Paleoceanography

preserved physical characteristics allowing reconstruction of past climatic conditions

Paleoceanography is the study of the history of the oceans in the geologic past with regard to biology, chemistry, circulation, geology, and patterns of biological productivity and sedimentation. Paleoceanographic studies using environment models and different proxies enable the scientific community to assess the role of the oceanic processes in the global climate by the re-construction of past climate at various intervals. Paleoceanographic research is also intimately tied to paleoclimatology.