alkenone paleothermometry

Alkenone paleothermometry is a scientific method used to estimate past ocean temperatures by analyzing organic molecules called alkenones produced by certain algae. These algae change the types of alkenones they make depending on the water temperature. Scientists extract these molecules from sediment cores, measure the ratio of different alkenone types, and use this data to infer historical sea surface temperatures. This method helps us understand climate changes over millions of years, providing valuable insights into Earth's climatic history and aiding in climate change research.