carbon

26

Bellamy E, Mahé K, de Rafélis M and Frank Lartaud – Growth of thecommon cockle Cerastoderma edule: validation of the periodicity ofincrement deposition by Calcein marker

42

Annemarie Bird, Johnson ALA, Leng M and Balson PS – Pliocene climate of
the Southern North Sea Basin: a sclerochronological approach

38

Peter Bisling, Theopold F, Krause-Nehring J and Brey T – First results onlead in Arctica islandica shells using laser ablation and resonanceionization

47

Thomas Brey, Lohmann G, Jenkins K, Ahn IY, Lomovasky B and Voigt M –Does the Antarctic Circumpolar Current isolate high-latitude bivalvesfrom ENSO forcing?

27

William M Brocas, Ridgway ID, Reynolds DJ, Butler PG, Richardson CA,
Scourse JD and Ramsay K – Developing the use of the dog cockle,
Glycymeris glycymeris, shell as a new scleroclimatological proxy species

45

Chan P, Jochen Halfar, Hetzinger S, Steneck R, Zack T and Jacob DE – Is the
Alaska Coastal Current becoming less saline? An example using coralline
algal Ba/Ca ratios

17

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201058

Elise Dufour, Vernet R, Tous P, Borges C and Saliège JF – Stable istopic
profils of meagre (Argyrosomus regius): reconstruction of environment
and fishing practises at Cansado, Mauritania

23

Nicolas Duprey, Lazareth CE, Butscher J, Dupouy C, Maes C, Farman R and
Cabioch G – The giant clam Tridacna maxima, a high-resolution proxy forpast climate reconstruction in the South-West Pacific: first stages of thecalibration

59

Teresa CB Franco – Coastal hunter-gatherers in Northern Chile:archaeological and paleoecological approach

39

Lisa A Friedrich – Establishing a chemical baseline for a mining-impactedarea using otolith microchemistry

35

Christoph S Füllenbach – Distribution patterns of Arctica islandica shells in
the North Sea: ontogenetic and radiometric ages

48

Jose R Garcia-March, Surge D, Lees J and Kersting D – Stable isotope ratios
in Pinna nobilis shells record ecological information and water massproperties in the Mediterranean

24David P Gillikin, Goodwin DH and Kesler DH – Periodicity of growth lines
in freshwater mussels: a stable isotope study

43

Shelly M Griffin and Wanamaker AD Jr – Assessing shell growth records
from Arctica islandica in the Gulf of Maine as indicators of environmental
change3

Tobias Grützner – Sectorial dark field: the best lightning technique foretched thick-sections?

57

F Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti, Delgado-Huertas A, Ortiz JE, González-Morales
MR, Torres T and Reyes E – How good is Patella vulgata Linnaeus 1758
reflecting changes in sea surface temperatures (SST)? First results using
living and archaeological samples from Northern Spain

4

Sabine Hahn, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Griesshaber E, Schmahl WW, Buhl D, HallSpencer JM and Immenhauser A – Possible ocean acidification during the
PETM: analogue for future ocean acidification?

46

Nadine Hallmann, Burchell M, Tanabe K, Irvine GV, Cannon A, Miyaji T andMartindale A – Reconstruction of North Pacific Holocene climate using
marine bivalve shell midden deposits

5

Agnes Heinemann, Fietzke J, Thomsen J, Eisenhauer A and Melzner F – The
influence of increased pCO2 on the calcification of Mytilus edulis

18

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201029

Lars Heller – Estimating periods of extended shell closure from bivalve
growth patterns: a potential new proxy for seasonally hostileenvironmental conditions

49

Steffen Hetzinger, Kulfan CM, Mallela J, Halfar J, Dullo W-C, Macrander A,
Grove CA, Zinke J and McCulloch MT – Tobago coral record as a highresolution archive of Amazon and Orinoco River outflow and tropicalclimate variability

60

Ruth M Higgins, Ferreira AF and Isidro E – Validation of growth increment
periodicity and the position of the first annulus in Blackspot Seabream(Pagellus bogaraveo) otoliths

28

Hilmar A Holland – Is it possible to construct long master chronologies
from the fossil shells of Margaritifera falcata (British Columbia, Canada)?

44

Joel W Hudley and Surge D – Reconstructing the variability of shelf waterbottom temperatures in the Middle Atlantic Bight from aunnual growthincrements

31

Kurin Iimura, Tohse H, Ura K and Takagi Y – Molecular mechanisms ofcellular differentiation in teleost fish scales

17

Hisato Izumida, Yoshimura T, Ishimura T, Nakashima R, Kawahata H,
Shikazono N and Suzuki A – Freshwater mussel shells (Hyriopsis sp.) asarchives of environmental information

34

Jones NJE, Christopher A Richardson, Grigoriou P and Kennedy H –Distribution, age and growth of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis from aroundthe UK and Ireland

6

Jacqueline Krause-Nehring, Brey T, Klügel A and Nehrke G – Bleaching of
biogenic carbonates: beware of changes in trace element concentrations!

40

Labonne M, Oudard C, Bassoulet C, Morize E and Lae R – Test of Marine
Protected Area source-sink hypothesis on fishes using otolith
microchemistry (presented by Anne Lorrain)

7

Le Callonnec L, Lartaud F and Marc de Rafélis – Trace elements and stable
isotopes from unionid bivalve shells: proxy records of environmental
conditions and pollution events. Experimental approach in situ (Ile-deFrance) and in laboratory

13

Matthias López Correa, Rüggeberg A, Montagna P, McCulloch MT, Taviani
M and Freiwald A – Microstructure, trace elements and stable isotopes ofrecent and Holocene bathyal Mediterranean Corallium rubrum (Strait ofSicily)19

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201055

Anne-France Maurer, Knipper C, Galer S, Beierlein L, Peters D, von Freden
U, Alt KW and Schöne BR – Strontium isotope ratios of bivalve shells andtree cores in past migration studies

12

Tsuzumi Miyaji, Shirai K and Tanabe K – Extraction of sea surface salinity
proxy by means of high resolution minor trace element analysis in venerid
bivalve shells

8

Vincent Mouchi, Lartaud F and de Rafélis M – Environmental vs.
physiological control of the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca distribution in oyster shells

36

Roel Nagtegaal, Brummer G-JA, Grove CA, Zinke J and van den Bergh G –High-resolution Porites coral proxy records as indicators of climatic andenvironmental change in East Kalimantan Indonesia

30

Kozue Nishida, Nakashima R, Majima R, Suzuki A and Hikida Y – Shell
microstructural changes in shell layers of the chemosynthetic bivalve,
Conchocele bisecta

33

Elizabeth V Nunn, Price GD and Schöne BR – Sclerochronological analysisof the Early Cretaceous Boreal Realm belemnite Arcroteuthis lateralis

37

Kazuto Ohmori, Watanabe T, Tanimizu M, Matuoka J and Shirai K – Pb
concentration and isotopes in Pacific sclerosponge

22

Pascal Radermacher, Gischler E, Oschmann W, Thébault J and Fiebig J –Sclerochronology: a highly versatile tool for mariculture andreconstruction of life history traits of the queen conch, Strombus gigas(Gastropoda)

16

Magnus Reutter, Radermacher P, Beierlein L and Maus M – Generating
growth and calcification in freshwater mollusks in closed-system tankecosystems: a starting point for climatic and ecological proxy calibration

56

Gabriella Schöll-Barna, Demény A, Sümegi P, Serlegi G, Fábián S, Cserny T,
Fórizs I and Bajnóczi B – Variations in stable isotopic composition of shell
Unionidae from Lake Balaton (Hungary): recent and archaeologicalstudies63

Angelina Siebert, Oelze VM, Ulrich N, Nicklisch N, Ganslmeier R and Alt
KW – “Neither fish nor fowl?” Significant increase of animal protein inhuman diet during the Neolithic in Central Germany

62

Smolyar IV, Timothy G Bromage and Wikelski M – Incremental patterns innature: a model of 2D cyclic structure

1

Kohki Sowa, Sakamoto T, Nakamura T, Sakai S, Iijima K and Watanabe T – A
new method for estimating calcification rate of coral skeletons using atransparent X-ray 2D-imaging scanner (TATSCAN-X1) in conjunction
with geochemical analyses

20

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201010

Hélène Tabouret, Carlier A, Thébault J, Pécheyran C, Chauvaud L andAmouroux D – Isotopic approach to assess dissolved Mo and Ba uptake inscallop shells: new insights into the use of Mo/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios asproxies in temperate coastal environments

61

Hélène Tabouret, Lord C, Pécheyran C, Monti D and Keith P – Do freshwater
gobies move along the river system? Investigations of freshwater habitat
use of two Sicydiine species Sicydium punctatum (Carribean) andSicyopterus lagocephalus (Indo-Pacific)

32

Yasuaki Takagi, Tohse H, Ogawa N and Nagasawa H – Proteomic andmRNA expression analyses in the teleost fish otolith and scale suggest
organic control of rhythmic growth and biomineralization

18

Isabelle Taubner, Böhm F, Eisenhauer A, Garbe-Schönberg D and Erez J –Temperature and pH proxies in cultured scleractinian corals

19

Sebastian Teichert and Freiwald A – Polar coralline red algae as potential
environmental recorder

11

Julien Thébault, Chauvaud L, L’Helguen S, Clavier J, Barats A, Pécheyran C
and Amouroux D – Barium and molybdenum records in shells of
Comptopallium radula (Bivalvia; Pectinidae): high-resolution proxies for
phytoplankton dynamics in the coral reef lagoon of New Caledonia

2

Felix Theopold, Bisling P, Brey T and Krause-Nehring J – A novel approachfor the determination of growth increments of Arctica islandica

53

Stefanie Thiele – High-frequency oscillations in annual shell growth ofbivalves: physiological rather than climatic control?

25

Trotter J, Montagna P, Matthias López Correa, Vertino A, McCulloch MT,
Goldstein S, Ritt B, Henry P and Taviani M – Longevity and growth rates ofDesmophyllum dianthus in the Marmara Sea and its potential as highresolution geochemical deep-sea archive

50

Emma AA Versteegh, Vonhof HB, Troelstra SR and Kroon D – A molluscan
perspective on hydrological cycle dynamics in northwestern Europe

14

Toshihiro Yoshimura, Izumida H, Suzuki A, Ishimura T, Nakashima R and
Kawahata H – Small metabolic carbon contribution to shell carbonates ofcultured freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis sp.

9Zengjie Zhang, Radermacher P, Maurer A-F, Nunn EV, Hallmann N and
Tütken T – Controls of ontogenetic age and growth rate on trace elements
in marine aragonitic bivalve shells: implications for the development oftrace elemenal proxies

41

Jessica Zirkel – Seasonal to decadal climate variability during the late
Oligocene (‘Kasseler Meeressand’ unit, Germany)

21

Die ICP-Massenspektrometriewird schneller, präziser und
reproduzierbarer. Denn das neue

Eine neue Ära der
ICP-Massenspektrometrie

SPECTRO MS erfasst als erstes Gerät
seiner Art vollsimultan die Gehalte
von mehr als 75 Elementen mit
210 Isotopen und eröffnet damit dem
Anwender neue Perspektiven
und Einsatzbereiche.
– Doppelt fokussierendes
Sektorfeld-Massenspektrometer mit
neuentwickelter Ionenoptik undbahnbrechender Detektortechnologie– Simultane Messung des kompletten
anorganisch relevanten
Massenspektrums für verbesserte
Empﬁndlichkeit und Präzision sowie
höchsten Probendurchsatz– Schnelles Fingerprinting, interneStandardisierung in Echtzeit und
Messung von transienten Signalen,
Isotopenverhältnissen und
Isotopenverdünnung– Kompatibel mit EPA, FDA, CLP und
21 CFR Part 11 sowie weiteren
Standards und Normen

Informieren Sie sich überdas neue SPECTRO MS unter
spectro.info@ametek.com
Tel +49.2821.892-2110
ms.spectro.com

TeflonPFA and Quartz ware
sample handling in ultra trace analysis• sample cups, tubes, bottles, dishes, ...
• subboiling acid/liquid purification• element enrichment by subboiling• cleaning devices for digestion vessels

Automation and signal
optimation
for ICP sample introduction• FAST sampling with flow injection• quick rinse out and low memory• fits easy to all ICP instruments• signal enhancement with desolvation

ICP accessories
general and special designs of• torches, bonnets, shields, purge tubes• spray chambers, end caps, elbows• nebulizers ( CGN, X-flow, V-groove )• coils, cones and multipliers for ICP-MS

Teflon coated graphite
hotplates
made of ultra pure materials• temperature stable and resistant• for sample digestion and concentration• metal free and clean flow benches• pure handling of small sample volumes

All special applications are welcome!
We make custom specific solutions made of PFA, PTFE, PEEK, quartz etc.

W
DU
3
RXU
<

IR
U
QH
U

Molecular- und Micro-Analysis

V
LQ
XP
WU

HQ
O
WD

$

HORIBA Scientific is a worldwide
leader in development and production of molecular- and elemental-analytical measurement technology for research, analysis for laboratories and quality
control.

V LV
O\
QD

Elemental-Analysis

Q
D

LQ
G

We offer instrumentation for Fluorescence- andRaman-Spectroscopy, Ellipsometry and other methods measuring stacks and layers, as well as a wide variety of components for optical spectroscopy – also for
OEM applications. In addition, measurement techniques
like ICP- and GD-OES, Particle analysis, sulfur-in-oil-Analysis
and methods for determination of water quality as well as X-Ray
fluorescence belong to the list of techniques HORIBA Scientific isstrong in.

QR

Ultrashort pulse
Technology

WLY
YD

H6
S HF
S\

One main advantage of optical measurement techniques (Macro- or Micro-)is the generally rather low time and effort required for sample preparation.
Often one can work even without any specific sample preparation, and in
addition non-invasive and non-destructive: this is a distinct advantage overmany other analytical methods. We are proud of our long lasting company
history, which in respect to the scientific area with the Jobin Yvon-Group –reaches back to the year 1819.

W U R V FR

The better part of these instruments can be used not only for macroscopic analysis, but also for micro-measuring techniques with resolutions wellinto the submicron-range.

OpticalComponents

The HORIBA Jobin Yvon GmbH is in business since the eighties of thelast century and covers today Germany, Austria, and Switzerland withthe complete product range of HORIBA Scientific.
In addition, HORIBA Jobin Yvon GmbH is the exclusive European representation of Ultrashort pulse laser systems built
by Clark-MXR, one of the leading supplier of Femto- andPicosecond Laser systems for scientific and industrial
applications like micro- and nano-machining.

Thin Film Metrology,36-&%.SFMR=ZSR+QF,

www.horiba.com/de/scientific+DXSWVWU1HXKRIVWU
8QWHUKDFKLQJ%HQVKHLP
7HO7HO
)D[)D[)1EMPMRJSWGMHI$LSVMFEGSQ

An international scientific journal
on the aquatic world
Aquatic Living Resources publishes original
research papers, review articles and short notes
dealing with all living resources in marine, brackish
and freshwater environments.
Visibility

Read in more than200
countries

ISSN: 0990-7440

e-ISSN: 1765-2952

Why you should read Aquatic Living Resources4

The highest scientific review standards

ALR only selects high quality articles. Manuscripts submitted are
subject to careful peer review to determine international
relevance, quality and contribution to the field before being
accepted for publication.
4

Worldwide visibilityYour article is read in over 200 countries around the world.
4

Fast online accessUsing “E-First”, you have immediate online access to articles intheir final form as soon as the proof has been corrected by theauthors. These articles may be cited by their DOI.
4

Easy linking

Online services use relevant databases listing articles citing theselected article, those from same author or same subject.

4

Pay-per-view

Using the pay-per-view option, you can view and download the
pdf of articles to which you do not have a subscription.
4

Alert services

ALR offers you free registration for the e-mail alert services that
send you an e-mail each time new articles are published online
or cited. And with RSS Feeds, the latest online article titles in ALR
are delivered directly to your desktop.
4

Free access 2 years after publication

All articles are accessible free of charge after the embargo
period. Free access to the ALR archive dating back to 1988 isavailable.
4

Free press release service

You have free access to selected articles.

Journal subscription: Please contact EDP Sciences at subscribers@edpsciences.org

www.alr-journal.org

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201026

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Oral presentation abstracts

27

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201028

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronology in archaeology: beyond season of capture analysis
Andrus CFT*
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA___________* corresponding author: fandrus@geo.ua.edu

Archaeologists use sclerochronology primarily as a means to assess season of capture in mollusks but
are increasingly applying it to achieve other goals. Conversely, non-archaeologists use middens assources of ancient specimens for purposes such as paleoclimate reconstruction using
sclerochronological techniques. As such, archaeologists and sclerochronologists often collaborate, but
communication between the two fields is sometimes difficult. I will use examples from my own andmy students’ research to illustrate what I see as new avenues of collaborative research and discuss
some potential sources of miscommunication between the disciplines. The examples will include
molluscan paleoclimate and paleoproductivity estimates related to Andean prehistory, evidence forselective habitat exploitation among prehistoric North American Indians, and models of monumental
construction patterns and ritual as seen in ring-shaped middens. I will also discuss the development of
new archaeologically relevant molluscan proxies in South, Central, and North America. These
examples will also illustrate how taphonomic concerns unique to archaeological sites may influence
paleoclimate and environmental proxies in mollusks excavated from middens.

29

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A new increment bearing structure for age estimation in jumbo squid
Dosidicus gigas (Ommastrephidae)
Arkhipkin AI* and Shcherbich ZN
Fisheries Department, Falkland Islands Government, Stanley, Falkland Islands___________* corresponding author: aarkhipkin@fisheries.gov.fk

Age estimation in squid, as in other short-lived animals, is a challenging task. Among a few
increment-bearing structures, the calcareous statoliths are the most popular tools to estimate squid age
in days. Daily formation of statolith growth increments has been validated in a number of squid
species by both chemical marking and comparison of increment number with the known age of squid
kept in tanks. However, in large squid the statolith growth decreases with age, often making the
growth increments indiscernible near the statolith margin. This is exactly the case for age
determination in large specimens of the jumbo squid, Dosidicus gigas, whose range expansion totemperate waters in the Eastern Pacific has been impacting local ecosystems and fishermen alike since
the last strong El Niño in 1997-98. Age determination using the gladius has also not been possible inthis species as growth increments are observed only in the anterior part of its rachis, representing only
the last part of squid life. Fortunately, unlike other ommastrephid squid, the gladius of D. gigas has apeculiar feature. Its inner part (hypostracum) fills the gladius cone providing the stronger support andrigidity for the mantle tip and fins (Bizikov, 1996). Upon squid growth, external layers of hypostracum
are laid periodically to fill in the growing cone. We have sampled statoliths and gladii from six
specimens of D. gigas (mantle length of 80-88 cm) caught in Coquimbo (Chile) in November 2009.
The cone of the gladius was cut longitudinally (according to Bizikov, 1996) and revealed prominent
periodical growth increments in the hypostracum layer. Readability of the increments was enhancedwith haematoxylin staining. The number of growth increments in the hypostracum varied from 714(mature female of 87.5 cm ML) to 823 (mature male of 87.5 cm ML). Far fewer growth increments(262-323) were observed in the statoliths taken from the same animals; however the portion near thestatolith margin needed extrapolation. Our results showed that the hypostracum layer has a potential tobe an alternative tool for age estimations in D. gigas in case of partial unreadability of the statoliths
especially in large squid. Further investigations are needed to determine the periodicity of increment
formation in the hypostracum at various ontogenetic stages of jumbo squid.

30

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Which proxies should be integrated in the multi-proxy model?
Bauwens M1,2*, Beelaerts V2, Dehairs F1 and Schoukens J2
1 Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
2 Department of Fundamental Electricity and Instrumentation, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium___________* corresponding author: msbauwen@vub.ac.be

All potential temperature proxies (e.g., δ18O, Mg, Sr) suffer of one common problem: the proxy signal
is strongly influenced by non-temperature forcers such as salinity, metabolism and shell growth. The
use of multi-proxy models offers a solution for that problem. However, the use of classical linear
multiple regression models are not always appropriate since some data show substantial non-linear
relationships between temperature and elemental ratios. In previous research we demonstrated that theso called Weight Determination by Manifold Regularization (WDMR) approach can be used todevelop a non-linear multi-proxy model. Now a new question arises: which proxies should be
integrated in the multi-proxy model? We evaluated four trace element records (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/Caand Pb/Ca ratios) measured in the shell of the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Different proxycombinations were evaluated over a salinity range between 15 and 32. Our findings highlight Mg/Ca
ratios as the most powerful paleothermometers but we indicate that its reconstruction performance issignificantly improved by combining it with other elemental ratios into a multi-proxy model. We
assume that disturbances on the Mg/Ca profile due to growth and food availability can be explained byvariations in the Sr/Ca profile and the Ba/Ca profile, which results in better temperaturereconstructions using a Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca the WDMR. Although Pb/Ca ratios seem tocontribute slightly positivly to the final reconstruction performance of a four proxy model, we
discourage the use of Pb/Ca in a multi-proxy model for temperature reconstruction since the element is
known to be strongly influenced by antropogenetic forcers. Using Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca the
WDMR model gave a root mean squared error of ± 2.21ºC for a temperature reconstruction based on ashell sampled independently in time and location.

31

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronology and the potential for multi-species perspectives on past
climate and ecological variability
Black BA*
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA___________* corresponding author: bryan.black@oregonstate.edu

In terrestrial ecosystems, a global network of tree-ring chronologies serves as a leading indicator of
past environmental variability and change, especially over the last 1000 years. Growth increments
formed in the hard parts of long-lived animal species have been increasingly recognized for theirpotential to address analogous issues in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Such archives are ofparticularly high value considering the scarcity of long-term observational records in aquatic systems.
However, to fully realize the data’s potential and ensure maximum quality, all time series used todevelop chronologies should be exactly dated and sufficiently replicated. When these criteria are
fulfilled, “sclerochronologies” may be more directly compared with one another, tree-ringchronologies, and climate records. This potential to combine diverse time series is a particularly strong
asset of sclerochronology in that it allows for more holistic assessments of past environmental
variability. From an ecological standpoint, combinations of sclerochronologies may be used tocompare species of contrasting life histories or evaluate ecosystem processes as they cascade throughmultiple trophic levels. With respect to climate, combinations of exactly dated sclerochronologies
and/or tree-ring chronologies may be used to generate reconstructions in which each species captures
climate from its own unique “perspective” of habitat and life history, yielding a more robust estimate
than either proxy could provide on its own. Considering the diversity of candidate species andhabitats, sclerochronology will undoubtedly grow in coming years given its potential to fill criticalgaps in our knowledge of ecological and climatic variability in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial
ecosystems. Yet to maximize that potential, every effort must be made to ensure adequate replicationand precise dating whenever resources permit.

32

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Incremental lamellar bone rhythms revealed on multi-annual timescales inhumansBromage TG1*, Juwayeyi YM2, Smolyar IV3, Gomez S4, Hu B1 and Chisi J5
1 Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
2 Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
3 Ocean Climate Laboratory, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
4 Department of Pathology, University of Cadiz, 11003 Cadiz, Spain
5 Department of Anatomy, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, PB360, Malawi___________* corresponding author: tim.bromage@nyu.edu

The purpose of our research is to apply novel image analytical methods for characterizing cyclic – orperiodic – textures manifest in lamellar bone that belong to the class we refer to as incremental
patterns. Moreover, we investigate the midshaft femur histology of sub-Saharan Africans of Bantu
origin and known life history with the purpose of characterizing growth rate variability for as many asfive years of continuously accreting primary lamellar bone. The lamellar formation rate may beobtained by characterizing the incremental anatomy of an individual’s associated dental enamel, welldocumented to exhibit a short (ca. 24-hours) and a long period (striae of Retzius), the latter
representing a temporary slowing of enamel formation in humans every ca. 8-9 days on average. The
number of daily increments between striae is called the repeat interval (RI), which is identical for allteeth of an individual, but which represents the physiological period responsible for the formation ofthat archetypal fundamental unit of bone called the lamella (Bromage et al. 2009 Calcif. Tiss. Int. 84,
388-404). Lamellae vary in width, and thus provide time-calibrated measures of growth ratevariability.
Midshaft femur sections from ten individuals – six of which have associated teeth and aknown RI – were ground to ca. 50 µm thick and imaged by circularly polarized light. Binary images oflamellar bone were rendered and converted to vector format. We employed a discrete model oflamellar bone based upon the parameterization of incremental pattern structure (Smolyar et al. herein).
Transects were semi automatically plotted perpendicular to the direction of bone growth and theirintersections with lamellae given coordinates. A calculation of entropy and an index of structuralanisotropy was performed to assess the impact of anisotropy on the accuracy of growth rate variability
measurements. This was done by assigning a label to each intersection and evaluating all alternate
possible relationships between lamellae crossed by adjacent transects.
Striking rhythms in lamellar growth rate reveal cycles never before observed in developing
bone; in some individuals we observe cycles closely approximating a 28-day rhythm, and in others wevisualize rhythms on uni-annual and, in cases, bi-annual cycles. Endogenous biological periodicities,
cycles manifest in the external environment, and perturbations to development are all potentiallycontained within growth rate variability studies of lamellar incremental patterns. Because lamellae areformed within defined periods of time, quantitative measures of widths of individual lamellae provides
time-resolved growth rate variability and reveal rhythms in human bone growth heretofore unknown.
This study was funded by the USA National Science Foundation.

33

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Understanding ancient shellfish use in British Columbia, Canada throughhigh-resolution sclerochronology and oxgyen isotope profiles
Burchell M1*, Cannon A1, Hallmann N2, Schöne BR2 and Martindale A3
1 Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4L9, Canada
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada___________* corresponding author: burcheme@mcmaster.ca

Archaeological analyses of settlement patterns and subsistence practices at coastal sites often requireprecise identifications of seasonality to interpret ancient patterns of landscape use. The application ofhigh-resolution sclerochronology and oxygen isotope analysis to archaeological shells can be used as a
geo-cultural archive to identify past ecological conditions that influenced settlement patterns andresource procurement strategies. In addition, it can also provide a precise measure of the season ofshellfish harvest, and by proxy, site occupation. When coupled with macroscopic growth increment
analysis, relative levels of shellfish harvest pressure, shellfish management strategies, and/or resource
depression can be identified within a seasonal context.
Historically, both settlement and subsistence in coastal British Columbia, Canada (BC) were
influenced by seasonal changes in the abundance and availability of local foods, however, very little is
known about regional variability within an archaeological context. This paper presents the results ofanalysis of the bivalve, Saxidomus gigantea, from shell middens from two distinct cultural andenvironmental regions of the coast of BC. The Dundas Islands Group (7000-1000 BP), in northern BC
is considered to be a resource-poor area with marginal food sources, yet it was able to support thedevelopment of large village populations. In contrast, the Namu region, on the central coast (60001000 BP) shows evidence of a storage-based economy supported by local fisheries. Prior tointerpreting seasonality based on δ18O it was necessary to understand the life-history traits ofS.gigantea. Many occupation sites are located near estuaries therefore the results of the oxygen isotope
analysis were aligned with high-resolution sclerochronology to better understand the influence of
seasonal influxes of freshwater on δ18O.
The initial results show that people harvested shellfish more intensively, and in a broader
seasonal range in the Dundas Islands than in the Namu region. This is likely attributed to a greaterneed to incorporate shellfish into diets to sustain local village populations. Stratigraphic evidenceshows that seasons of shellfish harvest changed over time at the Dundas Islands, which may imply that
local clam beds were harvested to depletion, and therefore could not be collected again until the
population had regenerated. While there are some similarities in seasonal patterns, for example anemphasis on fall collection, the analysis of shells from both regions have shown distinct differences in
the intensity and seasonal range of collection, which is likely related to the role of shellfish in local
economies in association with the availability of other foods.

34

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A 1350-year crossdated sclerochronology for the North Icelandic shelfbased on growth increments from shells of Arctica islandica
Butler PG1*, Wanamaker AD Jr2, Richardson CA1, Scourse JD1 and Reynolds DJ1
1 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
2 Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA___________* corresponding author: p.g.butler@bangor.ac.uk

The first 1000-year shell-based crossdated chronology has been constructed using growth increments
in multiple shells of the bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica collected from a site close to the island ofGrimsey on the North Icelandic shelf. The chronology extends back to AD 1200 with multiple (n ≥ 4)
series, and the inclusion of two further shells has enabled absolute dating to be extended to AD 655
with a sample depth of one. The sclerochronologically determined calendar dates are consistent with
AMS radiocarbon dating of the thirteen subfossil shells included in the chronology. The chronology
strength is fully comparable with equivalent tree-ring chronologies, with an expressed population
signal (EPS; Wigley et al. 1984 Jnl. Clim. and App. Meteorology 23, 201-213) which exceeds
ca. 0.85 from AD 1300 to the present day. The chronology includes five shells from animals whose
lifetimes exceeded 300 years, and the most long-lived example has now been shown to have lived forca. 500 years.
The availability of precise calendar dating for shell material which has also been radiocarbon
dated has enabled a regional history of changes in the marine radiocarbon reservoir on the North
Icelandic shelf to be reconstructed. This indicates that the relative influence of colder (and older) waterfrom Arctic sources has been increasing by comparison with warmer, younger Atlantic-sourced water
through most of the period under consideration. During the last ca. 150 years, however, a more
complex picture has emerged, and the earlier trend may have reversed.
A strong positive correlation is apparent between the chronology indices and summer (JJA)
seawater temperatures at the collection site. While it is not yet possible to hypothesize any causal
mechanism, this association may be linked to the strong variability in temperature and salinity thatcharacterized the Great Salinity Anomalyof the late 1960s and early 1970s (Dickson et al. 1988 Prog.
Oceanog. 20, 103-151).

35

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Growth rate and geochemical variability in the Arctic bivalve Serripes
groenlandicus: a multi-scale Pan-Svalbard proxy
Carroll ML1*, Ambrose WA Jr1,2, Levin BS2, Henkes GA2,3, Hop H4, Ryan S2, Locke W2,
Renaud PE1,5, Cottier F6 and Berge J1,5
1 Akvaplan-niva, Polar Environmental Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
2 Bates College, Department of Biology, Lewiston, MN 04240, USA
3 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
4 Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
5 University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
6 Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK___________* corresponding author: mc@akvaplan.niva.no

Understanding the consequences of climatic change in the Arctic requires linking ecosystem responses
to both natural and anthropogenic climatic variations, over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Growth histories and geochemical information contained in the shells of Arctic bivalves provide
continuous proxy records of physical and biological information such as temperature, salinity, andfood supply over lifetimes spanning decades to centuries. We examined growth rates and interannual
growth patterns from 260 individuals of the circumpolar Greenland Cockle (Serripes groenlandicus)
from 11 sites around the Svalbard archipelago with a wide range of oceanographic and environmental
gradients, from Atlantic-influenced waters on the western coast to high-Arctic waters in northeast
Svalbard. Absolute growth rates were up to 3 times greater at the most strongly Atlantic-influenced
locations compared to the most Arctic-influenced areas. Standardized growth indices (SGI) exhibitedinterannual patterns with some common features, including a distinctive shift from relatively greater topoorer growth in the mid-1990s. This pattern was consistent with phase-shifts in large-scale climatic
drivers. Interannual variability in growth rates was also correlated with regional manifestations of thelarge-scale drivers including atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and sea ice extent. Shell
geochemistry (trace element ratios), calibrated via instrumented moorings from two sites of differing
Arctic influence, provides information on seasonal patterns of shell deposition related to temperatureand food availability. The Mg/Ca ratio appears to reflect water temperature, while there was a single
peak in the shell Ba/Ca ratio which generally matched the temporal pattern of fluorescence in thespring/summer. Annual growth checks were deposited when temperature was relatively warm (above
2°C), but when food supply, measured by fluorescence, was declining. This suggests that a lack offood availability, rather than cold ambient temperature per se, may be the signal that regulates thetiming of seasonal dormancy in Arctic bivalves. These results demonstrate that sclerochronologicaland sclerochemical proxies are useful retrospective analytical tools for establishing baselines of
ecosystem variability in Arctic systems and for identifying key ecosystem drivers across spatial andtemporal scales.

36

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

What’s hiding behind ontogenetic δ13C variations in mollusk shells? New
insights from the great scallop (Pecten maximus)
Chauvaud L1, Thébault J1*, Clavier J1, Lorrain A1 and Strand Ø2
1 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 Institute of Marine Research, 5817 Bergen, Norway___________* corresponding author: julien.thebault@univ-brest.fr

Mollusk shells contain geochemical information about environmental conditions that prevailed at thetime of formation. We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal variations of δ13C values in calcitic shellsof Pecten maximus. Ontogenetic variations of δ13Cshell values in three large specimens collected in
Norway, France, and Spain exhibited a similar linear decrease with increasing shell height. We
removed this linear drift (detrending). These three residual time-series displayed variations that could
be linked to environmental fluctuations. To check it, we re-analyzed the isotopic datasets of Lorrain etal. (2002 J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 275, 47-61; 2004 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68, 3509-3519) who
worked on three scallops harvested in 2000 in the bay of Brest (France), a well-monitored ecosystem.
Lowest values of δ13Cshell detrended were recorded in all shells in late spring–early summer, most likely
reflecting corresponding variations in food availability. Our results indicate that ontogenetic andseasonal variations of δ13Cshell values cannot be used as a proxy for past δ13CDIC variations, but should beconsidered as promising tools for ecophysiological studies.

37

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Can calcite bivalve shell B/Ca be used as a palaeosalinity proxy?
Clarke LJ1*, Wanamaker AD Jr2, Kreutz KJ3, Borns Jr HW3 and Introne DS3
1 Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West
Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, U.K.
2 Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
3 Climate Change Institute and Department of Earth Science, University of Maine, Orono, USA___________* corresponding author: l.j.clarke@bradford.ac.uk

Palaeosalinity is an important, yet difficult, paramater to reconstruct in palaeoclimate studies. Previous
studies have suggested that sedimentary boron concentrations can be used as a means of reconstructing
palaeosalinity in the historial and geological past. This idea is based on a conservative mixing between
high boron concentration and high salinity seawater and low boron concentration and low salinity
freshwater, e.g., as takes place within estuaries. In this study we have investigated whether B/Ca
within the calcite outer layer of laboratory cultured Mytilus edulis exhibits a strong relationship withseawater salinity and have also tested whether temperature has any influence on shell B/Ca. Animals
were grown under constant salinity and temperature conditions in a three by four factorial design, i.e.,salinities of 32 ± 0.1, 28 ± 0.1 and 23 ± 0.1 and temperatures of 4 ± 0.2, 8 ± 0.2, 12 ± 0.3 and 16 ±0.4°C. Quantification of aquaria seawater B/Ca also has allowed direct determination of boron
partition coefficients in M. edulis shell calcite.

38

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Analysis of skeletal growth in stylasterid corals
Cobb RM1*, Andrus CFT1, Pérez-Huerta A1 and Olson JB2
1 Geologic Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
2 Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA___________* corresponding author: rmcobb@crimson.ua.edu

Corals of the family Stylasteridae have been little studied with respect to fundamental questions of
biomineralization, age and growth rate. This presentation focuses on two different species in thishydrocoral family, Stylaster erubescens and Stylaster roseus. S. erubescens is a deep-water species
found in the Atlantic. Our specimens were collected on the Blake Plateau off the Charleston Bump in
the Gulf Stream. S. roseus is a shallow water species often found in the Caribbean. Our specimens
were collected near the Cayman Islands. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging on S. roseus
shows incremental growth in the distal tips, while the base of the colony shows no such incremental
growth structures. SEM images of S. erubescens show banding only in select portions of the colony
and seem less regular than in S. roseus. Porous structures can be seen in etched samples under SEM,
which may comprise growth increments seen in reflected light. SEM imaging in S. roseus shows thatgrowth is delineated by pores in the distal tips that are infilled as the coral skeleton grows from thecenter of calcification outward. These pores are organic in origin and appear to be a nucleation site forcrystal growth. Central canals in the base of the colony also have pore-like structures, such as in the
distal tips, however these pores are not as organized; crystal growth does not appear to be directly
related to these smaller pores. No center of calcification was found in the deep-water specimens. Basalstructures were also studied to assess if the infill of canals is a major factor that inhibits the use of S.
erubescens as a paleoproxy. The implications of these finds, with respect to skeletal geochemistry andtheir potential use as a paleoclimate proxy, will be discussed.

