By Billy D'Andrea

KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND– To understand how Earth’s climate system has changed over time, we need to find, develop and use natural recorders of temperature and precipitation.

One natural thermometer comes in the form of alkenones: trans-fats produced by certain algae. The alkenone thermometer is already used to reconstruct sea surface temperatures from ocean sediments. My research aims to extend their use to lakes, so we can reconstruct continental temperatures as well.

Watch this video to see how this biological thermometer works.