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Thermo-Fisher MAT253 IRMS at the SIL Laboratory (CAGE/UiT). Photo credit: Kai Mortensen

Geochemical measurements using the CAGE Mass Spectrometer contributes to high impact climate research

Using the elements in the ocean, marine invertebrates and single-celled organisms, such as bivalves and foraminifera, are able to build elaborate shells that record the properties of their surrounding environment. By studying the chemical composition of the shells using a mass spectrometer, scientists can reconstruct past ocean temperatures and environments, and study the evolution of methane seepages.

These reconstructions are key to understanding the present and future climate changes.

Text: Mariana Esteves and Giuliana Panieri

The mass spectrometer located at the Stable Isotope Laboratory (SIL), CAGE/UiT, was acquired at the beginning of CAGE, and has since been extensively used for both internal research and external projects, contributing to numerous high impact publications on climate research.

“The data produced by the mass spectrometer has supported papers published in prestigious journals (e.g. Nature Comms, Science advances, Geology, Scientific Reports, etc.) and also student projects working both in CAGE and international institutes”, said Giuliana Panieri, Professor at CAGE/Project leader of the AKMA Project.

The use of the CAGE mass spectrometer was key to producing the geochemical data for a paper published last week in the journal Science Advances. In this study, an international group of scientists reconstructed changes in the Fram Strait water column over the past 800 years, using geochemical and ecological data from ocean sediments.  The mass spectrometer at the SIL Laboratory measured the oxygen stable isotopes from a common benthic (seafloor dwelling) foraminifera species, Nonionella labradorica, contributing to the understanding that the Arctic Ocean began to experience ‘Atlantification’ (a phenomenon when warmer and saltier waters flow into the Arctic Ocean from the Atlantic) earlier than previously thought. Since the beginning of the last century (1900), the Arctic Ocean temperature has increased by approx. 2°C, while sea ice has retreated and salinity has increased. This research provides the first historical perspective on the Atlantification of the Arctic Ocean.

“We are very proud with the work we have done and the results we’ve achieved so far, and thanks to Matteus Lindgren (engineer of the mass spectrometer) we are always open to new collaborations and challenges”, says Panieri.
Benthic foraminiferal species, Nonionella labradorica. Picture: Giuliana Panieri.

To find out more about the mass spectrometer and the services offered at the SIL laboratory, please visit: https://site.uit.no/sil/

30. November 2021

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Contact

Giuliana Panieri

Professor in Geology
+47 77 62 51 91
giuliana.panieri@uit.no

Giuliana Panieri

Giuliana Panieri is a Professor in Geology at the Department of Geosciences at UiT and a member of WP5 Methane seep history in CAGE.

Read more about Giuliana Panieri

Contact

Mariana Esteves

CAGE Project Leader
mariana.esteves@uit.no

Mariana is the CAGE Project leader (Administrative and Communication Coordinator).

Read more about Mariana Esteves

12. December 2021

Interactive story map for polar night research cruise

25. November 2021

Vincent Carrier defends thesis on “Microbial community structure associated to Arctic cold seeps”

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