39

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A snapshot of climate variability at Tahiti 9.5 ka using a fossil coral fromIODP Expedition 310
DeLong KL1*, Quinn TM2,3, Shen C-C4 and Lin K4
1 Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
2 Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78759, USA
3 Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
4 Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, ROC___________* corresponding author: kdelong@lsu.edu

The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 310 recovered drill cores from thedrowned reefs around the island of Tahiti (17º40'S, 149º30'W), many of which contained samples ofmassive corals from the genus Porites. Herein we report on one well-preserved fossil coral sample – a
13.6 cm long Porites sp. dated by uranium-series techniques at 9523 ± 33 years. Monthly δ18O andSr/Ca determinations reveal nine clear and robust annual cycles. Coral δ18O and Sr/Ca determinations
estimate a mean temperature of ca. 24.3ºC ( ca. 3.2ºC colder than modern) for Tahiti at 9.5 ka;
however, this estimate is viewed with caution, since potential sources of cold bias in coralgeochemistry remain to be resolved. The interannual variability in coral δ18O is similar between the
9.5 ka coral record and a modern record from nearby Moorea. The seasonal cycle in coral Sr/Ca isapproximately the same or greater in the 9.5 ka coral record than in modern coral records from Tahiti.
Paired analysis of coral δ18O and Sr/Ca indicates cold/wet (warm/dry) interannual anomalies, opposite
from those observed in the modern instrumental record.

40

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Response of the Pacific Northwest to Holocene climate forcings
Ersek V1*, Clark PU2, Mix AC3, Cheng H4 and Edwards L4
1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
2 Department of Geosciences, Oregon State University, USA
3 College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
4 Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, USA___________* corresponding author: vasile.ersek@earth.ox.ac.uk

The large-scale Pacific Ocean coupled ocean-atmosphere system has the strongest influence on PacificNorthwest (PNW) climate during winter months. However, the history of Holocene climate during thisseason is poorly constrained. Here we report the first high-resolution, absolutely-dated record of
Holocene winter climate variability in the PNW as captured in a stalagmite from Oregon. The firstorder variability of the speleothem δ18O is associated with an increasing trend from the lower early
Holocene values to the overall higher δ18O that characterize the late Holocene. We attribute this to arise in winter insolation through the Holocene and superimposed on the long-term trend is significant
millennial to multi-decadal climate variability characterized by both gradual and abrupt shifts. Several
prolonged periods of low δ18O values are apparent in the speleothem record for the past 9 kyr withinferred century-scale cooling periods occurring near 6.8, 4.7, and 3.1 kyr. We note that ourspeleothem does not record a significant decrease of δ18O at the time of the 8.2 kyr event, supporting a
reduced response of western North America to the 8.2 kyr cooling in the North Atlantic.
Using multitaper and wavelet techniques we identify significant spectral peaks in the δ18O
record at 1600, 650, and 60 years. To obtain a robust evaluation of the correspondence between
speleothem δ18O and solar forcing we compare our record with a reconstruction of total solar
irradiance and with an estimation of the sunspot number. We conclude that while some centennial andmulti-decadal variability in Oregon can be due to direct solar forcing, the millennial and multicentennial variability, where most of the variance is concentrated, cannot be explained by direct solar
forcing as represented in the two reconstructions.
To evaluate the role of changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic on
PNW winter climate, we compare our speleothem record with measurements of drift ice in the Atlantic
Basin. It is apparent that particularly during the early and mid-Holocene increases in the percentage ofdrift ice are accompanied by increases in δ18O at OCNM, and the cross-wavelet analysis of these twotime-series indicate they are highly-coherent and nearly in-phase at periods between ca. 2000 and
1500 years during the early and mid-Holocene. This “see-saw” pattern of cold North Atlantic andwarm North Pacific is consistent with teleconnections between the Pacific and Atlantic basins
modulated by opposite phases of the North Atlantic Oscillations and the Pacific Decadal Oscillations,as suggested by several climate modeling studies.

41

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sensitivity of the carbon cycle estimated from ensemble climate
reconstructions
Frank DC1, Esper J2*, Raible CC3, Büntgen U1, Trouet V1, Stocker B3 and Joos F3
1 Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
2 Department of Geography, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Physics Institute, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland___________* corresponding author: esper@uni-mainz.de

Carbon flux and storage controlling processes of the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere aretemperature sensitive, and by acting as a net positive climate feedback across inter-annual to
Milankovitch time-scales are projected to amplify anthropogenic warming. However, the magnitude of
the climate sensitivity of the global carbon cycle, , is under debate and gives rise to uncertainties in
the feedback strength and warming projections. Here we combine in a probabilistic approach an
ensemble of proxy-based temperature reconstructions and pre-industrial CO2 data from three ice cores
to constrain  on the policy-relevant multi-decadal to centennial time-scales. Calibrations that preserve
the full amplitude of long-term natural variability, yield a pre-industrial to modern temperatureamplitude of 0.7°C exceeding natural variability by 0.3°C. Based upon >200,000 ensemble members,
we quantify the median  to 7.7 ppmv CO2 increase per °C warming. CO2 and temperature covariation between 1050-1549 and 1550-1800 restrict  to 3.3 to 12.9 ppmv/°C. Estimates of 
computed herein from ten coupled carbon-climate model simulations for the 19th and 20th century arebroadly consistent with these constraints, with only two models above and one below this range.
However, our results are incompatibly lower (p < 0.05) than recent empirical estimates of carbon
cycle-climate sensitivities of 40 ppmv/°C and correspondingly suggest ca. 80% less amplification of
future warming.

42

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Using otolith microchemistry to delineate environmental effects of mining
Friedrich LA1*, Halden NM2 and Palace VP1
1 Freshwater Institute, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, R3T 2N6, Canada
2 Department of Geological Sciences, Universit of Manitobay,Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada___________* corresponding author: lisa.friedrich@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Otoliths are calcified structures in the inner ear of teleost fish, composed of layers of aragonite in a
protein matrix deposited continuously throughout the lifetime of the fish. Both the inorganic portionand the protein matrix have the capacity to incorporate a broad range of trace elements. Periodic
changes in trace metal concentrations in the environment may influence the amounts available forincorporation into the otolith through food or ambient water. Otoliths may serve as continuousrecorders of exposure to trace elements owing to their metabolic stability, continuous growththroughout the life of the fish, and annular structure that provides a corresponding time-scale.
However, the relationship between fish otoliths and the chemical environment is complex, and iscomplicated by fish physiology as well as differences in habitat.
We have examined otolith microchemistry from a variety of settings to determine if achemical signature related to mining activity and local geology of an area can be detected in otolith
microchemistry. Otoliths were taken from geologically distinct areas that have been influenced bymetal or coal mining activity. In each case, a suite of elements indicative of the surrounding geology
or mining activity was chosen for LA-ICP-MS analyses across the annular growth zones. Otoliths
from fish captured near and downstream from a rare element pegmatite mine contain signatures of Li,
Cs, and elevated Rb, whereas those from lakes distant to or upstream from the pegmatite do not havesuch concentrations of those elements. Otoliths taken from lakes adjacent to Cu, Pb, and Zn mining
contain single peaks of the three metals that are interpreted to indicate when the fish came into contact
with the tailings. Fish stocked in a closed open-pit Ni-Cu-Cr mine contain constant levels of these basemetals throughout their life history. Anomalously high peaks of Se detected in otoliths from fish
collected in coal mine end pits indicated that fish from the mine-impacted system migrated fromnearby reference streams that do not receive Se-bearing runoff. These cases indicate that otolith
microchemistry can be used to evaluate the extent of mining activity affects in an environment, as wellas provide information on fish movement into and out of affected areas.

43

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Contribution of intra-otolith variations in stable carbon and oxygenisotopes to age validation of pike (Esox lucius) scales and otoliths
Gerdeaux D1* and Dufour E2
1 Lake ecology laboratory, Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Thonon, 74200, France
2 Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique: sociétés, pratiques et environnements, Museum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), 75005 Paris,
France___________* corresponding author: gerdeaux@thonon.inra.fr

Pike (Esox lucius) is the largest predator in fish communities of freshwater systems in Europe.
Usually, pike age is determined from the observation of growth annuli of scales. However, false
checks can lead to erroneous determinations. Lake Annecy (France) presents seasonal variations intemperature and a large thermal vertical stratification during summer. Variations in stable isotope
ratios measured in fish otoliths can record fish life history, in particular thermal habitats. It is thenpossible to count the number of winters experienced by a fish.
Eleven pike specimens were caught from Lake Annecy in February and June 2008. Fish Total
Length ranged from 520 mm to 960 mm. We generated monthly resolution profiles in stable carbon
and oxygen isotope values (δ13Coto and δ18Ooto) of sagittal otoliths. Profiles show regular, seasonalvariations. δ13Coto and δ18Ooto values ranged from -15 to -10.5‰ and from -9.5 to -6.5‰, respectively.
Fish from 520 to 570 mm were two years old (2+) and the largest fish (960 mm) was five years old(5+).
Isotopic results were compared to otolith and scale growth marks. Isotopic variations match
alternations of otolith dark and light growth marks. There is also a good match with scale annuli. The
first mark observed in scales cannot be interpreted as a winter mark. This suggests that a habitat and/or
diet change occurred during the first summer of life.

44

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Barium in mollusk shells: a dual proxy of environmental conditions
Gillikin DP1,2,3*, Haveles AW4, Lorrain A5, Ivany LC4, Versteegh EAA3 and Dehairs F3
1 Department of Earth Science and Geography, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
2 Department of Geology, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA
3 Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
4 Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
5 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: dagillikin@gmail.com

Many trace element signals in mollusk shells are not robust proxies of environmental conditions.
Reports on Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, U/Ca and Mn/Ca have shown that these proxies can be complicated by vitalor kinetic effects. Ba/Ca profiles on the other hand have been shown to be similar in several different
species of bivalves and highly reproducible between shells growing in the same region. The typicalsignal is a flat ‘background’ signal episodically interrupted by sharp peaks. The background signal
records ambient dissolved Ba/Ca of the water in which the mollusk grew. There is typically an inverse
relationship between Ba/Ca in water and salinity, making the background Ba/Ca proxy in mollusk
shells a potential salinity proxy. The driving mechanism of the peak has yet to be understood; the main
hypothesis is that the peaks are related to ingestion of Ba rich phytoplankton or direct ingestion of
barite. Developing the Ba/Ca peak proxy further could possibly lead to a paleo-productivity proxy. In
this paper we give examples of Ba/Ca profiles from several different groups of marine and freshwatermodern bivalves as well as from Eocene Venericardia from the Gosport Sand (Alabama, USA) and
Pliocene Mercenaria from the Duplin Formation in South Carolina. The Eocene fossil specimensshow profiles similar to modern bivalves, with low background Ba/Ca indicating full marine salinities.
However, the much younger fossil specimen (Mercenaria sp. from the Pliocene) showed clear signs of‘elemental diagenesis’, with background Ba/Ca levels about 10 times higher than modern specimens(despite original mineralogy of aragonite and typical isotope profiles). This highlights the potential
and problems of using this developing proxy on fossil specimens.

45

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Geochemistry and skeletal structure of Diploria strigosa, implications forcoral-based climate reconstruction
Giry C1*, Felis T1, Kölling M1 and Scheffers S2
1 MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
2 Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia___________* corresponding author: cgiry@marum.deGeochemical tracers incorporated into the skeleton of reef-building corals are ideal proxies forreconstructing environmental parameters of ambient seawater such as temperature and salinity at
subseasonal resolution. However, validation concerns of these environmental proxies due to thecomplex skeleton of some tropical Atlantic corals have hindered coral-based environmental
reconstructions in contrast to the tropical Pacific. In order to identify complications associated with thecomplex skeletal architecture of the coral Diploria strigosa, we performed microsampling experiments
along and across individual skeletal elements. Here we demonstrate that the geochemical Sr/Ca, δ18O
and δ13C heterogeneity at millimetre scale observed between skeletal elements is a systematic featureof D. strigosa where the theca wall is depleted in Sr, 18O and 13C compared to adjacent septa andcolumella. This finding has important implications for coral paleoclimatology because suchgeochemical heterogeneity related to the so-called vital effect can lead, for Sr/Ca and δ18O, to apparent
temperature biases of several degrees that are induced by the mixing of different macroskeletal
elements during sampling. We found that differences between apparent temperature signature inferredfrom the septal and thecal materials are greater for Sr/Ca suggesting that this temperature proxy is
more sensitive to macroskeletal mixing than δ18O. Subseasonal sampling experiments performed alongindividual skeletal elements of a single corallite reveal that microdrilling the centre of the theca wall isthe microsampling method that best resolves the seasonal pattern of both Sr/Ca and δ18O. Furthermore,
we propose that samples which deviate from the initial/optimal sampling axis along the centre of thetheca of D. strigosa are very likely characterized by higher Sr/Ca, δ18O and δ13C values that are notenvironmentally-dependent. Therefore, anomalous trends towards higher Sr/Ca, δ18O and δ13C values
and disturbance or loss of Sr/Ca and/or δ18O seasonality are potential manifestations of this sampling
artifact.

46

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

New sclerochronological constraints for ontogenetic patterns in tropical
American bivalves: heterochronic evolution associated with the emergenceof the Central American Isthmus
Goodwin DH1*, Anderson LC2, Roopnarine PD3 and Kercher PM1
1 Department of Geosciences, Denison University, Granville, OH 43023, USA
2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
3 Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Geology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA___________* corresponding author: goodwind@denison.edu

Oceanographic conditions in tropical American oceans changed dramatically following the closure of
the Panama Seaway. Prior to the emergence of the Central American Isthmus (CAI), equatorial
Atlantic and Pacific water mixed freely. Today, however, seasonal upwelling of cold, nutrient-richwater characterizes the tropical Eastern Pacific, whereas warm, nutrient-poor water dominates the
Caribbean. Here we document growth patterns from presumed cognate species found on either side of
the CAI: Corbula dietziana (Western Atlantic) and C. speciosa (Eastern Pacific). Despite diverging
ca. 3.5 million years ago, these species are geometrically identical differing only in size. Our results
suggest this size difference is a function of heterochrony.
Corbulids are small, sturdy-shelled clams that range from the Late Jurassic through the recent.
Despite their long geologic range, corbulid morphology remains relatively unchanged. In general,
corbulids possess ovate to trigonal inequivalve shells: the right valve tending to be larger than the left.
Their conservative morphology notwithstanding, corbulids employ various growth strategies toachieve their adult shape. Previous sclerochronologic and stable oxygen isotope (18O) analysis
indicate that some species grow isometrically, while others display allometric patterns of growth. C.
dietziana and C speciosa grow allometically by producing a well-defined nepioconch followed by amarked change in the primary growth direction.
To understand observed size differences, we documented growth rates by measuring size at
specific ages, which were established using 18O profiles. Because oxygen isotope variation inbiogenic carbonates is a function of temperature and the isotopic composition of water, both of whichshow strong annual cyclicity in tropical American oceans, patterns of within-shell 18O variation canbe used to establish ontogenetic age. Next, the sizes and ages of the nepioconchs were compared toestablish differences in growth rates between the juvenile and adult shells of both species. Our data
indicate diverging growth patterns following development of the nepioconch: C. speciosa lives longer
than C. dietziana. If the ancestral ontogenetic pattern is comparable to that of C. dietziana, then C.
speciosa experienced peramorphosis through hypermorphosis. In contrast, if the ancestral growth rate
is similar to that of C. speciosa, then C. dietziana experienced paedomorphosis through progenesis.

47

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

River runoff reconstructions from novel spectral luminescence scanning ofmassive coral skeletons
Grove CA1*, Nagtegaal R1, Zinke J1,2, Scheufen T1,3, Koster B4, Kasper S1,5, McCulloch
MT6,7, van den Bergh G8 and Brummer G-JA1
1 Department of Marine Geology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
2 Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1018 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4 Department of Marine Technology Electronics, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The
Netherlands
5 RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) Aachen University, Geological Institute, 52056 Aachen, Germany
6 ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies & Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra 0200,
Australia
7 ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, School of Earth and Environment, Crawley 6009,
Australia
8 School of Earth & Environmental Sciences (SEES), University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia___________* corresponding author: craig.grove@nioz.nl

Inshore massive corals often display bright luminescent lines that have been linked to river flood
plumes from coastal catchments and hence have the potential to provide a long-term record of
hinterland precipitation. Coral luminescence is thought to result from the incorporation of soil-derived
humic acids transported to the reef during major flood events. Corals far from terrestrial sources
generally only exhibit dull, relatively broad luminescence bands, which are attributed to seasonalchanges in coral density. We therefore tested the hypothesis that spectral ratios rather thanconventional luminescence intensity provides a quantitative proxy record of river runoff without theconfounding effects of seasonal density changes. For this purpose we have developed a new, rapid
spectral luminescence scanning (SLS) technique that splits emission intensities into Red, Green andBlue domains (RGB) for entire cores with an unprecedented linear resolution of 71.4 µm. Since humic
acids have longer emission wavelength than the coral aragonite, normalisation of spectral emissions
should yield a sensitive optical humic acid/aragonite ratio for humic acid runoff, i.e., G/B ratio. Indeed
G/B-ratios rather than intensities are well correlated with Ba/Ca, a geochemical coral proxy for
sediment runoff, and with rainfall data, as exemplified for coral records from Madagascar. Coral coresalso display recent declining trends in luminescence intensity, which are also reported in corals
elsewhere. Such trends appear to be associated with a modern decline in skeletal densities. By
contrast, G/B spectral ratios not only mark the impact of individual cyclones but also imply that humic
acid runoff increased in Madagascar over the past few decades while coral skeletal densities
decreased. Consequently, the SLS technique deconvolves the long-term interplay between humic acidincorporation and coral density that have confounded earlier attempts to use luminescence intensities
as a proxy for river runoff.

48

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Skeletal density trends in coralline algae suggest ocean acidification impacts
in the North Pacific and North Atlantic
Halfar J1*, Williams B1, Hetzinger S1,2, Steneck R3 and Adey W4
1 Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, University of Toronto, Mississauga, L5L 1C6, Canada
2 now at: Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
3 Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, MN 04573, USA
4 Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA___________* corresponding author: jochen.halfar@utoronto.ca

Ocean acidification can seriously impact calcifying marine plants and animals. In fact, it has recently
been suggested that tropical corals and other marine calcifiers are already suffering from declining
calcification rates. Greater oceanic CO2 uptake at mid-to-high latitudes means calcium carbonate
organisms in the subarctic are more susceptible to increasing ocean acidification than at lower
latitudes. This is particularly true for the metabolically expensive high Mg-calcite skeletons of theshallow-water, habitat-forming coralline algae. Here we present the first century-scale record of
declining skeletal densities in the coralline algae Clathromorphum sp. indicating ongoing ocean
acidification is occurring in the Bering Sea and the subarctic NW Atlantic. Clathromorphum forms
annual growth increments in its massive calcitic skeleton and is known to have a lifespan of up to
several centuries. Time-series of skeletal density were generated at submonthly resolution using Micro
Computer Tomography yielding a century-long time series of density variations in subarctic coralline
algae from two ocean basins. Results indicate a decline in calcification since 1990 as well as positive
departures from 1940-1990. These patterns give a first indication of the influence of risingatmospheric CO2 on mid- and high-latitude shallow marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the similarity
between the records from subarctic high-Mg coralline alga and the tropical corals is striking, anddemonstrates not only the potential of coralline algae as archives of ocean acidification, but also thepossible global-scale decline in calcification of some important marine biota.

49

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Holocene climate changes in British Columbia and seasonality estimatesreconstructed from the bivalve Saxidomus gigantea using high-resolution
isotope sclerochronology
Hallmann N1*, Burchell M2, Martindale A3, Cannon A2 and Schwarcz HP4
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4L9, Canada
3 Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
4 School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Canada___________* corresponding author: meiern@uni-mainz.de

Bivalve mollusk shells are ideally suited for worldwide, high-resolution environmental
reconstructions. In order to analyze climate variability and environmental changes in British Columbia
during the Holocene, oxygen isotopes were measured in the butter clam Saxidomus gigantea. Stable
isotopes and daily growth increments were analyzed in both modern and Holocene shells. Fossil shells
were collected from archaeological sites in northern (Dundas Islands) and central (Namu and Hunter
Island) British Columbia. The oxygen isotope data reveal clear annual profiles, with the most positive
δ18O values occurring during winter and the most negative δ18O values during summer. In addition, thenegative δ18O summer values observed in the early and late Holocene become considerably morenegative during the mid Holocene (around 3000 to 5000 BP). The δ18O summer values are far morevariable than the positive winter values, which remain relatively constant throughout the Holocene.
This implies a much fresher interval during the mid Holocene.
The shell record was also compared with other proxy archives, such as trees (ring formationand tree line position), lake sediments, pollen records, plants and chironomid communities. The
climate changes observed in the δ18O shell record match well with environmental changes reported for
British Columbia. A number of studies have revealed a warm and dry early Holocene on the PacificNorthwest coast, which is followed by an episode of cooling and moistening into the mid Holocene. In
particular, most coastal locations experienced an increase in precipitation during the mid Holocene,
although overall, the mid Holocene of the Northwest coast was warmer and drier than present. The
mid Holocene transition is also characterized by a number of cultural changes. Finally, a cooling trend
is observed in the mid to late Holocene.
In addition to the climate information outline above, details about the season of shellcollection can also be obtained from the oxygen isotope and sclerochronological analyses of shells.
This allows a precise measurement of seasonality. The oxygen isotope profiles and daily growthincrement widths reveal that the archaeological shells from northern and central British Columbia
were collected during the spring and autumn. This could be due to the paralytic shellfish poisoning,which mostly occurs during the summer months. Such seasonality studies provide valuable
information about the seasonal pattern of site occupation and local subsistence strategies becauseshellfish is a seasonally important food source.

50

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Ba/Ca variations in the modern intertidal bean clam Donax gouldii: an
upwelling proxy?
Hatch MBA1*, Schellenberg SA2, McGowan JA1 and Carter M1
1 Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
2 Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA___________* corresponding author: mhatch@ucsd.edu

The discovery and calibration of high resolution paleoceanographic proxies are key to extending
historical climate records and understanding regional climate variability. Skeletal remains haveemerged as an often reliable recorder of environmental conditions. For the aragonitic bivalve Donax
gouldii, we have determined that δ18O records seawater temperature and Sr/Ca is biologicallycontrolled (Hatch and Schellenberg in prep.), and now explore Ba/Ca as a paleoproductivity proxy.
Ba/Ca ratios in calcium carbonate have been attributed to diatom blooms and the Ba/Ca ratio of
seawater (Lea and Spero 1994 Paleoceanog. 9, 445-452; Thebault et al. 2009 Limnol. Oceanogr. 54,
1002-1014.). To assess the Ba/Ca variability at approximately sub-weekly resolution, thin-sectioned
shells were analyzed via Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and tidallyinduced growth bands were cross-dated to validate daily chronology. The timing of Ba/Ca peaks werecompared to a suite of locally measured physical and biological factors including seawatertemperature, nitrate, silicate, wave height, chlorophyll, diatom abundance and phytoplankton
community composition. Cross-dating validated the chronology of shells collected over a six month
period and revealed a single, simultaneous, large, short lived (> 1.5 week) Ba/Ca peak in all shells
coinciding with peaks in nitrate concentration and a diatom abundance. While Thebault et al. (2009)attribute Ba/Ca peaks to ingestion of diatoms, a second larger diatom bloom does not coincide withany Ba/Ca peak in Donax. Unlike the diatom bloom that occurred when the shell recorded a Ba/Ca
peak, this diatom bloom was not associated with a large nitrate spike. Alternate hypotheses for theseobservations include (1) diatom blooms increase Ba/Ca, but sampling failed to resolve the second
Ba/Ca peak or (2) increased dissolved nutrients from upwelling increase Ba/Ca, evidenced by the lackof Ba/Ca peak for second diatom bloom which was not associated with a nitrate peak. These alternate
hypotheses are being further evaluated in light of cross-dated Donax shell chemistry records andphysico-chemical oceanographic data.

51

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Incremental lines in human teeth: a reliable method for biological age
determination?
Hänsel L* and Alt KW
Institute of Anthropology, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: Lena_haensel@hotmail.com

Individual age determination plays a significant role in the reconstruction of pre-historical populations
as well as in forensic science. In addition to morphological age determination on skeletons,
histological and chemical techniques are also applicable. The measurement of accuracy in age
determination decreases significantly from infancy and adolescence, which provides comparatively
good results with insignificant errors, to adulthood. Comparatively good results with low variations
can be expected from the tooth cementum annulation (TCA). Tooth cementum is built periodicallythroughout life by mineralisation. On the histological cross-sections these appositions appear asincremental lines running parallel to the surface of the cementum. They are visible as dark and lightlines and one pair is formed annually. Therefore, the phenomenon of TCA is compared to theconcentric annual rings of trees in dendrochronology as well as to the periodical growth lines of shells.
By the mid-1980s, incremental lines had been identified on 24 mammalian species. A method
for age determination of human teeth based on the number of incremental lines was first tested for its
applicability in 1982 by Stott et al. (Stott et al. 1982 J. Dent. Res. 61, 814-817). Several further studies
followed, which increased the prevalence of the TCA method. In the last few years controversial
discussions about the reliability and validity of TCA have emerged (Großkopf 1990 Z. Rechtsmed.
103, 351-359; Kagerer et al. Anthropol. Anz. 59, 331-342; Wittwer-Backofen et al. 2004 Am. J. Phys.
Anthropol. 123, 119-129). Age variable changes on the tooth, structural changes due to nutritional andalimental influences, nonaccretion or doubling of individual lines as well as intra- and interobserver
error create problems.
A study about the applicability of TCA on recent material is presently being performed at theInstitute of Anthropology, University of Mainz. Photographs of microscopic cross-sections of the
tooth root are prepared and incremental lines are enumerated. In addition, further age determinative
dental methods are used as a basis for comparison.

52

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A link between North Pacific and North Atlantic climate on multidecadal
time scales: new insights from coralline algae
Hetzinger S1,2*, Halfar J2, Keenlyside N3, Mecking J3, Kronz A4, Steneck R5, Adey W6 andLebednik PA7
1 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
2 Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, University of Toronto, Mississauga, L5L 1C6, Canada
3 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24105 Kiel, Germany
4 Geoscience Center, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
5 Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, ME 04573, USA
6 Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
7 LFR Inc., Ecosystems Services Group, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA___________* corresponding author: shetzinger@ifm-geomar.deObservations of North Pacific (NP) sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are only available for the past
century and become relatively sparse before the 1940s – too short to statistically assess low-frequency
variability in climate and the surface ocean. Variability in the decadal to multidecadal bands, thecharacteristic time scales of Pacific Decadal Variability (PDV, 20 and 60 years) and Atlantic
Multidecadal Variability (AMV, 60-80 years), has been detected in growth-based proxyreconstructions derived from tree rings and bivalves from the Northern Hemisphere. However, highresolution geochemical marine proxy records of multi-centennial length are currently not available for
the NP, preventing the recognition of multidecadal SST variations and regime shifts in the distant past.
Recently, coralline algae have received increased attention as archives of paleoclimate information as
they display incremental growth patterns in a high Mg-calcite skeleton that can be targeted for highresolution geochemical sampling. We present a seasonally-resolved record of coralline algal Mg/Cavariations compiled from two Clathromorphum nereostratum specimens from the NP/Bering Sea
region (Aleutian Islands, Alaska). Mg/Ca ratios of individual growth increments were analyzed bymeasuring single-point electron microprobe transects, yielding a 186-year record (1818-2003). This
represents the longest seasonally-resolved marine proxy record to date from the subarctic NP
encompassing several multidecadal cycles of climate and ocean variability. On interannual tointerdecadal scales algal Mg/Ca ratios are strongly related to regional gridded-SST data. Bothinstrumental SSTs as well as algal Mg/Ca ratios in the western Aleutian region suggest a strong AMV
influence on our study sites, but no significant correlation to the leading mode of PDV. A comparisonof our NP record to tree ring-derived proxy reconstructions of AMV, that extend well beyond the
instrumental period, yields a high correlation on multidecadal time scales. These proxy-based findings
suggest a strong low-frequency linkage between NP and NA climate modes as proposed earlier bystudies based on observational SSTs and climate models. This is the first evidence for a direct link
between NA and NP SST patterns on multidecadal time scales based on annually resolved continuous
marine proxy data that extend back to the early 19th century. Hence our results raise new possibilities
to study important low-frequency teleconnections between the NA and NP ocean basins and theirlong-term persistence by using marine paleo-proxy data.

53

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Climate signals in shells of Diplodon chilensis patagonicus bivalves,
Northern Patagonia, Argentina
Jacob DE1*, Soldati AL1,2, Schöne BR1, Bianchi MM3 and Hajduk A4
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 now at: CONICET, Centro Atómico Bariloche, Grupo de Caracterización de Materiales y Óxidos no Estequeométricos, CP8400 San
Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
3 INIBIOMA - CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, CP8400 San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
4 CONICET, Museo de la Patagonia, Centro Cívico CP8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina___________* corresponding author: jacobd@uni-mainz.de

Sclerochronological as well as oxygen and carbon stable isotope data of Diplodon chilensis
patagonicus shells from three lakes in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, Northern Patagonia, Argentina
are presented. The data are complemented with results from a one year lake monitoring project on
Laguna El Trébol yielding temperature, oxygen and carbon isotopic data for the lake water. The
bivalve shells grow throughout most of the year, mainly controlled by water temperature, except for a
growth break in austral spring, coinciding with the bivalves’ reproduction period. Oxygen isotope
values of the water reconstructed from shell values and instrumental records agree qualitatively withthe shell growth curves. Carbon isotope values in the shells are consistent with the majority of the
carbonate in the shell being derived from dissolved inorganic carbon in the water body.
About 58% of shell growth variability can be explained by SST variations in the South Pacificbetween ca. 40 and 55°S. Atmospheric forcing on shell growth via the Antarctic Oscillation isprominent for approximately the last 30 years (R = 0.4) with strongest common spectral power for the
10-16 year period. It dominates the ENSO influence which was the strongest climatic factor during theyears before ca. 1980 (R = 0.3). The bivalve shells record most prominently the recent trend of the
Antarctic Oscillation towards its positive polarity which caused regional warming in northern
Patagonia.

54

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Influences on the trace element content of freshwater bivalve shells
Johnson ALA1*, Schöne BR2 and Chenery SRN3
1 Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 1GB,UK
2 Earth System Science Research Center, Universiy of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 British Geological Survey, Analytical and Regional Geochemistry Group, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK___________* corresponding author: a.l.a.johnson@derby.ac.uk

Ontogenetic profiles of shell δ18O from bivalves generally afford an accurate picture of ambient
temperature variation. Equivalent profiles of trace element variation might be expected to reflect
fluctuations in environmental concentrations. Bivalve shell is, however, a complex material, includingorganic components within (intra-) and between (inter-) the crystalline calcium carbonate. At least
some trace elements are likely to have an affinity for the organic matter. Hence inclusion of variable
amounts of this in samples will distort the results. Analysing shells of the freshwater bivalves
Dreissena, Unio and Anodonta by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), we
investigated whether trace elements are indeed concentrated in organic material and whether chemical
removal of the majority of this leads to more meaningful results (reflecting environmental
concentrations) on analysis of the remainder. We found that certain elements are strongly concentrated
in organic material, implying the need for very tight spatial control on sampling or prior removal oforganics. However, we also found strong inter-taxic differences in the trace element content of cleaned
shell material. These show that biological controls may overprint any signature of environmental
variation in trace element concentration.

55

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Trace element high-resolution distribution in bivalve isochronous growthlayers
Lazareth CE1*, Le Cornec F1, Candaudap F2 and Freydier R2,3
1 Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat: Expérimentations et approches numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour leDéveloppement (IRD), 93143 Bondy, France
2 Laboratoire de Mécanismes et Transfert en Géologie (LMTG), Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 31400 Toulouse, France
3 Laboratoire HydroSciences Montpellier, Université Montpellier 2, 34095 Montpellier, France___________* corresponding author: Claire.lazareth@ird.fr

Trace element content variations along successive growth layers of bivalve shells have been used toprovide records of environmental changes. However, the link between the shell chemistry and theenvironment is not straightforward because of vital effects. To better understand what is recorded in
the shell, trace element distribution within shell material deposited at the same time has been studied(e.g., Foster et al. 2008 Chem. Geol. 254, 113-119). To accurately reconstruct environmental changes,
the shell layer analyzed must indeed represent the environment at the time of deposition, whatever the
position of the analyzed loci along an isochronously deposited growth line. Using Laser Ablation-ICPMS, we evaluated the geochemical spatial homogeneity along single growth layers of five Protothaca
thaca bivalve shells from two South America sites. Two growths layers, close to and far from theventral margin, were analyzed.
We show that the trace element spatial distribution (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca) along shell layers is
not homogeneous. All shells display similar trace element isochronous distributions; different between
young and adult biomaterial. In the more juvenile (i.e., old biomaterial) isochronous profiles, all traceelement contents decrease toward the internal part of the external shell layer. Secondary electronic
microscope study shows slight dissolution in shell parts close to the umbo. Very early diagenesis,
animal still alive, might have modifed the trace element distributions in the "old" secreted shell parts
and/or equilibration with the surrounding seawater (favored by shell alteration?) might have changed
the chemistry of the shell. Close to the ventral margin (fresh biomaterial), significant, reproducible
Mg/Ca heterogeneities are observed along isochronous profiles for all individuals. We hypothesizethat this might be due to a zonation of the outer epithelium of the mantle. Using LA-ICP-MS, twotime-series for the same growth period, but at various distances from the external part of the shell,
were conducted. The profiles obtained are highly similar for Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca. For Mg/Ca, time-serieschanges are similar but Mg/Ca ratios differ. The resulting calculated SST difference is of 4°C.
Our study shows that the location of high-resolution analyses points in shell cross-section
must be precisely defined and followed with consistency all along the section to provide accurate
environmental records. Shell diagenesis can occur in living bivalves, potentially modifying the shell
composition. In Protothaca thaca shells, Sr and Ba seem the most promising elements to study as
potential high-resolution environmental proxies. This study was financed and conducted in the frameof the French PNEDC CONCHAS project and also benefited from the support of the EU-project
CENSOR (contract 511071).

56

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Marine-biologicalapplications

proxiesandclimatecirculation:

methods

andLohmann G1*, Brey T1, Lomovasky B2 and Schöne BR3
1 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
2 CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, B7600WAG, Argentina
3 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: Gerrit.Lohmann@awi.de

A serious problem which has become very popular in the discussion on how future environmental
conditions will affect mankind is whether increasing human population and industrialisation has
already caused or will have the potential to induce a significant impact on the Earth's climate. To
properly address this question requires detailed knowledge about amplitude and rapidness in thenatural variations of environmental properties in the ocean, over the continents, and in the cryosphere– particularly for warm climate periods. The best way to gain this knowledge would be the inspectionof historical time-series of direct measurements as well as the combination of such environmental
observations. Unfortunately, historical records for environmental data, which would allow
consideration of changing climate on a global scale, are too short and already fall within the period ofstrong human impact on natural conditions. Information on earlier times can be obtained either fromproxies that record past climate and environmental conditions or by simulating climate, using
comprehensive models of the climate system under appropriate external forcing. The models areclearly unrivalled in their ability to simulate a broad suite of variables across the entire world but theirreliability on long time scales requires additional evaluation. Only climate records derived fromenvironmental proxy-parameters enable the test of these models because they provide records ofclimate variations that have actually occurred in the past.
Several attempts to reconstruct climate patterns over the last centuries have been made. Proxy
records obtained from ice cores, tree rings and corals, as well as historical data and long instrumental
records have been used to reconstruct large-scale climate patterns for the last millenium. E.g., one
stable mode of climate oscillations is on millennial time scale which is possibly linked to alternating
warm and cold periods of which the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age are the most recent
manifestations of such an oscillation. Only a few marine records exist. We will show that robust
statistical methods are essential in order to understand and interpret precisely temporally aligned data
derived form biogenic skeletons. Several applications for Northern and Southern Hemisphere data
(e.g., Iceland, South America) and their link to circulation are discussed. It is shown that the conceptof stable teleconnections is a useful concept for climate reconstructions.

