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Alternative Kinetic Models for the Interpretation of Amino Acid Enantiomeric ratios in Pleistocene Mollusks: Examples from California, Washington, and Florida

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

John F. Wehmiller  and
Daniel F. Belknap
John F. Wehmiller
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711
Daniel F. Belknap
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711
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Abstract

Alternative kinetic models for amino acid racemization in Pleistocene molluscan samples are compared by examination of results for samples from marine Pleistocene deposits in California, Washington, and Florida. Linear kinetic models previously have been applied to the Florida samples [ Mitterer, R.M. (1975). Earth and Planetary Science Letters 28 , 275–282.] because these kinetics were observed in laboratory pyrolysis experiments with the particular genus involved (Mercenaria). Nonlinear kinetic models, extrapolated from deep-sea foraminifera racemization kinetics, are applied to samples of Protothaca and Saxidomus from California and Washington and seem more consistent with their local chronologic and stratigraphic control. Average or effective diagenetic temperatures can be estimated by each of these models if reliably dated samples are available. Linear models applied to such samples from California and Florida suggest average diagenetic temperatures that are cooler (by as much as 10°C) than would be inferred from available paleoclimatic records. Nonlinear kinetic models yield estimates of average diagenetic temperatures that are more consistent with these records: full-glacial (i.e., approximately 18,000 yr BP) temperature reductions of between 2 and 6°C are inferred for coastal California and southern Florida. The nonlinear kinetic model is used to expand (by a factor of 2.5 to 3.0) the time scale proposed by Mitterer (1975) for five marine Pleistocene units of Florida.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , May 1978 , pp. 330 - 348
Copyright
University of Washington

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