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Gavin Foster

@thefosterlab.bsky.social

2.8K followers 800 following 460 posts

Palaeoclimatologist and isotope geochemist at the University of Southampton. Love/hate relationship with mass spectrometers. Researcher of climate science, coral reefs, biomineralisation, laser ablation, isotopes and geology. Views my own .. more

Environmental science 45%

Geology 24%

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Gavin Foster @thefosterlab.bsky.social · Apr 3

!New Paper Alert! Matrix independent and interference free in situ boron isotope analysis by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS/MS pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a.... In it we use our Neoma MC-ICPMS/MS to overcome the complexities of measuring boron isotopes by Laser Ablation in carbonates and other minerals. ⚒️🧪🌊🪸

Cross plots of d11B reference value vs. what we measure using Laser Ablation on our Neoma MC-ICPMS/MS. All the data lie on the 1:1 line showing that we can get accurate d11B data using laser ablation on a range of matrices from carbonate to silicate when normalised to NIST 612 glass.

Mass scans from m/z 9.7 to 11.1 for the Neoma MS/MS, base Neoma and Neptune when ablating carbonates. The Neptune shows an elevated background due to scattering of Ca and Ar 4+ ions. This is reduced in the base Neoma and entirely eliminated in the Neoma MS/MS. We think this is because the formation of Ca4+ and Ar4+ is reduced in this design of MS and scattering of this multiply charged ions is reduced once Ar and Ca are cut out by the pre-filter.

This shows the problem with laser ablation boron isotopes in carbonates on our Neptune MC-ICPMS. It shows a mass scan from m/z 9.7 to m/z 11.1 with peaks at the boron masses 10B and 11B. Rather than being a flat line - the baseline is elevated around boron 10 (and 11) due to scattering of 4+ Ar and Ca.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Rage Against the Miocene @organiccarbon.bsky.social · 14h

The global average concentration of the CO2 surged by 3.5 parts per million to 424ppm in 2024, the largest increase since modern measurements started in 1957. We might be switching from negative to positive carbon cycle feedbacks - a horrific disaster, if so.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Record leap in CO2 fuels fears of accelerating global heating

CO2 in air hit new high last year, with scientists concerned natural land and ocean carbon sinks are weakening

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Southern Africa

Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 16h

Record leap in CO2 fuels fears of accelerating global heating

- CO2 in the air hit new high last year, with scientists concerned natural land and ocean carbon sinks are weakening
@wmo-global.bsky.social

#climatecrisis
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Record leap in CO2 fuels fears of accelerating global heating

CO2 in air hit new high last year, with scientists concerned natural land and ocean carbon sinks are weakening

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

ECORD - European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling @ecord.bsky.social · 20h

We invite the community to register for the Magellan³ workshop:
“Zero-age drilling at mid-ocean ridges”.
Thursday 8th January – Friday 9th January 2026 National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton
forms.office.com/e/ZhMrHnWNjC...

Reposted by Hayley J. Fowler, Gavin L. Foster

The Francis Crick Institute @crick.ac.uk · 20h

NEW EPISODE: Will we survive climate change?

Join our expert panellists as they answer your questions about curbing rising global temperatures and what life could be like in a warmer world.

Listen on your favourite podcast platform: www.lnk.to/AQOSClimateBB

Panel of speakers with the title ‘Can We Survive Climate Change?’ from BBC Studios and The Francis Crick Institute.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 21h

This isn’t tomorrow’s problem.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk

Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation finds

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Peter Cook, Mark Priestley

Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 22h

BREAKING: “There is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves

It’s about time!

