Calibration of shell δ18O from the common whelk Buccinum undatum highlights potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Hollyman, Philip R.; Leng, Melanie J.; Chenery, Simon; Sloane, Hilary J.; Richardson, Christopher A.

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109995

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…This existing evidence highlights the issue of resin contamination in carbonate palaeothermometry, but has not yet dissuaded the common use of sample pretreatment, embedding, and gluing in subsequent studies (e.g. 36 , 37 ). Moreover, previous studies do not explore whether changes to sampling strategy to avoid such contaminants results in an unacceptable loss of precision and/or resolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin

Branscombe

Lee‐Thorp

Leng

2022

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Rationale Embedding resins are commonly used to facilitate high‐resolution sampling for stable isotope analysis but anomalous δ13C values have been observed in some cases. Here we compare the results of microsampling strategies for hand‐drilled versus resin‐embedded micromilled samples from the same marine shells to assess whether resin contamination is implicated in δ13C spikes. The comparison allows assessment of the relative benefits for spatial resolution, seasonal range for both δ18O and δ13C, and sample failure rates. Methods Hand‐drilled samples were obtained from two bivalve shells (Spisula sachalinensis), corresponding to micromilled samples on the same shells where high δ13C spikes were observed. All carbonate powders were analysed using a dual‐inlet Isoprime mass spectrometer and Multiprep device. Results from both sample sets were compared statistically. Results No anomalous high δ13C values and no failures due to insufficient gas were observed in the hand‐drilled samples in contrast to the embedded micromilled sequences. Spatial resolution was reduced (~2.5×) in the former compared with the latter, resulting in a small reduction in the total range observed in the micromilled δ13C and δ18O values. Reduced sampling resolution between the two datasets was only significant for δ18O. Conclusions For S. sachalinensis (as with other similar bivalves), rapid growth mitigates the reduced sampling resolution of hand drilling and does not significantly impact observed isotopic range and seasonal patterning. Occurrence of anomalous δ13C values were eliminated and failure rates due to insufficient sample size greatly reduced in the hand‐drilled dataset. We can find no other explanation for the occurrence of δ13C spikes than contamination by the embedding agent. We conclude that the logistical and interpretational benefits of careful hand drilling may be preferable to resin embedding for micromilling in marine shells, corals or speleothems where growth rate is rapid and the highest resolution is not required.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin

Branscombe

Lee‐Thorp

Leng

2022

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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“…Organic material was removed from the shell surface by immersion for 30 mins in a 0.01M NaOH solution, rinsed in fresh water and air-dried before the complete shell was embedded in Kleer-set™ polyester casting resin (see Hollyman et al, 2020). The embedded shell lip and area of shell damage were sectioned using a precision diamond saw blade (Beuhler isomet 4000) and the cut surface ground on successively finer silicon carbide abrasive papers (FEPA P400 and P1200 grade) before attaching the dry, cut surface to a microscope slide using superglue.…”

Section: Calcein Stainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of environmental factors on shell growth and repair in Buccinum undatum

Colvin

Hollyman

Richardson

et al. 2022

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

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Using a sclerochronological approach to determine a climate-growth relationship for waved whelk, Buccinum undatum, in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic

Borsetti

Hollyman

Munroe

2021

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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Calibration of shell δ18O from the common whelk Buccinum undatum highlights potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Cited by 5 publications

References 78 publications

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin

The effect of environmental factors on shell growth and repair in Buccinum undatum

Using a sclerochronological approach to determine a climate-growth relationship for waved whelk, Buccinum undatum, in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic

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Calibration of shell δ18O from the common whelk Buccinum undatum highlights potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Cited by 5 publications

References 78 publications

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ13C contamination by embedding resin

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ13C contamination by embedding resin

The effect of environmental factors on shell growth and repair in Buccinum undatum

Using a sclerochronological approach to determine a climate-growth relationship for waved whelk, Buccinum undatum, in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic

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Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin

Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ¹³C contamination by embedding resin