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A review on bivalve shell, a tool for reconstruction of paleo-climate and paleo-environment

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Abstract

Environmental information can be extracted from bivalve shell geochemistry. In this review, the latest research progress and the existing problems as well as the focus of future research on stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition and trace elemental ratios of bivalve shell were investigated. Oxygen isotopic signatures of bivalve shell have been proved precipitate in equilibrium with their host water and used as a robust tool to reconstruct ancient water temperature. In order to reconstruct quantitative paleo-temperature information, the future research on bivalve shell oxygen isotope should combine with the study of ancient water oxygen isotope. Metabolic effect prevents the direct application of stable carbon isotopic composition of bivalve shell from extracting dissolved inorganic carbon information. The contribution of metabolic carbon to bivalve shell is species specific. Stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon could be reconstructed if the metabolic contribution could be accounted for. Explore ways to remove contribution of metabolic effects to bivalve shell is the future focus of the research. There is no consensus on the effect of temperature on bivalve trace element ratios, which may be also species specific, each proxy should ideally be validated and calibrated for each species before being used to interpret past climate and environmental conditions. Future research needs to pay attention to the bivalve shell biomineralization process, which controlled bivalve shell trace element ratios. Cultivation experiment is an important way to obtain the relevant conclusions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Urban-rural Planning and Landscape Architecture, Xuchang University, Xuchang, 461000, China

    Hui Yan & Jie Chen

  2. State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi’an, 710075, China

    Hui Yan & Jun Xiao

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  1. Hui Yan
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Yan, H., Chen, J. & Xiao, J. A review on bivalve shell, a tool for reconstruction of paleo-climate and paleo-environment. Chin. J. Geochem. 33, 310–315 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-014-0692-0

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