Late Miocene stable isotope stratigraphy of SE Atlantic ODP Site 1085: Relation to Messinian events

High-resolution benthic oxygen isotope and XRF (Fe and Ca) records from Site 1085 drilled in the Mid-Cape basin (ODP Leg 175) are used to investigate global climate changes during the Late Miocene in relation to Messinian geological events. The cyclic fluctuations of the time series at Site 1085 enable us to establish a reliable chronology for the time interval 7.3–4.7 Ma. Spectral analysis of the δ¹⁸O record indicates that the 41-kyr period of orbital obliquity dominates the Late Miocene record. A global climate record was extracted from the oxygen isotopic composition of benthic foraminifera. Both long- and short-term variabilities in the climate record are discussed in terms of sea-level and deep-water temperature changes. The time interval 7.3–6.25 Ma characterized by low-amplitude δ¹⁸O variations is followed by a period marked by maximum in the δ¹⁸O values (6.25–5.57 Ma). At about 5.56 Ma, a rapid decrease in δ¹⁸O values is documented that may reflect a warming of deep-water temperature associated with a global warming period. Comparison between the timing of the oceanic isotope events and the chronology of the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis suggest that global eustatic processes were not essential in the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis history. From our data, we infer that the global warmth documented in the Early/mid-Pliocene probably started during the Late Miocene (at 5.55 Ma). At the same time, the onset of evaporite deposition in the central basin of the Mediterranean Sea took place. Sharp changes in the sedimentation rates, mainly driven by terrigenous input at this site, are observed during the Messinian Stage.     

Living (Stained) Benthic Foraminifera and their Response to the Seasonal Hydrographic Cycle, Periodic Hypoxia and to Primary Production in Havstens Fjord on the Swedish West Coast

Havstens Fjord on the Swedish west coast is a silled fjord that is characterized by strong stratification and stagnant bottom-water with periodically occurring hypoxic (0–2 ml l⁻¹) or anoxic (≤0 ml l⁻¹) conditions. Renewal of Havstens Fjord's deep-water occurs every year, mostly during winter or spring. The aim of this study was to discover how living benthic Foraminifera respond to hydrographic variations, periodic oxygen deficiency and variations in primary production. A long series of monthly hydrographic measurements combined with sediment sampling were performed from August 1993 to December 1994. Sampling was carried out at four different sites along a depth transect (12, 20, 30 and 40 m). Monthly values of chlorophyll a from the water surface down to 15 m were obtained. With increasing water depth, the foraminiferal fauna changed from a low diverse brackish fauna, through a diverse and abundant fauna, to a low diversity and sparse fauna characterized by species tolerant of oxygen depletion. At the deepest site (40 m) Elphidium magellanicum and Stainforthia fusiformis survived five months of anoxic or near anoxic conditions. At 30 m the periodic hypoxic conditions were severe enough to prevent a rich benthic macrofauna establishing, but there was enough oxygen for an abundant and diverse foraminiferal fauna to thrive. Under oxic conditions, freshly sedimented phytoplankton seem to be an important food source for the Foraminifera.     

Neogene stratigraphy and the sedimentary and oceanographic development of the NW European Atlantic margin

