Effects of sample pretreatment and external contamination on bivalve shell and Carrara marble δ18O and δ13C signatures

Abstract Stable isotope signatures of bivalve shells serve as important paleoclimate proxies. However, such data can be biased as a consequence of physical and chemical sample pretreatment and contamination during sampling. As yet, the potential isotope error induced by paleontological preservation techniques and specific methods used in bivalve sclerochronology have not been systematically assessed. To address these issues, homogenized powder of a well-preserved, aragonitic fossil shell, Glycymeris obovata (ca. 30 Ma old) as well as Carrara marble powder (calcite) were exposed to ultrasound, a set of different staining solutions and cleaning agents. In addition, these reference materials w…