A holocene sea surface temperature record in mollusc shells from the South African coast

Doctoral Thesis

1993

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http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22468
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thesis_sci_1993_cohen_anne_louise.pdf (3.23 MB)
Authors
Cohen, Anne Louise
Supervisors
Van der Merwe, Nikolaas
Branch, George
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University of Cape Town

Department
Department of Archaeology
Faculty
Faculty of Science
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Abstract
This thesis describes the construction of a Holocene history of sea surface temperatures in coastal regions of the southern Benguela and eastern Agulhas Bank of South Africa, using marine mollusc shells preserved in archaeological middens. Two independent palaeothermometers were employed: the traditional oxygen isotope technique and a new, alternative technique based on temperature-dependent changes in structure and mineralogy of the shell of a South African limpet species, Patella granularis. The relationship between the isotopic and structural aspects of shell composition, and habitat temperature was confirmed through examination of living populations.
Description

Summary in English.


Bibliography: pages 140-163.

Keywords
Archaeology

Reference:

Cohen, A. 1993. A holocene sea surface temperature record in mollusc shells from the South African coast. University of Cape Town.

Collections
PhD / Doctoral