57

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Patterns of elemental and stable isotopic (δ13C and δ18O) variability in
deep-sea bamboo corals of Newfoundland and Labrador
López Correa M1*, Sherwood O2, Roark B3,4, Montagna P5, Edinger E2,6, Rüggeberg A7 andMcCulloch MT8
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
3 Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
4 Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
5 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
6 Departments of Geography and Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, A1C 3X9, Canada
7 Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
8 ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, School of Earth and Environment, Crawley 6009,
Australia___________* corresponding author: matthias.lopez@gzn.uni-erlangen.de

Deep-sea gorgonian octocorals of the families Primnoidae and Isididae exhibit centennial-scale
lifespans and, in some species, annually-secreted growth rings. Because of these attributes they haveoutstanding potential as long term paleoceanographic archives. Previous work has focused on
characterization of growth rates (e.g., increments, 14CAMS) and isotopic and elemental composition ofskeletal calcite (e.g., Δ14C, δ18O and δ13C) and in organic fractions (e.g., δ15N). However, imprecise
skeletal chronologies and scarcity of long-term oceanographic data for calibration purposes havepresented major impediments to the development of reliable proxies. We examined trace element andstable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope variability in a live-collected, 140 year old specimen of
Keratoisis ornata (Isididae) from -700 m on the southern Grand Banks (Newfoundland).
Hydrographic records from this region extend back to the early 20th century, overlapping with thecoral record almost continuously over a period of 96 years. Skeletal chronology was establishedthrough a combination of 210Pb and bomb-14C dating. Focusing on the skeletal calcite fraction, traceelements (7Li, 11B, 25Mg, 31P, 55Mn, 84Sr, 138Ba, 238U; normalized to 43Ca) were measured along parallel
radii of an axial section using Laser Ablation-ICP-MS (10 µm resolution), while δ13C and δ18O values
were measured on MicroMill samples (100 µm resolution). Annually-averaged element profile
replicates were aligned using peaks and troughs in Ba/Ca, which correlated remarkably well along
parallel radii (R = 0.62 to 0.85). Reproducibility of other elements ranged from medium (B/Ca,
R = 0.49 to 0.65; Mg/Ca, R = 0.21 to 0.39) to poor or inconsistent (Sr/Ca, R = 0.06 to 0.31; U/Ca, R = 0.01 to 0.79). For all elements, temperature and salinity explained <10% of the interannual variability.
Mean adult calcite Mg/Ca-concentrations instead are temperature driven, which extended the range ofthe existing Mg/Ca-temperature calibration (Sherwood et al., 2005; 6 to 10°C) down to 3°C. Stable
isotope data exhibited classic kinetic isotope effects (KIE), with δ13C and δ18O correlated (slope =0.33, R2 = 0.4) along a line extending from expected equilibrium to more depleted values.
Temperature reconstructions using the ‘lines technique’ (Smith et al. 2000 Palaios 15, 25-32) may befeasible in deep-sea gorgonians. Similar geochemical patterns were replicated with a ca. 140 year old
specimen of K. ornata from the Northern Labrador Sea dating back to ca. 1000 yrs BP.

58

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Skeletal and geochemical properties of scleractinian cold-water corals fromthe Azores
Marali S1*, Wisshak M1, López Correa M1, Montagna P2, McCulloch MT3 and Freiwald A4
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
3 ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, School of Earth and Environment, Crawley 6009,
Australia
4 Senckenberg Research Institute, Department of Marine Research, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: sorayamarali@ymail.com

In recent years cold-water corals have become an object of intense geochemical research. It has beensuggested that their aragonitic skeleton holds valuable information about past and present
oceanographic parameters, such as nutrient abundance and temperature. However, the extraction ofenvironmental information from trace elements and stable isotopes is complicated by vital effects.
In our study three Recent cold-water scleractinian species – Desmophyllum cristagalli,
Caryophyllia cyathus and Stenocyathus vermiformis – were collected alive with a submersible at
500 m water depth in the Azores. In addition, ambient seawater samples were taken for oxygen isotope(δ18Osw) and stable carbon isotope (δ13CDIC) analysis. Data loggers deployed for one year offered ahigh-resolution temperature data set, reflecting a very stable bathyal temperature regime with anannual mean of 12.3 ± 0.25°C. These environmental data were compared with proxy-based
reconstructions to test the suitability of cold-water corals as geochemical archives, and to elucidate therole of vital effects. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the skeletalarchitecture. Carbonate powders for oxygen isotope (δ18Oar) and stable carbon isotope (δ13Car) analysis
were extracted from longitudinal and transversal skeletal transects with a MicroMill (100 µm trackspacing). The spatial distribution of trace and minor elements (Mg, Sr, Ca) was mapped with an
Electron Microprobe and quantified with Laser-Ablation-ICP-MS (Li, B, Mg, P, Mn, Sr, Ba, U).
The aragonitic microstructure of all three coral species is essentially equal. It consists of
microgranular aragonite at the centres of calcification and of increments composed of semispherulithic
fibrous crystal bundles in the theca and the septa. Stable isotope and trace element variations arecoupled to this incrementation and microstructure types. Mg for instance, is enriched in the centres ofcalcification and depleted in the surrounding fibres. Oxygen isotopes as a common temperature proxyshow large variations of up to 4‰ (VPDB) that would correspond to an apparent temperature range of≈ 16°C, contrasting with the stable bathyal temperature ( ca. 0.5°C range). This highlights a dominant
kinetic vital effect, which is also expressed in a strong linear correlation of δ13C vs. δ18O.
Nevertheless, this linear regression can be used to deduce the ambient temperature with the “lines
technique” (Smith et al. 2000 Palaios 15, 25-32) yielding temperatures that deviate by about 2°C frommeasured values.

59

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

New tools to study paleoenvironmental proxy precision and biologicaleffects
Meibom A*
Laboratoire de Minéralogie et Cosmochimie du Muséum (LMCM), Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), 75005 Paris, France___________* corresponding author: meibom@mnhn.fr

The extent and causes of recent environmental variations represent a vitally important problem forscientists, lawmakers and society in general. Essential to the ongoing scientific debate is thedevelopment of proxies that can reconstruct environmental change on both short (10-1000 years) andlong (i.e., geologic) timescales. However, for every such proxy, a fundamental question exists that israrely addressed: To what precision can the proxy reconstruct environmental variation? Only byanswering this question quantitatively is it possible to decide if a given proxy is precise enough to be
applicable and useful. An easily applicable and general method to quantify the precision of linear
environmental proxies will be presented together with a new analytical development to study theorigin of biological effects on the composition of biominerals.

60

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Response of daily and annual shell growth patterns of a shallow marine
bivalve to Holocene coastal climate change in Japan: a case study on
Phacosoma japonicum (Veneridae)
Miyaji T1, Tanabe K1*, Matsushima Y2, Sato S3, Yokoyama Y1,4,5 and Matsuzaki H6
1 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
2 Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, Odawara 250-0031, Japan
3 The Tohoku University Museum, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
4 Atmospheric and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8561, Japan
5 Institute of Biogeosciences, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
6 Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan___________* corresponding author: tanabe@eps.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

It is well known that the distribution patterns of shallow-marine mollusk faunas around the JapaneseIslands have changed episodically during the Holocene in response to the latitudinal displacement andrelative strength of oceanic currents (Matsushima 1984 Bull. Kanagawa Pref. Mus. 15, 37-109).
However, little is known about the biotic response of individual species to Holocene climate change at
daily to annual scales of temporal resolution.
The venerid bivalve Phacosoma japonicum used in our study is regarded as an ideal species toinvestigate this subject for the following reasons. Firstly, lunar daily and annual growth increments are
well-preserved in the outer shell layer, thereby enabling calculation of the age and growth rate ofindividual specimens (Tanabe 1980 Lethaia 21, 231-241; Schöne et al. 2003 Mar. Biol. 142, 473-485;
Miyaji et al. 2007 Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 336, 141-150). Secondly, previous studies have extensively
investigated latitudinal variations in patterns of shell microgrowth and the ecological, genetic, andenvironmental background of the species (e.g., Tanabe and Oba 1988 Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 47, 75-82;
Sato 1994 Mar. Biol. 118, 663-672; Schöne et al. 2003 Mar. Biol. 142, 473-485). Thirdly, fossil shellsof this species are abundant in Holocene shallow-marine deposits and archeological sites throughout
the Japanese Islands.
Holocene shells of this species recovered from various sites in Japan preserve lunar daily andannual growth increments in the outer shell layer and hinge plate, as is also observed in modern shells.
Sclerochronological analyses of 29 shells with known 14C ages revealed that the life history traits (e.g.,length of the growth period and the mean lunar daily growth rate at a given age) have changed
markedly over the past 8000 years (Miyaji et al. 2010 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeocol. 286,107-120). The intra-annual patterns of lunar daily increments and shell oxygen isotope records of thefossil shells can be compared with those of modern specimens from various locations, which areconstrained by annual patterns of seawater temperature and summer-autumn precipitation rates.
Furthermore, the temporal trend recorded in the fossil shells show a strong correlation with climatechange in mid-latitude parts of East Asia over the last 8000 years, indicating that P. japonicum haschanged its life history traits in response to Holocene terrestrial and coastal climate change.

61

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

High-latitude seasonality during the Early Cretaceous greenhouse
Nunn EV1* and Price GD2
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK___________* corresponding author: nunn@uni-mainz.de

The investigation of high-latitude seasonality during the Cretaceous greenhouse is fundamental for
addressing key palaeoclimatic debates such as the nature of the equator-to-pole temperature gradientand the presence or absence of polar ice sheets at this time. However to date, Cretaceous sea surface
temperatures have predominantly been reconstructed using biological materials such as foraminifera(δ18O), fish teeth (δ18O) and membrane lipids (TEX86), which do not provide information on subannual time scales. This study presents new stable isotope data from two Boreal Realm belemnite
genera, Acroteuthis and Pachyteuthis, which were collected from the Ryazanian–Hauterivian
succession of the Pechora Basin in Arctic Russia. Long-term palaeotemperature profiles wereconstructed for this succession using both δ18O and Mg/Ca data. The profiles showed warm
temperatures in the Ryazanian, a cooling event, which culminated in the Late Valanginan and finally areturn to much warmer values in the Hauterivian. Suitable belemnite specimens were therefore
selected from three distinct horizons (one Ryazanian, one Valanginian and one Hauterivian), in order
to investigate the seasonal differences between warm and cold phase belemnites. Well-preserved
belemnite rostra were milled along transects perpendicular to the visible growth lines in order togenerate carbonate powder for high-resolution δ18O and δ13C analysis. The data showed that during the
Ryazanian and Hauterivian warm intervals, belemnite δ18O ratios fluctuated by as much as 3‰ overthe course of one year. Conversely, belemnites from the Valanginian cool interval showed a δ18O
variability of typically less than 1‰. These trends are consistent in both Acroteuthis and Pachyteuthis,strongly suggesting that the observed variability is environmental in origin. If the δ18O data areinterpreted as being primarily influenced by temperature (with only minor fluctuations in δ18Oseawater
values), then this equates to seasonal palaeotemperature fluctuations of over 10°C in the warm phases
and of just 4°C in the cool phase. A possible explanation is that during the cool phase, temperatures
remained consistently low throughout the year, whilst in the warm phases, high latitude summer
temperatures increased significantly.

62

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Seasonality in the Late Triassic tropics: high-resolution oxygen and carbon
isotope records from aragonitic bivalve shells (Cassian Formation,
Northern Italy)
Nützel A1*, Joachimski MM2 and López Correa M2
1 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, 80333 München, Germany
2 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany___________* corresponding author: a.nuetzel@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

The Late Triassic Cassian Formation (N Italy, Dolomites) is one of the very few occurrences withoriginal aragonite preservation. This important Early Mesozoic fossil lagerstätte has produced morethan 1000 described invertebrate species. Mollusk shells are commonly preserved as primaryaragonite. Three pristine aragonitic megalodontoid bivalves were sampled for δ13C and δ18O
sclerochronology (n = 270). The presence of aragonite and crossed lamellar shell microstructure (firstrecord for Triassic megalodontoids) suggests an absence or minimal impact of diagenetic alteration.
To our knowledge, this is the first high resolution sclerochronological study from unaltered aragonite
shells from the Triassic. The δ13C values range from 3.6 to 5.8‰ VPDB and show a distinct cyclicity,
likewise δ18O values exhibit a pronounced cyclicity varying from -3.6 to -1.4‰ VPDB. Thesevariations in δ18O suggest a pronounced seasonality in Late Triassic tropical shallow waters, withinferred seasonal temperature changes ranging from 24 to 32°C. Influx of fresh water during the rainyseasons (mega-monsoon) or upwelling might also explain part of the variation in δ18O values. The
presented data suggest that the diverse Cassian fauna lived under conditions characterized by warm
sea surface waters with a pronounced seasonality. Similar conditions were reported for modern
tropical settings. Ongoing studies focus on other organisms (e.g., corals and sponges) and on othergeochemical temperature proxies (e.g., Sr/Ca). This facilitates a better understanding of the Late
Triassic climate in the tropical Tethys.

63

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronology and population structure of a commercially importantbivalve: the smooth clam Callista chione in the eastern Adriatic Sea
Peharda M1*, Ezgeta-Balić D1, Richardson CA2, Vrgoč N1 and Isajlović I1
1 Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, 21000 Split, Croatia
2 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK___________* corresponding author: melita@izor.hr

The age, growth and population structure of the commercially important smooth clam Callista chione
in the eastern Adriatic Sea were reconstructed from annually-resolved growth lines in the shell. Clams
were collected during 2007 and 2008 using either a hydraulic dredge or commercial SCUBA diving atfour locations (Rab Island, Pag Bay, Cetina Estuary and Kaštela Bay) in Croatian coastal waters. The
age of 436 clam shells was determined from the internal growth lines present in shell cross-sections
and the timing of growth line formation was ascertained from monthly collections of clams to occur
between August and September during the period when sea water temperatures were maximal.
Differences were apparent in the age structure and growth rates of clams collected from the four
locations. Von Bertalanffy growth (VBG) curves obtained for clams from these locations were Lt =72.4 (1–e–0.25 (t-2.68)) (Rab Island), Lt = 74.5 (1–e–0.15 (t+0.57)) (Pag Bay), Lt = 79.3 (1–e–0.34(t-0.97)) (Cetina
estuary) and Lt = 82.5 (1–e–0.11 (t+2.88)) (Kaštela Bay). The age of the smooth clams ranged between 3
and 44 years whilst median clam ages were similar at three of the four locations i.e., 14, 12, 4 and 12
years respectively. The VBG growth constants recorded from clams in this study are within the rangeof values obtained by previous authors for the species. The observed differences in population
structure between locations indicate different levels of exploitation and illustrate the need forestablishing long-term strategies for the sustainable exploitation of smooth clams in the Croatian
Adriatic.

64

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Evaluating twentieth century warming trends with Porites corals from theIndian Ocean
Pfeiffer M1*, Zinke J2, Dullo W-C3, Timm O4, Cahyarini SY5 and Weber ME6
1 RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) Aachen University, Geological Institute, 52056 Aachen, Germany
2 Department of Marine Geology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
3 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
4 IPRC/SOEST, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
5 Research Centre for Geotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Bandung, Indonesia
6 Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 Köln, Germany___________* corresponding authors: pfeiffer@geol.rwrth-aachen.deInstrumental records of sea surface temperature (SST) are unreliable prior to 1960 due to changes in
the measurement procedures. Recently, it has been shown that an abrupt drop of 0.3°C in global mean
SST after 1945 merely results from uncorrected instrumental biases in the sea surface temperaturerecord (Thompson et al. 2008, Nature 453, 646-649). This cool bias has a profound impact on thehistorical record of 20th century surface temperatures. Thus, the development of independent SST
records is needed in order to validate the historical SST database. Here, we present a temperaturereconstruction developed using a set of Porites coral geochemical records from the western tropicalIndian Ocean, a region that is tightly coupled to global mean temperatures. Our temperaturereconstruction shows the pronounced warming of the Indian Ocean over the course of the 20th century
that has been attributed to anthropogenic warming. Moreover, we find that the coral index closely
follows global mean surface air temperatures that are free of systematic biases due to changes in themeasurement procedures. The distinct temperature drop after 1945 that is evident in Indian Ocean andglobal mean SST series neither appears in the coral record nor in the global mean surface airtemperature series. We conclude that multi-core coral temperature reconstructions may provide
unbiased records of 20th century SST throughout the tropical oceans.

652nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The impact of solution chemistry on the incorporation of Mg, Sr and Ba in
the aragonite shell of Ruditapes philippinarum: results from a laboratory
study
Poulain C1, Lorrain A1*, Thébault J1, Gillikin DP2, Munaron JM1, Bohn M3, Robert R4 andPaulet Y-M1
1 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 Department of Earth Science and Geography, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA 12604
3 Laboratoire Microsonde, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), 29280 Plouzané, France
4 Laboratoire de Physiologie des Invertébrés, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), 29840 Argenton,
France___________* corresponding author: anne.lorrain@ird.fr

Individuals of Ruditapes philippinarum were reared at constant temperature (20°C) under different
controlled conditions of salinity and water chemistry, commonly encountered in their natural habitat.
Clams were exposed to a constant salinity of 35 PSU for the first 35 days and then three salinity
conditions were tested (20, 28 and 35 PSU) until 64 days. The main objectives of this study were:(1) to test if Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca shell ratios were stable when clams were reared under stableenvironmental conditions, (2) to study the effect of salinity and water chemistry on elemental uptake
and the response time necessary to induce a modification in the shell chemistry and (3) to improve ourunderstanding on pathways and incorporation of elements into the shell. Both laser analyses (Ba/Ca,
Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca) and 2D-mapping WDS microprobe analyses (S, Sr and Mg) were performed. While wefound a positive relation between salinity and shell Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios, Sr/Ca ratios showed aninverse relationship, i.e., shell Sr/Ca ratios higher at low water Sr/Ca while growth was not
significantly different between treatments. Interestingly, despite stable conditions of water Mg/Ca
ratios for clams reared at salinity 35 PSU during the whole experiment, shell Mg/Ca ratios increased
through time, possibly due to an incorporation of particulate Mg. The Partition coefficient of Mg(DMg), significantly different between the three salinity treatments, was very low (mean value of
0.00054). This low DMg suggests that incorporation of magnesium into shell carbonate is highly
regulated by the organism. As already observed in previous studies, shell Ba/Ca ratios showed thestrongest positive relationship with seawater chemistry, and this after a very short response time (oneday). Finally, a high positive correlation between Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca was observed in each salinity
treatment but with different slopes. This result suggests that pathways of Sr2+ and Ba2+ through mantle
membranes are similar and probably via the Ca2+ channel. This implies that, in this experiment,
incorporation of Sr2+ and Ba2+ may be influenced by several factors: (1) the concentration of Ca in thesurrounding water, (2) the density of Ca2+ channels in mantle membrane and (3) the Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca
ratios of the surrounding water.

66

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Heterogeneity of Sr/Ca and crystal fabrics in the shell of Arctica islandica:developing a reliable paleothermometer
Radermacher P1*, Shirai K1,2 and Zhang Z3
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
3 Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China___________* corresponding author: radermap@uni-mainz.de

Quantifiable paleotemperature proxy data from biogenic carbonates can help to improve ourunderstanding of past climate dynamics. It has recently been suggested, that Sr/Ca values derived fromthe outer shell layer (along the axis of maximum growth) of the ocean quahog, Arctica islandica,
could potentially function as a paleothermometer. However, Sr/Ca ratios are known to show
heterogeneity across contemporaneously deposited shell material, i.e., within the outer shell layer. It is
likely that either physiological or syndepositional biomineralization processes probably control the Sr
incorporation into the biomineral. Sr is significantly enriched near the annual growth lines (though notnecessarily associated with organic molecules), whereas carbonate-rich shell portions exhibit reduced
levels of Sr. Here, we document that the distribution of Sr in the outer layer of the A. islandica shell isalso associated with differences in crystal fabrics.
Sr/Ca heterogeneity in contemporaneously deposited shell portions was measured (in theventral margin) by LA-ICP-MS and ICP-OES. The ICP-OES data, covering the distance from theoutermost to the innermost shell surface, showed a hammock-type distribution of Sr with a variabilityof at least 30%. LA-ICP-MS analyses of two parallel line-scans (conducted in the same shell portion
as the ICP-OES analyses) showed a very different pattern of variability. Sr values in the outer shelllayer were higher near the outer sublayer than near the inner sublayer. This may be linked to slightdifferences in the crossed-acicular crystal fabrics between the two sublayers. Furthermore, Sr/Ca ratios
were higher near the annual growth lines, which largely consist of irregular simple prisms.
The heterogeneity of Sr in A. islandica shells is strongly related to differences in shell fabrics(and growth structures). Furthermore, the observed variability in Sr concentration appears to be
maintained by differences in biomineralization mechanisms. Establishing Sr/Ca as a reliablepaleothermometer therefore requires a comprehensive understanding of the physiological controls onshell biomineralization.

67

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The dog cockle, Glycymeris glycymeris: a new annually resolved multicentennial marine palaeoenvironmental archive
Reynolds DJ1*, Wanamaker AD Jr2, Brocas WM1, Scourse JD1, Richardson CA1 andButler PG1
1 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
2 Department of Geological and Atmospheric Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA___________* corresponding author: osp607@bangor.ac.uk

The dog cockle, Glycymeris glycymeris is a long-lived marine bivalve mollusc that inhabits coarse
sands to sandy gravel substrates of the continental shelf seas of Europe and North Western Africa atwater depths up to ca. 100 m. Previous studies have shown G. glycymeris to contain >100 growthincrements (Ramsay et al. 2000 J. Sea Res. 43, 167-176), however provide no evidence for theperiodicity at which these growth lines are formed. We examine the internal growth lines of live anddead G. glycymeris collected from the Tiree Passage (West Scotland, UK) to assess the potential of G.
glycymeris for becoming a long-term annually resolved marine palaeoenvironmental archive. Theinternal growth lines from four live and fifty of the largest (>40 mm) dead collected valves wereembedded into epoxy resin and sectioned along the axis of maximum growth from the umbone to theventral margin. The cut surfaces were ground and polished using methods as described by Scourse etal. (2006 Holocene 16, 967-974). The polished surfaces were etched using 0.1M HCl for 120s, bathedin distilled water and left to air dry. Acetate peel replicas were constructed using methods described by
Richardson (2001 Ocean. and Mar. Bio. 39, 103-164). The growth series were measured from digital
photomosaics of the acetate peel replicas using transmitted light microscopy under 2.5x, 4x and 10x
magnifications. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) samples were milled from the ventral margin and umbone
regions from the two longest lived G. glycymeris for radiocarbon analysis; further CaCO3 samples
were micro-milled at sub-incremental resolution from the widest growth lines of the two smaller livecollected shells for stable isotopic analysis. The maximum longevity of G. glycymeris within the Tiree
Passage population determined sclerochronologically and verified by radiocarbon analysis (14C) is
ca. 200 years. The growth series from nine of the dead collected and the two relatively long-lived live
collected G. glycymeris statistically cross-match using techniques described by Scourse et al. (2006),
forming the first multi-centennial absolute dated master sclerochronology from this species. The 14C
determinations independently validate the nature of the cross-matching, dating the years of death ofboth shells to have occurred during the post-bomb period of AD 1960 – AD 1985. Comparison of the14
C determinations and the sclerochronologically derived longevities provides evidence that thegrowth lines within G. glycymeris are formed on an annual basis. Comparison between the masterchronology and instrumental environmental observations suggests that the growth of G. glycymeris isstrongly coupled to environmental forcing supporting the use of this species as a scleroclimatologicalpalaeoenvironmental proxy.

68

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Mollusc shells: archives of environmental and anthropogenic change
Richardson CA*
School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK___________* corresponding author: c.a.richardson@bangor.ac.uk

Tidally deposited and annual growth lines present in sections of the shells of bivalves have beenshown to record changes in the environmental conditions experienced throughout their life. Recent
refinements in methodologies for revealing these patterns, together with advancements in analyticaltechniques, have opened up the possibility for evaluating the rolls of natural environmental changes aswell as anthropogenic impacts in regulating the chemistry of the shell. Using selected examples of theshells of bivalves from different environmental scenarios the value of the various growth line series as
an environmental archive will be demonstrated. Intertidal and shallow water dwelling bivalves havebeen shown to provide information on historical changes in heavy metal contamination in the coastal
marine environment, whilst species living in areas of upwelling events record changes in seawaterchemistry related to these events. The shells of long-lived subtidal dwelling species have the potential
to reveal long-term trends in seawater chemistry over centuries, providing a relationship between
seawater concentrations and incorporation in the shell is known.

69

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Assessing the history of trace element concentrations in the northern North
Sea through Laser Ablation-ICP-MS of Arctica islandica shells
Richardson CA1*, Jones NJE1, Butler PG1, Scourse JD1, Chenery SRN2 and Hartley JP3
1 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
2 British Geological Survey, Analytical and Regional Geochemistry Group, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
3 Hartley Anderson Ltd., Blackstone, Dudwick, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 8ER, UK___________* corresponding author: c.a.richardson@bangor.ac.uk

Live-collected shells of the long-lived clam Arctica islandica were obtained by trawling at threestations in the Fladen Ground, northern North Sea, UK. Annual growth lines in acetate peel replicas ofpolished and etched shell sections were dated by increment counting and crossmatching and the widthof the growth series measured. The elemental composition (lead, copper, zinc, iron, manganese,barium, and magnesium) of dated annual growth increments was determined using Laser AblationInductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Correlations in composition of thedated increments were observed between years and between shells from similar areas within andbetween stations, although there were differences both in the timing and magnitude of theconcentrations of these elements. Discrete peaks in element concentrations within years were observedwith little evidence of sustained levels of element incorporation.
Arctica islandica shells recorded historically the annual and sub-annual elemental compositionof the shell over periods of up to 50 years. The chemical composition and annual growth series ofclams collected ca. 68 km apart showed similarities both in the concentration and timing of the peaksof elements in the shell. The peaks in shell concentrations were unrelated to anthropogenic activity andmore likely reflected changes in the bio-availability of elements released from the sediment. It is
speculated that an increase in biological oxygen demand in the near sediment surface waters or thenatural burrowing activities of the clams may increase availabilty of certain elements.

70

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Trace element and stable isotope profiles of accretionary biological tissues
Romanek CS*
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, 40506-0053, USA___________* corresponding author: c.romanek@uky.edu

Oxygen isotope sclerochronology has a rich history that emerged from theoretical calculations
performed by Harold Urey on the temperature dependence of oxygen isotope fractionation incarbonates and experimental investigations conducted by Samuel Epstein. These early works were
followed by M.L. Keith, who demonstrated that seasonal water temperature variations may bepreserved within the shell of a single mollusk as periodic oscillations in carbon and oxygen isotope
profiles. In 1983, Douglas Jones related these profiles to periodic structural features (growthincrements) in the shell, thus firmly cementing the foundation for sclerochronology as a fundamental
tool in paleoenvironmental studies.
Our perspective of paleoclimate is constantly reshaped by new proxies and techniques that arefocused on a better understanding of past environmental conditions and processes. As the minimum
sample mass for analysis has decreased and the spatial control over physical sampling has increased,
the temporal resolution of geochemical profiles has evolved to the point that weekly events may berecognized in shell material. Emerging technologies such as laser ablation-element (LA-ICP-MS) and-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LA-IRMS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) permit 5
micron (dia.) spots (or smaller) to be analyzed for trace element or isotope composition. New
systematics for non-traditional stable isotopes (e.g., Mg and Ca isotopes) provide novel insights intoelement dynamics and reservoirs that were previously thought to have stochastic isotope distributions,and high intensity spectroscopic techniques (e.g., synchrotron x-ray microprobe) uncover fine scaleelemental zonation patterns in biomineralized materials that were not know to exist previously.
Finally, whole new tools have emerged, such as clumped isotope paleothermometry, that provide
paleoenvironmental information without having to measure or assume fluid compositions.
Geochemical profiles provide a powerful chronometer once proxy information is converted to the time
domain. This task is aided by physical attributes of the shell such as growth increments and shelldensity properties, but additional advances are needed to take full advantage of the times series offeredby environemental proxies. This talk summarizes some recent advances in analytical capabilities and it
outlines future directions in sclerochronology research investigations.

71

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Validation of the seasonality in growth bands in the bivalve Macoma
balthica using stable isotope and trace element analysis
Santos S1*, Cardoso JFMF1,2, Nieuwland G1, Guimarães F3, Witbaard R1, Luttikhuizen PC1,
van der Veer HW1 and Machado JP2
1 Department of Marine Ecology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
2 Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR/CIIMAR), Porto University, Porto, 4050-123, Portugal
3 Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia, Tecnologia e Inovação (LNEG), S. Mamede de Infesta, 4466-956, Portugal___________* corresponding author: silvia.santos@nioz.nl

The growth of bivalve shells occurs through the deposition of successive layers of carbonate material.
This calcification process in the shell is usually a seasonal event mainly related to temperature, withthe highest calcification rates during spring-summer and the lowest rates in autumn-winter. Some
species can be aged by macroscopic analysis of the shell growth bands. However, since the depositionof carbonate depends on the environmental conditions, the use of shell growth bands for ageing needs
to be validated. In the present study, we have analyzed the formation of growth bands in the bivalve
Macoma balthica, a dominant species in many estuaries and coastal areas along the Atlantic coast.
During a 1.5 year period, individual growth and environmental conditions were monitored every
month. Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes as well as trace elements were analysed in the new area
grown and compared to the formation of growth bands. A clear seasonal pattern in stable oxygenisotope ratios was observed in M. balthica, which was related to the formation of growth bands. We
will further relate the incorporation of isotopes in the shell with their amount in the water and withwater temperature. Trace element analysis in the chondrophore revealed that Sr was associated to theformation of growth bands.

72

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Decoupled evolution of temperature and precipitation in western Germany
during the Last Interglacial reconstructed from a precisely dated
speleothem
Scholz D1,2*, Hoffmann D2,3, Spötl C4, Hopcroft P5, Mangini A6 and Richter DK7
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Bristol Isotope Group (BIG), School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
3 National Research Centre on Human Evolution (CENIEH), 09002 Burgos, Spain
4 Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
5 Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment (BRIDGE), School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol,
Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
6 Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
7 Institute for Geology, Mineralogy und Geophysics, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany___________* corresponding author: scholzd@uni-mainz.de

We present high-resolution stable oxygen and carbon isotope (δ18O and δ13C) as well as trace element
profiles for stalagmite HBSH-1 from Hüttenbläserschachthöhle, western Germany. The chronology
was established by MC-ICP-MS 230Th/U-dating, and the high U-content of the stalagmite allowed
determination of very precise 230Th/U-ages although using very small sample sizes. The beginning andend of individual growth phases of the stalagmite could, thus, be determined very accurately.
Stalagmite HBSH-1 grew during the penultimate interglacial (MIS 7), the Last Interglacial (MIS 5)
and the Holocene. The major part of the sample (40 cm) grew between 130 and 80 ka providing a
climate record with decadal to centennial resolution for this period. The record shows three growthinterruptions during MIS 5 coinciding with Greenland Stadials 25, 24 and 22, as recorded in the
NGRIP ice core. The end of the MIS 5 growth phase coincides with GS 21. This shows that stalagmite
growth in this area is a very sensitive proxy for Northern Hemisphere cooling. Correlation of theabsolutely dated stalagmite record with Greenland ice cores may provide a tool to improve thechronology of the Greenland Stadials.
The δ18O profile of stalagmite HBSH-1 shows a distinct similarity during MIS 5 with the
NGRIP ice core and a sea surface temperature record from the Iberian Margin. This suggests thatstalagmite δ18O mainly reflects past temperature variability. Stalagmite HBSH-1 consists of aragonite
rather than calcite, which is probably a result of pronounced prior calcite precipitation in the epikarst
above the cave. In this case, the δ13C signal rather reflects changes in past precipitation thantemperature. The δ13C record of HBSH-1 shows three pronounced negative peaks during MIS 5, inagreement with the three MIS 5 warm phases, MIS 5e, 5c and 5a. During the Last Interglacial,
however, the evolution of δ18O and δ13C, and thus temperature and precipitation, is opposite. Whereas
the δ18O signal suggests the warmest temperatures around 125 ka followed by a gradual decrease, theδ13C signal indicates wetter conditions towards the end of the Last Interglacial.
The decoupling of temperature and precipitation during this time period is also seen in a seriesof snapshot simulations performed using a fast coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model.
This behaviour can be explained by the influence of varying solar insolation patterns (in response tochanging orbital configuration) on atmospheric dynamics and the resulting influence on storm activity
in the region.

73

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of ontogenetically old, long-lived bivalve shells(Arctica islandica) and their function as paleotemperature proxies
Schöne BR1*, Zhang Z2, Radermacher P1, Thébault J3, Jacob DE1, Nunn EV1 and Maurer AF1
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
3 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: schoeneb@uni-mainz.de

The Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of many biogenic skeletons provide useful paleotemperature estimates.
As yet however, it has remained largely impossible to obtain such information from bivalve shells. In
the present study, metal-to-calcium values in the hinge plate (aragonite, outer shell layer) of four
ontogenetically old (85 to 374 year-old) specimens of the long-lived bivalve, Arctica islandica, were
measured on a LA-ICP-MS. The shells were collected alive in 1868, 1986 and 2003 from threedifferent localities around Iceland. With increasing ontogenetic age and decreasing growth rate, adistinct trend toward increasing Sr/Ca (max. 5.17 mmol/mol) and Mg/Ca values (max.
0.89 mmol/mol) and greater variance were observed. Three potential explanations for these trends
include a reduced capacity for element selection due to cell ageing, changing metabolism and/or a
relative increase in the number of organic-rich (= Mg-rich) and organic-poor (= Sr-rich) shell portions
through ontogeny. Partition coefficients however, remained far below 1, indicating that physiology
exerted a strong control over the element partitioning between the shells and the ambient water. Aftermathematical elimination of these vital effects, residuals exhibited a highly significant negative
correlation (e.g., age-detrended Sr/Ca data: R = -0.64, R2 = 0.41, p < 0.0001, growth rate-detrended
Mg/Ca data: R = -0.52, R2 = 0.27, p < 0.0001) with sea surface temperature. These results are in good
agreement with results obtained from the precipitation of abiogenic aragonite. The results of thepresent study can help to develop new techniques to extract environmental signals from the metal-tocalcium ratios of bivalve shells.

