Clumped and oxygen isotope sclerochronology methods tested in the bivalve Lucina pensylvanica

Geochemical signatures preserved within the geologic record can be used to reconstruct past mean temperature and seasonality, but in order to accurately apply any geochemical proxy method in the past, a rigorous study of how the recorded proxy is related to temperature in the modern setting must be conducted. Here, we assess the ability of multiple isotope techniques to correctly record mean annual temperature and seasonality in the bivalve Lucina pensylvanica. We compare subannual-resolution delta O-18-based, seasonally-targeted and continuous high-resolution (H.R.) clumped isotope (Delta(47))-based thermometry methods, as well as multiple data treatment methods for each, to determine which approach best matches known modern temperatures (maximum and minimum absolute temperature and annual temperature range), with the goal of defining the ideal sampling scheme for use on fossil shells. In L. pensylvanica shells collected from 7 sites, we observe neither mean tem-perature nor seasonal biases. Mean annual temperature is best matched by averaging all seasonally-targeted Delta(47)-temperatures. Seasonality is best matched by averaging delta O-18(carb)-based temperatures from all summers and all winters before taking the difference. Of two data treatment approaches applied to the continuous high-resolution Delta(47)-based temperatures, data optimization is apparently better at resolving smaller seasonal temperature differences. In contrast, data smoothing produces a temperature record unbiased by prior assignment of seasonal extremes and has the simultaneous ability to detect subannual variability in delta O-18(w). However, accurate application of H.R. Delta(47) methods must balance sampling resolution and growth rate. If sampling resolution is high enough relative to the growth rate (similar to 1 pt./month or better), we recommend continuous high-resolution Delta(47)-thermometry with data smoothing. If this resolution cannot be achieved due to slow growth rates or insufficient shell size, we recommend pairing subannual delta O-18(carb)-based and seasonally-targeted Delta 47-based temperature reconstruction to acquire seasonal range in temperature and absolute temperature extremes.

Automated summary

Geochemical signatures preserved in the geological record can be used to reconstruct past mean temperature and seasonality. A study was conducted to assess the ability of multiple isotope techniques in recording temperature variations in the bivalve Lucina pensylvanica. Comparisons were made between different thermometry methods to determine the most accurate approach for fossil shell analysis. The findings suggest that averaging seasonally-targeted Delta(47)-temperatures best match mean annual temperature, while averaging delta O-18(carb)-based temperatures from different seasons accurately represents seasonality.