High resolution Porites Mg/Ca thermometer for the north of the South China Sea

High resolution Mg/Ca ratios in the skeleton of aPorites lutea from the coastal area in the North of the South China Sea were precisely analyzed by ICP-MS. Compared with the instrument measured SST records, the Mg/Ca ratios strongly correlate with the SSTs, even in time of 1982/83 El Ni?o. Therefore, a coral Mg/Ca thermometer for the North of the South China Sea was established. Based on ICP-MS technique it can report sea surface temperatures to an accuracy of ±0.5°C.