74

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

One year of giant clam growth: a combined HFNI valvometry andsclerochronology study
Schwartzmann C1, 2, Durrieu G1, Sow M 1, Ciret P 1, Lazareth CE2*, Massabuau JC 1
1 Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques (EPOC), CNRS and Université Bordeaux 1, 33120 Arcachon, France.
2 Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat: Expérimentations et approches numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour leDéveloppement (IRD), 93143 Bondy, France___________* corresponding author: claire.lazareth@ird.fr

Growth increment thickness changes in mollusc shells are used as a proxy of environmental changes,
in particular for sea-surface temperature (SST) variations. Long-lived (50-100 yr) giant clamsclerochronology records are highly valuable in this prospect. Aubert et al. (2009 Coral Reef, 24)
reported that growth increment thickness changes of the Hippopus hippopus species are seasonal,
governed for 50% by SST, and able to record exceptional upwelling events.
To better understand the relationship between shell growth, the environment, and otherpotential forcing in these clams, their shell growth was studied in situ by combining two techniques.
First, 16 living clams were placed on a New-Caledonian reef for one year (depth 3-4 m), with theirshells equipped with lightweight electrodes to measure the shell gaping activity by High Frequency
Non Invasive (HFNI) valvometry technique (Tran et al. 2003 Envir. Tox. Chem. 22, 914-920). HFNI
allows recording valve movements at 0.6 Hz for each clam, without interfering with the normal
behaviour, and also measuring growth rate. The rationale is that if daily growth layers are produced,
when valves close every day, the minimal distance between electrodes increases daily. We recorded,
for the very first time, an online growth rate index based on this principle by mathematically isolatingthese minimal daily distances and plotting them as a function of time. Data were publishedautomatically online: http://www.domino.u-bordeaux.fr/molluscan_eye. After one year of recording,
five specimens out of sixteen were studied by sclerochronology. The daily growth increment thickness
was dated and measured. Results were analysed as a function of time, SST, irradiance andpluviometry.
The comparison between the two techniques highlights several important aspects of the shell
growth. For all clams the minimum distance between the electrodes increased regularly, demonstrating
a continuous growth (no annual growth cessation). The combined data set demonstrates that annual
growth pattern is significantly controlled by SST but also by the combination of SST and irradiance.
The relationship is not linear. Specifically, when SST reached its annual maximum (27-28°C) withsolar irradiance still at its maximum (March), the mean shell growth rate decreased and became highlyvariable and erratic compared to the other periods. Over the same time period, strong behaviouralstress symptoms recorded by valvometry progressively appeared in the whole group. This could be
related to oxidative stress (excess of free radicals associated to SST and zooxanthellae activity). It
strongly suggest that at 27-28°C, Hippopus from New Caledonia could be already living close to their
upper SST limit, an important finding in the present global warming context. We are grateful to theSouth Province of New Caledonia, Aquitaine Valo Association and the Aquitaine Region (France) for
granting that project.

75

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The marine radiocarbon bomb-pulse across the temperate North Atlantic:
Δ14C inventories from Arctica islandica growth increments
Scourse JD1*, Wanamaker AD Jr2, Weidman C3, Heinemeier J4, Reimer PJ5, Butler PG1 andRichardson CA1
1 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
2 Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
3 Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Massachusetts 02536, USA
4 AMS 14C Dating Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
5 14CHRONO Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 6AX, Northern Ireland, UK___________* corresponding author: j.scourse@bangor.ac.uk

Marine radiocarbon bomb-pulse inventories from annually-resolved archives from temperate regions
have been under-exploited. We present series of Δ14C excess from known-age annual increments of
the long-lived bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica from four sites across the coastal North Atlantic(German Bight, North Sea; Tromsø, north Norway; Siglufjordur, north Icelandic shelf; Grimsey, north
Icelandic shelf) combined with a published series from Georges Bank (NW Atlantic). The atmosphericbomb-pulse is shown to be a step-function whose response in the marine environment is immediatebut of smaller amplitude and with a longer decay time as a result of the much larger marine carbon
reservoir. Attenuation is determined by the regional hydrographic setting of the sites, processes
controlling the isotopic exchange of 14C at the air-sea boundary, and salinity as a function of the
freshwater flux. The inventories form a sequence from high magnitude-early peak (German Bight) to
low magnitude-late peak (Grimsey). All series show rapid response to increase in atmospheric Δ14C
excess but slow response to decline resulting from a combination of rapid isotopic air-sea exchange
and continued entrainment of older water masses. An inflection in the rise of the marine bomb-pulse in
the German Bight and at Grimsey between 1960 and 1962 correlates with the temporary decline inatmospheric Δ14C excess series resulting from the moratorium in atmospheric weapons testing. Mostof the records are characterised by bimodal distributions in Δ14C excess. The inventories constitutecalibration series for the use of the bomb-pulse as a high-resolution dating tool in the marine
environment and as a tracer of coastal ocean water masses.

76

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Micro-scale elemental distribution in shells of Arctica islandica.
Shirai K1,2* and Radermacher P2
1 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: kshirai@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Chemical vairations of biogenic calcium carbonates have been used as proxies for past environmental
conditions. In particular, Sr/Ca ratios in aragonitic coral skeletons and Mg/Ca ratios in calcitic
foraminifera tests are considered as reliable temperature proxies. However, the relationship between
metal/calcium ratios of bivalve shells and environmental factors is still largely unclear, mainly due tovital effects. This is even true for the long-lived bivalve mollusk, Arctica islandica, which is one of themost intensively examined species. However, the relationship between micro-scale elemental
distribution and growth patterns may provide unique information about biological effects on theincorporation of trace elements, because shell growth is biologically controlled. Respective studies
have been published for corals and foraminifera, but little is known for bivalve shells.
In this study, we analyzed the Sr, Mg and S concentration in shells of A. islandica with 1
micrometer spatial resolution along the axis of maximum growth and compared these data with thegrowth patterns of the shell. High concentrations of Sr, Mg and S were found near growth lines.
Seasonal variations of Sr and S were more significant than Mg. In ontogenetically younger portions of
the shell, strong enrichment of Sr and S was also frequently observed near daily growth lines. In thehinge portion, annual growth lines were also positively correlated with S and Sr. High S contents nearorganic-rich growth lines may suggest the presence of sulfated polysaccharides. Strong correlation of
Sr (and perhaps also Mg) with S may indicate that Sr and Mg are strongly affected by growth rate.

77

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Use of tusk growth and stable isotope records to assess an unusual allfemale American mastodon (Mammut americanum) assemblage
Smith KM1*, Fisher DC1,2 and Rountrey AN2
1 Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
2 Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA___________* corresponding author: katymai@umich.edu

The Bothwell site in northwestern Indiana (Great Lakes region, USA) produced an assemblage of late
Pleistocene (11,440 ± 60 BP) faunal remains, including thirteen American mastodon tusks. Analysesof tusk dimensions and growth increments in dentin indicate that all tusks belong to reproductive-age
females. Sites with remains of multiple female mastodons are extremely rare, and the tusks areanalyzed here to determine what might have led to the formation of such an assemblage. Age and sex
demographics of the mastodons are similar to those expected for a matriarchal family unit, raising thepossibility of a single catastrophic mortality event. However, seasonal variation in the oxygen isotope
composition of carbonate in tusk dentin allowed determination of season of death for four individuals,
and these analyses indicate that there were two or more distinct mastodon mortality events at the
Bothwell site. Patterns in sub-annual variation in the carbon isotope composition of carbonate in tusk
dentin suggest that the mastodons experienced similar seasonal changes in diet for the years just prior
to their deaths. Carbon isotope analyses of dentin collagen indicate that the mastodons consumed adiet of mainly C3 plants. Causes of death are unresolved, but the absence of evidence for declining
growth rates prior to death suggests nutritional stress was not a factor. Entrapment is also judged to beunlikely. The fossils may have accumulated at this site because the depositional environment offeredhigh preservation potential. Alternatively, the site could represent a Paleoindian meat cache. Further
studies on bone modification and duration of fossil accumulation will aid in evaluation of thesehypotheses.

78

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The skeletal extension-rate record of a coral from the Maldives tracks
ENSO and Indian monsoon variability
Storz D* and Gischler E
Institute of Geoscience, Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany___________* corresponding author: david.storz@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Until now, only a few coral proxy studies investigated coral growth as a proxy for climate variability.
The first such coral record from the massive coral species Porites lutea is presented from the NW
Indian Ocean. The time-series derives from the lagoon of Rasdhoo Atoll (4°N, 73°W), situated in thecentral area of the Maldives Archipelago, which is located in the vicinity of the Indian monsoon
forcing. The record spans 90 yrs and covers the period 1917-2007. The mean annual extension
increases throughout the 20th century as a consequence of the rise of sea surface temperatures (SST) in
this region. The extension rates exhibit a distinct interannual variability, which is driven by SST
variations linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation forcing. It can be demonstrated that decadal
variations of the extension-rates are linked to similar variations in the strength of the summer monsoon
currents. Interannual and decadal variability in monsoon current activity and rainfall over India are an
expression of the summer monsoon strength. This is the reason why a statistical link between coralextension rates and precipitation over India can be established. This implies that annual extension rates
in corals can be used as a new marine proxy for Indian monsoon variability on decadal resolution. It issuggested that the geomorphology of the atoll influenced the potential of this new coral archive to
track climate variability.

79

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The investigation of growth rates, enviroment and climate signals in Arctica
islandica from NW Scotland
Stott KJ1*, Austin WEN1, Sayer MDJ2 and Wilson RJS1
1 School of Geography and Geosciences, The University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, Scotland
2 UK National Facility for Scientific Diving, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, PA37 1QA,
Scotland, UK___________* corresponding author: kjs8@st-andrews.ac.uk

On the NW coast of Scotland there are multiple sites where Arctica islandica, the longest-lived marine
bivalve recorded to date, can be found. Our research focuses on living populations from two sea lochs(fjords): Creran and Etive. In total six sites have been studied. All are shallow water environments,from which shells have been collected by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC)
National Facility for Scientific Diving (NFSD).
Results from a shallow water site (11-17 m deep) outside Loch Creran indicate shells with arelatively low inter-series correlation of 0.37. The master chronology from the site has been comparedto gridded sea surface temperature data. The correlation between the two series is not time stable,suggesting that shells from this region may not be ideal climate proxies. However, it does appear, thatfrom the late 1980s onwards some external factors have had a marked influence on growth rates,
causing a noticable increase in growth rates from the late 1980s to the present. It is hypothesised that
this growth increase is a direct response to the introduction of marine aquaculture in the region. The
results have prompted the investigation of the other sites from which shells have been collected and
we present a regional synthesis of this anthropogenic trigger to shell growth.
This paper brings together biometric data (shell weight, length and age) collected from all sites
under investigation, and reviews a national (UK) dataset, which has been established from museum
shell collections. In addition, results gained from a master chronology, which have been compared tothe available instrumental data will be presented, together with a review of the potential problems andbenefits associated with investigating Arctica islandica growth rates from shallow water
environments.

80

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Investigation of Li/Ca ratio temporal variations in shells of two marine
bivalves: Arctica islandica (Iceland) and Pecten maximus (France)
Thébault J1,2*, Schöne BR2, Chauvaud L1, Hallmann N2, Richard M2, Barth M2, Nunn EV2
and Bassoullet C3
1 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Laboratoire Domaines Océaniques, Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: julien.thebault@univ-brest.fr

In the past decade, the elemental composition of bivalve shells has been increasingly used for
paleoenvironmental reconstructions. With few exceptions, most investigations have only dealt with afew elements (mainly Sr, Mg, Ba, and some trace metals including Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cd). Here we
present the first studies on inter- and intra-annual variations of Li/Ca ratio in the outer shell layer of
two marine bivalve species: Arctica islandica (Arcticidae; aragonitic shell) collected off northeast
Iceland and Pecten maximus (Pectinidae; calcitic shell) collected in Brittany (France). Surprisingly,
this element has never been analyzed in bivalve shells despite its interesting potential as apaleoceanographic proxy in other marine biogenic carbonates (foraminifera, corals, brachiopods).
Li/Ca in juvenile A. islandica presented well-marked seasonal variations (range: ca. 7-11 µmol
mol-1) over the period 2001-2006, with minimum values recorded at the annual growth lines, andwithout large inter-annual differences. These seasonal variations were significantly, but weakly,
correlated with seawater temperature. On the other hand, Li/Ca covaried significantly with daily
growth rates (slope = 0.098; R2 = 0.53) and with the discharge from one of the closest rivers. Thissuggests that seasonal variations of Li/Ca in A. islandica may most likely be explained (1) by shell
growth rate and/or (2) by significant river inputs of Li-rich silicate particles flowing to the sea as soon
as snow melts (potential proxy for mechanical weathering of Icelandic basalts, and consequently, forfrequency and intensity of past jökulhlaups). The same kind of pattern was observed in 2001 and 2007
in shells of juvenile P. maximus from the Bay of Brest (range: ca. 15-45 µmol mol-1). As in A.
islandica, Li/Ca covaried only slightly with seawater temperature, but was strongly correlated withdaily shell growth rate (slope = 0.090; R2 = 0.54). For some years (1999, 2004), this pattern, althoughstill discernable, was punctuated with sharp episodic peaks up to 250 µmol mol-1. We suggest thatthese peaks might be linked to the occurrence of phytoplankton species producing a toxin (domoicacid) known to be a powerful chelating agent tying up various materials such as Li.
Given the strong and similar relationships between Li/Ca and shell growth rate in both species,
we conclude that the incorporation of Li in bivalve shells may be mainly controlled by physiology.
Li/Ca may therefore be a useful proxy for addressing seasonal variations of growth rate in bivalves
that lack discernable microgrowth patterns. Abrupt decreases of Li/Ca may in turn help identify
growth retardations due to harsh environmental conditions. An influence of Li-rich silicate particles(in Iceland) and harmful algal blooms (in Brittany) cannot be excluded. Further works, including
experimental studies, are needed to test these hypotheses.

81

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Fossil bones and teeth: geochemical and histological archives for life history
and palaeobiology
Tütken T*
Steinmann-Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany___________* corresponding author: tuetken@uni-bonn.de

The element (Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca) and isotope compositions (δD, δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δ18O, δ44Ca, 87Sr/86Sr) of
fossil bones and teeth are increasingly used in palaeontology, palaeoanthropology and archaeology forthe reconstruction of diet, climate, migration, and thermophysiology of animals and humans. The
isotopic composition of the food and drinking water ingested by vertebrates during their ontogeny arerecorded in skeletal tissues and reflect the diet as well as environmental conditions (e.g., climate,seasonality, vegetation, geology). Phosphatic hard tissues such as bones and teeth are therefore
important archives for the reconstruction of life-histories and the palaeobiology of extinct vertebrates
because these skeletal components integrate histological and chemical information during the periodof tissue formation and growth. This enables the reconstruction of the palaeobiology, palaeoecology
and palaeoenvironment of extinct vertebrates. Furthermore, incrementally-developed tissues may
preserve a multi-year proxy record of ingested isotope compositions. Bone and tooth microstructure isusually not taphonomically altered thus forming an important archive of the growth and life history.
However, diagenetic changes in the biogenic apatite itself could bias original chemical compositions
and must always be considered and closely regulated.
Skeletochronology based on histological growth marks in skeletal tissues such as lines ofarrested growth (LAGs) is used for age and growth rate determination of extant and extinct
vertebrates. LAGs occur in skeletal tissues of many vertebrate species predominantly in ectothermic
reptiles and amphibians, however, they also occur in endothermic birds and mammals as well as inmany dinosaurs. LAGs are routinely used as annual time markers for the determination of ontogenetic
age and growth rates of extinct vertebrates such as dinosaurs. Growth marks such as lines of Ebner or
striae of Retzius in dental tissues are used to infer the tooth formation and replacement rates of reptiles
and mammals, including early humans.
Microanalytical and microsampling techniques (SIMS, LA-ICP-MS, LA-MC-ICP-MS,
Micromill) are increasingly applied for high-spatial resolution in situ element and isotope analysis andserial microsampling of skeletal tissue growth increments. The combination of geochemical andhistological techniques allows a refined, quantitative reconstruction of the life history, diet andmobility of extant and extinct vertebrates. Some case studies will be discussed to illustrate theapplication potential of histological and geochemical analysis of vertebrate skeletal remains.

82

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The application of bivalve sclerochemistry in reconstructing past
Greenland meltwater runoff
Versteegh EAA1*, Blicher ME2, Troelstra SR3 and Dehairs F1
1 Earth System Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
2 Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
3 Department of Marine Biogeology, VU University, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands___________* corresponding author: emma.versteegh@vub.ac.be

Ongoing global warming causes accelerated melting of the Greenland ice sheet. Increased amounts ofrunoff have been observed since the early 1990s. As complete loss of this ice sheet would result in a
global sea level rise of ca. 7 m, it is crucial to gain insight in its dynamics through time. Instrumental
data for Greenland cover the last few decades only. Modelling studies investigate both the naturalvariability in ice cap mass balance, and the influence of future global warming. Proxy data are crucial
for the validation of these models. Along the Greenland west coast during summer, glacial meltwater
results in a layer of cool and fresh water on top of slightly warmer and more saline water. This layer
varies in thickness with the amount of meltwater. As glacial meltwater has very low oxygen isotope(δ18O) values of -30 to -20‰, these can be discerned in bivalve shell δ18O records.
We investigate the utility in reconstructing meltwater amounts of two bivalve species: theintertidal to subtidal bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus, lifespan > 22 y) collected at Disko Bay (WGreenland) and the Iceland scallop (Chlamys islandica, lifespan > 21 y), which occurs at 10-100 m
depth, and was kept in a suspended culture at 15 m depth in Kobbefjord near Nuuk (SW Greenland).
For M. trossulus it is known that shell δ18O is influenced by both temperature and water δ18O values,
whereas Mg/Ca composition records temperature and Sr/Ca traces salinity (Klein et al. 1996 GCA 60,
4207-4221; Klein et al. 1996 Geology 24, 415-418). For C. islandica such relationships have not yet
been investigated. We present high-resolution δ18O and trace element records of C. islandica for themonitoring period of 17 months, and compare these with records of shell growth, temperature, watercomposition and chlorophyll a. We link M. trossulus sclerochemical records to available temperature
measurements and modelled local runoff for the time intervals 1996-2008 and 1921-1933.
M. trossulus is abundant in Greenland archaeological finds from different settlement periods,
and C. islandica occurs in fossil shell assemblages. The developed proxy can give insight in decadal
aspects of the behaviour of the Greenland ice sheet during different Holocene climate intervals and in
the climatic circumstances and seasonality accompanying the rise and demise of Greenland cultures,such as the Norse settlement period during the Medieval Warm Period.

83

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Fossil brachiopod shells: reliable archives of seawater temperatures?
Wacker U*, Munnecke A and Joachimski MM
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany___________* corresponding author: ri.ki@gmx.net

One hundred Silurian brachiopod shells from tropical shallow water carbonate of the Baltic Sea(Gotland/Sweden) were screened by cathodoluminescence and scanning electron microscope analyses.
Investigations indicate that they were influenced by diagenesis. Every shell shows luminescence inparts and most SEM-sections show a mosaic of well preserved and altered fibres. The four best
preserved brachiopod valves were chosen for high-resolution stable isotope measurements (300 μm)
and element analysis (Mn, Fe, Sr, Mg) along the ontogenetic transects. SEM analyses were performedin transverse sections. From every sampled brachiopod shell, seven to five SEM-sections wereprepared perpendicular to growth direction in order to get a better overview on the preservation stateof the entire shell. Aditionally, isotope samples were taken from the surrounding rock matrix and thefilling.
δ18O variations of 1 to 1.8‰ along the ontogenetic transects of the single specimen arerecorded. By the use of the equation published by Anderson and Arthur (1983 SEPM Short Course 10,
1-151) temperature changes of about 9°C could be calculated during the life of a single specimen.
Assuming that signals are preserved, the explanation that the δ 18O curves might indicate a fluctuation
during one year representing the lifetime of the organisms, seems more plausible than a cause by
influences of vital effects during shell precipitation. The δ 18O changes might additionally be caused bychanges of salinity. However, strong evidence exists that the curves do not reflect primary signals,
especially in the most anterior parts of the shells. The preservation state mostly tends to decrease along
the shell transects with increasing distance to the hinge. Thus stable isotope measurements and SEM
investigations indicate that the posterior part is probably more resistant against diagenetic alteration.
However, preservation state analyses are not always unequivocal and especially cathodoluminescenceobservations do not correlate with stable isotope developments along the ontogenetic transects.
Looking at element concentrations does not offer definite proof either.
More studies on Silurian brachiopod shells from Gotland will be needed to confirm theassumptions made here. In addition, high-resolution isotope analyses and detailed preservation state
investigations of fossil brachiopods from different locations could show whether Paleozoic shells havepreserved their primary isotope signals.

84

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Visions: the future of sclerochronology
Wanamaker AD Jr
Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA___________* corresponding author: adw@iastate.edu

A major challenge many of us face in the rapidly growing field of sclerochronology is demonstratingthat our relatively “young” discipline is developed enough to help address major environmental issues,
such as global climate change, pollution, land-use changes, ocean acidification, and past changes inocean and terrestrial ecosystems. Although sclerochronology is not a new field (e.g., Coutts 1970
Nature 226, 874; Hudson et al. 1976 Geology 4, 361-364), its utility in environmental sciences has not
yet been fully realized. However, recent activity and interest within the sclerochronology community,
along with a substantial increase in the number of high-quality, peer-reviewed studies utilizing
sclerochronological techniques, are strong indicators that sclerochronology can and will contributesignificantly in addressing important issues related to environmental change.
The vitality and future efficacy of sclerochronology is promising, yet progress during the next
years and decades may be slow and at times frustrating. As many of our colleagues in the field ofdendrochronology faced “growing pains” some forty years ago, we too will face similar issues andencounter roadblocks as we move forward with our emerging discipline. Fortunately for the field ofsclerochronology, our dendrochronology and dendroclimatology colleagues have provided atremendous foundation (concepts and methods for constructing absolutely-dated chronologies with anapplication to climate studies) from which we may further develop and refine our aquatic-based
discipline.
Although the visibility of our discipline is increasing, many of us still need to educate ourcolleagues and funding agencies about the scope, utility, and ultimate pursuits of sclerochronology. A
major goal of this paper is to highlight some recent sclerochronological contributions that havesuccessfully addressed specific environmental change questions, and research that has significantly
advanced our understanding of natural systems by providing key proxy data beyond the scope of
instrumental records. Additionally, this paper will discuss future possibilities and potential priorities
within the discipline of sclerochronology in the context of developing a more “mature” field forstudying environmental change issues.

85

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Comparison of daily and seasonal changes in shell microstructures andtrace elemental signals for river bivalve Margaritifera laevis with in-situ
environmental parameters
Watanabe T1*, Komoto Y1 and Shirai K2,3
1 Department of Natural History Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan___________* corresponding author: nabe@mail.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

Margaritifera laevis is known as a long living freshwater bivalve. Their aragonite shells could be
useful and unique materials for reconstructing the past changes in river environments (e.g., Schöne etal. 2004 Quat. Sci. Rev. 23, 1803-1816). Here we present sclerochronological and geochemical resultsfrom Margaritifera shells collected in the Shiribetsu River, central part of Hokkaido, Japan. A
combined approach of SEM and optical microscope observations, and trace elemental analysis using
LA-ICP-MS has been used and compared with the in situ hourly environmental data of temperature,
pH and dissolved oxygen and monthly meteorological records. The number of fine (daily) growthlines corresponds with days when the average daily temperature was higher than 10°C and the daily
growth width patterns were correlated with daily temperature changes. Annual extension rates have anegative correlation to annual volume of water charges and the concentrations of several traceelements were high in the shell part during spring. These results indicate that the Margaritifera shells
could be a powerful tool for reconstructing the river environments and air conditions during winteraround central Hokkaido. Our future work will apply this strategy to the modern long living and fossil
shells which we have recently found in different river and archaeological midden sites.

86

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A quest for long-lived geochemical archives in the deep sea (Azores)
Wisshak M1*, López Correa M1, Marali S1 and Freiwald A2
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Senckenberg Research Institute, Department of Marine Research, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: max.wisshak@gzn.uni-erlangen.de

The rugged bathymetry of the Azores supports a diverse heterozoan association resulting in intense
biotically-controlled carbonate production that classifies this setting as a typical cold-water carbonate
factory. Below the seasonal thermocline and below a deep mixed layer, environmental conditions arevery stable in terms of salinity and temperature, providing an ideal frame to test potential long-lived
geochemical archives in the upper bathyal. Target species in this respect are the cold-water corals
Caryophyllia cyathus and Desmophyllum cristagalli, the stylasterid Errina dabneyi, and the newly
described deep-sea oyster species Neopycnodonte zibrowii, that thrive protected under overhangs oralong steep cliff faces in close to 500 m depth in the Faial Channel. Investigations include theirmicrostructure, growth rate, stable isotope signature (δ18O and δ13C) and elemental composition (Mg,Sr, S, etc.).
Radiocarbon dating of N. zibrowii reveals an impressive lifespan of several centuries, placing
them among the longest-lived molluscs known to date. This longevity and a distinct incremental
growth with a proposed reproductive cyclicity of few years (conchiolin-rich growth breaks) and anannual cyclicity potentially triggered by seasonally varying nutrient flux (Mg and S fluctuations),
identify N. zibrowii as a promising environmental archive. However, isotope investigations indicatecomplex vital effects leading to a δ18O spread of 1.8‰ and an unexpected positive offset fromexpected equilibrium conditions of ca. 0.5‰ on average (deduced via the annual mean temperature of
12.3 ± 0.3°C and ambient seawater δ18Osw of 0.55 ± 0.07‰ V-SMOW). Likewise, strong Mg/Ca
fluctuations indicate a physiological control related to metabolism and biomineralisation, prohibiting
its use as a temperature proxy. The δ13C shows an ontogenetic decrease, but may bear anenvironmental signal in adult portions as indicated by a strong peak-resemblance in contemporaneousshells.
Etched vacuum-epoxy-casts of E. dabneyi skeletons, studied by SEM, reveal that the internalarchitecture with its coenosarc canal meshwork, dactylo- and gastropores is modified during growth
involving dissolution and re-precipitation of skeletal material. This internal rebuilding processinevitably alters initial geochemical signatures and the distribution of radiogenic isotopes, and has tobe taken into account when applying radiometric dating techniques and when using stylasterids as
geochemical archives. Research is currently focusing on the solitary scleractinians C. cyathus and D.
cristagalli, which exhibit the largest δ18O spread of up to 4‰, strongly contrasting with the stablebathyal temperatures. Nevertheless, the close linear correlation with δ13C enables the extraction of
meaningful temperature signals via a modified lines technique, despite vital effects.

872nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronology and ecology: They need each other!
Witbaard R*
Department of Marine Ecology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands___________* corresponding author: Witbaard@nioz.nl

Hard skeletal parts of marine and freshwater bivalves and gastropods are often being used forenvironmental reconstructions. The attractiveness of using shells from both phyla lies in their long
geological history, which makes it possible to "calibrate" geological circumstances to present day
ones. Applications vary from the use of internal growth lines with annual and sub annual rhythms. The
high-resolution analyses of the chemical-elemental composition of carbonate shell material has added
an extra dimension to the application. For a valid interpretation of the results however, a detailed
knowledge of the ecology of the species is indispensable. In different environments, the same species
might respond differently. At the same time, one may ask whether we have enough insight into theecological aspects to disclose the environmental history from shell material.
Based on examples, I hope to illustrate how "ecology" is incorporated within shell growth
patterns and how important the incorporation of ecological knowledge is for the sclerochronologicalinterpretation of fossil, sub fossil and present day shell material. Looking at bivalves from tidal flats,
the tidal elevation of their habitat determines immersion time and the length of the feeding period. For
species which occur over wide geographical areas the seasonal timing of growth and spawning might
differ. For sub-tidally living species, oceanographic processes like stratification, mixing or wind andwave action can be important modifiers of shell growth. Human activities like fishing can alsosignificantly impact shell growth and populations.
It is a challenge to use shell growth patterns for environmental and climate reconstructions.
There is an abundance of studies which have succesfully applied the methods. However we should beaware of the wide variety of conditions that can modify shell growth. Where possible I would make aplea for more detailed auto-ecological studies of present day species in order to understand potential
modifiers of shell growth.

88

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Following seasonal shell growth in Arctica islandica
Witbaard R1* and Hippler D2
1 Department of Marine Ecology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
2 Department of Mineralogy and Petrology,Technical University Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany___________* corresponding author: Witbaard@nioz.nl

For environmental and climatological reconstruction, Arctica islandica (Bivalvia) has become anincreasingly important species. Critical to its use as an environemental recorder, is a detailed
knowledge on how the animals behave and when they grow. To answer the latter question we perform
long-term growth experiments with 15 to 50 mm heigh Arctica islandica shells since 2006. All
animals are individually marked. Once a month the shell sizes of the animals are measured.
So far, the results show that most of the shell growth takes place in spring. Between March and theend of May, approximately 50% of the annual increase in shell size is achieved. During summer
conditions, shell growth is retarded. In late summer and early autumn the growth rate picks up for ashort period. Based on these temporally varying growth rates it might become easier to translate
observed shell growth patterns or the chemical composition of growth increments to the field
conditions under which the growth increments have been formed.

89

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A study of the periodicity of incremental markings in the dental enamel ofsheep
Witzel C1*, Kierdorf U1, Frölich K2 and Kierdorf H1
1 Deparment of Biology, University of Hildesheim, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany
2 Tierpark Arche Warder, 24646 Warder, Germany___________* corresponding author: witzel@uni-hildesheim.de

The sequence of tooth formation is frequently used as a means of age determination and life history
reconstruction in mammals. The stage of dental development can be assessed radiologically based oncrown and root formation in developing dentitions. Age-at-death determination in juvenile individuals
and reconstruction of growth processes is based on the presence of incremental markings in dental
hard tissues, especially enamel. The growth marks in enamel are considered to reflect rhythmicchanges in the activity of the enamel-forming cells, the ameloblasts. In humans and several otherprimate species these growth marks have been subdivided into short-period incremental markings(prism cross striations, laminations) reflecting a circadian activity rhythm, and long period incremental
markings (striae of Retzius) with a periodicity of several days. Striae of Retzius are reported to occur
with a constant periodicity in all teeth of an individual. Moreover, several studies reported additional
markings with a narrower spacing than normally occurs between prism cross striations. These
additional markings were termed intradian or infradian lines.
In humans and non-human primates, the formative periods of tooth crowns have been
determined by counting either prism cross striations directly or the striae of Retzius, and multiplying
their number by the individual periodicity. Combining overlapping tooth chronologies enables thereconstruction of the formative period of the complete dentition. The neonatal line, an especiallyprominent stria caused by physiological stress during birth, can be taken as a starting line allowing
precise age-at-death determination in juvenile individuals. Especially prominent striae can also be
used to reconstruct the timing of stress events during dental development.
Striae of Retzius and prism cross striations can also be identified in the enamel of sheep andpigs. However, reconstruction of the timing of dental development based on the assumption that prismcross striations in these species reflect a circadian rhythm leads to results that far exceed the formative
periods established based on radiological studies. This leads us to hypothesize that in sheep and pigs
prism cross striations actually reflect an infradian rhythm. To establish the periodicity (repeat interval)of incremental markings in enamel we performed a fluorochrome labelling study with Soay sheep.
First results of this study are presented.

90

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The isotope record of short- and long-term dietary changes in sheep tooth
enamel: implications for quantitative reconstruction of paleodiets
Zazzo A1*, Balasse M1, Passey BH2, Moloney AP3, Monahan FJ4 and Schmidt O5
1 Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique : sociétés, pratiques et environnements, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), 75005 Paris,
France2 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
3 Teagasc, Grange Beef Research Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
4 UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
5 UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland___________* corresponding author: zazzo@mnhn.fr

Quantitative reconstruction of paleodiet by means of sequential sampling and carbon isotope analysis
in hypsodont tooth enamel requires a precise knowledge of the isotopic enrichment between dietarycarbon and carbon from enamel apatite (D-E), as well as of the timing and duration of the enamelmineralization process (amelogenesis). To better constrain these parameters, we performed a series ofcontrolled feeding experiments on sheep ranging in age from 6 to 24 months old. Twenty eight lambs
and fourteen ewes were fed isotopically distinct diets for different periods of time, and thenslaughtered, allowing the timing and rate of molar growth to be determined. High resolution samplingand stable carbon isotope analysis of breath CO2 performed on six individuals following a diet-switch
showed that 70-90% of dietary carbon had turned over in less than 24 hours. Sequential sampling andcarbon isotopic analysis was performed on the first (M1) and second (M2) lower molars of four lambs
as well as on the third lower molar (M3) of eleven ewes. The changes in diet were recorded in all
molars. We found that the length of enamel matrix apposition is approximately one-quarter of the final
tooth length during crown extension, and that enamel maturation spans slightly less than 3 months in
M1, and 4 months in M2 and M3. Portions of enamel in equilibrium with dietary carbon were used to
calculate D-E values. Animals on grass silage diets had values similar to previous observations,whereas animal switched to pelleted corn diets had values ca. 4‰ lower, a pattern consistent withlower methane production observed for animals fed concentrate diets. The tooth enamel forward
model of Passey and Cerling (2002 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 66, 3225-3234) closely predicted theamplitude of isotope changes recorded in tooth enamel, but slightly underestimated the rate of isotopechange, suggesting that the rate of accumulation of carbonate during maturation may not be constantover time. Although stable isotope profiles in tooth enamel represent underdetermined systems, ourresults demonstrate that they can provide useful information about dietary variability if themineralization process is taken into account.

91

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Indo-Pacific teleconnections on decadal time-scales assessed by multiple
Sr/Ca and oxygen isotope records from the southwestern Indian Ocean
Zinke J1*, Pfeiffer M2, Crueger T3, Wassenburg J4 and Hardman E5
1 Department of Marine Geology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
2 RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) Aachen University, Geological Institute, 52056 Aachen, Germany
3 Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Atmosphere in the Earth System, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
4 Institute for Geology, Mineralogy und Geophysics, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany
5 Shoals Rodrigues, Pointe Monier, Rodrigues, Mauritius___________* corresponding author: jens.zinke@nioz.nl

Atmospheric and oceanic teleconnections between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific are thought tovary on interannual to multidecadal time scales. A better knowledge of past SST and salinity
variability over the Indian Ocean and their interaction with the tropical Pacific is needed tocharacterize natural climate variability. We produced several 50-350 year long climate records fromthe southwestern Indian Ocean with sufficient temporal resolution in order to unravel natural changes
in the teleconnectivity with the tropical Pacific. We obtained two monthly resolved Sr/Ca and δ18O
records from Rodrigues island (Mauritius), three Sr/Ca and δ18O records from Reunion and three
Sr/Ca and δ18O records from southwestern Madagascar, all key regions affected by the southern
Hemisphere trade winds and southern Indian Ocean gyres. We find strong evidence forteleconnections in Sr/Ca and δ18O records to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and ENSO. The oxygenisotope records from the Mascarenes are affected by decadal salinity variations and show a strong
freshening trend after the late 1970s. The freshening trend is probably related to advection of low
salinity waters with the South Equatorial Current and/or increased cyclonicity. We conclude that theuse of multiple coral time series significantly improves the climatic interpretation of proxy records,
above all for Sr/Ca.

92

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Poster presentation abstracts

93

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 201094

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronological examination, Sr/Ca spectral analysis and signal
processing of two Ceratoscopelus otolith morphotypes from the Quaternary
Ionian Sea
Agiadi K1* and Girone A2
1 Department of Historical Geology and Paleontology, University of Athens, 15784, Athens, Greece
2 Dipartimento di Geologia e Geofisica, Universitá degli Studi di Bari, 70125, Bari, Italy___________* corresponding author: kagiadi@geol.uoa.gr

The thorough study of the abundant Ceratoscopelus otoliths found in the Lower–Middle Quaternary(Gelasian–Ionian) sediments of SW Kephalllonia and SE Zakynthos Islands revealed the presence of
two co-existent morphotypes, Ceratoscopelus maderensis and Ceratoscopelus sp.1. Ceratoscopelus
sp.1 exhibits a sharp postero – ventral angle, a larger postero – dorsal area and an almost linear ventral
rim, in comparison with the common C. maderensis (Agiadi et al. 2010 Riv. It. Pal. Str. 116, 63-78).
Here, we present the results of the sclerochronological examination performed on selected specimensfrom this material, with respect to the growth structures observed on thin sections of these otoliths.
Furthermore, we performed a preliminary analysis of the strontium and calcium content within
specific parts of selected specimens, in order to detect any differences and/or similarities between the
inner morphology and environmental chemical imprint within the otoliths of the two morphotypes.
Transverse polished otolith samples were examined with a scanning electron microscope(SEM), as a first measure to exclude the effect of diagenesis. Continuing, the strontium and calcium
content, along specified growth lines of each otolith, was obtained, by means of energy – dispersive
X-ray microanalysis (EDS) coupled on the SEM. The Sr/Ca ratio and the otolith growth pattern, as
reflected by the greyscale variation under the polarizing microscope, along the same otolith growthline, for each otolith specimen, was compared with cross-spectral analysis, so as to (a) detectsignificant periodic components in the variability of the two parameters, (b) calculate the coherency
between them, at each frequency component, and (c) estimate their phase lag for each significant
periodicity.
The studied otolith specimens contained no sign of diagenetic alterations, when examined
under the SEM, which is a good indicator, and allows the further analysis for strontium and calcium
content. All the analysis yielded more than 0.1% strontium content, which is considered sufficient fora reliable quantitative ED microanalysis. Examination under polarizing light, showed that the fossil
specimens exhibit the same strong daily increment formation observed in modern representatives of C.
maderensis. Based on the spectral analysis, a strong and significant periodic component (95%
confidence level) appears consistently in all the specimens, both for the greyscale and the Sr/Ca.
Comparison with the polarizing microscopy observations indicates a correspondence with the daily
periodicity. In addition, the two parameters exhibit high coherency, more than 0.8, and phase lag close
to zero, for this frequency.

