Red coralline algae assessed as marine pH proxies using 11B MAS NMR

Cusack, M. , Kamenos, N.A. , Rollion-Bard, C. and Tricot, G. (2015) Red coralline algae assessed as marine pH proxies using 11B MAS NMR. Scientific Reports, 5, p. 8175. (doi: 10.1038/srep08175) (PMID:25640229) (PMCID:PMC4648444)

Abstract

Reconstructing pH from biogenic carbonates using boron isotopic compositions relies on the assumption that only borate, and no boric acid, is present. Red coralline algae are frequently used in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction due to their widespread distribution and regular banding frequency. Prior to undertaking pH reconstructions using red coralline algae we tested the boron composition of the red coralline alga Lithothamnion glaciale using high field NMR. In bulk analysed samples, thirty percent of boron was present as boric acid. We suggest that prior to reconstructing pH using coralline algae 1) species-specific boron compositions and 2) within-skeleton special distributions of boron are determined for multiple species. This will enable site selective boron analyses to be conducted validating coralline algae as palaeo-pH proxies based on boron isotopic compositions.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kamenos, Professor Nick and Cusack, Professor Maggie
• Authors: Cusack, M., Kamenos, N.A., Rollion-Bard, C., and Tricot, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 5:8175
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License