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 22h

UK must prepare buildings for 2C rise in global temperature, government told

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

UK must prepare buildings for 2C rise in global temperature, government told

Climate advisers warn that current plans to protect against extreme weather are inadequate

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Leicester UCU @leicesterucu.bsky.social · 1d

The GGE showcase made us ask ourselves what the loss of GGE and its many connections in the University will mean for the ecosystem and sustainability agenda at the University.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Wim Thiery, Jennifer Pett‐Ridge , and 3 more Gavin L. Foster, Wim Thiery, Jennifer Pett‐Ridge, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Catherine J. Frieman, Jason Williams

Nature @nature.com · 2d

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.

go.nature.com/4hj9NNV

Economics Nobel prize won by researchers who showed how science boosts growth

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.

Gavin Foster @thefosterlab.bsky.social · 2d

Urgent action needed: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’

Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’, a report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · 5d

"Universities have collectively announced more than 12,000 job cuts in the last year, new analysis from the University and College Union (UCU) suggests."

Make no mistake. Our university sector is in trouble.

Thousands more university jobs cut as financial crisis deepens

University workers will vote on national strike action this month over a 1.4% pay offer made in the summer.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 6d

“You can’t blame austerity on one hand, but then say it’s the immigrants. The immigrants haven’t caused austerity.”

Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT

Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Gavin L. Foster, Michael J. Hicks , and 1 more Michael E. Mann, Gavin L. Foster, Michael J. Hicks, Tim Fish

Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 6d

I knew Fox News was theater. I just didn't realize it was a repertory theater that recycles actors for different roles.

You'd think a company that had to pay $787,000,000 for deceiving its viewers would be a little more careful about blatantly continuing the practice.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Steve Peers

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 6d

Twelve Jobs Nigel has earned over £1 million in additional income since the general election.

To understand the scale of it, since the July 2024 election he's earned roughly £100k more as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion than Starmer gets as PM.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Nigel Farage earns over £1m from 12 'second jobs' - check how much your MP earns

The Reform UK leader's most lucrative second jobs include hosting on GB News, serving as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion and recording videos for Cameo

www.mirror.co.uk

Gavin Foster @thefosterlab.bsky.social · 6d

One for those in the Uk: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The Climate Question - What do ice cores tells us about climate change? - BBC Sounds

Uncovering the secrets of ice cores and our changing climate with two world experts

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Jussi T. Eronen

Dr. Or M. Bialik |📚|🔬|🌊|⚒️ @obialik.bsky.social · 6d

Getting to >1000 ppm CO2 in the atmosphere is something we hope we never get to. But in the geological past, those levels were reached... so... what does that do to trees?
They take more carbon, release less water, but grow at about the same rate. 🧪

Link: bg.copernicus.org/articles/22/...

Net assimilation is mildly changed at 1600 ppm CO2 and increases at 6000 ppm, driving a major increase in water-use efficiency. Bar heights are means of 10 guava saplings subjected to different CO2 concentrations. Error bars represent standard errors. P values are from paired t tests, and * and ** indicate differences among CO2 levels at 0.01 and 0.001 significance levels. (a) Net assimilation was calculated from chamber CO2 dynamics. (b) Water-use efficiency was calculated as net assimilation divided by transpiration.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 7d

Who would have guessed

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Nigel Farage earns over £1m from 12 'second jobs' - check how much your MP earns

The Reform UK leader's most lucrative second jobs include hosting on GB News, serving as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion and recording videos for Cameo

www.mirror.co.uk

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 7d

We just hit 93,000 members.

We're polling on average higher than we have ever before.

Over 1000 people joining a day!

Join our movement.

Join.greenparty.org.uk

Join the Green Party

Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.

Join.greenparty.org.uk

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Leicester UCU @leicesterucu.bsky.social · 7d

Week 2, day 3:
- more pickets!
- councillor Patrick Kitterick spoke in solidarity with staff raising key points about the importance of staff and the marketisation of education
- Bernard's teach out started an important discussion about the challenges for migrant workers.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 8d

Ocean heatwaves are breaking Earth’s hidden climate engine

Marine heatwaves are clogging the ocean’s carbon pump, threatening its power to fight climate change.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...

