ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
Delphine has recently started a new postdoctoral research position in BioGeochemistry at the University of Western Australia. Her research topic focussed on Paleo pH and ocean acidification (anthropogenic) reconstructions based on Boron isotopes and B/Ca ratios in biogenic carbonates (corals and foraminifera). Having previously completed a Post Doc Position at the Scientific Laboratory for Climate Science and Environment (LSCE-CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette (Paris)/France) and a PhD at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany (AWI Bremerhaven), she has gained a wide range of transferable skills and experience in field work, lab experiments (foraminifera culture, carbonate chemistry sampling DIC, ALK, Boron isotope and B/Ca ratios sample handling, cleaning, and chemical extractions) and analysis (LA-ICPMS, ICP-QMS, MC-ICP-MS, ICP-EOS). Throughout her studies, she developed research skills with particular interest in paleoclimatology, geochemistry, biomineralisation, and calibration of geochemical (and ecological) proxies, an important tool to evaluate the validity of climate change scenarios.
The trace element composition of biogenic carbonate tests has become an important tool by which paleoceanographers reconstruct past oceanic conditions. On timescales much shorter than their residence time, the elements strontium and magnesium occur in seawater with nearly constant ratios to calcium. Variation in Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca in benthic foraminiferal tests can then be explained as a function of environmental parameters that control their incorporation into the tests. For benthic foraminifera, temperature appears to be the dominant parameter, however, a better understanding of the possible impact of other parameters such as pH or [CO32-], and salinity is needed to increase the accuracy of element ratio proxies. Towards this goal the benthic foraminifer Ammonia tepida was cultured under three different salinities (20, 33 and 40) and two different pCO2 conditions (120 and 2000ppm), both sets of experiment were run at two different temperatures (10 and 15°C). Weights and elemental composition were determined. Similarly, the boron isotopic composition (δ11B) and B/Ca ratios of marine carbonates have been suggested as proxies for pH and [CO32-]/T˚C, respectively. However, here again, the recognition of potential complications have enlightened the need of species specific calibrations. Preliminary results of light and temperature effect on Boron isotopic and B/Ca ratios measured in Acropora specimens maintained under culture experiments will be presented. Envisaged future applications of these proxies will be described.
An international team of scientists has found leaving more big fish in the sea reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the Earth’s atmosphere. When a fish dies in the ocean it si
Australian scientists have discovered a massive detached coral reef just off Cape York on the Great Barrier Reef that’s taller than the Empire State Building or the Sydney Tower. The scientists f
A new study of the Great Barrier Reef shows populations of its small, medium and large corals have all declined in the past three decades. Lead author Dr Andy Dietzel, from the ARC Centre of Excell
Scientists have found that as the world undergoes profound environmental change, identifying and protecting ‘novel’ communities of species can help prevent extinctions within vulnerable ecosystems
Abstract: Increasing human populations around the world’s coastline have caused extensive loss, degradation and fragmentation of coastal ecosystems. Swift losses of coastal ecosystems have been rec
Abstract: CHE is not a particular theory or a single approach but a collection of lines of research that address human-environmental interactions in coastal and marine systems at the local scale
Abstract: How can we care about something we never see or experience? Virtual reality has the potential to connect people with far-away places, and is an effective medium to generate empathy and sel
Abstract: When abundant, seabirds feeding in the open ocean transport large quantities of nutrients onto islands, enhancing the productivity of island fauna and flora. These nutrients can leach int
Abstract: Current-day populations of coral reef fish suffer when exposed acutely to elevated temperatures, but future warming will occur over greater timescales. Recent studies show that developmenta
Abstract: There is often a mismatch between the scales at which ecosystems are threatened by human impacts and those at which management and policy are implemented. Better understanding the scales ov
Abstract: Ocean warming and acidification are challenging the tolerance limits of scleractinian corals. However, beneficial acclimation and stress-hardening via phenotypic plasticity may be pathw
Partner Research Institutions
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
