底栖有孔虫体内储存硝酸盐和反硝化研究进展

底栖有孔虫是第一种被发现能够进行反硝化的真核生物,这突破了人们对真核生物代谢方式的认识。大量研究证明底栖有孔虫对于沉积物的反硝化贡献甚至远超过原核生物,有孔虫细胞内储存大量的硝酸盐,其储量远超过间隙水中的硝酸盐,这些发现为沉积物氮循环的传统认识提出了新的挑战。有孔虫体内储存硝酸盐和反硝化的研究,对于认识真核生物在无氧环境下生存代谢的机理以及更精确地量化海洋氮收支有非常重要的意义。介绍了底栖有孔虫细胞内储存硝酸盐和反硝化的发现过程,并且对不同海区有孔虫体内储存硝酸盐和整体反硝化速率进行对比讨论,同时还总结了目前有孔虫体内储存硝酸盐和反硝化机理的最新研究进展,最后探讨了该研究领域还存在的一些问题以及需要进一步开展的工作。     

底栖有孔虫Δδ13C定量重建海洋深水氧气含量的原理及应用

海洋中的溶解氧是生物地球化学循环的重要参数。在全球变暖的背景下，海洋缺氧是当前面临的环境问题之一，定量重建海水氧气含量在预测未来气候和生态环境变化中尤为重要。以往常用的代用指标大多只能定性或半定量地重建海洋深水氧气含量，而近年来新发展的底栖有孔虫表生种Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi和内生种Globobulimina spp.的碳同位素梯度(Δδ¹³C)被认为可以在20～235μmol/kg范围内定量重建海洋深水氧气含量。目前，底栖有孔虫Δδ¹³C重建深水氧气含量的研究多集中于边缘海，对开阔大洋的关注不足。本文通过对比不同海洋深水氧气含量代用指标的异同，厘清底栖有孔虫Δδ¹³C重建海洋深水氧气含量的原理及影响因素，归纳底栖有孔虫Δδ¹³C在全球范围内的应用，这对约束地球系统模型的结果具有重要意义。     

冷泉区底栖有孔虫研究进展

海底冷泉区是海洋能源和生物资源同时富集的一类特殊区域。底栖有孔虫群落及其地球化学组成是海底冷泉区发育的重要指示标志之一。海底冷泉区的底栖有孔虫及其碳同位素研究,对于探讨冷泉演化、评估古冷泉甲烷排放对全球气候变化的影响有重要的研究意义。综述了全球一些主要冷泉区的底栖有孔虫研究方法及其进展,对比了各冷泉区底栖有孔虫群落结构的主要特征及地域差异,评述了冷泉区底栖有孔虫的碳同位素记录特征、影响因素及其对冷泉活动的潜在指示意义,最后提出了南海北部冷泉活动区底栖有孔虫方面的研究展望。     

深海研究中的底栖有孔虫：回顾与展望

底栖有孔虫在古环境研究中的应用先是用作古水深或水团的标志物。随着新技术的应用,识别出了2种不同的底栖有孔虫微生境：外生种和内生种;认识到甚至深海底栖有孔虫,也能对表层浮游生物勃发的季节性短暂事件作出响应,因为沉降到海底的有机物质供养着底栖有孔虫。目前,底栖有孔虫被广泛应用于估算海洋表层生产力和底层水团的含氧量。回顾了深海底栖有孔虫生态研究的历史和其在古海洋学中的应用,并强调研究、应用中的新方法、新技术。中国已经加入了诸如IODP等深海研究计划,有必要向我国学术界提供底栖有孔虫研究的新方向,以资参考。     

