On behalf of our editorial board, I present this special issue of the Journal of Foraminiferal Research primarily focused on reviewing traditional applications and recent advances in foraminiferal geochemistry. The geochemical signals recorded within the tests of foraminifera have served as important archives of information in efforts to reconstruct both background states and changes in climatic conditions, ocean circulation, and various localized environmental conditions over timescales spanning from the Cambrian Period through the Holocene Epoch (i.e., the last ∼500 million years). The geochemical topics covered herein are not exhaustive with respect to the range of available and recently developed paleo-proxy geochemical records. However, our motivation is that this issue may serve as both a resource and an inspiration for students, early career, and established scientists to explore new methods to answer burning questions across a range of fields of study.
The major theme of this issue is advances and insights derived from single-test (See articles by Fehrenbacher et al., Lane et al., and Murray-Wallace et al.) and even intratest geochemical analyses (See articles by Hupp & Fehrenbacher and Kozdon). Revelations from such fine-scale data allow us to revisit old (and potentially outdated) assumptions, while revising methodologies to improve our interpretations of both new and published geochemical proxy records derived from foraminifera. While the main topics being discussed are predominantly aimed at researchers with more of a micropaleontological background than a geochemical one, this issue also includes arguably the most important effort to consolidate and reconcile information regarding benthic foraminiferal taxonomy to date (See the article by Burkett et al.). It is just as important to make sure the right specimens are being picked for geochemical analysis as it is to learn the applicational uses and caveats for said geochemical analyses for a variety of reasons alluded to throughout this issue.
I would personally like to thank all of the contributing authors, who were very accommodating with their time and deadlines to get this issue put together. I would also like to thank our Chief Editor (Marci M. Robinson) and the entire editorial board and manuscript reviewers for their advice and support throughout the process. I hope that this issue is as enlightening and interesting for the readers of the Journal of Foraminiferal Research as it has been for me during its preparation.
Kind Regards,
Robert K. Poirier
Associate Editor
Journal of Foraminiferal Research
