The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Reconstructing anthropogenic ocean acidification and carbon uptake with high-resolution foram proxies
ID:270 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 16:45 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 4 - Ocean Biogeochemistry Across Timescales: Past, Present, Future

Abstract
Ocean acidification is described as “the other CO2 problem”, with impacts on a diverse array of marine life and the ecosystems and communities they support. However, instrumental records of ocean pH change are relatively limited, spanning only a few decades and regions, and challenging our ability to distinguish the degree of anthropogenic acidification from natural variability. As one of the primary paleoclimate archives, the calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of marine calcifying organisms (e.g. foraminifera, corals, etc.) can record multiple facets of the climate system with their isotopic and elemental compositions. In particular, the boron isotopic composition (δ11B) and concentration (B/Ca) of marine carbonates have become widely used in recent years as proxies for seawater pH and carbonate chemistry in paleoenvironmental reconstructions. The carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of marine calcifiers can also be used as an indicator of oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2 (the Suess effect), while the size normalised weight (SNW) of foraminifera is used to evaluate the impact of ocean acidification on their calcification. In this study, we present detailed reconstructions of ocean pH and carbonate chemistry with decadal to sub-decadal resolution spanning multiple centuries from the North Atlantic (Gulf Stream & Labrador Current regions). These reconstructions are based on high precision measurements on small foraminifera samples from high-resolution sediment cores. By combining these datasets, we document natural variability in ocean pH, identify the timing of abrupt shifts, and evaluate biological responses. Our results provide a detailed record of ocean pH variations in the open ocean settings, tracking atmospheric CO2 rise, and offer new insights into the recent history and potential future of the ocean carbon sink.
Speaker
Zhekai Tang University of St Andrews

Author
Zhekai Tang University of St Andrews

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

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    • Apr 30

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    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

      2026

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    • Oct 15

      2026

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    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027