Part 3 of 3
After our successful field campaigns, the focus shifts to the laboratory, where the real detective work begins. Each sediment core is sub-sampled centimeter by centimeter under stringent conditions in our clean DNA laboratory. This meticulous process is crucial to prevent any cross-contamination, especially when dealing with ancient sediment samples.
Some sub-samples undergo dating techniques, such as 14-Carbon and lead 210, to establish a chronological framework, while others are subjected to XRF and stable isotope analyses to infer past environmental conditions. The remaining samples are reserved for ancient DNA extraction, a delicate process that will help us identify historical species compositions.
These laboratory analyses are integral to our mission of reconstructing the temporal dynamics of marine bioinvasions.
For more information, visit the TEMPOINVASIONS website!
Author
Elena Baños Lara, PhD student