Abalone shells could help trace seafood origins

The rocks beneath our feet are leaving a hidden signature in the shells of marine snails along Australia's ancient coastline, according to new research led by Adelaide University scientists. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals that neodymium (Nd) isotope ratios in abalone shells reflect the age and type of continental rocks along southern Australia, providing new possibilities for tracking marine animal movement and verifying the origin of seafood.