How do stable oxygen isotopes, such as the ratio of $ ext{O}^{18}/ ext{O}^{16}$ in carbonates, aid in paleoclimatic reconstruction?
Answer
The ratio is temperature-dependent, allowing estimation of ancient ocean water temperature.
The relative incorporation of the heavier oxygen isotope ($ ext{O}^{18}$) versus the lighter one ($ ext{O}^{16}$) into mineral structures like carbonates is governed by the temperature of the water during formation, effectively acting as a chemical thermometer.
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