Project Details
Projekt
Evaluating calcareous nannoplankton assemblage dynamics: Impacts on Paleogene ecosystems from a South Atlantic Ocean perspective
Applicant
Dr. Claire Routledge
Subject Area
Geology
Term
since 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 546913099
Earth’s climate is currently being stressed by anthropogenic CO2 emissions at unparalleled levels. It is imperative that we improve our understanding of Earth’s climate system to better prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of future climate change. We can do this by providing modelers with proxy records of past climate to test current climate models and forecast future climate change, which can be achieved by using deep-sea sedimentary records and the microfossils hosted in these successions. Calcareous nannoplankton are the most abundant calcifying organisms in the modern ocean, playing a critical role in the global carbon cycle; they are widespread and evolve rapidly, and are ideal for assessing biotic change over varying timescales. Producing long-term records of nannoplankton population and community dynamics documents the resilience of plankton to climatic and environmental perturbations which is essential to improving our understanding of climate drivers and feedbacks. This project will generate records of calcareous nannoplankton diversity, population dynamics and community structure at varying levels of temporal resolution through much of the Paleogene, an interval of dynamic climate and oceanographic change. This will involve documenting nannoplankton assemblage composition across the Paleogene, including profound short- and long-term warming and cooling to assess the response of this key primary producer group through a spectrum of environmental change events. Ideal material for this study is recently recovered sedimentary successions from IODP Expeditions 390 and 393 to the South Atlantic Ocean with generally abundant and well-preserved calcareous nannofossils. These sedimentary sections are perfectly located to generate long-term records of plankton diversity and assemblage data through the Paleogene in the understudied western South Atlantic Ocean. Integrating these records into climate models enhances forecasting and targeted mitigation efforts, which is critical to our ability to address and adapt to the climate challenges we are facing.
DFG Programme
Infrastructure Priority Programmes
International Connection
United Kingdom, USA
Cooperation Partners
Privatdozentin Dr. Chiara Borrelli; Dr. Christopher Lowery; Dr. Andrew McIntyre
