The TEX86 paleothermometer is based upon the distribution of archaeal membrane lipids ('GDGTs') in marine sediments. GDGTs are ubiquitous, abundant and relatively resistant to degradation; as such, the TEX86 paleothermometer has been used to reconstruct sea surface temperature (SST) during the Cenozoic and early Mesozoic. The authors review the principles of the TEX86 proxy and developments made over the last two decades. They also discuss its application as a paleotemperature proxy and explore existing challenges and limitations.
1. Introduction
2. History and systematics
3. Extraction and analysis of GDGTs
4. Ecophysiology and habitat of thaumarchaeota
5. Preservation of GDGTs within the sedimentary record
6. Constraints on the application of TEX86
7. Calibration of TEX86 to SST
8. Example applications of TEX86
9. Future developments in TEX86 paleothermometry