Articles | Volume 9, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-3693-2012
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-3693-2012
Research article
 | 
27 Sep 2012
Research article |  | 27 Sep 2012

A reappraisal of the vital effect in cultured benthic foraminifer Bulimina marginata on Mg/Ca values: assessing temperature uncertainty relationships

J. C. Wit, L. J. de Nooijer, C. Barras, F. J. Jorissen, and G. J. Reichart

Abstract. The reconstruction of past temperatures is often achieved through measuring the Mg/Ca value of foraminiferal test carbonate. The diversity in foraminiferal Mg/Ca–temperature calibrations suggests that there is also a biological control on this proxy. This study presents a new Mg/Ca–temperature calibration for the benthic foraminifer Bulimina marginata, based on cultures under a range of temperatures (4–14 °C). Measured Mg/Ca values for B. marginata correlate with temperature (Mg/Ca = (1.10 ± 0.10) e(0.045±0.009)T, R2 = 0.28 p < 0.01). The inter-individual variability is, however, also significant (standard deviation is 10–35% of the average). Before applying this or any calibration, the effect of the inter-individual variability on the accuracy of the Mg/Ca–temperature calibration has to be evaluated. The inter-individual variability is quantified and split into three components, namely (1) an analytical error, (2) an environmental effect and (3) a vital effect. The effect of inter-individual variability on the accuracy of Mg/Ca–temperature calibrations depends on the sensitivity of the calibration used and the number of individuals measured (temperature uncertainty = (0.33 · N−0.50)/sensitivity). The less sensitive a calibration, the greater is the impact of inter-individual variability, which can partly be circumvented by measuring more individuals. This study shows the link between inter-individual variability and sensitivity and quantifies their influence on the accuracy of Mg/Ca–temperature calibrations. Differences in the sensitivity of the Mg/Ca–temperature calibration of foraminifera may depend on the environmental conditions in which foraminifera live and their concurring ecological strategies.

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