95

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Intermittent growth in gastropod shells: seasonal changes in aperturalmorphology and shell oxygen isotope records
Bean JR* and Hill TM
Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA___________* corresponding author: jrbean@ucdavis.edu

Many gastropods intermittently form features such as growth bands and denticles as spiral shell
growth occurs. Changes in apertural morphology are thought to indicate the periodic or final cessationof spiral shell growth, yet this hypothesis has not been tested in most clades. Seasonal monitoring ofshell growth patterns in natural populations and under laboratory conditions combined with oxygenisotope records reflecting seasonal water temperature changes indicate that spiral shell growth in the
muricid gastropod Acanthinucella spirata occurs intermittently.
Acanthinucella spirata were collected from Tomales Bay and Duxbury Reef, Bolinas innorthern California and grown in flow-through tanks at Bodega Marine Laboratory for 12 months.
When spiral shell growth occurred, the outer apertural lip thinned. Accretion of external growth bands
and internal denticles indicated cessation of spiral growth. Spiral shell growth occurred in thelaboratory from fall through spring, and similar seasonal growth periods were observed at both fieldsites. When spiral growth ceased in spring, denticles formed and the outer apertural lip thickened.
Snails were rarely observed growing in summer and early fall, and A. spirata is likely an intermittent
grower as was also reflected in shell oxygen isotope patterns.
The external calcite shell layers of A. spirata were sampled parallel to the aperture on the bodywhorl for oxygen isotopic analyses, thus providing a sequential record of growth. Results
demonstrated seasonal oxygen isotopic variability that would be expected given local intertidal
temperature records. However, while oxygen isotope patterns indicated spiral shell growth during
periods of decreasing water temperatures, as would be expected in fall and winter, record of growthduring times when water temperatures are increasing were limited or absent. As a result, it is likelythat shell oxygen isotope records from this species are not complete records of annual temperaturechanges. Field and laboratory observations of seasonal morphological changes and spiral growth, in
combination with oxygen isotope analyses are necessary to interpret growth patterns and age ofindividuals in species with intermittent shell growth.

96

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Seasonal and tidal influences on gastropod shell oxygen isotope records
Bean JR* and Jacobs LM
Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA___________* corresponding author: jrbean@ucdavis.edu

The ratio of 18O/16O in the calcium carbonate of mollusk shells reflects both the calcification
temperature and the 18O of the ambient waters. Oxygen isotope records in mollusks have been used toreconstruct past water chemistry including temperature and salinity, and to determine life-history traits
such as shell growth rates and minimum ages of individuals based on annual oxygen isotope curves.
However, 18Owater in the intertidal may vary significantly with daily tidal cycles, seasonal salinity
variations and location in an estuarine environment. As a result, carbonate records from intertidalorganisms may indicate the time and place of shell accretion rather than large-scale seasonaltemperature patterns in marine and estuarine systems.
To understand oxygen isotope variability along the northern California coast, we collectedwater samples at two sites in Tomales Bay and an exposed reef in Bolinas at varying tidal heights overthe spring and summer months. Water was collected from the lowermost intertidal zone inhabited by
the muricid gastropod Nucella ostrina. Calcite samples were collected from N. ostrina parallel to theapertural margin to compare 18Oshell with 18Owater. Preliminary results indicate 18Owater site variability
may be greater than seasonal 18Owater variation and may obscure annual 18Oshell signals.

97

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Periodic time-series modeling with guaranteed positive growth rateestimation for environmental records
Beelaerts V1*, Bauwens M2, Versteegh EAA2, Pintelon R1 and Dehairs F2
1 Department of Fundamental Electricity, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
2 Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium___________* corresponding author: Veerle.beelaerts@vub.ac.be

Proxies are measured on a distance scale, mostly along the maximum growth axis. Since allenvironmental archives grow at different speeds, and since the growth rate varies during the life-time,the different proxy records need a common axis, for example a time axis on which they can becompared. A number of methods which estimate a time axis are described in literature (Martinson etal. 1982 J. Geophys. Res. 87, 4807-4818; Paillard et al. 1996 EOS Trans. 77, 379; Yu and Ding 1998
Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 4525-4528; Lisiecki and Lisiecki 2002 Paleoceanog. 17, doi:
10.1029/2001PA000733; Goodwin et al. 2009 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol. 276, 47-55;
Brüggeman 1992 Paleoceanog. 7, 476-487; Wilckinson and Ivany 2002 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol
Palaeoecol. 185, 95-114; De Ridder et al. 2004 Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 5, doi:
10.1029/2004GC000771; de Brauwere et al. 2008 Computer Geosci. 34, 1781-1790 ; Beelaerts et al.
2010 Math. Geosci., in press). The methods described in de Brauwere et al. (2008 Computer Geosci.
34, 1781-1790) and Beelaerts et al. (2010 Math. Geosci., in press) are parametric signal model
methods, which assume that the signal on a time scale is harmonic. In these methods, theunconstrained identification of the proposed signal model chooses the best parameters irrespective of
the order of the data observations. In other words, subsequent observations can be inversed on the timeaxis. Both methods are especially vulnerable to this artifact when the number of phase distortion
parameters is relatively high and thus when the noise sensitivity is larger. In de Brauwere et al. (2008
Computer Geosci. 34, 1781-1790) a method, the time inversion constraint method, is described whichcorrects these time inversions by including inequality constraints on the phase distortion parameters(Fletcher 1991 Practical Methods of Optimization, Wiley). For large violations against the order of thetime instances, the number of constraints becomes larger than the number of parameters, andconsequently, the method becomes unfeasible.
The aim of this work is to impose the positivity of the growth rate with a reduced number oflinear constraints on the signal model parameters. The new method is compared to the time inversion
constraint method and its noise sensitivity is tested on by means of a Monte-Carlo simulation. The
usefulness of the method is demontrateed on the measurement of the vessel density, in a mangrove
tree, Rhizophora mucronata, and the measurements of the Mg/Ca ratio, in a bivalve, Mytilus trossulus.

98

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Investigating climatic archives from archaeological sites in East Germany:a calibration study on Unio crassus
Beierlein L*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: lbeierle@students.uni-mainz.de

In order to understand the environmental and climatic circumstances under which the Central
European Neolithic Revolution occurred, high-resolution climatic archives are essential. Suchinformation is often preserved in the form of archaeological middens, containing bivalve shells.
However, the full potential of such shell midden material has rarely been utilized. Freshwater shells of
the genus Unio sp. (Philipsson 1788) are frequently found as grave goods in archaeological sites of the
Saale-Unstrut area (East Germany). The sites range in age from the Neolithic (6000BP) to the Bronze
Age (2800BP) and the shells are typically well-preserved, which suggests that they were collected
alive.
To fully understand the archaeological archives, a calibration against recent shell records isrequired. For this purpose, high-resolution sclerochronological isotope analyses (δ18O) were conductedon modern Unio crassus shells, collected from river banks of the Helme and Kleine Helme Rivers.
Two cross-sections from each specimen were prepared, one for sclerochronological purposes(Mutvei´s Solution) and the other for stable isotope measurements. The results from these recent shells
were then compared to an archaeological shell of U. crassus from the Neolithic.
The δ18O values of U. crassus from the Helme River varied between -7.87‰ and -4.23‰,
whereas those of the shell from the Kleine Helme River ranged from -7.72‰ to -5.41‰. Both records
showed distinct seasonal variations, mainly related to ambient temperature. According to monitoring
experiments, the shell aragonite was precipitated in environmental equilibrium with the surrounding
water. Major growth lines coincided with the most positive values in the δ18O record and were
therefore formed during the coldest months of the year. The main growing season ranges from April to
November. In contrast to the modern shells, the archaeological specimen showed lower δ18O values(-8.56‰ to -5.83‰). The results of this study strongly suggest that temperatures can be reconstructedfrom unionid δ18O values. If the isotopic signature remains unchanged, then the Neolithic shells musthave experienced warmer temperatures or increased precipitation than their modern counterparts.

99

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Experimental calibration of Arctica islandica shell carbonate as ageochemical proxy for environmental dissolved inorganic carbon
Beirne EC* and Wanamaker AD Jr
Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA___________* corresponding author: ebeirne@iastate.edu

The extratropical oceans are the primary regions of carbon removal from the atmosphere, yet proxyrecords of past marine dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) values from these regions are scarce.
Development of robust proxies for marine carbon cycling is of critical importance in forecasting theoceanic response to human-induced increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Recent
studies from the North Atlantic region have documented the response of shell carbonate from the longlived molluskan species, Arctica islandica L. to the changing carbon composition of the atmosphere
over recent centuries (i.e., the Suess effect) (Butler et al. 2009 Earth Planet.Sci. Lett. 279, 230-241;
Schöne et al. 2010 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., in press). However, δ13C values of shellcarbonate reflects both the DIC pool from ambient, environmental conditions, and from metabolic
carbon (McConnaughey et al. 1997 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 61, 611-622). If there is a consistentpercentage of metabolic carbon incorporated into the shell, a correction can be made for thiscontribution in order to reconstruct δ13C of seawater DIC at the time of shell formation (e.g., Poulain
et al. 2010 Chem. Geol. 272, 75-82). This study aims to examine the relationship between shellcarbonate of A. islandica (adults and juveniles) and environmental δ13CDIC, through a growthexperiment in the Gulf of Maine. We hypothesize that this species, in its mature phase, deposits its
shell with a consistent offset from isotopic equilibrium with ambient seawater due to a metabolic
effect. Over 300 animals are being cultured in laboratory and in situ conditions in Walpole, Maine,
USA, for a period of approximately nine months. Several environmental parameters are being
continuously monitored in order to quantify the degree to which A. islandica shell carbonate reflects
environmental conditions during biomineralization. Results from tissue, hemolymph, DIC,
environmental monitoring and shell carbonate analyses will be presented for the preliminary stages of
the growth experiment.

100

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Growth of the common cockle Cerastoderma edule: validation of theperiodicity of increment deposition by Calcein marker
Bellamy E1,2, Mahé K1*, de Rafélis M2 and Lartaud F2,3
1 Pôle National de Sclérochronologie, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), 62200 Boulogne sur Mer,
France2 Laboratoire Biominéralisations et Environnements Sédimentaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), 75252 Paris, France
3 Laboratoire Oceanographie Biologique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), 75252 Paris, France___________* corresponding author: kelig.mahe@ifremer.fr

Cockle (Cerastoderma edule) growth has not been studied a lot yet and the current approach ofcounting external ridges in order to make an age estimation is limited. Nevertheless, growth is a key
parameter for monitoring bivalve populations, which are heavily exploited in French estuaries. The
Bay of Somme, which is located in the eastern Channel in the north of France, is the first French fieldof cockles (Cerastoderma edule). In order to improve stock management, it is necessary to increase
our knowledge of this species. This study is looking at the growth of the common cockle.
In this way, the recapture of shells previously marked under calcein marker and then breed innatural conditions in the Bay of Somme, was performed in order to determine the shell growth
patterns. From a methodological point of view, calcein marking has showed a fluorescent increment inshells subjected to only 30 minutes immersion time at 150 mg.L-1 but also for shells immersed forthree hours at 50 mg.L-1.
High-resolution picture analysis with the TNPC software (Digital Processing for Calcified
Structures) dedicated by Noesis Society and Ifremer, performed on several marked cockles, permitted
us to count 23 increments on average between the mark and the ventral edge of the valves,
corresponding to the 12 days interval during which 23 tides happened. The periodicity of increment
formation is validated for a tidal frequency. This preliminary study gives a clue to the understandingof cockle growth and could be completed by cockle age monitoring, but also by chemical analysis tolearn more about the biomineralization process of this species.

1012nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Pliocene climate of the Southern North Sea Basin: a sclerochronologicalapproach
Bird A1*, Johnson ALA1, Leng M2 and Balson PS3
1 Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK
2 NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
3 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK___________* corresponding author: a.bird@derby.ac.uk

General Circulation Models (GCMs) investigating future climate changes predict a rise in global
temperatures by 2-3ºC. The Pliocene is reflective of a generally warmer world, when compared topresent. This global temperature increase coupled with elevated CO2 levels, and a comparable
palaeogeography to present, means that the Pliocene provides a suitable test-bed for assessment of
future climate model outcomes. However, GCMs and proxy data sets produce contradictory
conclusions in prediction of North Atlantic Pliocene climate. Therefore supplementary proxy datasetsthat provide high-resolution seasonal data could assist in mitigating these inconsistencies. A reliableapproach is oxygen-isotope sclerochronology of Pliocene Aequipecten opercularis bivalves. Resultsfrom this current investigation from the Pliocene Southern North Sea Basin (SNSB), in part contradict
previous views that the Pliocene climate of the area SNSB was predominantly warm-temperate to
subtropical, with cooling episodes. The oxygen isotope thermometry datasets obtained from a wideranging temporal context of Pliocene deposits from the UK (Coralline Crag) and Belgium (Lilloformation) have indicated that winter and summer temperatures are similar to present-day cooltemperate seasonal temperature ranges (6-17°C) of the area, results also demonstrate seasonal ranges
increased through the Lillo Formation. These results indicate more prevalent cool intervals within the
Pliocene, than had previously been recognised that may relate to overall global signatures associatedwith Milankovich cycles, or changes in ocean heat supply linked to reduction of Gulf Stream strength.
Further investigations into other Pliocene deposits, specifically in North America, will address thisidea. Additionally, within the majority of Pliocene A. opercularis shells there is a large variation in
amplitude of increment size during growth. Furthermore, an anti-phase relationship between increment
size and temperature is recorded; this pattern appears to be rare within modern or Holocene specimens(excluding some Mediterranean specimens). This indicates that the overall control on increment size
may not be temperature. One possibility is that it relates to resuspension of benthic detritus (food)created by enhanced winter storm activity, within the context of a globally warmed world.

102

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

First results on lead in Arctica islandica shells using laser ablation andresonance ionization
Bisling P1*, Theopold F1, Krause-Nehring J2 and Brey T2
1 Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Centre, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
2 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: bisling@gkss.de

The reconstruction of past environmental conditions facilitates to recognize future impacts of longterm trends or extreme events. Often, it is difficult to assess chronological and historical records ofadequate data from remote areas such as the hydrosphere. However, sclerochronologic studies ofmussel shells may contribute a solution to this problem. The toxic element lead has been dispersed
into the environment for a long time, mostly because it was added to the gasoline until the introductionof unleaded gasoline during the 1980s. The gasoline related annual lead deposition over the North Sea
between 1958 and 1995 has been modeled in a comprehensive ‘lead study’ at GKSS (von Storch et al.
2003 Sci. Total Environ. 311, 151-176). However, lead concentrations in tissues of the mussel Mytilus
edulis from the German North Sea coast do not correlate with model predictions (Ministry of theEnvironment of Niedersachsen 1999 “Data source of lead concentration of blue mussels in the NorthSea”).
The concentration of trace metals in bivalve shells may reflect the concentration of these
metals in the environment, as shown for Pb, Cu, Zn in the mussel Modiolus modiolus (Richardson etal. 2001 Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 211, 157-167). Here, we intend to reconstruct the long-term (decades tocentury) trends in lead contamination of the German Bight by measuring lead profiles in the shell of
the long-lived bivalve Arctica islandica. We apply a novel combination of laser ablation and laser
ionization techniques with a Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer (ToF). Narrow shell slices cut along
the line of strongest growth are mounted on a three-axis positioner at the focus of the beam for laser
ablation. The laser beam produces a sample plume expanding into a supersonic jet of helium carriergas for the transport of the plume into the ion source of the ToF. Intense tunable laser radiation at the
wavelength corresponding to an excited energy level in lead produces lead ions by resonant laser
ionization. Here, we discusses the present state of the instrumental development and present
preliminary measurements of transects of lead.

103

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Does the Antarctic Circumpolar Current isolate high-latitude bivalves fromENSO forcing?
Brey T1*, Lohmann G1, Jenkins K1, Ahn IY2, Lomovasky B3 and Voigt M4
1 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
2 Polar Sciences Laboratory, Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute, Seoul 425-600, Republic of Korea
3 CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, B7600WAG, Argentina
4 University of Karlsruhe, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany___________* corresponding author: thomas.brey@awi.de

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is called the “mightiest current in the oceans” (± 125
Sverdrup) and represents a distinct barrier between sub-Antarctic (no winter sea ice, summer SST >5°C) and truly Antarctic environments (winter sea ice, summer SST < 5°C). We present data on
decadal shell growth patterns over the last 50 years in shallow water bivalve species from either sideof the ACC, i.e., Eurhomalea exalbida from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, South America(54º50'S, 68º16'W), and Laternula elliptica from King George Island, South Shetland Islands,
Antarctica (62°14' S 58°31'W). In both species, shell growth is coupled to El Niño – Southern
Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO forcing differs between the two species in its dominant frequency mode
and in sign and may even change over time. We discuss ENSO signal transmission pathways andforcing mechanisms with particular reference to ongoing climate change in the Antarctic Peninsula
region.

104

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Developing the use of the dog cockle, Glycymeris glycymeris, shell as a newscleroclimatological proxy species
Brocas WM1*, Ridgway ID1, Reynolds DJ1, Butler PG1, Richardson CA1, Scourse JD1 andRamsay K2
1 School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
2 Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK___________* corresponding author: willbrocas@hotmail.com

Growth series contained in the shell of the long-lived (> 100 years) dog cockle, Glycymeris
glycymeris, can potentially be used as a scleroclimatological proxy. Inhabiting predominantly coarse
sand and gravels this species is widely distributed in the coastal waters of the European continental
shelf. The patterns of growth lines in shells of G. glycymeris collected in 2009 from two sites aroundthe Isle of Man have been studied.
Annually-resolved growth increments were measured in photomicrograph mosaics obtained
from acetate peel replicas of multiple shells and cross-matched to construct a growth series chronology
for each site. A common growth signal (R = 0.557 and p < 0.0001) was apparent amongst the shells
from the two sites despite their location ca. 15 miles apart. Comparison of the growth series with local
instrumental data from the Isle of Man Cypris station indicated a close correlation (R = 0.771,
p < 0.0001) between annual shell growth and seawater temperature.
Independent verification of an annual periodicity of growth line formation was obtained bycomparing the growth series in shells collected close to one of the sites twelve years previously withthe growth series in shells collected in 2009; an exact correspondence indicated an annual periodicity
of formation. The growth series in the shell of G. glycymeris offers considerable opportunity andwarrants the further development of the shell as a scleroclimatological archive.

105

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Is the Alaska Coastal Current becoming less saline? An example usingcoralline algal Ba/Ca ratios
Chan P1, Halfar J1*, Hetzinger S1, Steneck R2, Zack T3 and Jacob DE3
1 Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, University of Toronto, Mississauga, L5L 1C6, Canada
2 Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, MN 04573, USA
3 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: jochen.halfar@utoronto.ca

The Alaska Coastal Current (ACC) plays an important role in the transport of heat and freshwaterfrom the North Pacific into the Bering Sea. Changes in the properties and strength of the ACC, whichis fed by glacial meltwaters and coastal runoff into the Gulf of Alaska, ultimately affect Bering Strait
throughflow into the Arctic Ocean. While a drastic freshening of the ACC has prompted detailed
oceanographic monitoring efforts, long-term oceanographic observations from this area are sparse andpaleoclimate data non-existent.
Here we present a multidecadal oceanographic history of the ACC within the Aleutian Island
region using proxy records obtained from the coralline alga Clathromorphum nereostratum. Thiscalcareous alga is a dominant component of the Aleutian Islands shallow marine ecosystem, and well
suited for paleoclimate reconstructions because it is: (1) Long-lived on the timescale of decades tocenturies, and (2) has a high-Mg calcite skeleton which produces annual growth increments, similar totree rings. Living algal samples were collected off the Aleutian Island Akun, along the western borderof Unimak Pass – the main conduit for ACC flow into the Bering Sea.
Annually-resolved Magnesium/Calcium and Barium/Calcium time series were generated using
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. While Mg/Ca time series indicate apositive relationship with instrumental temperatures, algal Ba/Ca is negatively correlated to a stationbased salinity record. This indicates that the algal Ba content is sensitive to salinity changes in the
ACC. The algal Ba/Ca reconstruction indicates that the recently observed freshening of the ACC isunprecedented in at least the past 65 years, and possibly the result of accelerated glacial melting in
mainland Alaska.

106

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Stable istopic profils of meagre (Argyrosomus regius): reconstruction ofenvironment and fishing practises at Cansado, Mauritania
Dufour E1*, Vernet R2, Tous P3, Borges C1 and Saliège JF1
1 Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique : sociétés, pratiques et environnements, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), 75005 Paris,
France2 228, avenue Général Britel, Rabat-Souissi, Morocco
3 Commission Sous Régionale des Pêches, Dakar, Senegal___________* corresponding author: elise.dufour@mnhn.fr

Thousands of otoliths were recovered from the Epipaleolithic site of Cansado (radiocarbon dated to6730 BP) located near Cap Blanc (Baie du Lévrier, Africa, 20°50’ N). Meagre (Argyrosomus regius,
Asso, 1801) is the dominant species. This is a migrating benthopelagic species, inhabiting coastal
temperate waters from Western Europe to Northwest Africa, moving along shore or offshore-onshore
in response to temperature change. Its predominance is likely to indicate fresh oceanic conditions andrelatively strong upwelling activity at 6730 BP along Mauritanian coasts.
High-resolution stable isotope profiles were generated for eight archaeological otoliths andseven otoliths from modern specimens collected in Nouadhibou (19°N) to gain more insights into
environmental conditions at the seasonal scale as well as into fishing activities. Modern andarchaeological specimens exhibited similar ontogenetic and sinusoidal isotopic variations. The δ13Cotoand δ18Ooto values ranged from ca. -5 to +1 ‰ and from ca. -2 to +1.5 ‰, respectively. Intra-otolithisotopic variations were compared to light intensity profiles to determine individual age and the timingof growth mark deposition. When observed in reflected light, translucent zones corresponded tominimum intra-annual δ18Ooto values, and were therefore deposited during the warm season. Life
history patterns and reconstructed thermal histories based on cyclic variations in 18Ooto values during‘adult’ life confirmed the presence of coastal upwelling at 6730 BP. Moreover, fishing occurred
seasonally during the fresh season, suggesting that human groups exploiting marine resources had agood knowledge of fish population behavior.

107

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The giant clam Tridacna maxima, a high-resolution proxy for past climate
reconstruction in the South-West Pacific: first stages of the calibration
Duprey N1*, Lazareth CE1, Butscher J2, Dupouy C3, Maes C4, Farman R5 and Cabioch G1
1 Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat Expérimentations et approches numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour leDéveloppement (IRD), 93143 Bondy, France
2 Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat: Expérimentations et approches numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour leDéveloppement (IRD), 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
3 Laboratoire d’océanographie physique et biogéochimique (LOPB), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 98848 Nouméa,
New Caledonia
4 Laboratoire d’études en géophysique et océanographie spatiales (LEGOS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 98848
Nouméa, New Caledonia
5 Aquarium des Lagons, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia___________* corresponding author: nicolas.duprey@ird.fr

Analysis of climatic variability during the climatic optimum (ca. 6000 yr BP) and the period of thefirst human populations (ca. 3000 yr BP) in New Caledonia and Vanuatu (South-West Pacific)
requires studies of paleoceanographic time-records over several tens of years. Although corals are
typically used for such purposes, interpretation of paleoceanographic records can be disturbed bydiagenetic modifications affecting the very porous skeleton. As a result, the use of an additional
biocarbonated archive – the giant clams which are less affected by diagenesis – has been developed
recently. Nevertheless, the use of fossils of giant clams as archives of the past requires to improve thecalibration of geochemical and sclerochronological proxies.
Tridacna maxima, currently living in the tropical waters of New Caledonia, were selected forthese calibration experiments, because they can be found in the Holocene (the last 10,000 years) fossil
environments including archaeological sites. In November 2008, the monitoring of environmental
parameters started comprising analyses of photosynthetic pigments, nutrients, stable isotopes in water,
trace elements concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and in water, salinity (SSS),
temperature (SST), and pH. Here, we present the sclerochronological analysis of one of the T. maxima
used in our experiment. This one was collected in November 2009 following the death of the animal in
the tank. Daily growth increments were analyzed to perform an accurate chronology to calibrate bothshell geochemistry and growth increment width changes in relation to the environmental records. After
testing several preparation techniques (from the thin-section to etching methods), it appears that thegrowth increment width changes of the external shell layer show an annual periodicity characterizedby higher growth rate from November to March (summer) and lower growth rate from June to
September (winter). This sclerochronology shows that either scaled folds or interdigitating sections
can be used for daily increment width measurements. The joint comparison with environmental
recorded data points out some correlation between growth increment width, NOx (NO2 + NO3),
pheophytin concentrations and SST. This highlights that T. maxima would probably be a reliablearchive of past environmental factors. Shell growth variations on the external shell layer of T. maxima,
however, need to be better constrained before this species can be used for past environmental
reconstructions. Nevertheless, daily growth measurements could be used for studies of seasonality
patterns through time.
This study is supported jointly by the French INSU-EC2CO program and the IRD. We thankthe Province Sud of New Caledonia for having given us the authorizations to make this experiment.

108

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Coastal hunter-gatherers
paleoecological approachinnorthern

Chile:

archaeologicalandFranco TCB*
Department of Anthropology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA___________* corresponding author: t.franco@vanderbilt.edu

The Chinchorro culture dated between 7000 and 3500 years ago had its economy strongly oriented tomaritime resources. This culture is known for its mortuary patterns, characterized by the wellpreserved and oldest artificial human mummies, which reveal early funerary practices. The funeraryobjects, like fishhooks and nets, are also very well-preserved, giving deep insight into the material
cultural (Rivera 1991 J. World Prehist. 5, 1-47; Arriaza 1994 Chungara 26, 11-48; Santoro et al. 2004
In Veth et al. Desert Peoples. Archaeological Perspectives, 243-260). Despite the excellent
preservation of material objects, the way of life of the Chinchorro people is not well understood, andwe do not know yet how they articulated their culture in association with the management of thefragile environment of the desert coast and surrounding areas in order to developed their complex andlong-lasting culture. Thus, a dissertation project has been developed in two Chinchorro sites located in
the Camarones Valley in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. This project analyzes data gathered
during archaeological excavations at the sites of Camarones 14 and Camarones Sur.
The excavations focused on the recovery of data that will help determine if the Chinchorro
people were living in the same area during the whole year or if they were moving seasonally around in
search of food and water and of social interactions with other people living along the coast or in themountains.
Thus, in order to examine sedentism, this project studies faunal remains. The analyses have afocus on species identification and their seasonal occurrence. Marine mollusk shells of Concholepas
concholepas have been studied through shell growth-line and stable isotope analyses. Both techniques
will give information about the period of the year in which mollusks were collected and, consequently,
when the Chinchorro people were living in individual sites. Detecting the season during which people
were exploiting the surrounding environment will contribute to our understanding of Chinchorro
mobility and its relation to economic strategies, mobility/sedentism, and early cultural complexity.

109

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Establishing a chemical baseline for a mining-impacted area using otolith
microchemistryFriedrich LA*
Freshwater Institute, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada,Winnipeg, R3T 2N6, Canada___________* corresponding author: lisa.friedrich@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Assessing environmental change relies on monitoring physical, chemical, and biological parameters
over extended periods of time. However, detecting change is difficult in areas where base-line data issparse or non-existent. Biominerals, which may archive chemical information, are becoming important
tools for monitoring environmental change. In particular, otoliths have been referred to as continuousrecorders of exposure to the environment. They are metabolically inert, unlikely to be resorbed, andgrow throughout the life of the fish, and their annular structure adds a chronology to the record. As
such, otoliths can provide a detailed chemical history of the environments in which the fish have lived
over the lifespan of the individuals. Combining this data with archived samples can expand the timeframe back several decades, providing an historical perspective to trace element levels in anenvironment.
In this study, recent and archived samples were collected from sites adjacent to a rare-element
pegmatite mine, as well as reference sites. LA-ICP-MS analyses of the otoliths across the annularstructure provided a year-by-year reconstruction of trace element fluctuations in otolith
microchemistry from this area. Average trace element concentrations were calculated per year and per
species to construct preliminary temporal chemical trends for an affected site and a reference site. The
chemical trends can be used to determine baseline chemistries for the area in order to monitor changes
within the environment, establish what affects mining has had on the area, and to determine thesuccess of tailings impoundment strategies.

110

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Distribution patterns of Arctica islandica shells in the North Sea:
ontogenetic and radiometric ages
Füllenbach CS*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: fuellenb@students.uni-mainz.de

Shells of the bivalve mollusk, Arctica islandica, yield important data on environmental and climaticchanges in high-latitude marine settings. The extraordinary longevity of this species makes it an ideal
recorder of lower-frequency climate variability and also permits the construction of long masterchronologies from individual specimens with overlapping lifespans. However, current
sclerochronological research using this species is predominantly based on accidental findings of fossil
shells. In this study, we investigated whether A. islandica shells from the North Sea exhibit apreferential spatial distribution of maximum lifespans and radiometric ages. In total, 52 of the largest
and thickest specimens selected from an extensive collection of shells, dredged from below 55 m ofwater depth, were examined. Of the 52 specimens, 32 were collected as single shells (dead-collected)
during July and August 2002, whilst the living bivalves were dredged from the sea floor in 1848,
1868, 1985, 1998, 2002 and 2003. All specimens were extremely well preserved and were processedfollowing routine sclerochronological methods, including immersion in Mutvei’s solution.
Ontogenetic ages were measured by counting the annual growth increments under a stereo
microscope. In addition, the absolute ages of the dead individuals were determined by means of
14
CAMS. The ontogenetic (137 years) and radiometrically oldest individuals (9239 cal year BP) camefrom the east coast of England, whereas the Norwegian west coast predominantly yielded younger
individuals (109 years, 4641 cal year BP). Strikingly, specimens collected alive were much younger
than the specimens that died prior to the 19th century (non-parametric t-test: p < 0.001). Given the
excellent preservation, it seems unlikely that the accumulation of older shells along the British east
coast is the result of extensive transport and redeposition by currents. It is hypothesized that the stable
habitat at some sites supported longevity, whilst at other localities, predation or other detrimental
effects prevailed. Differences in sedimentation and erosion rates may account for the observed
differences in the spatial distribution of radiometrically older and younger shells. At sites with lower
sedimentation or higher erosion rates, radiometrically old shells are more common in the upper 30 cm
of sediment than they are at sites with higher sedimentation and/or lower erosion rates. The findingthat modern shells were significantly younger than their fossil counterparts is most likely to the resultof extensive fishing in the North Sea, especially by ground-trawling. The current study demonstrated
that A. islandica shells in the North Sea show characteristic age distribution patterns that are related toanthropogenic factors, sediment accumulation rates and specific habitat conditions. Further research isnecessary to study potential links between food supply, longevity and absolute shell growth rates.

111

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Stable isotope ratios in Pinna nobilis shells record ecological information
and water mass properties in the Mediterranean
Garcia-March JR1*, Surge D1, Lees J1 and Kersting D2
1 Department of Geological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
2 Columbretes Islands Marine Reserve, 12003 Castellón, Spain___________* corresponding author: jrafa@unc.edu

Sclerochronologic and stable isotope records in Pinna nobilis shells potentially record ecological andoceanographic information. P. nobilis is a subtidal bivalve adapted to live in a variety of environmentsfrom shallow coastal lagoons to >50 m depth in the Mediterranean. We hypothesize that stable isotope
ratios (δ18O and δ13C) and growth increment patterns from individuals living in different environments
serve as ecological indicators. Our objectives were to (1) establish whether nacre tongues observed
across the posterior adductor muscle scar (PAMS) in cross-sectioned shells formed annually; and (2)compare monthly resolved variations in δ18O and δ13C values recorded in animals from two
populations located above and below the thermocline (17 m and 30 m depth, respectively).
Our results demonstrate that nacre tongues are deposited annually. Previous studies havereported that temperature stress is the dominant factor controlling annual growth increments. Our
initial findings, however, suggest that annually formed nacre tongues are independent of temperature.
Oxygen isotope ratios in all three shells follow a sinusoidal pattern reflecting seasonal variability.
Specimens from 17 m form nacre tongues during decreasing δ18O values (i.e., early to late spring),
whereas the specimen from 30 m formed nacre tongues near or at the most positive δ18O values (i.e.,
winter). This observation is consistent with delayed water heating at 30 m by advection from warmer
surface waters and a fixed timing unrelated to temperature for nacre tongue formation. Carbon isotope
ratios provide additional information on environmental factors that may govern nacre tongue
formation. Like δ18O, δ13C values follow a sinusoidal pattern. In specimens from 17 m, δ13C and δ18O
values are in phase with each other; however, they are out of phase in the specimen from 30 m depth.
We hypothesize that these phase relationships can be used as a depth indicator. The timing of nacre
tongue formation with respect to carbon occurs at relatively low values in the sinusoidal time series of
all three shells irrespective of depth. If δ13C values serve as a proxy for primary productivity, perhaps
food availability rather than temperature controls nacre tongue formation. Alternatively, gonad
maturation is a possible factor influencing nacre tongue formation because it starts in spring.
Reproduction probably does not influence nacre tongue formation because reproduction occurs only
once a year around September for the western Mediterranean, which does not agree with our isotopic
results. Such information will allow reconstruction of ecosystem and oceanographic conditions.

112

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Periodicity of growth lines in freshwater mussels: a stable isotope study
Gillikin DP1,2*, Goodwin DH3 and Kesler DH4
1 Department of Earth Science and Geography, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
2 Department of Geology, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA
3 Department of Geosciences, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA
4 Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA___________* corresponding author: dagillikin@gmail.com

Freshwater mussels are some of the most threatened species in North America: approximately 70% ofthem are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection. Despite their precarious status,
fundamental aspects of their biology remain largely unknown, such as intra- and inter-annual growth
rates and longevity. A better understanding of their basic biology and ecology can help resource
managers understand population dynamics and develop effective management strategies. Oxygenisotope sclerochronology provides a simple technique to address these gaps in our knowledge. In thisstudy we assess the periodicity of growth lines in freshwater mussel species from the Wolf River inTennessee. The periodicity of growth lines in the majority of freshwater mussel species has not been
investigated. Of the 26 species found on the Wolf River, only a handful at the most have had theperiodicity of their growth lines rigorously investigated. Once the periodicity of these lines isdetermined, growth rate and longevity can be determined. Additional information about theenvironment the mussels grew in can also be obtained from the isotopic data archived in these shells.
Stable oxygen isotopes provide information about precipitation and water temperature while stablecarbon isotopes can give insight into food sources and carbon biogeochemistry of the stream whenmetabolic carbon is accounted for.

