Work package MAR 2: Palaeo Climate – Mechanisms and Variability
Elucidating climate variations on long time scales requires reconstruction of the palaeo
environment using proxy relationships. Proxies such as isotopic and elemental
compositions of calcite shells of foraminifera are currently interpreted using empirical
relationships with environmental parameters. The application of such relationships, derived
from modern observations, to the geologic record is questionable as long as the underlying
mechanisms are not understood. Our aim is the development of mechanistic models of
palaeo-proxies for the reconstruction of marine carbonate chemistry and of nutrient
utilization. The ultimate goal is to use these proxies and carbon cycle models for
palaeoceanographic reconstructions