Differential isotopic fractionation in benthic foraminifera and paleotemperatures reassessed

Science. 1970 Apr 10;168(3928):250-1. doi: 10.1126/science.168.3928.250.

Abstract

Different species of benthic Foraminifera taken at the same level in an Atlantic core yielded different oxygen isotopic values. It was therefore impossible to deduce paleotemperature values. In addition, pelagic and benthic species showed the same isotopic variations, an indication that pelagic and benthic species reflect only the variation of oxygen-18 composition of the ocean.