113

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Assessing shell growth records from Arctica islandica in the Gulf of Maine
as indicators of environmental change
Griffin SM* and Wanamaker AD Jr
Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, IA, USA___________* corresponding author: smg@iastate.edu

The current array of instrumental records for monitoring ocean circulation dynamics and long-term
trends in productivity and/or seawater temperature in the Gulf of Maine (GoM) is spatially andtemporally limited. Documenting and understanding the past and present changes in ocean circulationand marine climate are critical to gaining an understanding of the natural variability within thisecosystem. Previous work has shown that GoM productivity, measured by Calanus finmarchicus
abundance, is strongly influenced by minor shifts in slope water currents (Gulf Stream [GS]; Labrador
Current [LC]) (MERCINA 2001 Oceanography 14, 76-82). Further, the relative position and strengthof the GS and LC appear to be in part modulated by the North Atlantic Oscillation. However, it isunclear if the modern relationships among the North Atlantic Oscillation, LC, and GS impacted theoceanography in the GoM in a similar way in the past. We therefore propose to use proxy records torefine and extend our knowledge of this system. The long-lived ocean quahog, Arctica islandica, hasbeen extremely useful in documenting past environmental variability in marine ecosystems (e.g.,
Weidman et al. 1994 J. Geophys. Res. - Oceans 99, 18305-18314; Wanamaker et al. 2008 Clim. Dyn.
31, 183-194). A previous study (Wanamaker et al. 2009 Int. J. Earth Sci. 98, 19-29) showed that
A. islandica shell growth was positively correlated with C. finmarchicus abundance levels. This study
aims to develop the first multi-site master shell chronologies in the GoM to explore the use of shell
growth records derived from A. islandica as an environmental change proxy.

114

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sectorial dark field: the best lightning technique for etched thick-sections?
Grützner T*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: togruetz@students.uni-mainz.de

There are several different reflected-light techniques that can be used for sclerochronologicalexaminations of etched thick-sections under the microscope. This raises the obvious question of which
technique is the best to minimize inaccuracy when measuring increments and defining the distances in
between?
The techniques evaluated in this study were compared on two different microscopes. The
Olympus SZX 16 is equipped with a Nikon Coolpix 995-camera and comes with both bright fieldlightning and dark field lightning for incident light. For dark field, the Light Emitting Diodes (LED)are arranged in a circle and generate a light entering the field of view at an angle of 60° (Schott
VisiLED MC1000). The Zeiss Axio Imager A1m is equipped with an AxioCam MRC 5-camera and in
addition to axial bright and dark field lighting techniques, this system also offers differential
interference contrast (DIC). A polished cross-section of an Arctica islandica shell, treated with
Mutvei’s solution, was examined under both microscopes.
The camera with the DIC setup had no apparent positive effect on the image quality. The
bright field was arranged so that lighting was generated at an inclined angle with two opposite
spotlights on the thick-section. This minimized the size of the shadows and highlighted the relief.
Overall however, the sectorial dark field lightning is the most suitable. Images are not as blurry as
those taken using DIC. Furthermore, the contours are highlighted and the disturbing glossy effect,
produced by conventional lighting, is reduced. The best ratio of shadow reduction and relief
highlighting is achieved by using one quarter of the LED circle.

115

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

How well is Patella vulgata Linnaeus 1758 reflecting changes in sea surface
temperatures (SST)? First results using living and archaeological samples
from Northern Spain
Gutiérrez-Zugasti FI1*, Delgado-Huertas A2, Ortiz JE3, González-Morales MR1, Torres T3
and Reyes E2
1 Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria (IIIPC), Universidad de Cantabria. Edif. Interfacultativo, 39005
Santander, Spain
2 Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Profesor Albareda, 18008 Granada, Spain
3 Laboratory of Biomolecular Stratigraphy, E.T.S.I. Minas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, Spain___________* corresponding author: igorgutierrez.zug@gmail.com

Human populations have been exploiting coastal regions in different parts of the planet, at least since
the Middle Palaeolithic. In Cantabrian Spain, the study of the exploitation of molluscs and shell
middens formation during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene has shown the importance of theseresources in human diets, being one of the most commonly collected species the limpet Patellavulgata which is present from the upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic (ca. 40,000-5700 cal BP).
In recent years, the application of geochemical techniques on carbonate materials has yieldedsignificant results in palaeoclimate and archaeological research. Variations in stable oxygen isotopes
in seawater can be recorded in shell carbonates of many gastropod and bivalve molluscs and can beused as useful indicators of temperature fluctuations. Moreover, as marine molluscs form their shells
daily by precipitating carbonate along different line growths, they are also used to determine theseason of death. In this study, we performed stable oxygen and carbon isotope analyses on P. vulgata
shells from archaeological sites of Northern Spain with two main objectives: (1) the reconstruction of
the evolution of sea surface palaeotemperatures from before the last glacial maximum to the midHolocene (ca. 40,000-5700 cal BP) and (2) the study of subsistence strategies and mobility andsettlement patterns of the hunter-gatherers. Thus, thanks to the seasonal climatic variations that P.
vulgata reflects, information can be obtained about the times when the molluscs were gathered. It isequally possible to determine whether the climate changes have influenced the subsistence and social
strategies used by human groups over time.
This work presents preliminary results of the palaeoclimate reconstruction. For this purpose,
we took a total of 174 powdered samples from the inner surface of the marginal part of P. vulgata
shells (where the last growth lines precipitate) recovered in 36 stratigraphic units from archaeologicalsites of different ages in Northern Spain. Samples were then analysed in a Finnigan MAT 251 massspectrometer to obtain the stable carbon and oxygen isotope values. For comparison, we also analysed
48 samples of living specimens collected monthly along two years (2005 and 2006) in order to identify
seasonal variations in sea surface temperature. Results show that archaeological P. vulgata specimens
reflect important temperature differences (ca. 30,000-5700 cal BP) between Palaeolithic samples(colder conditions) and Mesolithic and Neolithic ones (warmer). They also show a goodcorrespondence with global palaeoclimate curves obtained in Greenland ice cores (GRIP and GISP2).

116

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Possible ocean acidification during the PETM: analogue for future ocean
acidification?
Hahn S1*, Rodolfo-Metalpa R2, Griesshaber E3, Schmahl WW3, Buhl D1, Hall-Spencer JM4
and Immenhauser A1
1 Institute for Geology, Mineralogy und Geophysics, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany
2 International Atomic Energy Agency, Marine Environment Laboratories, 98012 Monaco, Monaco
3 Department of Earth an Environomental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80333 München, Germany
4 Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK___________* corresponding author: sabine.hahn@rub.de

The aim of this subproject of the BMBF-sponsored national research initiative BioAcid is to assess theimpact of future ocean acidification on the biomineralization performance of calcitic and aragonitic
bivalves. The predicted changes in the CO2 concentrations, caused by anthropogenic burning of fossilhydrocarbons, will lead to a drop in seawater pH that reaches a critical level in 2100 and is combinedwith an increase in the surface water temperatures. Similar changes in the ocean-atmosphere systems
took place some 55 million years ago during the PETM (Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum).
Arguably, the PETM is the best analogue of Earth’s history for future. It represents an interval of
global warming and ocean acidification. In order to add the geological (time) perspective to theotherwise mainly biological approaches of BioAcid, we intend to investigate fossil bivalves sampledacross shoal-water deposits of the PETM. First attempts to sample the PETM in Oman have not lead tothe expected results as the critical interval is probably not well exposed. An alternative working area is
SW Slovenia. There, the critical boundary interval is exposed. In addition, modern bivalve samples
from Ischia, characterized by degassing CO2 vents are presently under investigation. Finally, cultured
bivalves, kept under artificial acidic conditions, from experiments developed in aquaria will be
investigated. Two main tools for the quantification of bivalve calcification under acidic seawaterconditions: (1) geochemistry and here mainly non-traditional isotope systems that are affected bymetabolims (C, O, Mg, Ca isotopes, trace elements) and (2) shell ultrastructure analysis focussing intextural differences between shell material precipitated under ‘normal’ with such precipitated underacidic seawater conditions. The later approach is undertaken in collaboration with the University of
Munich.

117

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Reconstruction of North Pacific Holocene climate using marine bivalve
shell midden deposits
Hallmann N1*, Burchell M2, Tanabe K3, Irvine GV4, Cannon A2, Miyaji T3 and Martindale
A5
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4L9, Canada
3 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
4 US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
5 Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada___________* corresponding author: meiern@uni-mainz.de

Bivalve mollusk shells are useful tools for multi-species and multi-proxy paleoenvironmental
reconstructions with a high temporal and spatial resolution. In order to reconstruct Holocene climate
variability and environmental changes, stable oxygen and carbon isotopes were measured in modern
and fossil marine bivalve shells of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria from Japan (Tokyo Bay and Seto
Inland Sea) and the butter clam Saxidomus gigantea from Alaska (Mink Island and Little Takli Island)
and British Columbia (Dundas Islands, Namu and Hunter Island). All specimens were 14CAMS dated.
Both species reveal clear seasonal cycles in δ18O and δ13C values. Paleotemperatures and freshwater
flux can be reconstructed from stable isotope ratios. The shell isotope records presented here reveal
environmental and climatic changes in the coastal region during the Holocene. Modern shells fromJapan record more positive δ18O values than shells from the past 2000 years, which indicates a warmer
and wetter period compared to the present. Modern Alaskan shells have more negative δ18O and δ13C
values than shells from about 900 to 1400 BP. This coincides with the freshening and warming trend
observed in several published studies. The butter clam could therefore be used to reconstruct the
Alaska Coastal Current, which is driven by freshwater influx. S. gigantea shells from northern British
Columbia have more negative δ18O summer values between 3000 and 5000 BP and so they reveal afresher mid Holocene than early and late Holocene. High-resolution proxy data for the marine realm of
the high latitudes are still sparse. These environmental shell records therefore provide a valuable
contribution to such studies. The data were compared with other proxy archives, such as tree rings,
pollen, corals, lake sediments and chironomids, in order to investigate teleconnections and thedevelopment of North Pacific climate in space and time. Ultimately, the aim of this work is to create a
network of proxy data based on bivalve shells to examine Holocene large-scale climate variability, andto improve the understanding of major pressure and circulation systems, as well as natural climate
oscillations such as PDO and ENSO.

118

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

The influence of increased pCO2 on the calcification of Mytilus edulis
Heinemann A1*, Fietzke J1, Thomsen J2, Eisenhauer A1 and Melzner F2
1 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
2 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24105 Kiel, Germany___________* corresponding author: aheinemann@ifm-geomar.de

One of the most important and abundant calcifying organisms in several marine ecosystems is the blue
mussel, Mytilus edulis. It has a wide geographic distribution (Gosling 1992 Developm. Aquacult. Fish.
Sci. 25, 1-20) and tolerates a broad range of environmental conditions (Seed and Suchanek 1992
Developm. Aquacult. Fish. Sci. 25, 87-170). Blue mussel beds are also common features in the Kiel
Fjord (Baltic Sea), a habitat dominated by low salinity (10-20 PSU), low alkalinity (19002150 µmol kg-1), low pH (minimum values < 7.5) and high pCO2 (maximum value of 2340 ppm). The
resulting calcium carbonate saturation state (min. values: Ωarag = 0.34 and Ωcalc = 0.58) is significantly
lower than in the open ocean (Thomsen et al. submitted). Therefore, pCO2 in Kiel Fjord during
summer is already higher than what is predicted for the future (e.g., Caldeira and Wickett 2003 Nature
425, 365). Additionally, Meier (2006 Clim. Dyn. 27, 39-68) projected an increase of temperature (2.6
to 5.0 °C) in the next 100 years for the Baltic Sea.
To contribute to the understanding of the ability of calcifying organisms to live under ocean
acidification conditions and of biomineralization mechanisms, M. edulis from this naturally CO2enriched habitat were cultured in a flow-through system. Experiments were conducted using CO2
concentrations ranging from 380 ppm to 4000 ppm and temperatures ranging from 5° to 25°C. At theend of the experiments, hemolymph and extrapallial fluid (EPF) were taken and analyzed for pH,
pCO2, bicarbonate and elemental ratios. Fluids showed decreased pH and increased CO2 withincreasing water pCO2. Elemental ratios (Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca) in the fluids did not show pCO2 ortemperature-related systematic changes.
Furthermore, boron isotopes (11B), used in isotope geochemistry as a pH proxy, were
investigated by LA-MC-ICP-MS in shell portions precipitated during the experimental treatment. We
observed high 11B variability between different individuals, but also within single shells. Average11B values showed a weak positive correlation with pH. When comparing our results to publishedstudies, boron isotopes appeared to represent internal pH conditions (EPF) instead of ambient water
pH (Kasemann et al. 2009 Chem. Geol. 260, 138-147; Reynaud et al. 2004 Coral Reefs 23, 539-546;
Sanyal et al. 2000 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 1551-1555).

119

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Estimating periods of extended shell closure from bivalve growth patterns:
a potential new proxy for seasonally hostile environmental conditions
Heller L*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: lheller@students.uni-mainz.de

When exposed to environmental stress (e.g., seasonal anoxia or highly variable salinity) bivalve
mollusks tend to keep their valves closed until the ambient conditions have improved (i.e., when theconditions are within the physiological tolerance of the animal). During extended periods of shellclosure, the animal switches to an anaerobic metabolism as the oxygen levels in the soft parts drop. As
a result of this process, acidic metabolites start to dissolve the inner shell surface, while the outer shellsurface largely remains intact. Consequently, the shells of these specimens are typically very thin. Thisobservation leads to the question of whether the hostility of the environment, and the resultant
temporal changes, can be estimated from the relative difference between the shell material deposited
each year in the outer and inner shell layers (ΔSGI values). For this purpose, annual increment width
chronologies of 10 specimens of the ocean quahog, Arctica islandia from the Baltic Sea (a restrictedenvironment) were compared to those of eight specimens from offshore Iceland. Shell cross-sections
were cut and polished before being immersed in Mutvei’s solution. Sclerochronological analyses wereconducted in the inner shell layer of the hinge plate and in the outer shell layer along the axis of
maximum growth (i.e. near the outer shell surface). The specimens from the Baltic Sea were typically
younger (20-25 years on average) and thinner (average shell thickness at 1.5 cm from the hinge was
0.5-1 mm) than those from Iceland (over 100 years old, 2 mm shell thickness). ΔSGI chronologies of
specimens from the Baltic Sea exhibited significantly more variability than the specimens from
Iceland. In some years, the contemporaneously deposited growth increments of the inner shell layer
were much narrower than those of the outer shell layer. In some years, the annual increments of theinner shell layer were difficult to identify or even missing. This study strongly suggests that extended
periods of shell closure can be estimated from the difference in relative growth increment widths
between the two shell layers of this species. A combined analysis of the inner and outer shell layer
may therefore be useful as a proxy for detrimental environmental conditions.

120

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Tobago coral record as a high-resolution archive of Amazon and Orinoco
River outflow and tropical climate variability
Hetzinger S1*, Kulfan CM1,2, Mallela J3, Halfar J4, Dullo W-C1, Macrander A5, Grove CA6,
Zinke J6 and McCulloch MT3
1 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
2 International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology (ISATEC), University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
3 ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies & Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra 0200,
Australia
4 Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, University of Toronto, Mississauga, L5L 1C6, Canada
5 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27515Bremerhaven, Germany
6 Department of Marine Geology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands___________* corresponding author: shetzinger@ifm-geomar.de

We have investigated the trace elemental composition in the skeleton of a massive growing Tobago
coral (Colpophyllia natans) retrieved from the northwest side of Tobago in February 2008. Tobago
reefs and surface ocean conditions around the island are influenced by seasonal pulses of discharge
from South American rivers, in particular the Orinoco River, that delivers low-salinity, sediment- andnutrient-enriched waters to the tropical North Atlantic during the wet season.
Here we present a century-long (1892-2007) high-resolution record of coral trace elemental
variations analyzed by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).
The analysis yields continuous individual trace elemental records (Sr/Ca, U/Ca, Ba/Ca, B/Ca) with up
to bi-weekly resolution for the 20th century. By comparing geochemical coral proxy data toobservations of local sea surface conditions (e.g., sea surface temperature, salinity) and historicalstream-flow data, we assess the influence of variability in Orinoco and also Amazon River runoff on
the study site. Our findings show that a link exists between Tobago coral Ba/Ca and distinct episodesof South American river-runoff. In addition, we examine whether the impact of large-scale tropicalclimate variability (e.g., El Niño - Southern Oscillation events) on local climate and ocean variability
is detectable in coral trace elemental proxies. Annual banding patterns, the occurrence of stress bands
and potential changes in skeletal linear extension rate of the coral core is also investigated. A
slowdown in coral growth during the last 20 years of the Tobago coral record is observed.

121

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Validation of growth increment periodicity and the position of the firstannulus in Blackspot Seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) otoliths
Higgins RM*, Ferreira AF and Isidro E
Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas,, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, 9901-862, Portugal___________* corresponding author: ruth@uac.pt

Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) is an important commercially exploited fish species in the
Azores archipelago. Previous schlerochronological research has shown that this species produces asingle set of opaque and hyaline rings throughout the year (Krug 1989 Cybium 13, 347-355) indicatingthat otoliths can be reliably used for aging. Several initiatives exist to age this species, counting annuli
of whole or sectioned otoliths for routine fisheries assessments in the Azores. To date, however, there
has been no endeavour to explore the periodicity of daily rings or to verify the location of the firstannual increment.
Considering fish from the Central Island Group of the Azores archipelago, otoliths wereextracted and prepared for reading. Individuals spanned a size range of 13-52 cm and were determined
to be 1-20 years old. Using macrostructural observation, regression analysis of size at age was used to
predict the position of the first annulus. Specimens were then mounted in resin blocks, cut, ground andpolished in preparation for microstructural analysis following a method similar to that of Secor et al.
(1992 Spec. Pub. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 117, 19-57). Daily rings were counted in order tocorroborate correspondence of the first annual increment to a period equivalent to one year.
Confirming the periodicity of otolith schlerochronological features is vital to the developmentof a reliable aging protocol since misinterpretation of fish age can have grave consequences for stock
assessment and subsequently fisheries management.

122

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Is it possible to construct long master chronologies from the fossil shells ofMargaritifera falcata (British Columbia, Canada)?
Holland HA*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding authors: hholland@students.uni-mainz.de

Variations in annual shell growth have been observed in the freshwater bivalves, Margaritifera
falcata, from British Columbia. These variations are strongly linked to local precipitation patterns and
ENSO (Schöne et al. 2007 Int. J. Earth Sci. 96, 525-540). The aforementioned study was based on a
50-year master chronology that had been constructed from live-collected shells. The current study
tested whether the annual increment time-series of subfossil individuals could be combined with, andthereby temporally extend, the existing master chronology. For this purpose, 68 single valves wereexcavated from river bank deposits along the Little Campbell River, British Columbia. Shell remains
were only recovered from the upper 50 cm of the soil. Polished cross-sections, immersed in Mutvei’ssolution, were digitized and the annual increment widths measured using the software Panopea©.
Some specimens attained life-spans of around 100 years. Age-detrended and standardized growthincrement time-series were then cross-dated with the existing master chronology. Using this approach,it has been possible to extend the master chronology back to 1898 AD. According to the cross-dating,all of the “fossil” shells died within the three years prior to collection. An EPS (estimated population
strength) value of 0.95 suggests a high intercorrelation among the time-series. The new time-series
exhibited a stronger correlation with local precipitation and ENSO indices. This study clearly
demonstrates that subfossil shells, with unknown dates of death can potentially be used to extend
master chronologies backwards. However, the limiting factor for constructing longer masterchronologies is the limited preservation potential of the shells at this locality (humid environment, low
pH value of the soil) and likely of many other freshwater habitats as well. The shell carbonate wastypically dissolved within about three years. Subsequent studies of this kind should therefore focus on
localities at which the potential for the preservation of calcium carbonate is much higher.

123

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Reconstructing the variability of shelf water bottom temperatures in the
Middle Atlantic Bight from aunnual growth increments
Hudley JW*and Surge D
Department of Geological Sciencese, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA___________* corresponding author: jhudley@unc.edu

Many physical oceanographic studies in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) indicate large interannual
variability in shelf water temperature. This variability is mostly due to changes in the rate of volumetransport along the large-scale coastal current system extending from Labrador to Cape Hatteras.
Transport along the western Atlantic coastal currents is directly related to large-scale changes inclimate mechanisms. Previous work assumed that during the Neogene variations and interactions ofcool boreal waters that flowed equatorially and warm tropical waters that penetrated northward haveinfluenced the marine lithology and biological assemblages along the MAB shelf. Our overarching
hypothesis is that oceanographic processes along the MAB operating today were also present during
the Neogene. Previous work has shown that variations in annual growth increment widths of bivalve
shells correlate with climate conditions. Therefore, to test our hypothesis, we will compare annual
increment records from living and Pliocene bivalve shells. Here, we present the first step in testing ourhypothesis: comparing interannual variability between growth increment records from living Spisulasolidissima (Dilwyn, 1817) shells and instrument measurement data. Our future work will compare
sclerochronologic records between living and Pliocene shells.
Modern shells, collected live by NOAA Fisheries Service: Northeast Regional Fishery Science
Center, from across the MAB between 1992 and 2002. The increment width data series from themodern shells represent a modern MAB analog data set that will be compared to fossil shells of thesame genus. Over 500 shells were sectioned, polished, photographed and measured. Individual growthincrement records were cross-dated and compared to all other shell records across the MAB using ameasure of index dissimilarity. The same dissimilarity measures were used to determine the closenessof modern increment-width patterns to instrumental data series. Preliminary results indicate that shellpatterns reflect the same large interannual availabilities as the closest instrumental records. Our futurecomparison of modern analog shell increment records to the Pliocene series will provide information
on processes governing change and stability in the MAB region at spatial and temporal scales not
attainable with conventional oceanographic techniques.

124

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation in teleost fish scales
Iimura K*, Tohse H, Ura K and Takagi Y
Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate 041-8611, Japan___________* corresponding author: kurin@fish.hokudai.ac.jp

The teleost fish scale is a dermal skeleton having circular ridges on its surface, and is rich inhydroxyapatite crystals. The distance between the ridges largely depends on growth speed of the fish
body. Therefore, annual fluctuations in fish growth speed form annual rings in the scale. Moreover,the crystals in the scale include trace elements that are useful for the reconstruction of the environmentthat the fish have experienced. The formation of ridges as well as crystals is under regulation ofscleroblasts (Sbs), and thus, the molecular understanding on the functions of Sbs is important forsclerochronological studies using fish scales.
The scale under regeneration is a good biological model to study Sb functions, because Sb
differentiation and scale growth occur actively. During scale regeneration in the goldfish, Sbs firstarise as cell cluster in the scale pocket at Day 2 of regeneration, and start to secrete external-layer
matrix. After the beginning of the external-layer calcification (Day 3), they differentiate into three
types; episquamal scleroblast (ESb), hyposquamal scleroblast (HSb) and marginal scleroblast (MSb).
The MSbs located at the scale margin continue to produce the external layer, and thus, the scale
increases its area. The ESbs produce the ridge at close to the scale margin, and thereafter gradually
become flat with decreasing activity. The HSbs add the basal plate under the external layer, and thus,
the scale increases its thickness.
In this study, in order to understand the molecular mechanism of Sb differentiation, we cloned
the cDNAs of osteoblastic differentiation factor (Runx2) and bone matrix proteins (SPARC, BGP) in
the goldfish, and analyzed their mRNA expression patterns during scale regeneration by quantitative
RT-PCR and in-situ hybridization. Runx2 expression became maximum at day 3 of scale regeneration,
when active differentiation of Sbs into ESbs, HSbs and MSbs initiated. SPARC and BGP expression
became maximum at days 7 and 14, respectively. Expression of these genes was observed in the cellsof Sb-cluster and the flat cells around the cluster at day 2. As the regeneration progressed, theexpressions were restricted in the Esbs, HSbs, MSbs, and the cells around the MSbs. These results
strongly suggest that Runx2, SPARC and BGP have important roles in Sb differentiation like in thecase in osteoblastic differentiation. It is also suggested that Sb progenitors are localized around the
MSbs.

125

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010Freshwater mussel shells (Hyriopsis sp.) as archives of environmental
information
Izumida H1*, Yoshimura T2 , Ishimura T3, Nakashima R3, Kawahata H2, Shikazono N1 andSuzuki A3
1 Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8521, Japan
2 Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8564, Japan
3 Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanved Industrial Science and Techology, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan___________* corresponding author: hisatoizumida@yahoo.co.jp

Bivalves occur in various environments of low and high latitudes, in freshwater and marine settings,
and have carbonate shells which are formed by accretionary growth. Therefore, they can potentiallypaleoenvironmental information in their shells in the form of isotope ratios and elemental composition.
Freshwater environments not only react sensitively to climatic changes, but also play a major role in
the transportation of material weathered by chemical and physical factors. So, freshwater bivalves areuseful as paleoenvironmental archives. While there are many reports about marine bivalves, papers on
freshwater bivalves are rare. We present results of Sr/Ca ratios and growth history of shells of thecultured freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis sp. (Unionidae).
Three specimens which have same growth history were analyzed for shell structure and theelemental composition by means of ICP-MS. We compared Sr/Ca ratios of shells and watertemperature, Sr/Ca ratio of water and annual growth rates.
The profile of first-order fluctuations of Sr/Ca ratios of the outer shell layer along the
maximum growth axis was consistent with the profile of oxygen isotope ratios of the shell, which is
known as a proxy of temperature (R = 0.58, p < 0.01). However, the Sr/Ca ratios of three specimens
were also influenced by ontogenetic aging. On the other hand, Sr/Ca ratios of the ambient water
showed almost no fluctuations. So, the dominant factor controlling Sr/Ca ratios of shell fluctuations
was water temperature.

126

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Distribution, age and growth of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis from aroundthe UK and Ireland
Jones NJE, Richardson CA*, Grigoriou P and Kennedy H
School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK___________* corresponding author: c.a.richardson@bangor.ac.uk

In the 19th century, specimens of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis (Pennant, 1777) were recorded inconsiderable numbers in the fishing gears of scientific researchers and commercial fishers. The species
is now reported as being scarce within UK waters largely as a consequence of damage to these
populations from inshore fishing activities and the species is now protected. The distribution of livecollected A. fragilis from around the coast of the UK and Ireland was established using historical datafrom both museums and private collections and from recent reports of live animals from within thescientific community. Atrina fragilis has two distinct centres of abundance, in southwest England andnortheast Scotland and is largely absent on eastern coasts. The outer shell surface of A. fragilis bears
few marks such as rings, other than shell margin damage, to indicate its age. However the innersurface of the adductor muscle scar exhibits a series of growth rings. Similar adductor muscle scarrings in the Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis have been shown to be annual in origin. The
annual periodicity of the adductor muscle scars, and therefore the positions of the shell surface rings,
was validated by analysing the stable isotopic composition of samples of calcium carbonate drilled
sequentially along the shell surface along the direction of growth from the umbo to the shell margin.
Estimated seawater temperatures from the isotopic analyses of A. fragilis shells from the SE Haddock
Bank and “The Smalls” (Bristol Channel) demonstrated that the deposition of the surface growth rings
generally coincided with the minimum seawater temperatures, although occasionally some rings,
presumably formed as a result of a disturbance event, were produced at other times of the year, e.g.,when seawater temperatures were maximal. On the basis of the finding that the rings were annuallyformed when seawater temperatures were lowest, the numbers of rings on the adductor muscle scars
were counted. From this the oldest of the 68 fan mussels examined was estimated to be 15 years ofage. Population growth curves for A. fragilis from three localities (Falmouth-Torbay, Scilley Isles,
Haddock Bank) were constructed from the adductor muscle scars and showed that fan mussels in theshallow Falmouth-Torbay populations contained the fastest growing individuals while those in the
deeper water Haddock Bank and Scilly Isles populations attained the greatest size, although the latter
populations of fan mussels grew at a slower rate than the shallower depth Falmouth-Torbay fanmussels.

127

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Bleaching of biogenic carbonates: beware of changes in trace element
concentrations!
Krause-Nehring J1*, Brey T1, Klügel A2 and Nehrke G1
1 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
2 University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany___________* corresponding author: jacqueline.krause-nehring@awi.de

Why is it often difficult to establish reliable trace element proxies in biogenic carbonates? The organic
matrix may be one reason for these inconsistencies. Proxy analyses imply that physical processes
control trace element incorporation into biogenic carbonates. Incorporation of trace elements into theorganic matrix, however, is also controlled by physiological processes. These may distort thephysically determined correlation between environmental parameter and the examined proxy. One
approach to avoid this distorsion would be to chemically remove the organic matrix prior to traceelement measurements.
We treated bivalve shell powder (Arctica islandica) and inorganic carbonate with 12 different
chemicals/cocktails and analyzed for effects on: (1) organic matter (N) content, (2) trace element
ratios (Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, Mn/Ca; ICP-MS), and (3) structure and composition of the carbonate(XRD).
The different treatments (1) vary in their efficiency to remove organic matter, (2) cause
treatment and element specific changes in trace element ratios, and (3) can even alter the structure andcomposition of the carbonate (e.g., NaOH treatment: conversion of CaCO3 into Ca(OH)2). Among all
examined methods, there was no treatment without any side effects. NaOCl treatment, however, canbe applied prior to Sr/Ca measurements to efficiently remove the organic matrix without altering Sr/Ca
ratios and/or the carbonate structure.

128

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Test of Marine Protected Area source-sink hypothesis on fishes using
otolith microchemistry#
Labonne M1*, Oudard C1, Bassoulet C2, Morize E1 and Lae R1
1 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 Pôle Spectrométrie, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: maylis.labonne@ird.fr# presenting author: Anne Lorrain

Ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) is a new approach which promotes the protection of
essential habitats for fish and other ecosystems’ components against destructive fishing effects andpromotes the increase in fish diversity and abundance. In such context, the use of Marine Protected
Areas (MPA) and particularly no-take marine reserves is highly recommended. Many investigations
addressing the impacts of MPA in fish communities and ecosystems function have been realized in thelast two decades, so it is now well established that marine reserves enhance the density, biomass andsize of organisms inside their boundaries. MPA also contribute to the regeneration of habitat and the
re-building of fish stock heavily impacted by a long history of exploitation. One question remains: are
MPA playing a role as sources or sinks for fish?
The aim of this study is to characterize the chemical signatures of otoliths from fish sampled
in/out of the creek and to reconstruct their environmental history. The final goal is to define indicators
to test the MPA source-sink hypothesis and to determine their efficiency as fisheries management
tools.
Three fish species Galeoides decadactylus (migratory fish), Sarotherodon melanotheron andTilapia guineensis (sedentary fish) living in and out the Bamboung creek and waters (2 seasons) were
sampled. We used ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS to determine the trace element concentrations (Li, Rb,
Ba, Mg, Mn, Sr). Multivariate analyses showed that the elemental composition of the water anabledvery good discrimination of sites and seasons (70-100% correct classification). Elemental signatures inotoliths are specific to discriminate sites with an excellent precision (90-100% correct classification).
Greatest contributors to the discriminating function were Sr, Rb, Mn and Ca. We also analyzed
transects from the core to the edge of the otolith with a 50 µm laser spot, allowing a very highresolution, to determine the migration of each species.

129

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Trace elements and stable isotopes from unionid bivalve shells: proxyrecords of environmental conditions and pollution events. Experimental
approach in situ (Ile-de-France) and in laboratory
Le Callonnec L1, Lartaud F2 and de Rafélis M1*
1 Laboratoire Biominéralisations et Environnements Sédimentaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), 75252 Paris, France
2 Laboratoire d’Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer,
France___________* corresponding author: marc.de_rafelis@upmc.fr

The application of stable isotope and carbonate trace elements geochemistry to freshwater bivalves has
mainly been used to infer riverine hydrology. Living unionids were collected from the Magny-lesAubigny pool (Burgundy, France) and 20 mussels were transplanted into plexiglass cages anddeployed along the Seine River, two locations upstream before Paris and two downstream. Living
shells were marked monthly with MnCl or calcein. By the same time, water samples and temperatures
were collected more frequently. Before the analysis, thick-sections were viewed under an optical
microscope with UV light or cathodoluminescence and manganese or calcein marks were mapped foreach shell. All shell samples were cleaned using Milli-Q water and bleached with NaOCl(aq). Isotope
samples were milled parallel to the growth increments, along a transect from the most recently formed
shell portion (growing tip) to the oldest (umbo) in the aragonite outer layer of the shell. An average of
250 samples per shell were collected and analyzed on mass spectrometer GV Instruments Isoprime forthe determination of stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios. For trace elements, the laser ablation
ICP-MS was used with spot size of 90 µm in diameter on the thick-section from the interior to exteriorshell.
Each shell exhibits an excellent linear relationship between δ18O and δ13C values. The mostnegative values fall in the spring or summer. The isotope analyses also showed differences betweensites (Seine) and the origin of the juvenile growth environment (Burgundy). A metabolic control isalso seen for the youngest part of the shells with a consistent pattern of decreasing δ13C. This trend
reflects an increasing contribution of metabolic CO2 to skeletal carbonate throughout ontogeny. For
trace elements, the flood events of the Seine correspond to geochemical shifts in the shells (Cr, Ni, Cu,
Zn etc.) whereas shells from laboratory show constant trends.

130

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Microstructure, trace elements and stable isotopes of Recent and Holocene
bathyal Mediterranean Corallium rubrum (Strait of Sicily)
López Correa M1*, Rüggeberg A2, Montagna P3,4, McCulloch MT5, Taviani M5 and Freiwald
A6
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
3 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
4 CNR-ISMAR, 40129 Bologna, Italy
5 ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, School of Earth and Environment, Crawley 6009,
Australia
6 Senckenberg Research Institute, Deptartment of Marine Research, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: matthias.lopez@gzn.uni-erlangen.de

The gorgonian Corallium rubrum (Scleraxonia), or precious red coral, is being exploited inMediterranean shallow waters for jewelry production. Its dense calcitic skeleton with clear annual
bands (0.6 mm/yr) witnesses a decadal longevity. Their Mg/Ca-cycles are microstructure related(Vieulzeuf et al. 2008; Am. Mineral. 93, 1799-1815) and potentially track intra-annual temperature
shifts of ca. 10°C variability. During the ship expeditions M70/1 (RV METEOR) and MARCOS (RV
Urania) within the EU-projects HERMES and HERMIONE, bathyal living colonies of C. rubrum
were found at ca. 650 m in the Strait of Sicily. QUEST-ROV video-surveys documented densecolonies underneath overhangs associated with living scleractinian deep-water corals (e.g., Lophelia
pertusa and Madrepora oculata). ROV-technique allowed for a minimal impact sampling. A small C.
rubrum colony and a L. pertusa colony were collected alive at the same site, as well as a large fossil C.
rubrum skeleton, to compare their geochemical compositions and banding patterns. Water samples and
CTD casts provide solid environmental background data, exhibiting minimal seasonal variability of
13.74° to 13.9°C and 38.69 to 38.72 PSU. Seawater oxygen isotope and stable carbon isotope
measurements provide a background for skeletal carbonate isotopic composition. Our research in thisstable-conditioned “natural laboratory” aims to unravel the degree of biological fractionation and of
microstructure on the primary isotope and trace element signature, which is important for decadalscale paleoceanographic reconstructions from shallow-water C. rubrum. Like their shallow-watercousins bathyal C. rubrum specimens have a conspicuous incremental banding. Micromill sampling at
ca. 100 µm spacing provided carbonate powder for stable isotope analyses (δ18O and δ13C) on a
Finnigan MAT252. Elemental maps (10 x 10 µm resolution) were acquired with a JEOL Superprobe
JXA-8200 to resolve spatial Mg, Ca, S and Sr distributions. Quantitative element compositions were
measured with a laser ablation ICP-MS (10 µm spacing) for 7Li, 11B, 25Mg, 31P, 55Mn, 84Sr, 111Cd, 138Ba
and 238U. Stable isotopes show strong disequilibrium precipitation with the known linear δ18O/δ13C
correlation in L. pertusa. Isotopic and elemental patterns in C. rubrum are much more confined, but
clearly related to the microstructure. Their variability exceeds the expected levels in this stableenvironment. Juvenile parts are Mg/Ca-enriched and isotopically depleted from expected equilibrium.
Adult parts are more homogenous and possibly more reliable for environmental reconstructions.

