Award Abstract # 0400532
Timing and Magnitude of Climate Change Across the Eocene-Oligocene Transition, Northern Great Plains, USA

NSF Org: AGS
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Recipient: SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Initial Amendment Date: June 16, 2004
Latest Amendment Date: April 12, 2006
Award Number: 0400532
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: David Verardo
AGS
 Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: June 15, 2004
End Date: May 31, 2008 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $231,445.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $231,445.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2004 = $76,950.00
FY 2005 = $78,819.00

FY 2006 = $75,676.00
History of Investigator:
  • Matthew Kohn (Principal Investigator)
    mattkohn@boisestate.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University South Carolina Research Foundation
915 BULL ST
COLUMBIA
SC  US  29208-4009
(803)777-7093
Sponsor Congressional District: 06
Primary Place of Performance: University of South Carolina at Columbia
1600 HAMPTON ST
COLUMBIA
SC  US  29208-3403
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
06
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): ELBVJ1KYX976
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Paleoclimate
Primary Program Source: app-0104 
app-0105 

app-0106 
Program Reference Code(s): 0000, 1304, 9150, OTHR
Program Element Code(s): 153000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

This project will help fund an investigation of the climate history of the northern Great Plains, across the Eocene-Oligocene transition, by analyzing oxygen isotopes found in the phosphate of fossil teeth of a variety of mammals. This transition was one of the Cenozoic's most abrupt climatic events, changing a greenhouse world into an icehouse world. By quantifying isotopic changes in mammalian teeth, the researcher aims to quantify changes in diet and water resources as they relate to regional temperature, humidity, and seasonality. A further science aim is to examine the timing and rate of climate change on the continent and compare it with the marine record to broaden the perspective of the research.

The results of the study will be made readily available to a broad segment of state and national parks across the Great Plains thereby connecting to the million-plus visitors who visit the sites each year. This research project will provide a unique educational experience for a graduate student who will be intimately involved with the research team.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Kohn, MJ and Dettman, DL "Paleoaltimetry from stable isotope compositions of fossils" Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry , v.66 , 2007 , p.119
Kohn, MJ and Fremd, TJ "Tectonic controls on isotope compositions and species diversification, John Day Basin, central Oregon" PaleoBios , v.27 , 2007 , p.48
Kohn, MJ and Fremd, TJ "Tectonics - regional climate forcing of Miocene ungulate evolution in the western United States" Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology , v.25 , 2005 , p.79A
Kohn, MJ and Zanazzi, A "Coupled C- and O-isotopes in mammal fossils as monitors of continental climate change and paleoseasonality" EOS , v.86 , 2005 , p.PP31B-153
Zanazzi, A and Kohn, MJ "Ecology and physiology of White River mammals based on stable isotope ratios of teeth" Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology , v.257 , 2008 , p.22
Zanazzi, A; Kohn, MJ, MacFadden, BJ "Climatic and environmental change across the Eocene-Oligocene transition in the northern Great Plains (USA) as inferred from carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in fossil tooth enamel" EOS , v.86 , 2005 , p.PP51B-059
Zanazzi, A., Kohn, MJ, MacFadden, BJ, and Terry, DO "Large temperature drop across the Eocene-Oligocene transition in central North America" Nature , v.445 , 2007 , p.639

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