Project Details
Projekt
Paleoclimate and Carbonate Chemistry of the Red Sea proper during the Marine Isotope Stage 5e (MIS 5e) reconstructed from massive fossil Porites sp. corals
Applicant
Dr. Sara Todorovic
Subject Area
Geology
Oceanography
Oceanography
Term
since 2026
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569205274
Understanding climate variability during past warm periods is critical for predicting future changes in response to ongoing anthropogenic warming, as well as natural variability. Modern coral reefs are increasingly affected by marine heatwaves and changes in ocean chemistry, yet our understanding of how reef ecosystems have responded to sustained warm periods in the past remains limited. The Last Interglacial (MIS 5e, ~125 ka) was the most recent period of natural global warming, with temperatures 1–2°C above pre-industrial levels, lower atmospheric CO₂, and significantly higher sea levels. This project aims to reconstruct seasonal to interdecadal climate variability and carbonate chemistry of the Red Sea proper during MIS 5e using exceptionally preserved fossil Porites corals from a newly described reef site near Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea is one of the most thermally extreme coral reef environments globally, with high year-round sea surface temperatures (SSTs), hypersalinity, and minimal freshwater input. Corals here experience frequent thermal stress, but many populations have also shown remarkable resilience to bleaching—possibly shaped by their evolutionary exposure to high temperatures and environmental extremes. These characteristics make the region a natural laboratory for understanding coral responses to climate variability and stress under conditions similar to those expected in the near future. Despite its relevance, no high-resolution coral-based reconstructions exist for the Red Sea proper during MIS 5e. This project applies a multiproxy approach combining stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C), trace elements (Sr/Ca, Li/Mg, U/Ca, B/Ca), and δ¹¹B, paired with coral growth metrics (density, extension, calcification). These records will provide reconstructions of SST, salinity (SSS), and seawater pH over timescales relevant for capturing both background variability and extreme events.The study is structured into two work packages (WPs). WP1 focuses on reconstructing SST and SSS variability using a combination of proxies and explores the influence of large-scale climate modes and regional hydrological changes. WP2 targets carbonate chemistry and thermal stress by applying boron systematics and CT-based skeletal analyses to evaluate whether coral stress responses can be detected during MIS 5e. By generating subannual to centennial reconstructions from a period warmer than today, the project will provide a unique baseline for understanding coral reef responses to climate extremes and contribute to its objectives by improving projections of tropical climate variability and reef resilience under future warming.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
International Connection
France
Cooperation Partner
Dr. Eric Douville