南海北部近6 Ma以来中层水体演化的底栖有孔虫证据

本文对南海北部陆坡SH7B孔底栖有孔虫群落结构组成及壳体氧碳同位素值变化特征进行研究,旨在了解该区晚中新世以来的中层水体演化历史。利用因子和聚类分析对该钻孔128个样品中的35个底栖有孔虫优势属种的相对百分含量数据进行统计分析,识别出4个组合:Globocassidulina subglobosa-Stilostomella spp.（Gs-St）,Chilostomella mediterranensis-Globobulimina spp. (Cm-Gl),Hoglundina elegans-Pyrgo spp. (He-Py),Melonis affinis-Pyrgo spp. (Ma-Py)。晚中新世晚期至上新世早期（5.8~2.8 Ma）相对高海平面温暖期,SH7B孔底栖有孔虫为相对稳定的Gs-St组合,反映了低到中等营养物质供给的低氧水体环境。其中5.8~3.79 Ma底栖有孔虫壳体碳同位素偏负和强烈的碳酸盐溶解现象在全球其他海区均有发现,指示当时南海北部陆坡底层水体低氧环境可能受到因全球大洋环流格局变化影响的太平洋偏腐蚀性的缺氧中层水体影响。3.79~2.8 Ma底栖有孔虫丰度和喜氧类表生种含量逐渐增加,指示水体流通性趋于增强,水体氧含量稍有增加。晚上新世2.4 Ma以来,底栖有孔虫组合与氧碳同位素值波动变化频繁,反映了中等到高表层输出生产力的富氧到缺氧中层水体环境,南海北部陆坡底栖有孔虫的分布主要受陆源有机质输入量的多寡和南海中深层水体的循环状况共同控制。     

珠江三角洲西缘晚第四纪沉积演化和最大海侵古岸线的重建

第四纪以来,受全球气候和海平面变化影响,海岸带地区发生了一系列强烈的海陆相互作用和海侵—海退等地质事件,包含了丰富的沉积环境演化和海平面变化等信息.选用珠江三角洲西缘台山地区的30个地质钻孔,通过14C、光释光、地球化学特征、底栖有孔虫、磁化率数据,建立了晚更新世以来的地层框架,重建了最大海侵古岸线的位置.研究结果表明...     

东西特提斯晚白垩世深水底栖有孔虫生物相和岩相

白垩纪深水古海洋学研究仍处于早期发展阶段,一方面是由于来自钙质底栖有孔虫的稳定同位素和地球化学数据的缺乏,其原因在于白垩纪高碳酸盐补偿深度;另一方面在于深水有机质胶结有孔虫示踪古海洋还没有充分发展起来。深海环境深水胶结有孔虫的分布主要取决于碳酸盐可利用状况、原始生产的输入通量、深水交换、环境波动(深海洋流、浊流和快速沉积事件)和底层沉积类型,因此对于重建深海环境具有非常巨大的潜力。东、西特提斯Campanian Maastrichtian深水底栖有孔虫组合的统计分析揭示出6个生物相,代表着明显不同的沉积环境。包括:深海红色泥岩与矮小深海生物组合(生物相1);红色深海泥灰岩(“Couches Rouges”相),含钙质胶结有孔虫组合(生物相3);深水远洋灰岩(“Scaglia Rossa”相),含易碎的Rhizammina组合(生物相2);绿色灰色半远洋泥灰岩,含适应高输出通量生物组合(生物相4);半远洋泥岩和粉砂岩,含Aschemocella Nothia 组合(生物相5);陆源浊积层序,含“复理石型”Rhabdammina组合(生物相6)。Campanian Maastrichtian红色氧化深水环境动物组合与现今深海类似,而白垩纪贫氧深海环境胶结组合在现今无法找到相类似物。随着古生态信息的增加和数据库的扩展,深水胶结有孔虫有望成为揭示古海洋条件的重要工具,尤?     

