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Copyright Copernicus GmbH 2017

Abstract

In order to fully constrain paleo-carbonate systems, proxies for two out of seven parameters, plus temperature and salinity, are required. The boron isotopic composition (δ<sup>11</sup>B) of planktonic foraminifera shells is a powerful tool for reconstructing changes in past surface ocean pH. As B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup> is substituted into the biogenic calcite lattice in place of CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>, and both borate and carbonate ions are more abundant at higher pH, it was suggested early on that B/Ca ratios in biogenic calcite may serve as a proxy for [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>]. Although several recent studies have shown that a direct connection of B/Ca to carbonate system parameters may be masked by other environmental factors in the field, there is ample evidence for a mechanistic relationship between B/Ca and carbonate system parameters. Here, we focus on investigating the primary relationship to develop a mechanistic understanding of boron uptake. Differentiating between the effects of pH and [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>] is problematic, as they co-vary closely in natural systems, so the major control on boron incorporation remains unclear. To deconvolve the effects of pH and [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>] and to investigate their impact on the B/Ca ratio and δ<sup>11</sup>B, we conducted culture experiments with the planktonic foraminifer Orbulina universa in manipulated culture media: constant pH (8.05), but changing [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>] (238, 286 and 534[mu]molkg<sup>-1</sup>CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>) and at constant [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>] (276±19.5[mu]molkg<sup>-1</sup>) and varying pH (7.7, 7.9 and 8.05). Measurements of the isotopic composition of boron and the B/Ca ratio were performed simultaneously using a femtosecond laser ablation system coupled to a MC-ICP-MS (multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer). Our results show that, as expected, δ<sup>11</sup>B is controlled by pH but it is also modulated by [CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>]. On the other hand, the B/Ca ratio is driven by [HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>], independently of pH. This suggests that B/Ca ratios in foraminiferal calcite can possibly be used as a second, independent, proxy for complete paleo-carbonate system reconstructions. This is discussed in light of recent literature demonstrating that the primary relationship between B/Ca and [HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>] can be obscured by other environmental parameters.

Details

Title
Decoupled carbonate chemistry controls on the incorporation of boron into Orbulina universa
Author
Howes, Ella L; Kaczmarek, Karina; Raitzsch, Markus; Mewes, Antje; Bijma, Nienke; Horn, Ingo; Misra, Sambuddha; Gattuso, Jean-Pierre; Bijma, Jelle
Pages
415-430
Publication year
2017
Publication date
2017
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
ISSN
17264170
e-ISSN
17264189
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1872200915
Copyright
Copyright Copernicus GmbH 2017