Diatom Analysis and Quaternary Environmental Change in Singapore

Global climate change has become an increasingly important issue and with it, knowledge of past climatic and environmental changes too becomes pertinent.

This is because an understating of natural climatic variability is needed to recognize the potential influences human activity has on climate. This will, in turn, further our capability in predicting future climate.

For instance, insight into past environmental conditions provides essential data for Global Climate Models used to forecast future climate. Most palaeoenvironmental studies are currently carried out in North America and Europe and data from the Southern part of the globe, including the Tropics, is needed. Thus, this research project aims to uncover the Quaternary climatic history of Singapore through diatom analysis.

Diatoms are unicellular microscopic organisms that are found in almost every aquatic environment. They are the most species-rich group of algae. Their value in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction lies in their widespread distribution, and short life cycles that makes them highly sensitive to their climate and environment.

By examining the changes in diatoms assemblages within lake sediments, diatoms can be used as proxies for the variations in temperature, salinity and pH levels in a lake basin over the Quaternary.

This study would therefore further our knowledge on how Singapore’s climate and environment has changed in the past. This would not only supplement global palaeoenvironmental archives but also aid in understanding and projecting future climate and environmental change in Singapore.