A regional correlation of Neogene stratigraphy has been attempted along and across the NW European Atlantic continental margin, between Mid-Norway and SW Ireland. Two unconformity-bounded successions are recognised. These are referred to as the lower and upper Neogene successions, and have been dated as Miocene–early Pliocene and early Pliocene–Holocene, respectively, in age. Their development is interpreted to reflect plate-wide, tectonically driven changes in the sedimentary, oceanographic and latterly climatic evolution of the NE Atlantic region. The lower Neogene succession mainly preserves a record of deep-water sedimentation that indicates an expansion of contourite sediment drifts above submarine unconformities, within this succession, on both sides of the eastern Greenland–Scotland Ridge from the mid-Miocene. This is interpreted to record enhanced deep-water exchange through the Faroe Conduit (deepest part of the Southern Gateway), and can be linked to compressive inversion of the Wyville–Thomson Ridge Complex. Thus, a pervasive, interconnected Arctic–North Atlantic deep-water circulation system is a Neogene phenomenon. The upper Neogene succession records a regional change, at about 4 Ma, in the patterns of contourite sedimentation (submarine erosion, new depocentres) coeval with the onset of rapid seaward-progradation of the continental margin by up to 100 km. This build-out of the shelf and slope is inferred to record a marked increase in sediment supply in response to uplift and tilting of the continental margin. Associated changes in deep-water circulation may be part of an Atlantic-wide reorganisation of ocean bottom currents. Glacial sediments form a major component of the prograding shelf margin (shelf-slope) sediment wedges, but stratigraphic data indicate that the onset of progradation pre-dates significant high-latitude glaciation by at least 1 Ma, and expansive Northern Hemisphere glaciation by at least 3 Ma.     

Oxygenation episodes on the continental shelf of central Peru: Remote forcing and benthic ecosystem response

The interplay between the oxygen minimum zone and remotely-forced oxygenation episodes determines the fate of the benthic subsystem off the Central Peruvian coast. We analyzed a 12 year monthly time-series of oceanographic and benthic parameters at 94 m depth off Callao, Central Peru (12°S), to analyze: (i) near-bottom oxygen level on the continental shelf in relation to dynamic height on the equator (095°W); and (ii) benthic ecosystem responses to oxygen change (macrobiotic infauna, meiofauna, and sulphide-oxidizing bacteria, Thioploca spp.). Shelf oxygenation episodes occurred after equatorial dynamic height increases one month before, consistent with the propagation of coastal trapped waves. Several but not all of these episodes occurred during El Niños. The benthic biota responded to oxygenation episodes by undergoing succession through three major ecological states. Under strong oxygen deficiency or anoxia, the sediments were nearly defaunated of macro-invertebrates and Thioploca was scarce, such that nematode biomass dominated the macro- and meiobiotas. When frequency of oxygenation events reduced the periods of anoxia, but the prevailing oxygen range was 10–20 μmol L⁻¹, mats of Thioploca formed and dominated the biomass. Finally, with frequent and intense (>40 μmol L⁻¹) oxygenation, the sediments were colonized by macrofauna, which then dominated biomass. The Thioploca state evolved during the 2002–2003 weak EN, while the macrofauna state was developed during the onset of the strong1997–1998 EN. Repeated episodes of strong oxygen deficiency during the summer of 2004, in parallel with the occurrence of red tides in surface waters, resulted in the collapse of Thioploca mats and development of the Nematode state. Ecological interactions may affect persistence or the transition between benthic ecosystem states.     

Benthic macrofauna and depth of bioturbation in Eckernförde Bay,southwestern Baltic Sea

The goal of this study was to relate the distribution and abundance of functional groups of benthic macrofauna to the depth of bioturbation in Eckernförde Bay, Germany. Particle bioturbation was limited to the top 0.5–1.0 cm throughout Eckernförde Bay and is consistent with sedimentological and radiochemical studies. Our results indicate that vertical particle displacement between ingestion and defecation controls the depth of bioturbation and is directly related to the functional group. The benthic community is maintained at a low level of complexity due to a regular disturbance, most likely seasonal hypoxia/anoxia.     

Responses of deep-water shrimp populations to intermediate nepheloid layer detachments on the Northwestern Mediterranean continental margin

A clear link between the distribution of intermediate nepheloid layer detachments on the Northwestern Mediterranean continental margin and the population structure of five congeneric megafaunal species of deep-water benthic shrimps inhabiting different depth ranges between 100 and 1100 m was found. The results of the multidisciplinary approach presented in this study provide evidence for the ecological conditions that affect the spatial distribution of juveniles and females of a deep-water fishery resource. The significantly higher occurrence of juveniles and females in regions where intermediate nepheloid layers detach from the seabed allows us to define these areas as potential deep-water nursery habitats. The spatial recognition of these habitats could contribute to the management of the stocks concerned and afford a basis for protecting these vulnerable habitats from fishing pressure. Overall, our findings furnish support for the hypothesis that deep-water benthic biological processes are linked to pelagic processes, suggesting that the detachments of intermediate nepheloid layers serve as one of the physical links between these two environments.     