Ocean heatwaves are breaking Earth’s hidden climate engine

Marine heatwaves can jam the ocean’s natural carbon conveyor belt, preventing carbon from reaching the deep sea. Researchers studying two major heatwaves in the Gulf of Alaska found that plankton shif...

www.sciencedaily.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Niels de Winter @nielsjdewinter.bsky.social · 8d

Clam shells as indicators of Atlantic Ocean stability: Very interesting study using growth increment width and isotopic composition in long-living shells to document changes in the AMOC and North Atlantic circulation over the last 150 years. doi.org/10.1126/scia...

Recent and early 20th century destabilization of the subpolar North Atlantic recorded in bivalves

Clams reveal North Atlantic destabilization in the early 20th century and at present.

Gavin Foster @thefosterlab.bsky.social · 9d

youtu.be/qxt4HCjd7VA?...

Let's Make Hope Normal Again - Green Party Political Broadcast

YouTube video by Green Party of England & Wales

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Jenni Barclay

Scripps Institution of Oceanography @scrippsocean.bsky.social · 9d

🪐 On this Day of Action to Save #NASA Science, we’re highlighting how space and Earth sciences go hand-in-hand. Scripps Oceanography researchers partner with NASA to study how our planet is changing from sea to space. Here’s an out-of-this-world roundup of some recent projects. 🧵⬇️

A color image of Earth taken by NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), a four megapixel CCD camera and telescope.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

coralmannie.bsky.social @coralmannie.bsky.social · 9d

@leicesterucu.bsky.social Our students deserve a big thanks for supporting us at the picket line every day, now in week 2. It means a lot to have the students backing for fighting the looming job cuts at University of Leicester in 6 schools

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster, Steve Peers, Andrew Scott , and 4 more Gavin L. Foster, Steve Peers, Andrew Scott, Jonathan Hopkin, Stephen Jones, Feargal Cochrane, Tarik Abou‐Chadi

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 9d

Robert Jenrick complained of ‘not seeing another white face’ in part of Birmingham

Robert Jenrick complained of ‘not seeing another white face’ in part of Birmingham

Shadow justice secretary criticised for suggesting he could tell how integrated Handsworth was based on 90-minute visit Robert Jenrick complained about visiting an area of Birmingham where he “didn’t see another white face” and said it was not the kind of country he wanted to live in. After highlighting the lack of white people, the shadow justice secretary said it was not about “the colour of your skin or your faith” and he wanted people to live alongside each other. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 9d

Enhanced deep Southern Ocean stratification during the lukewarm interglacials

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Enhanced deep Southern Ocean stratification during the lukewarm interglacials - Nature Communications

Lead (Pb) isotopes from a ferromanganese crust reveal that during lukewarm interglacials before the Mid-Brunhes Event, stronger deep Southern Ocean stratification limited CO2 release, helping keep atmospheric CO2 levels lower.

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 9d

🌊 How the Southern Ocean controlled climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide during the lukewarm interglacials

phys.org/news/2025-10...

How the Southern Ocean controlled climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide during the lukewarm interglacials

Earth's climate has fluctuated between cold and warm periods for millions of years. During the so-called "lukewarm interglacials"—warm phases between 800,000 and 430,000 years ago—atmospheric CO2 conc...

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 9d

Recent and early 20th century destabilization of the subpolar North Atlantic recorded in bivalves

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Recent and early 20th century destabilization of the subpolar North Atlantic recorded in bivalves

Clams reveal North Atlantic destabilization in the early 20th century and at present.

www.science.org

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Leicester UCU @leicesterucu.bsky.social · 9d

Tomorrow's teach out: meet the Modern Languages Team at 1.15 in SBB for their modern languages showcase.
Note the change in picket times!

Reposted by Gavin L. Foster

Leicester UCU @leicesterucu.bsky.social · 9d

Week 2, day 1: pickets in George Davies Centre, Dan Stewart's teach out on Ancient Greek and Roman strikes, and more picket dogs!