By Sophia Pedroza Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract The geochemistry of the coral genus Porites is a robust proxy for reconstructing sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface salinity (SSS) in the central tropical Pacific (CTP), using oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O). Recent paleoclimate reconstructions from Kiritimati Island (1.8° N, 157.4° W) have relied on coral…