热带西太平洋碳酸盐溶跃深度及其变化规律

碳酸盐的溶解与保存是全球碳循环的重要组成部分,研究碳酸盐溶解作用对探索碳循环机制、理解全球气候变化机理等具有重要意义。本文通过西太平洋暖池核心区雅浦海沟南部附近海域108个表层沉积物和3个柱状沉积物样品中浮游有孔虫、底栖有孔虫和碳酸钙含量等变化特征分析了海底碳酸盐溶跃深度、补偿深度及其自中更新世以来的变化规律。表层沉积物碳酸盐含量、浮游与底栖有孔虫丰度、底栖有孔虫占有孔虫全群比例、底栖有孔虫群中胶结质壳比例等多种指标变化表明,本区现代碳酸盐溶跃面(carbonate lysocline depth, CLD)位于水深3800m附近,碳酸盐补偿深度(carbonate compensation depth, CCD)约为4800m。柱状样有孔虫溶解指数(foraminifera dissolution index, FDX）的变化表明,冰期碳酸盐溶解作用减弱,碳酸盐溶跃面和补偿深度变深;冰消期碳酸盐溶解作用增强,溶跃面和补偿深度变浅。位于现代溶跃面附近的柱状岩心碳酸盐含量呈现冰期高、间冰期低的“太平洋型”旋回特征,同时古生产力替代性指标的变化曲线与碳酸盐含量没有明显的相关性,说明中更新世以来的碳酸盐含量变化主要受溶解作用的控制,特别是在冰期- 间冰期转换时期更为明显。     

南黄海辐射沙脊群表层沉积物中底栖有孔虫埋葬群分布特征及其环境意义

对南黄海辐射沙脊群海域123个表层沉积物样品中的有孔虫埋葬群进行了分析,发现其中浮游有孔虫含量低,平均不到7%,其分布与外海潮流有关,底栖有孔虫以浅水广盐性属种为主。通过对研究区至少在3个样品中含量大于2%的59个底栖有孔虫属种的Q型因子分析,提取了3个底栖有孔虫组合,结合沉积物粒度特征、现代海洋环境要素,将研究区划分成3个环境分区:(1)辐射沙脊群主干沙脊及大型潮流通道区,对应Ammonia beccarii vars.-Nonion akitaense-Cribrononion frigidum组合。该区可再分为两个亚区:辐射沙脊群主干沙脊及大型潮流通道北部亚区,代表受低温沿岸流和潮流影响的强水动力近岸砂质沉积环境;辐射沙脊群南部长江口偏北部亚区,反映强潮流的河口、低盐缺氧环境,兼受外海悬浮泥沙的影响。(2)海州湾及废黄河口区,对应Ammonia compressiuscula-Spiroloculina laevigata-Elphidium advenum组合,代表粉砂、黏土质底质,和水深50 m以浅的浅海环境。(3)辐射沙脊南部近岸浅水区,对应Nonion anomalinoidea-Ammonia maruhasii-Ammonia pauciloculata组合,反映了粉砂及砂质底质的近岸浅水、低盐潮间带和潮下带环境。总之,辐射沙脊群海域底栖有孔虫种群的分布,不仅受海水温盐、水深影响显著,还与此区独特的水动力条件,即外海潮波与内陆河流的共同作用有关。     

南海北部天然气水合物远景区末次冰期以来底栖有孔虫稳定同位素特征及其影响因素

底栖有孔虫碳同位素负偏移是地质记录中天然气水合物释放的重要证据之一.对南海北部西沙海槽和东沙陆坡等天然气水合物远景区XH-27PC和DS-4PC柱状样分别进行顶空气甲烷含量分析、有机碳含量分析、粒度分析和有孔虫氧碳同位素分析.结合碳酸盐含量及AMS 14C测年,揭示研究区末次冰期以来底栖有孔虫的稳定同位素特征.结果显示:西沙海槽BSR区沉积物中甲烷含量较低;底栖有孔虫碳同位素负偏不明显,与顶空气甲烷含量呈弱正相关(R=0.32),与有机碳含量有强负相关(R=-0.82),说明低通量甲烷不足以引起底栖有孔虫碳同位素显著偏移,在无甲烷或甲烷轻微渗漏的环境中有机碳的厌氧氧化是影响底栖有孔虫碳同位素组成的主要因素.东沙陆坡BSR区沉积物中含有大量的甲烷气体;底栖有孔虫氧同位素记录在末次冰期异常偏重,可能与天然气水合物的分解释放有关;同时可识别出多期碳同位素快速负偏事件,其成因很可能是末次冰期海平面下降导致海底沉积物的温度、压力条件发生变化,从而引发水合物甲烷失稳分解,底栖有孔虫吸收富12C的甲烷源碳致使壳体碳同位素负偏移.     

