Core Insights - The Tridacna shell serves as a natural recorder of climate changes, similar to tree rings, by accumulating thin layers of calcium carbonate that reflect daily environmental conditions [1] - Scientists utilize laser sampling to analyze the shell's composition, particularly the strontium to calcium ratio, which acts as a sensitive "ancient thermometer" to reconstruct historical sea temperature changes [1] - The shell's carbon isotope composition reveals atmospheric CO2 variations over time, capturing significant events like the Industrial Revolution and volcanic eruptions [1] Climate Change Impact - Tridacna not only records climate data but also suffers from climate change effects, as ocean acidification from CO2 absorption impacts its ability to build calcium carbonate shells [1] - Modern Tridacna shells exhibit reduced density and strength compared to their ancestors, indicating a trend similar to osteoporosis in marine life [1] Unique Climate Archive - Tridacna possesses unique advantages as a climate record, including high temporal resolution, longevity (some can live over a century), and widespread geographical distribution across tropical coral reefs [3] - Research teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences are analyzing Tridacna specimens from the South China Sea to reconstruct climate change sequences over the past 300 years in the Western Pacific [3]
会写“气候日记”的神奇贝壳