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Paleoclimate of the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean: Molluscan Isotopic and Biotic Evidence

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Date Issued:
2008
Summary:
Molluscan isotopic and biotic evidence was used to determine the paleotemperature of the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean during an important period of climate change. Mollusks were collected from the Nuwok Member type section on the Arctic coast of Alaska. A systematic analysis was conducted to determine the position of Late Oligocene Arctic mollusks within a context of marine Cenozoic evolution and diversification. Oxygen stable isotope ratios of five fossil genera were used to calculate paleotemperatures and analyze growth histories. Taxa were selected to check for compatibility of results between fossil genera from the same environment. Oxygen stable isotope ratios of four recent high-latitude genera were analyzed for comparative purposes. Isotopically derived paleotemperatures represent the first documented quantitative temperatures for the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean. Isotopic and systematic results give great insight into the extent and degree of Arctic cooling by the Late Oligocene and the origin of modem Arctic mollusks.
Title: Paleoclimate of the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean: Molluscan Isotopic and Biotic Evidence.
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Name(s): Port, Rebecca B.
Oleinik, Anton E., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2008
Date Issued: 2008
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 206 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Molluscan isotopic and biotic evidence was used to determine the paleotemperature of the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean during an important period of climate change. Mollusks were collected from the Nuwok Member type section on the Arctic coast of Alaska. A systematic analysis was conducted to determine the position of Late Oligocene Arctic mollusks within a context of marine Cenozoic evolution and diversification. Oxygen stable isotope ratios of five fossil genera were used to calculate paleotemperatures and analyze growth histories. Taxa were selected to check for compatibility of results between fossil genera from the same environment. Oxygen stable isotope ratios of four recent high-latitude genera were analyzed for comparative purposes. Isotopically derived paleotemperatures represent the first documented quantitative temperatures for the Late Oligocene Arctic Ocean. Isotopic and systematic results give great insight into the extent and degree of Arctic cooling by the Late Oligocene and the origin of modem Arctic mollusks.
Identifier: FA00000811 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Marine animals, Fossil--Arctic Ocean
Geology--Alaska
Deep-sea temperature--Mathematical models
Geology, Stratigraphic--Oligocene
Paleogeography--Alaska
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000811
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.