Advance in Studies on Intracellular Nitrate Storage and Denitrification of Benthic Foraminifera

Benthic foraminifera is the first kind of eukaryotes reported to carry on denitrification, which breaks the understanding of the eukaryotic metabolic way. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the contribution of benthic foraminifera to sedimentary denitrification exceeds the prokaryotes. Furthermore, benthic foraminifera stores large amount of nitrate intracellularly, which far exceeds the amount of nitrate in pore water. These findings challenge our understanding of the nitrogen cycle in sediments. The study of foraminiferal intracellular nitrate storage and denitrification is significant to figure out the metabolic way of eukaryote in anoxic environment and to quantify the balance of nitrogen in marine environment. The history of foraminiferal intracellular nitrate storage and denitrification study was discussed. In addition, the distribution of foraminiferal intracellular nitrate and denitrification rates in marine environment was also discussed. The latest research progresses about the related mechanism were also summarized. Finally, the problems and challenges in present and future studies were discussed.     

Bathymetric trend of Late Cretaceous southern Tethys upwelling regime based on benthic foraminifera

Benthic foraminifera are one of the most commonly used indicators to infer paleodepth. The information on depth distribution of fossil benthic foraminifera is generally obtained from normal marine environments. However, a significant gap exists with respect to implications of benthic foraminiferal distributions in unique sedimentary successions, such as those deposited under upwelling regimes. In such settings, the paleobathymetric signal is somewhat obscured by the extreme food fluxes and oxygen depletion at the seafloor that cause changes in benthic foraminiferal assemblage composition. Nevertheless, the dynamics of upwelling systems, and as a result the sediment and organic matter accumulation, are known to be directly influenced by eustatic changes, making paleobathymetric reconstruction highly valuable for understanding these systems.The Upper Cretaceous high productivity marine succession of southern Israel, with its variable lithologies, provides a unique opportunity for addressing this issue. Through this succession, a significant turnover in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages is observed associated with a sharp change in lithology from phosphate (Phosphate Member) to organic rich carbonates (Oil Shale Member; OSM). Statistical nMDS analysis distinguished four groups of species indicative of distinct depth habitats: <200 m, 100–300 m, 300–500 m, and >500 m. Each one of these groups corresponds to different parts of the sequence. According to our analysis, the shift in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages is attributed to a distinct regional deepening from shelf environment (<200 m) in the Phosphate Member (upper Campanian) to upper bathyal (200–500 m) at the base of OSM (base Maastrichtian), and deeper to middle bathyal (>500 m) during the Maastrichtian. While taking into account other factors affecting benthic foraminiferal distribution, this study demonstrates that depth distribution models based on normal marine settings might also be applicable as proxies for paleobathymetry in high productivity environments.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of an upper Santonian - upper Campanian succession from the southern part of the Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Study of an upper Santonian to upper Campanian hemipelagic succession from the southern part of the Romanian Eastern Carpathians enables us to establish an integrated biostratigraphy based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils and to compare this record with the agglutinated foraminiferal biozonation used for the Carpathians.Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were investigated using several methods, such as agglutinated and calcareous benthic foraminiferal morphogroups, and the benthic foraminiferal oxygen index in order to determine their response to environmental parameters in the basin (correlated with sea-level maxima documented by regional sea-level curves for the Tethys). A pattern of changes in benthic foraminiferal communities associated with increased organic carbon flux and rising sea-levels can be summarized as follows in the studied succession. As sea-level begins to rise there is an increase in the proportion of calcareous benthic foraminifera at the expense of agglutinated foraminifera within the benthic assemblages (earliest Campanian, mid-late Campanian). Once sea-level rises, an increase in the elongate keeled morphotype of agglutinated foraminifera (shallower water forms) can be observed, and if sea-level remains high for an extended period (as in the early Campanian) then an invasion of both agglutinated and benthic calcareous foraminifera characteristic of outer shelf-upper slope environments take place in the basin. The variations in tubular and deep infaunal morphotypes of agglutinated foraminifera are ascribed to varying levels of organic carbon flux.     