131

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Strontium isotope ratios of bivalve shells and tree cores in past migration
studies
Maurer A-F1*, Knipper C2, Galer S3, Beierlein L1, Peters D4, von Freden U4, Alt KW2 andSchöne BR1
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Institute of Anthropology, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Max Planck Institute of Chemistry, Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
4 Roman-Germanic Comission, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany___________* corresponding author: anmaurer@uni-mainz.de

The isotope ratios of biologically available strontium in ecosystems primarily depend on theirgeological substratum. Strontium reference maps are therefore needed to provide the basis to trace themovement of people and animals in modern times and in the past. Strontium isoscapes are generated
through the analysis of modern geological and biological samples collected within a variety ofgeological units in a study area. For the reconstruction of mobility in the past, however, data frommodern environmental samples must be handled with caution. The exponential industrial developmentin the 20th century could have modified the isotope ratios of the biomass. Modern fertilizers or acidic
rain could have altered the bioavailable strontium, which makes the comparison of modern and fossil
samples difficult. Therefore, it is essential to control, whenever possible, potential drifts of thestrontium isotope ratios of an ecosystem throughout time.
Here we present strontium isotope ratios of modern and archaeological freshwater bivalve
shells and tree cores collected in the vicinity of Lombards’ cemeteries in central Germany. The
investigation tests whether the delimitation of the regional variability of the strontium isotopic
composition deduced from environmental samples is reliable enough to infer new insights about themobility of the Lombards in this area during the 5th and 6th century AD.

132

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Extraction of sea surface salinity proxy by means of high resolution minor
trace element analysis in venerid bivalve shells
Miyaji T1*, Shirai K1,2 and Tanabe K1
1 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: tsuzumi@eps.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Elemental profiles in biogenic carbonates such as corals and foraminifers are well-known proxies ofclimate change and past environmental conditions. For example, Sr/Ca ratios in coral skeletons wereused for reconstruction of oxygen isotope ratio of seawater (= salinity) by combination with oxygenisotopes of the skeletons. Mg/Ca ratios in foraminiferal tests were regarded as important as proxies ofseawater temperatures. However, the factors controlling the element/Ca ratios of bivalve shells are
generally much less understood than those governing stable oxygen isotope ratios. For this reason,
there is no consensus to widely use bivalve shell element/Ca rations for detailed environmental
reconstruction.
Ba/Ca ratios have been proposed as a proxy of dissolved seawater Ba/Ca in coral skeletonsand foraminiferal tests, providing information on salinity, nutrient and alkalinity distributions in pastoceans (e.g., Sinclair and McCulloch 2004 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol. 214, 155-174).
Ba/Ca peaks found in calcitic bivalve shells are related to phytoplankton blooms (Lazareth et al. 2003
Estuar. Coastal Mar. Sci. 57, 1103-1114), salinity (Gillikin et al. 2006 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 70,
395-407), but they are apparently strongly species-specific.
This study aimed to determine the proxy of environmental conditions of Ba/Ca profiles in anaragonite bivalve shell. We examined minor and trace element compositions using LA-ICP-MS insome live-caught shells of a venerid bivalve Phacosoma japonicum from Tokyo Bay, central Japan,
and also monthly collected seawater samples from the same location in 2009. This species secretes
lunar day-based microincrements (LDI) in the outer shell layer, so that we can mark calendar dates inthe LDI sequence (Miyaji et al. 2007 Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 336, 141-150). The obtained results werecompared with the environmental data of the nearby seawater during which the shells grew. Somepeaks showing high Ba/Ca ratios were recognized in the LDI portions formed during the monsoon(June/July) and typhoon seasons, which can be compared with the high Ba/Ca ratios in the seawater
samples collected during the same seasons. These results suggest that the Ba/Ca profile in modern andfossil aragonitic bivalve shells can be used as a proxy of past and present seawater salinity.

133

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Environmental vs. physiological control of the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca
distribution in oyster shells
Mouchi V1, Lartaud F2,3 and de Rafélis M1*
1 Laboratoire Biominéralisations et Environnements Sédimentaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UMPC), 75252 Paris, France
2 Laboratoire d’Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Université Pierre & Marie Curie (UMPC), 75252 Paris, France
3 Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France___________* corresponding author: marc.de_rafelis@upmc.fr

Trace metal compositions of bivalve shells are commonly used for high-resolution reconstructions ofpast and present environments. However, these proxies are affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors
which greatly differ among species. Because (1) they present a wide stratigraphic range throughgeological times and (2) their shells made of calcite (most stable CaCO3 phase – in comparison toaragonite – in respect to diagenetic alterations) should provide primary geochemical signatures,
oysters were chosen as a potential paleoenvironmental archive.
This study focuses on the use of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios of oyster shells as environmental
and/or physiological proxies. To test the ontogenic and inter-specific impact on the geochemicalrecords, juvenile (< 2 years-old) and adult (> 2 years-old) Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea edulis
specimens were bred during two years at two distinct locations along the French coasts: Baie des Veys
(Normandy, open marine) and Marennes-Oléron Bay (Charente-Maritime, protected area). During thisperiod, environmental parameters were recorded on an infra-daily basis using an IFREMER YSI probe
fixed to the oyster tables. Additionally, the shells were monthly labelled in Mn-doped seawater toestablish a chronological time-scale in the growth record. Water temperatures are quite variable (5 to23°C), while the salinity is almost constant (32 to 34 PSU).
Geochemical analyses (400 spots per specimen, equally spaced) were performed using a
Cameca SX50 microprobe on the foliated calcite of the hinge section. Sclerochronolgical profiles andage models were obtained using optical-CL observation of the hinge section of the shells, where Mn
marks are easily revealed. Results show high variability, both between individuals from the same
species and among sites. Non-univocal relationship exists between Mg/Ca (or Sr/Ca) and temperaturedespite apparent similarities between the curves, except for adult shells where metabolic activity(growth rate) seems to erase part of the environmental record.

134

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

High-resolution Porites coral proxy records as indicators of climatic andenvironmental change in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Nagtegaal R1*, Brummer G-JA1, Grove CA1, Zinke J1,2 and van den Bergh G3
1 Department of Marine Geology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
2 Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 School of Earth & Environmental Sciences (SEES), University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia___________* corresponding author: roel.nagtegaal@nioz.nl

Environmentally unsound developments of coastal areas are placing many reefs across the world
under threat. On many locations soil erosion due to land degradation, mining activities, coastal
development and deforestation is now supplying large quantities of sediment to local river systems. In
many cases, those sediments are being discharged directly on to reefs systems which commonly exist
in close proximity of the river mouth.
The degradation of many coral reefs around the world is linked to injudicious land-based
activities. The Berau delta/barrier reef system, located offshore the north eastern coast of Kalimantan,
Indonesia is characterized by a unique and pristine reef system. Complex fringing reefs as well as
numerous patch reefs have developed within close proximity of the river mouth. Althoughanthropogenic influence in the region has long been rather small, the region is slowly being exposed toincreasing rates of mining activities, deforestation and land use changes. However, the scale andimpact of soil erosion and sediment supply to the delta/barrier reef system is scarcely documented and
not well understood due to the absence of long, high-resolution time-series. Coral skeletons archive
historical sedimentation records as they entrap terrigenous sediments into their skeleton. The
advantage using corals as climate and environmental archives is that they provide long time series ofseveral decades exceeding the period of instrumental data. In this study we aim to establish
quantitative measures of changes in sediment supply to the reef system and its relation to natural
and/or anthropogenic induced climate and environmental changes. To meet this goal several proxyparameters will be examined, i.e., (1) Sr/Ca ratios as an indicator for sea surface temperature changes,(2) Ba/Ca ratios and luminescence as a measure for terrestrial sediment input, (3) combined Sr/Ca andδ18O values to establish a hydrological balance for the region, and (4) coral growth rate andcalcification rates as an indicator of reef health in response to thermal and sedimentation stress.
Our results show that the year-to-year variability of sediment supply to the reef system isregulated by the El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate system. During positive phases of the
Nino 3.4 index (El Niño) sediment supply is reduced due to draughts in the region. During negative
phases of the Niño 3.4 index (La Niña) the sediment supply increases drastically due to enhanced
rainfall in the region. Since the mid 1980s a clear trend toward higher levels of sediment discharge issuperimposed on the year to year variability. This observed trend in sediment discharge is much higher
then can be expected from the reconstructed hydrological balance (Sr/Ca and δ18O values) and must be
attributed to increasing land based activities. Our results show that by integrating multiple coralproxies, it is possible to distinguish between climatic and/or anthropogenic induced changes in
sediment discharge.

135

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Shell microstructural changes in shell layers of the chemosynthetic bivalve,
Conchocele bisecta
Nishida K1*, Nakashima R2, Majima R3, Suzuki A2 and Hikida Y4
1 The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
2 Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanved Industrial Science and Techology, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan
3 Yokohama National University, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
4 Nakagawa Museum of Natural History, Hokkaido 098-2626, Japan___________* corresponding author: koz_n@um.u -tokyo.ac.jp

Conchocele bisecta (Thyasiridae, Bivalvia) is known as a chemosynthetic bivalve endemic to reducing
environments such as seep sites, and bears symbiotic sulfer-oxidizing bacteria in its gill tissue. Thoughseveral anatomical and ecological studies of Conchocele have been carried out, shell growth patterns
have not been studied before. Therfore, we attempted to reveal the shell growth pattern of C. bisecta
focusing on the microstructural changes in shell layers and shell isotope data. We used Holocene
specimens collected at four sites: Okhotsk Sea (400-450 m in depth); off Wakkanai, Japan Sea (100120m); off Niigata, Japan Sea (420-450 m); Sagami Bay on the Pacific coast of Japan (1100-1200 m).
In addition, we collected specimens from the middle Pleistocene (Kakinokidai Formation, Kazusa
group, central Japan; 100-150 m in paleobathymetry). The shell structure was examined by using
SEM, acetate peel method, and XRD analysis.
Each specimen at the five sites showed outer, middle and inner layers as well as a myostracum
that consisted of aragonite. Thick disturbance rings were observed in the outer and middle layers. The
outer layer showed spherulites of various sizes and shapes (spherulitic, planar spherulitic, spherulitic
prismatic structures) and spindles in each specimen. The middle layer was divided into the outer (conecomplex crossed-lamellar structure) and inner parts (crossed-lamellar structure) with a transitionalboundary. The inner layer had three types of sublayers (cone complex crossed-lamellar structure, IL1;
alternation of irregular prismatic and fine complex crossed-lamellar structures, IL2; irregular complex
crossed-lamellar structure, IL3). Two regional groups (group 1: Okhotsk Sea, off Wakkanai, off
Niigata and group 2: Sagami Bay, Kakinokidai Formation) were identified by the shell morphologicalcharacteristics, the position of the thick disturbance rings, and the characteristics of the
microstructures in the inner layer (IL1 and IL2, mainly IL3). The oxygen and carbon isotope ratios
were measured in the outer layer of the Okhotsk specimen along the axis of maximum growth(distance from umbo: 0-110 mm). There were two growth stages divided by spherulite sizes (small andlarge) and isotope fluctuations. In the early growth stage (0-70 mm), the growth phases showed threecycles and high-amplitude variations (δ18O = 3.8‰ to 4.5‰ and δ13C = -3.1‰ to 1.2‰), and, in thelate growth stage (70-115 mm), five cycles and low-amplitude variations (δ18O = 3.6‰ to 4.1‰ andδ13C = -2.5‰ to -0.1‰). The boundary between the two stages showed a rapid increase in thespherulite size and the first appearance of disturbance rings. These characteristics may be affected bychanges in shell growth rate caused by sexual maturity or rapid environmental change. Disturbancerings observed in the outer shell surface coincided with the positions strongly depleted in 13C and 18O
and the increase of spherulite sized crystals.

136

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronological analysis of the Early Cretaceous Boreal Realm
belemnite Arcroteuthis lateralis
Nunn EV1*, Price GD2 and Schöne BR1
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK___________* corresponding author: nunn@uni-mainz.de

Since the earliest days of oxygen isotope analysis in biogenic carbonates, belemnite rostra have beenused to reconstruct palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental conditions. This has been done however,with no true understanding of belemnite ontogeny or ecology. How long did belemnites live for?
Where did they live (shallow/deep waters; benthic/pelagic)? Were they active swimmers? Did theymigrate extensively (vertically and/or laterally) during their lives? Preliminary investigations intosome of these questions have been undertaken, however definitive answers remain elusive. This
presents a major problem because both ontogenetic and ecological factors significantly influence thefractionation of certain isotopes and trace elements into biogenic calcite, and as long as these factors
remain unknown in belemnites, it will remain impossible to accurately reconstruct past environments
and climates from belemnite-derived geochemical data. Acroteuthis lateralis (Phillips, 1835) was
endemic to the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Boreal Realm. It is one of the largest and most robust
belemnite species known. The adult rostra typically exceed 50 mm diameter in the stem region, andthe apex, apical canal and phragmocone are all strongly ventrally displaced. Together, these features
result in a belemnite that is ideal for sclerochronological analysis because the section of the rostrum
between the apical canal and dorsal margin is significantly expanded. This provides an excellent
opportunity to investigate growth-increment, stable isotope and trace element variability in the rostrumat an extremely high resolution. This contribution presents preliminary sclerochronological data froman Acroteuthis lateralis specimen collected from a Lower Cretaceous shallow marine succession in
Russia. Ultimately, this study will provide vital, new information that will considerably improve ourunderstanding of the belemnite mode of life and consequently, will significantly advance and refine
future palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental investigations.

137

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Pb concentration and isotopes in Pacific sclerosponge
Ohmori K1*, Watanabe T1, Tanimizu M2, Matuoka J3 and Shirai K4,5
1 Department of Natural History Science, Hokkaido University, Japan,
2 JAMSTEC, Kanasawa, Japan
3 Marine Works Japan Ltd., Japan
4 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
5 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan___________* corresponding author: kazuto@mail.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

During 20th century, most lead (Pb) contamination in the environment was derived from anthropogenic
aerosols, e.g., the combustion of leaded gasoline. We can identify the sources of Pb pollution by using
Pb isotopes (206Pb/207Pb, 208Pb/207Pb), because their isotopic ratios are region-specific (Bollhofer et al.
2000 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 65, 1727-1740). Pb contents in biogenic carbonates (e.g., corals andbivalves) have been used to reconstruct the historical changes of ambient Pb composition (e.g., Shenand Boyle 1987 Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 82, 289-304; Lazareth et al. 2000 Geol. 28, 515-518).
Sclerosponges (coralline sponges) are also potential recorders of Pb change in the ocean surface
because their skeletons contain > 10 times more Pb than corals. In addition, sclerosponge skeletons
grow slowly (0.01-1.34 mm/year), live up to several hundred years, can be found thoughout thegeological record and occur in various water depths (< 500 m; Druffel et al. 1986 Nature 321, 58-61;
Rosenheim et al. 2005 Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol. 228, 109-129). In this study, wemeasured Pb concentrations and Pb isotopes in high-Mg calcite skeletons of the sclerosponge,
Acanthochaetetes wellsi, collected from Kume Island, Japan (East China Sea), to assess the usefulnessof this species as a proxy for historical lead pollution and atmospheric circulation. High-resolution Pb
contents in the skeletons were obtained using Laser Ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS). Pb isotope ratiosof the skeletons were analyzed with a Multiple Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS; Tanimizu and Ishikawa 2006 Geochem J. 40, 121-133).
The Pb contents reached 2-11 ppm, i.e., 20 times higher than those reported for corals.
Skeletal Pb concentrations increased gradually from 1970 to 1980 and increased more rapidly until thelate 1990s. Therafter, Pb values decreased suddenly. This trend indicated that the emission of Pb fromanthropognic aerosols has changed dynamically near the sampling site. The 206Pb/207Pb ratio increased
from 1970 to the late 1990s, and then decresed. Also, the 208Pb/207Pb ratio was higher between 1970
and 1980, and then decreased afterward. These isotope profiles indicate that the Pb pollution source
has shifted from Japan to China at around 1980.

138

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Sclerochronology: a highly versatile tool for mariculture and reconstructionof life history traits of the queen conch, Strombus gigas (Gastropoda)
Radermacher P1*, Gischler E2, Oschmann W2, Thébault J3 and Fiebig J2
1 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Institute of Geoscience, Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
3 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: radermap@uni-mainz.de

The shell of the queen conch Strombus gigas provides a rapidly growing palaeoenvironmental proxyarchive, allowing the detailed reconstruction of important life-history traits such as ontogeny, growthrate and growth seasonality. In this study, modern sclerochronological methods are used to cross-date
the palaeotemperatures derived from the shell with local sea surface temperature (SST) records. The
growth history of the shell suggests a bimodal seasonality in growth, with the growing season confinedto the interval between April and November. In Glovers Reef, offshore Belize, the queen conchaccreted shell carbonate at rates of up to 6 mm day-1 during the spring (April-June) and autumn(September-November). However a reduced period of growth occurred during the mid-summer
months (July-August). The shell growth patterns indicate a positive response to annual seasonality
with regards to precipitation. It seems likely that when precipitation levels are high, food availability is
increased as the result of nutrient input to the ecosystem in correspondence with an increase in coastal
runoff. Slow growth rates occur when precipitation, and as a consequence riverine runoff, is low. The
SST however appears to influence growth only on a secondary level. Despite the bimodal growing
season and the winter cessation in growth, the growth rates reconstructed here from two S. gigas shells
are among the fastest yet reported for this species. The S. gigas specimens from Belize reached their
final shell height (of 22.7 and 23.5 cm in distance between the apex and the siphonal notch) at thetransition to adulthood in just 2 years. The extremely rapid growth as observed in this species permits
detailed, high-resolution reconstructions of life history traits where sub-daily resolutions can beachieved with ease. The potential for future studies has yet to be further explored. Queen conchsclerochronology provides an opportunity to recover extremely high-resolution palaeotemperaturerecords, which could be used to improve numeric cimate models, where the shells essentially function
as mineralized buoys. The shell recorder may also help to reveal changes in biogeochemical dynamics
in benthic ecosystems on intra-seasonal time scales in the fossil record. Furthermore, sclerochronology
provides a rapid, effective and highly versatile investigative strategy when compared to time- andcost-consuming fieldwork for improving fisheries management and maricultural pursuits.

139

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Generating growth and calcification in freshwater mollusks in closedsystem tank ecosystems: a starting point for climatic and ecological proxycalibration
Reutter M*, Radermacher P, Beierlein L and Maus M
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: magnusre@students.uni-mainz.de

In order to test and calibrate climatic and ecological proxy data from bivalve shells it is essential toconduct tank experiments where the environmental parameters are known. Although it is easy to keep
bivalves alive, it is currently extremely difficult to generate shell growth in vitro. In this study weinvestigated potential methods for generating shell growth using two bivalve genera, Anodonta sp. andUnio. sp. We connected three 120 liter tanks to each other using a shared filter system to ensure thatconditions were constant in each tank. Specimens were introduced to the tank environment in
December 2008, and the bivalves were monitored for a 17-month period. In addition, in an attempt tomaintain a stable ecosystem, several plants (Elodea sp., Ceratophyllum sp.) and gastropods of thegenus Limnea sp. were also introduced. Water temperatures ranged between 18.5°C in the winter and
26.0°C in the summer, with pH values typically fluctuating around 8.4. After the experimental period
was over, some of the shells were removed from the tanks and then prepared using standardsclerochronological techniques. The bivalves showed very little shell growth, whereas the gastropods
grew by up to 3 cm in height. Further research is needed in order to optimize the conditions for shell
growth in tank experiments and to identify the physical and chemical requirements of the animals.

140

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Variations in stable isotopic composition of unionid shells from Lake
Balaton (Hungary): recent and archaeological studies
Schöll-Barna G1*, Demény A1, Sümegi P2, Serlegi G3, Fábián S4, Cserny T5, Fórizs I1 andBajnóczi B1
1 Institute for Geochemical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1112 Budapest, Hungary
2 Department of Geology and Paleontology, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Hungary
3 Archaeological Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1014 Budapest, Hungary
4 Field Service for Cultural Heritage, 1036 Budapest, Hungary
5 Hungarian Academy of Science, 1051 Budapest, Hungary___________* corresponding author: gbarna@geochem.hu

Carbonate samples were taken from Unio shells and were measured for stable oxygen and carbon
isotope compositions in order to understand how climate conditions are reflected by the isotopic
composition of Unio shell material from Lake Balaton (Hungary). The physical and oxygen isotope
monitoring of the lake water was conducted between 1999 and 2005 and between 2007 and 2009 anddata were compared with the stable isotopic composition of Unio shell specimens grown in the same
period. Using sampling conducted at high-resolution, variations in seasonal fluctuation can beobserved. The period studied contain wet and extremely dry periods beyond the normal years and,
therefore, the isotopic variation detected in ambient water and shell isotopic profile can be related
directly to the amount of precipitation, inflow and evaporation and studied more detailed. According
to the recent examinations Unio shells are reflect the environmental variations and the processes in thepast can be better understand.
The past climate reconstruction based isotopic variation of shell carbonate can bedemonstrated through two archaeological study. Within the Late Copper Age subphases covered by
the excavation sites in Balatonkeresztúr (southern part of Lake Balaton). Based on stable isotopic
composition of shell material from archaeological periods, the period of Boleraz subphase of Baden(5460-5310 cal yr BP) can be characterized with warm/dry climatic condition. Around 5310 cal yr BP(between Boleraz and Early Classical Baden) the climate turns into a variable condition and becomes
wet/cold in agreement with archaeological and palynological studies. The positive shift in isotopic
compositions of shells from the subphase of Early Classical Baden (5310-5060 cal yr BP) suggests anincreasingly arid condition, which is not shown in archaeological studies. This observation may
suggest that short term dry to wet changes can influence more the settlement structure and agronomy
in this area, than increasing drought. The isotopic composition of bivalve samples from the Bronze
Age from Ordacsehi (southern part of Lake Balaton) suggests that the Early Bronze Age (3960 cal BP)
can be characterized with stable conditions, while shells measured from the Middle to the Late Bronze
Age (3690 cal yr BP) indicate variable, wet climatic conditions.
Our study demonstrates that the stable isotopic composition of bivalve shells can be used as a
powerful tool to detect past climate variations.

141

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

“Neither fish nor fowl?” Significant increase of animal protein in humandiet during the Neolithic in Central Germany
Siebert A1*, Oelze VM2, Ulrich N1, Nicklisch N1, Ganslmeier R3 and Alt KW1
1 Institute of Anthropology, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
2 Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
3 State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, 06114 Halle, Germany___________* corresponding author: angelina.siebert@uni-mainz.de

The most significant historic change in human diet was probably the transition from hunting andgathering to sedentary farming, which started in Central Germany at about 5500 BC. Many studies
have focused on this specific Meso-Neolithic change in diet in various geographical areas, but only
few took a closer look on the developments within the Neolithic. Acting on the assumption that the
adoption of this completely novel lifestyle was a long and laborious path of experimentation phases,
rebounds and learning processes, one must expect that husbandry and farming strategies were
subjected to a specific development dependent on experience and ecological resources of the Neolithic
populations. Even if corn is regarded to be the major basis of Neolithic foodstuff supply, the influenceof animal products in human diet should not be underestimated. Our study focuses on the impact ofanimal protein, whether from meat or dairy products, in human diet during 3500 years of agricultural
history. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bone collagen has been carried out on 258
human bone samples from all over Saxony-Anhalt, covering archaeological sites of the early, middle
and late Neolithic periods. The results of the δ15N investigation show a significant increase of animal
protein in human food consumption, which correlates with a chronological sequence of archaeologicalcultures. While animal products did not seem to play a major role in human diet in the Early Neolithic,
the importance of meat and dairy products increases during the Middle Neolithic and reaches its
highest level in populations of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. These developments may be
a result of various factors, e.g., a growing stabilization of the supply of animal products due tosophisticated husbandry practices, a shift of farming focuses as well as climatic factors orsociocultural developments. Our aim is to provide further insight into human food consumption andhusbandry strategies and to determine when and for what reasons people started to intensify livestock
breeding and dairy farming.

142

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Incremental patterns in nature: a model of 2D cyclic structure
Smolyar IV1*, Bromage TG2 and Wikelski M3
1 Ocean Climate Laboratory, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
2 Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
3 Department of Migration and Immunoecology, Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany___________* corresponding author: Igor.Smolyar@noaa.gov

Cyclic or periodic textures manifest in nature belong to the class we refer to as incremental patterns,
which reflect formation/life history attributes and potentially details about the mechanisms of patternformationn. The present work is concerned with incremental patterns formed in hard tissues.
Incremental patterns are layered, the widths of layers being a reflection of growth rate. The
significance of such layers for biological research is that changes in their widths reflect internal andexternal events in the life history of an organism, being a primary source of information about the
duration and amplitude of periodic phenomena as well as about other natural history events occurring
during formation: Information about cyclicity, interactions between environmental and/or
physiological cycles, and perturbations to the responding system are all inherently contained withinincremental patterns, providing a means of appreciating aspects of organismal life history or accretion
rates in the recent and historical past that could not be examined otherwise.
To formalize incremental patterns a discrete model is described that is based upon theparameterization of incremental pattern structure. Analysis contains two principal steps. First, an
incremental pattern is quantified; i.e., a plot of “Growth rate vs. Time” is constructed. The second stepis to use this plot to parameterize the incremental pattern. The possibility of developing a unified
formal framework for the processing of incremental patterns is based upon features common to mostincremental patterns: (a) Incremental patterns have a layered structure; (b) Each layer is developed
during one cycle of growth ΔTi, and the width of a layer is the measure of growth rate during ΔTi;(c) Due to numerous breaks and confluences of layers, incremental patterns are anisotropic; the size
and number of layers is a function of the direction in which the measurements are taken. Presently,
there is no method for the quantification of incremental patterns that takes anisotropy into account. It
follows from “c” that to quantify the growth rate of a 2D incremental pattern, it is necessary to connect
events that occur at different time scales. The impact of anisotropy on the accuracy of thequantification of growth rate variability is assessed by a calculation of entropy and an index ofstructural anisotropy; i.e., the notion of entropy is introduced as a measure of uncertainty in thequantification of growth rate, or the degree to which the model adequately represents the pattern.
The performance of the described method is illustrated on images of fish scales, dental
enamel, and incremental primary lamellar bone of iguana, monkey, and human. We visualize striking
periodicities in growth rate of all images. Incremental analysis has thus revealed cycles never before
observed, which occur at various frequencies.

143

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A new method for estimating calcification rate of coral skeletons using atransparent X-ray 2D-imaging scanner (TATSCAN-X1) in conjunction
with geochemical analyses
Sowa K1,2*, Sakamoto T2, Nakamura T1, Sakai S2, Iijima K2 and Watanabe T1
1 Department of Natural History Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
2 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan___________* corresponding author: sowa@mail.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

Calcification rate of coral skeletons is one of the crucial parameters for estimating climate change suchas global warming and ocean acidification related which are both related to CO2 fluctuations. Annual
calcification rate (g cm-2 year-1) is the product of annual extension rate (cm year-1) and average annualbulk-density (mainly depending on porosity; g cm-3) of coral skeletal growth relating to the global andlocal climate/ocean changes. We have developed a new analytical method estimating the calcification
rate from coral skeletons, which enables rapid and precise analyses of larger coral slabs.
For analyzing the coral calcification rate, it is necessary to develop (1) a non-destructive 2D
digital imaging method, (2) appropriate sample preparation methods, and (3) analyses software. We
used a newly developed non-destructive transparent X-ray 2D imaging scanner called “TATSCANX1” at JAMSTEC (Sakamoto et al. 2008 EGU A09065). It measures a 2D intensity of transparent Xray through coral samples by using digital imaging intensifier X-ray camera. It is possible to scan thematerials up to 1500 mm-long and 150 mm-wide. Spatial resolution of X-Y stage is set up within 0.1
mm. Conventional spatial resolution of digitized X-ray image will be < 50 μm. In order to minimize
the errors of coral skeletal density, the coral slab should be cut with thickness errors of ± ca. 50 μm. In
addition, we developed a software (“CoreCal”) for 2D-correction X-ray irradiation by 3D X-ray
hallow and made the calculation theory of skeletal density precisions estimated from the density
precisions of giant clam standards and thickness precisions of it and coral slab samples.
In this study, we will introduce the relationship between coral skeletal growth and seawater
physical and chemical properties. The new methods with geochemical analyses applied to massive
corals (10 to 15 cm in diameter) of the Porites spp. collected from Ishigaki Island, Japan in August
2009. Seven corals were collected 50 m interval from coast with depth transect of between 150 and
400 m (inner reef) and of 700 m (outer reef). For chronology of coral density band, we analyzed stable
oxygen isotope of coral skeleton along the coral growth direction using a GV IsoPrime mass
spectrometer with an automated carbonate system (IsoPrime Multiprep) at JAMSTEC. As a result,
skeletal density varies from 1.41 to 1.84 (g cm-3). The precisions of skeletal density were ca. 2.4%
(1σ). Our method with geochemical analyses should provide the precise data acquisition of coralcalcification rate in the point of that the estimation of the precisions and precise chronology.

144

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Isotopic approach to assess dissolved Mo and Ba uptake in scallop shells:
new insights into the use of Mo/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios as proxies in temperate
coastal environments
Tabouret H1,2*, Carlier A2, Thébault J2, Pécheyran C1, Chauvaud L2 and Amouroux D1
1 Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio Inorganique et Environnement (IPREM), Université de Pau et des pays de l’Adour, 64000 Pau,
France2 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France___________* corresponding author: tabourethelene@yahoo.fr

The understanding of climate and anthropogenic signals in the global climate change and the
disturbances of coastal ecosystems is of principal concern in the scientific community. The
investigation of fluctuations on short time-scales requires well-dated climate or environmentalarchives with a high temporal resolution. The successive calcareous layers of bivalve shells, able totrap and store elements from the surrounding environment, and abiding improvement of
microanalytical techniques such as LA-ICP-MS, were shown to provide a reliable tool to investigate
the high frequency variability of climate and primary productivity (Vander Putten et al. 2000
Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 997-1011).
Recent investigations using laser ablation on scallop shells (Comptopallium radula, Pecten
maximus) showed that the variability of Mo and Ba concentrations in shells could serve as a potential
high-resolution tracer of the phytoplankton dynamics in coastal environments (Thébault et al. 2009
Limnol. Oceanogr. 54, 1002-1014; Barats et al. 2010 Biogeosciences 7, 233-245). The extent of spring
Mo/Cashell enrichments was explained by the net uptake of silicate and nitrate by phytoplankton,
suggesting a connection with diatoms’ spring-time productivity (Barats et al. 2010 Biogeosciences 7,233-245). However, Barats et al. (2009 Biogeosciences 6, 157-170) demonstrated that Ba/Cashell ratio
cannot be used directly as a relevant paleoproductivity tracer and that complex processes occur in the
pelagic/benthic Ba cycle and are responsible for significant Ba inputs at the sediment-water interface.
Here, we propose a new experimental approach in order to better constrain the processes
controlling the Mo and Ba enrichments in scallop shells and to better assess their potential as proxies.
The influence of dissolved Mo and Ba on the formation of shell elemental peaks was assessed on
juvenile Pecten maximus using successive isotopic enrichments of the surrounding water. Experiment
took place during May corresponding to shell growth period of the scallops. The uptake and kineticsof 95Mo, 97Mo, 135Ba and 137Ba were followed during two weeks in scallop soft tissues using ICP-MSand in shells using femtosecond laser ablation coupled to an ICP-MS.

145

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Do freshwater gobies move along the river system? Investigations offreshwater habitat use of two Sicydiine species Sicydium punctatum(Carribean) and Sicyopterus lagocephalus (Indo-Pacific)
Tabouret H1,2*, Lord C2,3, Pécheyran C1, Monti D4 and Keith P2
1 Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio Inorganique et Environnement (IPREM), Université de Pau et des pays de l’Adour, 64000 Pau,
France2 Département Milieux et Peuplements Aquatiques, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN), 75231 Paris, France
3 Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8564, Japan
4 Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, 97159 Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe___________* corresponding author: tabourethelene@yahoo.fr

Tropical insular river systems are colonised by Sicydiinae, which are amphidromous fish. After
hatching in freshwater, free embryos drift downstream towards the sea where larval development
occurs. After larval growth, pelagic post-larvae recruit back to rivers where they undergo an extensive
metamorphosis; they become benthic and herbivorous. Although more than 110 Sicydiine species
exhibit this life pattern, little is known about it. It is, however, essential to understand each step of thiscycle for conservation issues as recruiting post-larvae support fisheries, which are declining.
The pelvic suction cup allows Sicydiinae to colonize habitats far upstream in the river system.
However, recent studies showed that early-hatched larvae have less than three days to reach theestuary while prolonged exposure to freshwater increases mortality (Bell 2009 Am. Fish. Soc. Symp.
69, 321-341; Valade et al. 2009 Cybium 33, 309-319). Consequently, the closer the spawning grounds
are to the river mouth the higher the larval survival rate is. Why do adults colonise elevated habitats if
the larval survival rate decreases with the distance from the estuary? Do adult individuals move along
the river system?
In order to assess the freshwater habitat use, we investigated otolith elemental fingerprint for
two Sicydiinae species: Sicydium punctatum from Guadeloupe and Sicyopterus lagocephalus from
Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios in otoliths are known to be potential tracers offreshwater and marine habitats. Elemental variations were analysed using femtosecond laser ablation
coupled with an ICP-MS. All specimens of both species showed evidence of a marine larval stage,
confirming amphidromy. Based on Sr/Ca ratios, adult migratory behaviour was observed forS. lagocephalus with movements between freshwater and brackish habitats but not for S. punctatum.
However, significant peaks of Ba/Ca ratios in some S. punctatum individuals do indicate a change inenvironmental conditions within the freshwater system. Based on these results, several hypotheses
about the change in environmental conditions during both Sicyopterus and Sicydium adult life are
discussed: reproductive migrations, search of territory, flooding events etc. The consequences of theseobservations in terms of species management and conservation are also discussed. In addition, thiswork shows the importance of conjointly using several environmental elemental markers to study
migratory behaviour.

146

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Proteomic and mRNA expression analyses in the teleost fish otolith andscale suggest organic control of rhythmic growth and biomineralization
Takagi Y1*, Tohse H1,2, Ogawa N1 and Nagasawa H2
1 Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan
2 Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan___________* corresponding author: takagi@fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Two important age determinants of teleost fishes, the otolith and scale, are the biominerals that containcalcium carbonate (aragonite) and calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) crystals, respectively. Here, we
review our recent data of proteomic analyses of organic matrices and mRNA expression analyses of
selected matrix proteins in these tissues.
Otolith. Using MS/MS analysis, N-terminal sequencing and immunoscreening of a cDNA
library, we have identified 17 proteins in the otolith matrix and endolymph (the mother solution of
otolith crystallization) of the rainbow trout. The otolith matrix mainly contained a putative framework
molecule, otolin-1, and some calcium-binding proteins such as OMP-1 and OMM-64. The endolymph
contained no detectable otolith matrix proteins. These data suggest that otolith matrix molecules,
which are produced by inner ear epithelial cells and secreted into the endolymph, deposit onto theotolith quickly and selectively. In the in-vitro crystallization system, the aggregate complex that
included otolin-1 and OMM-64 induced the aragonite crystals. Moreover, expression of otolin-1
mRNA had apparent diel variations with high levels at night. Taken these data together with previous
reports, we present here a hypothesis that diel variations in otolin-1 production lead to diel depositionof aggregate complex that includes OMM-64 and other matrix proteins, which regulates dieldeposition of aragonite crystals. Such rhythmic growth may finally result in formation of daily growthincrements.
Scale. Using MS/MS analysis, we have identified 5 putative mineralization-related proteinsfrom goldfish scales. The apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) is one of the candidate proteins that induce
mineralization of the scale. The protein constructed high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the scale. The
scale HDL was more acidic than that in the blood, had an ability of self-aggregation, and interactedwith calcium phosphate crystals. The Apo A-I mRNA was expressed not in the scale cells, but in thehepatocytes. Therefore, the HDL was suggested to be produced in the liver, introduced to the scale
through the blood, changed its charge more acidic, and might regulate the growth of apatite crystals.

