Establishing climate proxies from Mercenaria shells
Location
Tampa Bay
Summary
"Applying proxy-based reconstruction of Atlantic climate change"
We will collect individual specimens of potentially long-lived (>20 years) bivalve clams. The clams will be harvested and their shells studied to determine lifespan and the fidelity of their growth and geochemical characteristics. The purpose of these analyses is to assess the paleoclimate reconstruction potential of local clam species.
Shells will be collected by hand (snorkel or scuba) to minimize environmental impact. We will be discriminatory and conservative in our collection, taking only a subset of what is found at any given site.
Locations of robust populations of larger bivalves are unknown, so some search efforts are required. We will target relatively shallow (<15 ft), near-shore environments. Target species - Primary: Mercenaria mercenaria and Mercenaria campechiensis. Secondary target species: other large mollusk species (excluding gastropods and any protected species) as needed
Supported by:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Special Activity License # SAL-24-2658-SR
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Scientific Collection Permit # 09182414
Info derived
Shell growth rate and geochemistry, geographic locations of wild bivalve concentrations
