Ho, Sze LingSze LingHoNaafs, B. David A.B. David A.NaafsLamy, FrankFrankLamy2026-03-202026-03-2020259780443299971https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031544440https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/736486This article summarizes the information needed by paleoceanographers to effectively use haptophyte algae-derived C37 alkenones to quantify past sea surface temperatures (SSTs) via the alkenone unsaturation index (UK′37). Key aspects of long-chain alkenones, including their molecular structure, analytical quantification, and environmental distributions are described. It is now well established that a robust relationship exists between UK′37 and the growth temperature of haptophyte algae. Uncertainty in paleotemperature estimates may stem from the difficulty in UK′37 determination at both temperature extremes, transformations during settling and after deposition, and lateral transport that can lead to depositional asynchronies relative to other paleoceanographic proxies.Data miningDepositionMicroalgaeUncertainty analysisAlkenonesAsynchronyEnvironmental distributionLateral transportLong chain alkenonesPaleotemperaturesSea surfacesSurface temperaturesTemperature extremesUncertaintyOceanographybook part10.1016/b978-0-323-99931-1.00040-4