δ18O of diatoms are usually considered as tracers of past temperature of surface waters. Can these δ18O records of marine sediments devoid of carbonates be used for dating purposes (Marine isotope stages)?
Satinder, d18O depth-profiles of surface dwelling foramininfera are used for ascertaining relative chronology. In same way d18O of diatoms also can be used for ascertaining relative stratigraphy I guess.
Dear Rajesh, do you assume that input of freshwater due to ice melting during glacial to interglacial transition has a negligible role on δ18O of surface seawater especially in polar regions.