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Oligocene Afales Basin, Ithaki island, western Greece

Assemblages of benthic foraminifera from one clastic succession in the Afales Basin (Ithaki Island, western Greece) were investigated to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions during the Oligocene. The section consists of alternating hemipelagic marls and detrital deposits, designated as flysch-like beds, attributed to biostratigraphic Zones P20 and P21. Planktic percentages are mostly high (66–80%). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages comprise calcareous and agglutinated taxa (up to 15%). The prevalence of epifaunal foraminifera indicates good ventilation of the bottom water resulting from basin morphology, which enabled the undisturbed flow of water throughout the basin. Palaeodepth estimates imply bathyal deposition, from about 800 to 1200 m deep. The benthic foraminiferal fauna is of high diversity along the section, as is expected in deep marine environments. The abundances of the most common foraminiferal taxa (Cibicidoides spp., Oridorsalis umbonatus, Gyroidinoides spp., Stilostomella spp., Nodosariidae, Nuttallides umbonifera) are quite variable and imply generally oligotrophic to mesotrophic environmental conditions with variable organic flux.     

Late Glacial–Holocene record of benthic foraminiferal morphogroups from the eastern Arabian Sea OMZ: Paleoenvironmental implications

The Arabian Sea is characterized today by a well-developed and perennial oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) at mid-water depths. The Indian margin where the OMZ impinges provides sediment records ideal to study past changes in the OMZ intensity and its vertical extent in response to the changes of monsoon-driven primary productivity and intermediate water ventilation. Benthic foraminifera, depending upon their adaptation capabilities to variation in sea floor environment and microhabitat preferences, develop various functional morphologies that can be potentially used in paleoenvironmental reconstruction. In this study, we analysed benthic foraminiferal morphogroups in assemblage records of the last 30 ka in a sediment core collected from the lower OMZ of the Indian margin (off Goa). In total, nine morphogroups within two broadly classified epifaunal and infaunal microhabitat categories are identified. The abundance of morphogroups varies significantly during the late Glacial, Deglacial and Holocene. It appears that monsoon wind driven organic matter flux, and water column ventilation governing the OMZ intensity and sea-bottom oxygen condition, have profound influence on structuring the benthic foraminiferal morphogroups. We found a few morphogroups showing major changes in their abundances during the periods corresponding to the northern hemisphere climatic events. Benthic foraminifera with planoconvex tests are abundant during the cold Heinrich events, when the sea bottom was oxygenated due to a better ventilated, weak OMZ; whereas, those having tapered/cylindrical tests dominate during the last glacial maximum and the Holocene between 5 and 8 ka BP, when the OMZ was intensified and poorly ventilated, leading to oxygen-depleted benthic environment. Characteristically, increased abundance of taxa with milioline tests during the Heinrich 1 further suggests enhanced ventilation attributed probably to the influence of oxygen-rich Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW).     

