Use of geochronology and geophysical techniques to study palaeosealevel, archaeology and sea turtle behaviour

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Dr. Jack Rink is engaged in the determination of the age of ancient coastlines. Using new dating techniques developed in Canada, we determine the time that the sand on these coastlines was deposited. This in turn allows us to know the time and height of ancient high sea levels in the recent geological past (last million years or so). These studies of ancient sea levels are very important to our understanding of climate change in general because we can use the results to refine global climate models. Dating the time that humans occupy ancient shorelines that occur on land and submerged underwater is another aspect of this work that contributes to our understanding of human history within the natural environment. Another project involves conservation of endangered sea turtles. Sea turtles are known to have a magnetic sense, apparently using magnetic navigation to orient themselves in long ocean journeys. Our work indicates that the earth's geomagnetic field strength along the nesting coastline is influencing how these turtles select their nest locations. In addition, human magnetic infrastructure in the form of seawalls in front of condominiums on the beach has also been shown to disrupt the natural nesting behaviour of the turtles. New studies in this area are planned to increase our understanding of these phenomena, which should lead to new conservation methods to improve reproductive success in these animals.