The PhanSST global database of Phanerozoic sea surface temperature proxy data

Abstract

Paleotemperature proxy data form the cornerstone of paleoclimate research and are integral to understanding the evolution of the Earth system across the Phanerozoic Eon. Here, we present PhanSST, a database containing over 150,000 data points from five proxy systems that can be used to estimate past sea surface temperature. The geochemical data have a near-global spatial distribution and temporally span most of the Phanerozoic. Each proxy value is associated with consistent and queryable metadata fields, including information about the location, age, and taxonomy of the organism from which the data derive. To promote transparency and reproducibility, we include all available published data, regardless of interpreted preservation state or vital effects. However, we also provide expert-assigned diagenetic assessments, ecological and environmental flags, and other proxy-specific fields, which facilitate informed and responsible reuse of the database. The data are quality control checked and the foraminiferal taxonomy has been updated. PhanSST will serve as a valuable resource to the paleoclimate community and has myriad applications, including evolutionary, geochemical, diagenetic, and proxy calibration studies.

On greenhouse and icehouse climate regimes over the Phanerozoic

“…The fine oscillations of the residuals (in the order of a few Ma; Figure S2; i.e., third‐order oscillations, Figure 2a), based on the identification of regression and transgression (Haq, 2018; Haq et al., 1987; Haq & Schutter, 2008; Table S1), are always present throughout the Phanerozoic, suggesting that continental ice has always been there, even during the period of so‐called greenhouse conditions (see also Bornemann et al., 2008). One may argue that δ 18 O records, in particular, lack evidence for significant water storage in continental ice over long intervals during the Phanerozoic (Grossman & Joachimski, 2020, 2022; Judd et al., 2022). On the contrary, proxy data such as δ 13 C and δ 18 O (e.g., Gradstein et al., 2020) are usually sparser than sea level based on onlaps identification and their variations are subject to more intertwined and complex causes.…”

The PaleoJump database for abrupt transitions in past climates

“…In addition, due to the varying resolution and dating methods used for these records, it is important to assess their reliability. There have been efforts in recent years to build compilations of high-quality paleoclimate data, such as the ACER database of pollen and charcoal records from the last glacial period 11 , the SISAL database of speleothem isotope records 12 , the PalMod compilation of marine sediment data covering the last glacial-interglacial cycle 13 , the World Atlas of late Quaternary Foraminiferal Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Ratios 14 , and the PhanSST database of Phanerozoic sea surface temperature proxy data 15 . These compilations, however, are typically limited to a specific type of proxy or time interval.…”

Toward a Cenozoic history of atmospheric CO 2

“…Leveraging this record, however, requires the paired quantification of both past atmospheric CO 2 and temperature. In parallel with recent efforts to compile and vet paleotemperature estimates ( 8 ), here we focus on paleo-CO 2 estimates. Samples of ancient air can be extracted and analyzed from bubbles preserved in ancient polar ice ( 9 , 10 ), but continuous ice core records currently only extend our knowledge of CO 2 back about 800 thousand years (kyr) [for a compilation, see ( 11 )], with isolated time slices extending to ~2 Ma (million years ago) ( 12 , 13 ).…”