Scott, Gillian and Scourse, J.D. and Austin, W.E.N. (2003) The Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in the Celtic Sea: The Significance of Seasonal Stratification. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 33 (1). pp. 32-61. ISSN 0096-1191

Preview

Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Seasonal stratification is an important phenomenon in tidally-stirred shelf seas, influencing biological productivity, sedimentation rates, the organic content of shelf sediments, and the climate of surrounding landmasses. Previous micropaleontological and stable isotopic investigation investigation of a Holocene sequence from the Celtic Sea suggests that benthic foraminiferal distributions are linked to the physical and biological oceanographic characteristics associated with stratification. We have tested this hypothesis by analyzing the living and dead foraminiferal faunas from surface samples collected during across-frontal cruises during the summers of 1995 and 1996. Foraminiferal and environmental data for 56 samples are presented. Live and dead foraminiferal data were analyzed by factor analysis and, along with the environmental data, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Four distinct assemblages were identified from factor analysis of the live data: (1) a frontal assemblage characterized by Stainforthia fusiformis, (2) a mixed water assemblage characterized by Cibicides lobatulus, Textularia bockii, Spiroplectammina wrightii, Ammonia batavus and Quinqueloculina seminulum, (3) a stratified assemblage characterized by Bulimina marginata, Hyalinea balthica, Adercotryma wrighti and Nonionella turgida, and (4) an eastern assemblage dominated by Bulimina gibba, Elphidium excavatum and Eggerelloides scaber. Factor analysis of the dead data reproduces all groupings except the frontal assemblage. These data therefore support interpretations based on earlier stratigraphic data, and highlight the significance of benthic foraminifera as faunal indicators of paleostratification in shelf seas. The distributions also support predicted cross-frontal transfer of nutrients and the existence of surface converging circulation cells. Statistical analyses indicate the significance of unmeasured ecological variables which we speculate might be food supply, and oxygen concentration of bottom and sediment pore waters.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Benthic Foraminifera; Celtic Sea; Seasonal Stratification;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography
Item ID:	4621
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.2113/0330032
Depositing User:	Dr. Gillian Scott
Date Deposited:	26 Nov 2013 12:45
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Foraminiferal Research
Publisher:	Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads