Lipid biomarkers in mud volcanoes, hydrothermal and cold seep sites around Taiwan

We estimate past ocean temperature using paleothermometers based on the geochemical signature of organic lipids and calcite shells in marine sediments. To convert these geochemical data into temperature unit, we need to know the relationship between temperature and the geochemical paleothermometer, usually in the form of a ratio. Also, as the recording of temperature signal by the paleothermometer may be affected by non-thermal factors, it is essential that we get a good handle on these factors so that we can interpret paleothermometer data with confidence. Towards this end, we collect samples from different environments where the microbial assemblages may differ substantially to test the paleothermometer based on archaeal lipids.