Proxy Archives Based on Marine Calcifying Organisms and the Role of Process-Based Biomineralization Concepts

Proxy archives based on marine calcifying organisms and their element isotope signatures represent valuable tools in the reconstruction of past climates. Despite fact that underlying biomineralization processes behind measured are poorly understood, these work remarkably well. However, even though they well many researchers felt need to decipher “black box” understand leading signatures. In this paper we assess how far have come understanding underpinning proxy derived from improved way use today. Biomineralization context research is an interdisciplinary field cross-discipline communication can be challenging due a lack background foreign disciplines. This often leads misunderstanding over- (or under-) estimation certain concepts/methods/data. We, therefore, present concise introduction topic, clarifying key concepts applicability interpretation.