Oxygen isotopes are often used to estimate changes in paleoclimate by measuring the ratio of ¹⁸O to ¹⁶O in ice cores.If the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is high,this indicates a(n)________.
A)icehouse condition
B)snowball Earth
C)polar climate
D)warm climate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A high ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a warm climate, as heavier ¹⁸O is preferentially evaporated from the ocean and deposited as precipitation over land, leaving the remaining ocean water depleted in ¹⁸O. This ratio is preserved in ice cores and can be used as a proxy for past climate conditions.

Oxygen Isotopes Are Often Used to Estimate Changes in Paleoclimate