Articles | Volume 6, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-175-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-175-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
23 May 2024
Research article |
| 23 May 2024
| 23 May 2024
A new method for amino acid geochronology of the shell of the bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica
Martina L. G. Conti
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
Paul G. Butler
Centre For Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
David J. Reynolds
Centre For Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
Tamara Trofimova
Centre For Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
James D. Scourse
Centre For Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
Kirsty E. H. Penkman
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
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Zoë A. Roseby, Sophie L. Ward, Torsa Sengupta, Callum M. Roberts, and James D. Scourse
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-220, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-220, 2026
Preprint under review for ESSD
Short summary
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Maps of seabed sediments on continental shelves are vital for understanding habitats, carbon storage, and ocean processes. For the Patagonian Shelf, no unified, accessible dataset existed. We compiled and standardised available grain size data, then used interpolation to create continuous maps of sediment type. Our results are consistent with previous studies, showing that sand dominates the shelf and muds are largely confined to inner shelf gulfs, while also identifying gaps in data coverage.
Jack T. R. Wilkin, Sev Kender, Rowan Dejardin, Claire S. Allen, Victoria L. Peck, George E. A. Swann, Erin L. McClymont, James D. Scourse, Kate Littler, and Melanie J. Leng
J. Micropalaeontol., 43, 165–186, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-165-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-165-2024, 2024
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The sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia has a dynamic glacial history and is sensitive to climate change. Using benthic foraminifera and various geochemical proxies, we reconstruct inner–middle shelf productivity and infer glacial evolution since the late deglacial, identifying new mid–late-Holocene glacial readvances. Fursenkoina fusiformis acts as a good proxy for productivity.
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Short summary
The mollusc Arctica islandica can survive for hundreds of years, and its annual growth captures environmental conditions, each shell providing a detailed climatic record. Dating is essential for sample selection, but radiocarbon and cross-dating are laborious and costly. Alternatively, amino acid geochronology was investigated in the three aragonitic layers of the shells. This study confirms the value of AAG in the iOSL layer as a method for range-finder dating Quaternary A. islandica shells.
The mollusc Arctica islandica can survive for hundreds of years, and its annual growth captures...