147

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Temperature and pH proxies in cultured scleractinian corals
Taubner I1*, Böhm F1, Eisenhauer A1, Garbe-Schönberg D2 and Erez J3
1 Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), 24148 Kiel, Germany
2 Institute of Geosciences, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, 24118 Kiel, Germany
3 Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel___________* corresponding author: itaubner@ifm-geomar.de

Corals are well-established proxy recorders for climate reconstructions. They have been applied
successfully in many studies, in spite of their strong vital effects with respect to stable isotopes andtrace element incorporation. The impact of temperature on several proxies has been studied
extensively, whereas the effect of pH and concomitant variations in biogenic calcification has been
examined to a lesser extent. To investigate the effect of both environmental parameters, a branchingscleractinian coral of the genus Pocillopora sp. was grown under controlled laboratory conditions innatural seawater at (1) a temperature range from 22 to 28°C at constant pH; and (2) a pH range from
7.8 to 8.3 at constant temperature.
The temperature exerts a weak control on δ18O in Pocillopora sp. with -0.14‰/°C, which is ingood agreement with sensitivity of -0.13‰/°C determined for Pavona clavus (Wellington et al. 1996
Paleoceanog. 11, 467-480). The temperature response of Sr/Ca in Pocillopora sp. is significant (0.07 mmol/mol/°C) and compares well with the range of observed sensitivities of coral Sr/Ca (-0.03 to-0.09, Reynaud et al. 2007 GCA 71, 354-362) and inorganic aragonite (-0.045, Dietzel et al. 2004
Chem. Geol. 203, 139-151). Although absolute values of Mg/Ca differ, the slope of+0.15 mmol/mol/°C agrees with the one determined in Porites lutea (+0.13, Mitsuguchi et al. 1996
Science 274, 961-963) and Acropora sp. (+0.14, Reynaud et al. 2007 GCA 71, 354-362).
The pH shows a clear control on δ11B in Pocillopora sp. δ11B systematically increases with pH
by about +10‰/pH-unit. Data comply with isotopic signatures of other branching corals of Acropora
sp. (Hönisch et al. 2004 GCA 68, 3675-3685). However, they are still systematically enriched in 11B
relative to the empirical value for aqueous B(OH)4- (Klochko et al. 2006 EPSL 248, 261-270). δ18O
also demonstrates a weak response to pH with -0.7 ‰/pH-unit. Spero et al. (1997 Nature 390, 497500) observed a similar trend demonstrating that foraminiferal oxygen isotopes inversely correlatewith seawater carbonate concentrations. Unlike responses of stable isotopes, Sr/Ca is not affected by
pH. This appears to be in contrast to findings in Favia fragum recruits by Cohen et al. (2009Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. 10, Q07005, 12p.), showing that Sr/Ca increases at low pH. The pH also
exerts a control on Mg/Ca in Pocillopora sp., with 0.52 mmol/mol/pH-unit. A similar trend was foundin Favia fragrum (Cohen et al. 2009 Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. 10, Q07005, 12p).

148

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Polar coralline red algae as potential environmental recorder
Teichert S1* and Freiwald A2
1 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Senckenberg Research Institute, Department of Marine Research, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: Sebastian.Teichert@gzn.uni-erlangen.de

During the past decades, the investigation of cool-water carbonate factories has gained momentum
within carbonate geology. The least known cool-water carbonate factories are those of the polar
regions. Prominent primary producers in marine carbonate factories are coralline red algae, which
secrete cell wall compartments of cryptocrystalline Mg-calcites. Almost all coralline algae start togrow from settled spores on a hardsubstrate to form a crust. They add cell filaments laterally andsubsequently on top of existing ones. With time, several centimetres thick crusts with a layered
arrangement of calcified filaments may result. Additionally, many species form branches with anultrastructural composition showing distinct banding patterns, which differ in filament and cell wall
thickness and Mg content. Examination of these potentially annual bands may be applicable to detectenvironmental variables such as variations and trends in temperature fluctuations and possibly changes
in the nutritional regime.
In 2006, the northernmost coralline algal grounds were discovered at 80°30’N off
Nordaustlandet (Svalbard) during RV Merian cruise MSM2/3. This site and several others around
Svalbard were thoroughly documented and sampled with the manned submarine Jago (IFM Geomar,
Kiel). Additional data concerning the physical environment were achieved by multibeam mapping
surveys, CTD- and light-measurements. The video footage obtained during the Jago-dives wascomplemented by using a photographic probe (Photosea 70D) to achieve high-resolution still imagesof the seabed.
These recent findings show that polar coralline algae are much more widespread thanpreviously thought, thus representing a unique polar carbonate factory. The value of these coralline
algae to reconstruct historic environmental changes will be evaluated using radiometric dating,geochemical methods and a sclerochronological approach. The coralline algal grounds off Svalbard
will be compared with those sampled off northern Norway (Freiwald and Henrich 1994 Sedimentol.
41, 963-984), still beyond the Polar Circle. This comparison may help to elucidate the influence ofpoleward increasing seasonality on calcifying organisms. The ultrastructure of skeletal banding
patterns will be assessed with SEM and transmitted light microscopy, which together with aphotographic documentation will serve for a statistical examination of the banding patterns. The nondestructive element mapping for quantification and detection of shifts and sites of calcite and major
trace elements such as Mg will be carried out using electron microprobe and laser ablation. Individual
growth increments will be microdrilled to collect samples for stable isotopes (δ18O and δ13C) and for14
C dating methods. This study may provide hard data to the debate on the ongoing environmental
change in the Arctic.

149

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Barium and molybdenum records in shells of Comptopallium radula(Bivalvia; Pectinidae): high-resolution proxies for phytoplankton dynamics
in the coral reef lagoon of New Caledonia
Thébault J1*, Chauvaud L1, L’Helguen S1, Clavier J1, Barats A2, Pécheyran C3 andAmouroux D3
1 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 Laboratoire de Radiochimie et des Sciences Analytiques et Environnement (EA 1175), Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, 06108 Nice,
France3 Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio Inorganique et Environnement (IPREM), Université de Pau et des pays de l’Adour, 64000 Pau,
France___________* corresponding author: julien.thebault@univ-brest.fr

Ba/Ca and Mo/Ca ratios were investigated in shells of the tropical scallop Comptopallium radula.
Three juvenile specimens were harvested alive in the southwest lagoon of New Caledonia (southwest
Pacific Ocean) after a 1-year weekly hydrological survey. Calcite samples representing a few hours of
biomineralization were laser-ablated along the maximal growth axis and analyzed for Ba/Ca andMo/Ca ratios using an ICP-MS. Absolute dates of shell precipitation assigned on the basis of periodic
formation of shell growth patterns led to the accurate reconstruction of ontogenetic variations ofelemental ratios with subweekly resolution.
Inter-individual variability of Ba/Ca and Mo/Ca time series was low, indicating anenvironmental control on the incorporation of these elements within shells. Both profiles werecharacterized by a background level punctuated by sharp peaks. The ingestion of diatoms enriched in
Ba (adsorbed on iron oxyhydroxides associated with the frustules) is the most likely cause of theformation of Ba/Ca peaks in this bivalve species. Some contribution of diatom-associated barite
crystals is also possible. In every instance, Ba/Ca would possibly be a proxy for the timing andmagnitude of diatom blooms in New Caledonia. Among all the theories that could be advanced to
explain the occurrence of Mo/Ca peaks, the most plausible ones appear to be (1) the ingestion ofphytoplankton cells grown upon nitrate and therefore containing high levels of Mo required for theactivity of nitrate reductase, and (2) the release of Mo out of the sediment during the development ofanoxic conditions at the sediment-water interface. If so, then Mo/Ca could be a new proxy either (1)for nitrate uptake by phytoplankton in coastal ecosystems, which would contribute to ourunderstanding of the historical balance between new and regenerated production, or (2) for
hypoxia/anoxia events at SWI.
We conclude with confirmation that Ba/Ca is an interesting tool, albeit still poorly understood,
for describing historical phytoplankton dynamics in New Caledonia, and the introduction of Mo/Ca asa promising addition to the arsenal of proxies. Further work, such as experiments under semicontrolled conditions, is necessary to confirm these two elements as proxies.

150

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A novel approach for the determination of growth increments of Arctica
islandica
Theopold F1*, Bisling P1, Brey T2 and Krause-Nehring J2
1 Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Centre, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
2 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany___________* corresponding author: felix.theopold@gkss.de

The outer border of transects along the line of strongest growth of Arctica islandica can be welldescribed by a logarithmic spiral with its origin in the vicinity of the ligament. A logarithmic spiral isusually given in polar coordinates as R = A • exp [B • φ(t)] (1) where R is the distance from the originof the spiral, A is the amplitude, B is a constant and φ(t) is the time-dependent growth angle function.
Fitting this spiral to several transects of A. islandica reveals – at least for specimens found near theisland of Helgoland, Germany – a nearly constant factor B in (1). The growth angle function φ(t) itself
can be approximated in a good way by an exponential decay function with obvious deviations which
may be assigned to several factors to be discussed.
Two practical aspects of this method should be mentioned here. Firstly, discontinuities in thegrowth angle plot (i.e., φ vs. index of stria) may indicate unresolved stria which in turn may bediscovered by closer investigation of the region theoretically expected. Secondly, for one bivalve theline of growth in the umbo region is described by (1) with the same parameter set except the amplitude
A. Finding the umbo amplitude Au is easily accomplished by drawing chords from the origin of the
spiral to at least two consecutive stria in the mantle. Then Au is varied until two consecutive striae in
the umbo region strike the intersection points of chords with the spiral function. In this manner,
measurements from the umbo are uniquely mapped to those from the mantle.

151

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

High-frequency oscillations in annual shell growth of bivalves: physiologicalrather than climatic control?
Thiele S*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: sthiele@students.uni-mainz.de

Variations of annual shell growth can provide valuable information about past climates. To generatesuch information, growth increment widths are typically measured in the outer shell layer near to theouter shell surface (OSS), i.e., along the axis of height, or in the hinge plate (HP). However, it remains
untested whether the relative increase in shell height and the growth of the hinge plate are actuallysimilar. In this study, annual increment width chronologies (OSS and HP) of five Arctica islandica
specimens, collected alive from offshore Iceland, were compared with each other. Measurements weregenerated using digitized images of cross-sections immersed in Mutvei’s solution. Inherent age-trends
were removed from the time-series and the data standardized (SGI values). Despite a highly
significant linear correlation (R = 0.58-0.75; p < 0.0001), the two records from each specimen were
not exactly the same. On the contrary, residual chronologies computed from the OSS and HP records(ΔSGI) showed significant (tested by white noise spectra) periodic fluctuations on time-scales of two
to three years. Furthermore, continuous wavelet spectra of the ΔSGI chronologies demonstrated thatthe spectral densities do not occur contemporaneously among the five specimens. These findings
strongly suggest that growth in shell height (= shell size) and the hinge plate alternates periodically. In
addition, these variations do not seem to be controlled by external forcings, but by the individual
physiological state. It is hypothesized that functional morphological demands or biomechanical needs
control these variations in shell growth rather than climate. In conclusion, high-frequency periodic
oscillations in annual increment width chronologies obtained from bivalve shells should be interpretedwith great care in the future.

152

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Longevity and growth rates of Desmophyllum dianthus in the Marmara Sea
and its potential as high-resolution geochemical deep-sea archive
Trotter J1*, Montagna P2,3, López Correa M4, Vertino A5, McCulloch MT1, Goldstein S2, Ritt
B6, Henry P7 and Taviani M3
1 ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, School of Earth and Environment, Crawley 6009,
Australia
2 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
3 National Research Council, Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
4 GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
5 Dip. Scienze Geologiche e Geotechnologie, Università di Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
6 Laboratoire Environnement Profond (DEEP/LEP), Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), 29280
Plouzané, France
7 Centre Européen de Recherche et d’Enseignement des Géosciences de l’Environnement (CEREGE), Chaire de Géodynamique du Collège
de France, 13545 Aix en Provence, France___________* corresponding author: julie.trotter@uwa.edu.au

Living framework building cold-water corals have been observed at ambient temperatures of ca.
13.9°C in the Ionian Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, as well as late Holocene solitary corals in
the Eastern Mediterranean. These foreshadowed the discovery of living cold-water corals in 2007 in
the Marmara Sea, where during submersible-dives (Le Nautile / RV Atalante / MARNAUTexpedition) large and abundant occurrences of the solitary deep-sea coral Desmophyllum dianthus
were filmed and sampled along steep cliffs. These recently dead corals have been documented at
depths of ca. 900 to 1200 m, where temperatures of ca. 14.5°C and fairly low dissolved oxygen
concentrations of < 1.27 ml/l prevail. Framework building cold-water corals like Lophelia pertusa andMadrepora oculata have not been observed in this low-oxygen environment. The individual solitarycoral cones reach 15 cm in height with a calyx diameter of 7 cm. Their size rivals that of their recent
Atlantic cousins in the Northwest Atlantic (e.g., New England Seamounts), while most Recent
D. dianthus in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean comprise much smaller corallites.
The age and growth rate of a 10 cm high D. dianthus specimen has been constrained by six Useries ages along the growth axis. The base of the coral dates back to ca. 100 years, while thesubsequently younger ages are evenly spaced, approaching present-day (ca. 25 years). The calculated
growth rate of ca. 1 mm/yr resembles those obtained from North Atlantic corals, varying between 0.5
and 2.0 mm/yr. This quick growth rate allows us to test these corals as a potential high-resolutionarchive (sub-annual) for a wide variety of environmental and geochemical parameters. We are using
these age constraints to track changes through time. Using the ‘lines technique’, that is, applying afunction of the linear regression of δ18O and δ13C values of the skeletal aragonite, temperaturereconstructions at six characteristic time slices across the last century are being attempted.
Radiocarbon is being measured along the growth axes, to reveal past seawater concentrations of Δ14C
and the pattern of change of the anthropogenic bomb-spike. Likewise, boron isotopes (δ11B), at known
age intervals from the U-series based growth rate model, has been measured to track changes of pH. In
addition, neodymium (143Nd/144Nd) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes are being measured to track any
changes in the Marmara watermasses.

153

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

A molluscan perspective on hydrological cycle dynamics in northwestern
EuropeVersteegh EAA1*, Vonhof HB2, Troelstra SR2 and Kroon D1,3
1 Earth System Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
2 Institute of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, Scotland, UK___________* corresponding author: emma.versteegh@vub.ac.be

We present the application of unionid freshwater mussel δ18O values as a proxy for past riverconditions in the Rhine and Meuse (The Netherlands). We used a set of nine shells from selectedclimatic intervals during the late Holocene. One Meuse river shell lived during the Subboreal and its
δ18Oar values are similar to modern values. The Rhine specimens represent the Subboreal, the Roman
Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period. These shells also show averages and ranges of aragonite
δ18O values similar to modern specimens. This indicates that environmental conditions such as Rhine
river dynamics, Alpine meltwater input and drought severity during these climatic intervals weresimilar to those of the 20th century. Subtle centennial to millennial climatic variations during the late
Holocene cannot be discerned in these shells. This is due to their relatively short lifespan and the large
inter-annual and intra-seasonal variation in environmental conditions. However, these shells appear
suitable for studying seasonal to decadal scale climate variability. The two shells with the longest
lifespan appear to show decadal scale variability in reconstructed water δ18O values during theMedieval Warm Period, possibly forced by the North Atlantic Oscillation, which is the dominantmode of variability influencing precipitation regimes over Western Europe.

154

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Small metabolic carbon contribution to shell carbonates of cultured
freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis sp.
Yoshimura T1,2*, Izumida H3, Suzuki A4, Ishimura T2, Nakashima R2 and Kawahata H1,2
1 Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8563, Japan
2 Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8564, Japan
3 Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8521, Japan
4 Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanved Industrial Science and Techology, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan___________* corresponding author: yoshimura@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp

The stable carbon isotope ratios of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) can reveal carbon dynamics interrestrial water systems. Many researchers have analyzed stable carbon isotope ratios of freshwaterbivalve shells in order to evaluate their potential as a proxy of stable carbon isotope values of DIC(13CDIC). The two major sources of inorganic carbon of bivalve shells are DIC of the ambient waterand metabolic carbon derived from consumed organic matter (e.g., McConaughey et al. 1997
Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 61, 611-622). The amount of metabolic carbon is typically less than 10%
in bivalve carbonates, while the contribution of each carbon source changes with ontogeny (Lorrain etal. 2004 Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68, 3509-3519; Gillikin et al. 2009 J. Geophys. Res. 114,
G01007).
We present stable carbon isotope ratios of shells of the commercially cultured freshwater pearl
mussel, Hyriopsis sp., (Unionidae) and 13CDIC values of ambient water from Lake Kasumigaura,
Japan. Three 13C profiles of the outer shell layer (13CSHELL) along the axis of maximum shell growth
were correlated with each other using shell 18O values. The numbers of 18O cycles in the outer shelllayer was five or six. This is consistent with the age indicated by the pearl culture records. The
13CSHELL values varied mainly from ca. -12 ‰ to ca. -9 ‰, and, unlike the water temperature profile,its pattern was not symmetric and sinusoidal. Amplitudes of each isotope cycle exhibited neither aclear annual periodicity nor an ontogenic trend. All water samples were collected between February
2008 and September 2009 near the aquaculture facilities. The concentration of carbon and the 13CDIC
values varied greatly from 2.5 mM and -8 ‰ in winter to 1.5 mM and -13.6 ‰ in summer.
Taking the 13C values of organic materials in Lake Kasumigaura into account and the typicalamount of metabolic carbon incorporation of ca. 10%, the metabolic carbon likely causes a > -2.5‰
decrease in 13CSHELL values. However 13CSHELL values compare well to the 13CDIC values of thesurrounding water during the growth period of the shells. The contributions of metabolic carbon to13CSHELL values are assumed to be minor in this specimen. The absence of secular 13C trends withincreasing ontogenetic age suggests that the contributions of body size to 13CSHELL values are also
minor. Despite missing data of temperature dependence on carbon isotope fractionation, large 13C
fluctuations of ambient water suggest that 13CSHELL values may serve as a proxy of past freshwater
DIC dynamics.

155

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Controls of ontogenetic age and growth rate on trace elements in marine
aragonitic bivalve shells: implications for the development of trace elemenal
proxies
Zhang Z1,2*, Radermacher P2, Maurer A-F2, Nunn EV2, Hallmann N2 and Tütken T3
1 Institute of Mineral Resources,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciencesy, Beijing 100037, China
2 Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
3 Steinmann Institute for Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany___________* corresponding author: zhangzengjie@hotmail.com

Trace element conentrations of bivalve shells contain a wealthy of environmental and climatic
information of the past (special issues by Schöne and Surge 2005 Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol
Palaeoecol., Gröcke and Gillikin 2008 Geo-Mar. Lett., Oschmann 2009 Int. J. Earth Sci.). However,after more than half a century of study, most of the trace elemental variations are still not wellunderstood, largely because of lacking data on the specific biological controls on the trace elemental
distributions in the shells.
The present study aims at identifying the mechanisms of two major biological factors(ontogenetic age and growth rate) controlling the trace elemental incorporation into bivalve shells. 21
trace elements in shells of the long-lived bivalve mollusk, Arctica islandica, were studied over theentire lifespan of the bivalves, and their relations with age and growth rate were explored. Results
showed that the 21 trace elements fall into four categories further subdivided by ontogenetic age andgrowth rate. Through ontogeny and with decreasing growth rate, the concentrations of elements B,
Mg, Ga, Sr, Ba, Pb and U (“B group”) increase, while concentrations of elements of the “Li group”(Li, Na, Mn, Cu and Sn) decrease. V, Cr, Co, Ni, and Rb (“V group”) remain nearly unchanged. The
concentration of the elements Si, P, Fe and Zn (“Si group”) vary inconsistently from specimen to
specimen, showing no common trends. In addition, six elements (B, Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, and Ba) aresignificantly correlated (exponential functions) with ontogenetic age and shell growth rates(logarithmic equations). The effects of ontogenetic age and growth rate on bivalve shell elemental
concentrations and a potential means to extract environmental and climatic information from thesetrace elements are discussed.

156

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Seasonal to decadal climate variability during the Late Oligocene (‘Kasseler
Meeressand’ unit, Germany)
Zirkel J*
Earth System Science Research Center, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany___________* corresponding author: zirkjess@students.uni-mainz.de

The Oligocene was the last time in the Earth´s history when a unipolar glaciation was followed by asignificant reduction in polar ice-sheets as a consequence of increasing temperatures. In order toinvestigate the climate variability during the Late Oligocene, variations in shell growth, together withoxygen isotope and Sr/Ca ratios of the long-lived bivalve mollusks Arctica islandica rotundata and
Glycymeris obovata were measured. The bivalves were collected from the ‘Kasseler Meeressand’ unit
in the lower part of the Kassel Formation (Chattian Stage) in Kassel, Germany. At this time, theancient North Sea was connected to the Tethys in the south by the Central European Epicontinental
Seaway (CEES). The shallow water sediments of the Kassel Basin yielded a well-preserved bivalve
mollusk fauna, dominated by G. obovata. The specimens were mostly unaltered by diagenesis (basedon X-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence). Sclerochronological studies of the growth patterns
and the oxygen isotope ratios clearly exhibited annual cycles with distinct seasonal oscillations
confirming periodic formation of the shell material. Several specimens of G. obovata reachedontogenetic ages of more than 100 years and as such, they can open century-long windows into theclimatic past. The δ18Oaragonite values range from 1.36‰ during the winter to -1.14‰ in the summer andfurthermore are positively correlated with Sr/Ca ratios. Major growth lines, i.e., periods of slow
growth, occured between the most negative and most most positive δ18Oshell values. The bivalve shells
investigated here provide highly resolved data on seasonal to decadal climate. These fossils may
therefore serve as an unique ancient analogue for predicted climate shifts in Central Europe because
future climatic conditions will likely be characterized by the loss of polar ice-sheets in the Northern
Hemisphere.

157

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010158

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Author Index (presenting author bold)A
Adey W 49, 53
Agiadi K 95
Ahn IY 104
Ambrose WA Jr 36
Amouroux D 145, 150
Anderson LC 47
Andrus CFT 29, 39
Arkhipkin AI 30
Alt KW 52, 132, 142
Austin WEN 80

B
Balasse M 91
Bajnóczi B 141
Balson PS 102
Barats A 150
Barth M 81
Bassoullet C 81, 129
Bauwens M 31, 98
Bean JR 96, 97
Beelaerts V 31, 98
Beierlein L 99, 132, 140
Beirne EC 100
Bellamy E 101
Berge J 36
Bianchi MM 54
Bird A 102
Bisling P 103, 151
Black BA 32
Blicher ME 83
Böhm F 148
Bohn M 66
Borges C 107
Borns HW Jr 38
Brey T 57, 103, 104, 128, 151
Brocas WM 68, 105
Bromage TG 33, 143
Brummer G-JA 48, 135
Buhl D 117
Büntgen U 42
Burchell M 34, 50, 118
Butler PG 35, 68, 70, 76, 105
Butscher J 108

159

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

C
Cabioch G 108
Cahyarini SY 65
Candaudap F 56
Cannon A 34, 50, 118
Cardoso JFMF 72
Carlier A 145
Carroll ML 36
Carter M 51
Chan P 106
Chavaud L 37, 81, 145, 150
Chenery SRN 55, 70
Cheng H 41
Chisi J 33
Ciret P 75
Clark PU 41
Clarke LJ 38
Clavier J 37, 150
Cobb RM 39
Cottier F 36
Crueger T 92
Cserny T 141

D
Dehairs F 31, 45, 83, 98
Delgado-Huertas A 116
DeLong KL 40
Demény A 141
de Rafélis M 93, 130, 134
Dufour E 44, 107
Dullo W-C 65, 121
Dupouy C 108
Duprey N 108
Durrieu G 75

E
Edinger E 58
Edwards L 41
Eisenhauer A 119, 148
Erez J 148
Ersek, V 41
Esper J 42
Ezgeta-Balić D 64

F
Fábián Sz 141
Farman R 108
Felis T 46
Fereira AF 122
160

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Fiebig J 139
Fietzke J 119
Fisher DC 78
Fórisz I 141
Franco TCB 109
Frank DC 42
Freiwald A 59, 87, 131, 149
Freydier R 56
Friedrich LA 43, 110
Fröhlich K 90
Füllenbach CS 110

G
Galer S 132
Ganslmeier R 142
Garbe-Schönberg D 148
Garcia-March JR 112
Gerdeaux D 44
Gillikin DP 45, 66, 113
Girone A 95
Giry C 46
Gischler E 79, 139
Goldstein S 153
Gomez S 33
González-Morales MR 116
Goodwin DH 47, 113
Griesshaber E 117
Griffin SM 114
Grigoriou P 127
Grove CA 48, 121, 135
Grützner T 115
Guimarães F 72
Gutiérrez-Zugasti FI 116

H
Hahn S 117
Hajduk A 54
Halden NM 43
Halfar J 49, 53, 106, 121
Hallmann N 34, 50, 81, 118, 156
Hall-Spencer JM 117
Hänsel L 52
Hardman E 92
Hartley JP 70
Hatch MBA 51
Haveles AW 45
Heinemann A 119
Heinemeier J 76
Heller L 120
Henkes GA 36
161

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Henry P 153
Hetzinger S 49, 53, 106, 121Higgins RM 122
Hikida Y 136
Hill TM 96
Hippler D 89
Hoffmann D 73
Holland HA 123
Hop H 36
Hopcroft P 73
Hu B 33
Hudley JW 124

I
Iijima K 144
Iimura K 125
Immenhauser A 117
Introne DS 38
Irvine GV 118
Isajlović I 64
Ishimura T 126, 148
Isidro E 122
Ivany LC 45
Izumida H 126, 155J
Jacob DE 54, 74, 106
Jacobs LM 97
Jenkins K 104
Joachimski MM 63, 84
Johnson ALA 55, 102
Jones NJE 70, 127
Joos F 42
Juwayeyi YM 33

K
Kasper S 48
Kawahata H 126, 155
Keenlyside N 53
Keith P 146
Kennedy H 127
Kercher PM 47
Kersting D 112
Kesler DH 113
Kierdorf H 90
Kierdorf U 90
Klügel A 128
Knipper C 132
Kölling M 46

162

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Komoto Y 86
Koster B 48
Krause-Nehring J 102, 128, 151
Kreutz K 38
Kronz A 53
Kroon D 155
Kulfan CM 121

L
Labonne M 129
Lae R 129
Lartaud F 101, 130, 134
Lazareth CE 56, 75, 108
Lebednik PA 53
Le Callonec L 130
Le Comec F 56
Lees J 112
L’Helguen S 150
Leng M 102
Levin BS 36
Lin K 40
Locke W 36
Lohmann G 57, 104
Lomovasky B 57, 104
López Correa M 58, 59, 63, 87, 131, 153
Lord C 146
Lorrain A 37, 45, 66, 129
Luttikhuizen PC 72

M
Machado JP 72
Macrander A 121
Maes C 108
Mahé K 101
Majima R 136
Mallela J 121
Mangini A 73
Marali S 59, 87
Martindale A 34, 50, 118
Massabuau JC 75
Matuoka J 138
Matsushima Y 61
Matsuzaki H 61
Maurer, A-F 74, 132, 156
Maus M 140
McCulloch MT 48, 58, 59, 121, 131, 153
McGowan JA 51
Mecking J 53
Meibom A 60
Melzner F 119
163

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Miyaji T 61, 118, 133
Mix AC 41
Moloney AP 91
Monohan FJ 91
Montagna P 58, 59, 131, 153
Monti D 146
Morize E 129
Mouchi V 134
Munaron JM 66
Munnecke A 84

N
Nagasawa H 147
Nagtegaal R 48, 135
Nakamura T 144
Nakashima R 126, 136, 155
Nehrke G 128
Nieuwland G 72
Niklisch N 142
Nishida K 136
Nunn EV 62, 74, 81, 137, 156
Nützel A 63

O
Oelze VM 142
Ogawa N 147
Ohmori K 138
Olson JB 39
Ortiz JE 116
Oschmann W 139
Oudard C 129

P
Palace VP 43
Passey BH 91
Paulet Y-M 66
Pécheyran C 145, 146, 150
Pérez-Huerta A 39
Peharda M 64
Peters D 132
Pfeiffer M 65, 92
Pintelon R 98
Poulain C 66
Price GD 62, 137

Q
Quinn TM 40

164

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

R
Radermacher P 67, 74, 77, 139, 140, 156
Raible CC 42
Ramsay K 105
Reimer PJ 76
Renaud PE 36
Reutter M 140
Reyes E 116
Reynolds DJ 35, 68, 105
Richard M 81
Richardson CA 35, 64, 68, 69, 70, 76, 105, 127
Richter DK 73
Ridgway ID 105
Ritt B 153
Roark B 58
Robert R 66
Rodolfo-Metalpam R 117
Romanek CS 71
Roopnarine PD 47
Rountrey AN 78
Rüggeberg A 58, 131
Ryan S 36

S
Sakai S 144
Sakamoto T 144
Saliège JF 107
Santos S 72
Sato S 61
Sayer MDJ 80
Scheffers S 46
Schellenberg SA 51
Scheufen T 48
Schmahl WW 117
Schmidt O 91
Schöll-Barna G 141
Scholz D 73
Schöne BR 34, 54, 55, 57, 74, 81, 132, 137
Schoukens J 31
Schwarcz HP 50
Schwartzmann C 75
Scourse J 35, 68, 70, 76, 105Serlegi G 141
Shcherbich ZN 30
Shen C-C 40
Sherwood O 58
Shikazono N 126
Shirai K 67, 77, 86, 133, 138
Siebert A 142
Smith KM 78
165

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

Smolyar IV 33, 143
Soldati AL 54
Sowa K 144
Sow M 75
Spötl C 73
Steneck R 49, 53, 106
Stocker B 42
Storz D 79
Stott KJ 80
Strand Ø 37
Sümegi P 141
Surge D 112, 124
Suzuki A 126, 136, 155T
Tabouret H 145, 146
Takagi Y 125, 147
Tanabe K 61, 118, 133
Tanamizu M 138
Taubner I 148
Taviani M 131, 153
Teichert S 149
Thébault J 37, 66, 74, 81, 139, 145, 150
Theopold F 103, 151
Thiele S 152
Thomsen J 119
Timm O 65
Tohse H 125, 147
Torres T 116
Tous P 106
Troelstra SR 83, 154
Trotter J 153
Trouet V 42
Tütken T 82, 156

U
Ulrich N 142
Ura H 125V
van den Bergh G 48, 135
van der Veer HW 72
Vernet R 107
Versteegh EAA 45, 83, 98, 154
Vertino A 153
Voigt M 104
von Freden U 132
Vonhof HB 154
Vrgoč N 64

166

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010

W
Wacker U 84
Wanamaker AD Jr 35, 38, 68, 76, 85, 100, 114
Wassenburg J 92
Watanabe T 86, 138, 144
Weber ME 65
Weidman C 76
Wikelski M 143
Williams B 49
Wilson RJS 80
Wisshak M 59, 87
Witbaard R 72, 88, 89
Witzel C 90

XY
Yokoyama Y 61
Yoshimura T 126, 155

Z
Zack T 106
Zazzo A 91
Zinke J 48, 65, 92, 121, 135
Zhang Z 67, 74, 156
Zirkel J 157

167

WLAN access: Firewall configuration for Windows Vista / 7(1) Start: right-click on "Command Prompt", select "Run as administrator“(2) Command Prompt opens... at C:\ type "mmc" [without quotation marks] and hit Return(3) Hit "Add/Remove Snap-in“ – (4) Select "Windows Firewall" and hit "Add >", then "OK“
(5) Choose "Local computer" and hit "Finish“(6) Click "Windows Firewall" and choose "Inbound Rules"(7) Choose "New Rule" in selection menu – (8) Select "Custom", "Next“(9) Check "All programs", "Next" – (10) Select protocol type "ICMPv4", "Next"(11) Specify ICMP types: tick "Echo Request", "OK"
(12) Select "Any IP_address" for local AND remote IP addresses, "Next“

1

2

4

3

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

WLAN access: Firewall configuration for Windows Vista / 7 cont’d(13) Tick "Allow the connection", "Next“(14) Select "Domain", "Private" and "Public", "Next“(15) Type "Winulum" for name, "Finish"... Once completed, please do the same for the "Outbound Rules“ (start all over at 6).

13

14

15

WLAN access: Firewall configuration for Windows XP SP3(1) Start - Control Panel – (2) Windows Firewall – (3) Advanced Features…
(4) Open “Settings” for “Local Area Connection”(5) ICMP: check box "Allow incoming echo request" - OK

1

2

3

4

5

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Notes

170

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Notes

171

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Notes

172

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Notes

173

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Notes

174

2nd International Sclerochronology Conference, ISC2010, Mainz, Germany, 24-28th July 2010
Supplement: Wednesday 28th July 2010, 10:30, oral presentation (substitutes Smith et al.)A Chilean bivalve as potential recorder of environmental changes:
Sclerochronological and geochemical calibration of Eurhomalea rufa
Gosselin M*, Lazareth CE, Boucher H and Ortlieb L
Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat: Expérimentations et approches numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour leDéveloppement (IRD), 93143 Bondy, France___________* corresponding author: : marc.gosselin@ird.fr

Along the south-eastern pacific coasts, the major cause of climate variability is the El Niño
phenomenon (EN) that occurs every few years. During a few months, positive SST anomalies,
reaching several degrees, severely affect the near shore ecosystems. Largely widespread on thesecoasts, molluscs, the shell of which records environment at a high resolution, are favourable archives
to measure such environmental variability.
Eurhomalea rufa is a Veneridae living in meso or infra-littoral sandy bottoms along the Southeastern Pacific coasts, at a depth of less than 10 cm below the sediment surface. Even though little is
known about the biology of this burrowing species, in particular about its growth modalities, E. rufa
shell might provide a potential pluri-annual recorder of environmental parameters. A
sclerochronological and geochemical study has thus been conducted on the shell of this species toaccess both its growth increment parameters and its ability to record the surrounding environment. A
living specimen of E. rufa has been sampled at the end of December 2005 at Hornitos, a fine sandy
beach located north of the Mejillones peninsula (Antofagasta, Northern Chile). Sea-surface
temperature (SST) was recorded at Antofagasta harbor by the Cendhoc (Centro Nacional de Datos
Oceanográficos de Chile) at an hourly resolution.
The sclerochronological work, performed on both the external layer and the umbo region of
the shell, indicates that the daily growth rhythm is linked to the tidal range periodicity; semi-diurnal
with diurnal inequalities at the studied location. From this temporal framework, we inferred an age ofabout 30 month for our 64 mm-long specimen. The mean daily growth, for a period of 15 months, is42+/-22 µm. Oxygen isotope variations were measured on the same growth period at a biweekly
resolution. Those shell parameters have been then compared to SST data. Shell growth and δ18Oshell are
significantly correlated to daily SST with R²= 0.63 / P<0.001 and R²= 0.25 / P< 0.05 respectively. The
low SST vs. δ18Oshell correlation could be due to high daily SST variations during the warm season.
This SST heterogeneity might disturb the quality of the chemical signal because the mollusc is
submitted to a wide range of punctual temperature extrema. Eurhomalea rufa increments, used as adirect recorder of SST, open thus promising perspectives for paleo-thermometry reconstructions.
Study supported by the EU-project CENSOR (Climate variability and El Nino Southern Oscillation:
Impacts for natural resources and management, contract 511071) and PALEOTROPIQUE-IRD (now
PALEOPROXUS, IPSL/LOCEAN).