Snail shells serve as natural archives for climate research

Researchers led by the University of Queensland have demonstrated that snail shells can serve as natural archives for tracking weather and landscape changes. By utilizing radiocarbon dating at ANSTO, the study investigated whether these shells could act as environmental proxies to provide data on past climate conditions in Southeast Queensland.

Using the VEGA Accelerator at the Centre for Accelerator Science, the team analyzed samples from a Biggenden banded snail shell. The research found that distinct growth spurts in the shell correspond to severe weather events, such as cyclones or extreme rainfall. To ensure accuracy, researchers accounted for potential ‘old’ carbon from food sources, which can impact estimated chronology. The study successfully calibrated results against a radiocarbon bomb curve for the Southern Hemisphere to establish precise calendar ages.