Foraminiferal record of marine transgression during deposition of the Middle Miocene Badenian evaporites in Central Paratethys (Borków section,Polish Carpathian Foredeep)

Benthic and planktonic foraminifera from a marly clay intercalation sandwiched between mid‐Badenian (Middle Miocene) gypsum deposited in an environment of an evaporitic shoal (<1 m deep) at Borków (southern Poland) indicate a major marine flooding event in the previously isolated Carpathian Foredeep Basin (Central Paratethys). After this very short‐term environmental change, benthic foraminifers started to colonize a new niche which was previously defaunated, and the pattern of benthic foraminiferal colonization is similar to that related to the reflooding which terminated the Badenian evaporite deposition. The benthic foraminifer assemblages are composed of pioneer, opportunistic, r‐selected species dominated by elphidiids. The connection of the Carpathian Foredeep Basin with the marine reservoir was short‐lived. The marly clay intercalations in evaporite sequences originating in bared basins can thus register major environmental changes.     

Response of large benthic foraminifera to climate and local changes: Implications for future carbonate production

Large benthic foraminifera are major carbonate components in tropical carbonate platforms, important carbonate producers, stratigraphic tools and powerful bioindicators (proxies) of environmental change. The application of large benthic foraminifera in tropical coral reef environments has gained considerable momentum in recent years. These modern ecological assessments are often carried out by micropalaeontologists or ecologists with expertise in the identification of foraminifera. However, large benthic foraminifera have been under-represented in favour of macro reef-builders, for example, corals and calcareous algae. Large benthic foraminifera contribute about 5% to modern reef-scale carbonate sediment production. Their substantial size and abundance are reflected by their symbiotic association with the living algae inside their tests. When the foraminiferal holobiont (the combination between the large benthic foraminifera host and the microalgal photosymbiont) dies, the remaining calcareous test renourishes sediment supply, which maintains and stabilizes shorelines and low-lying islands. Geological records reveal episodes (i.e. late Palaeocene and early Eocene epochs) of prolific carbonate production in warmer oceans than today, and in the absence of corals. This begs for deeper consideration of how large benthic foraminifera will respond under future climatic scenarios of higher atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO₂) and to warmer oceans. In addition, studies highlighting the complex evolutionary associations between large benthic foraminifera hosts and their algal photosymbionts, as well as to associated habitats, suggest the potential for increased tolerance to a wide range of conditions. However, the full range of environments where large benthic foraminifera currently dwell is not well-understood in terms of present and future carbonate production, and impact of stressors. The evidence for acclimatization, at least by a few species of well-studied large benthic foraminifera, under intensifying climate change and within degrading reef ecosystems, is a prelude to future host–symbiont resilience under different climatic regimes and habitats than today. This review also highlights knowledge gaps in current understanding of large benthic foraminifera as prolific calcium carbonate producers across shallow carbonate shelf and slope environments under changing ocean conditions.     

Foraminifera from the early Danian intertrappean beds in Rajahmundry quarries,Andhra Pradesh

Intertrappean beds exposed between upper and lower traps of the Government and Sunnamrayalu quarries of Rajahmundry were analyzed based on benthic and planktic foraminifera, ostracodes and algae observed in thin sections. Planktic foraminifera indicate deposition occurred in the early Danian Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina (P1a) zone shortly after deposition of the lower trap flows. The most diverse planktic assemblages were deposited in limestones of the middle intertrappean interval and indicate an upper P1a age, or subzone P1a(2), as marked by the co-occurrence of P. eugubina, Globoconusa daubjergensis, Parasubbotina pseudobulloides and Subbotina triloculinoides. Reworked late Maastrichtian planktic foraminifera are common in a limestone interval and suggest erosion of uplifted Cretaceous sediments. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages indicate deposition occurred predominantly in shallow inner shelf to brackish environments. Similarly, ostracodes indicate variable environments ranging from inner neritic to brackish with fresh water influx, as also indicated by the presence of fresh water algae. These data confirm an overall deepening from restricted shallow marine to estuarine, lagoonal and finally open marine conditions followed by abrupt emersion and paleosoil deposition prior to the arrival of the upper trap flows at or near the base of C29n.