An Introduction to Isotope Analysis in Climate Science
Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: April 27, 2021
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Synopsis
This video from the Paleontological Research Institution describes how scientists can determine ancient climates using isotopes of oxygen in ancient ocean sediments.
Students will learn how scientists do chemical analyses of fossilized shells in sediment cores to determine historical temperatures.
Students will learn how to use different resources to research paleontological climate data.
The diagrams used are simple and do a great job of explaining the processes being described.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should have a basic understanding of the hydrologic cycle.
Students should be familiar with atomic structure.
The Museum of Earth website link in the description is broken.
Differentiation
Students can research climates from 100, 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, and 1,000,000 years ago and analyze the processes scientists used to determine each.
Students can explore the additional resources listed in the description.
Biology and chemistry classes could use this video for lessons about atomic structure, subatomic particles, the uses of stable isotopes in medicine, ecology, biology, and Earth sciences.
Students can also explore this lesson about isotopes and getting past temperatures from ice cores.
For more information about isotopes, students can explore this lesson about different types of isotopes and how they can be used to make scientific discoveries.
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About the Partner Provider
Paleontological Research Institution
Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.
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