Compositional variability of Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Na/Ca in the deep-sea bivalve Acesta excavata (Fabricius, 1779)

Acesta excavata (Fabricius, 1779) is a slow growing bivalve from the Limidae family and often found associated with cold-water coral reefs along European continental margin. Here we present compositional variability of frequently used proxy elemental ratios (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Na/Ca) measured by laser-ablation mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) compare it to in-situ recorded instrumental seawater parameters such as temperature salinity. Shell Mg/Ca in fibrous calcitic shell section was overall not correlated or salinity; however, some samples show significant correlations sensitivity that be unusually high comparison other marine organisms. Sr/Ca display negative linear extension rate shell, which indicates strong vital effects these bivalves. Multiple regression analysis up 79% explicable salinity independent predictor values. Yet, results clearly application Element/Ca (E/Ca) bivalves reconstruct past changes likely complicated due organic material embedded shell. Therefore, suggest apply additional techniques, clumped isotopes, order exactly determine quantify underlying possibly account for these. We differences chemical composition between two layers are explainable through crystal morphology. also appear partly controlled amount magnesium, because small magnesium ions bend lattice increases space strontium incorporation. Oxidative cleaning H 2 O did significantly change Na/Ca decreased after oxidative cleaning, most leaching effect caused removal matter.