In situ Study of Bromide Tracer and Oxygen Flux in Coastal Sediments

Laboratory and in situ experiments were performed to assess the use of bromide as a tracer forin situ studies of benthic solute exchange. Bromide was used in the benthic chamber lander ‘ Elinor ’ for flux measurements in coastal sediments of the German Bight, Kiel Bight and Skagerrak (28–700 m water depth). Tracer and total oxygen uptake were monitored simultaneously in the same chamber incubation. Concurrently, in situ oxygen micro-profiles were recorded at the same locations by the profiling lander ‘ Profilur ’. Deployment in an anoxic silt (Kiel Bight) confirmed that in the absence of bioturbation and advection, tracer transport into the sediment was driven solely by molecular diffusion. This flux could be well described by a simple box model accounting for molecular diffusion only. In oxic sediments (German Bight and Skagerrak) enhanced exchange of bromide tracer due to bioirrigation parallelled enhanced oxygen uptake equivalent to a 4-fold molecular diffusive flux. Our experiments showed that incubations can be short. Depending on irrigation activity of the fauna, however, incubation length should exceed 3 h in order to provide a useful data base for flux calculations. The method demonstrating caveats is discussed and indicate possible improvements. The results show how the bromide tracer addition can be used as a tool for determining solute fluxes exceeding diffusive flux in benthic chamber incubations.     

Depositional environments of the Mediterranean “Lower Evaporites” of the Messinian salinity crisis: Constraints from quantitative analyses

We use simple quantitative analyses to evaluate controversial water level scenarios for the Mediterranean “Lower Evaporites” of the Messinian salinity crisis. Our results indicate that a shallow-water scenario for the Lower Gypsum units – with Mediterranean water level lower than the sill at Gibraltar – would imply unrealistic salt thicknesses on the order of 3 km. Some outflow to the open ocean must have persisted, implying that the Mediterranean was a deep-water basin during Lower Gypsum formation. Since glacio-eustatic fluctuations do not seem to have had a major influence on Lower Gypsum deposits, Mediterranean water level was even substantially higher than the Gibraltar sill. Our analyses furthermore show that precessional changes in the freshwater budget may explain the observed cyclic lithological changes of gypsum and non-evaporitic sediments. Potential precipitation of gypsum in the deep Mediterranean basins would have critically depended on the availability of oxygen and thus on the stratification of the water column. Finally, our results indicate that the deep Mediterranean halite units could have been deposited under shallow conditions, assuming that they correspond to the ~ 70 kyr time interval between glacials TG12 and TG14, when Mediterranean outflow to the Atlantic was blocked.     

Development and post-depositional deformation of a Middle Eocene deep-water sandy depositional system in the Sørvestsnaget Basin,SW Barents Sea

Three-dimensional seismic data from the Sørvestsnaget Basin, SW Barents Sea supported by well data, are used to investigate a Middle Eocene deep-water depositional system. The system forms a NNW-oriented sediment accumulation, characterized by increased seismic amplitudes, and abrupt western termination. The data indicate that post-depositional sand remobilization and injection led to formation of sub-circular sediment blocks up to several km wide to the east of the main accumulation. The deep-water depositional system was deformed by wing-like sandstone intrusions, extending 200–400 m upwards from the margins of the parent sand bodies. The intrusions have polygonal or broadly circular plan view geometries. Deformation is inferred to have been associated with overpressure of the sand bodies as a result of rapid burial, fluid migration into the sealed sand bodies from deeper sources via synsedimentary faults, and fluid drainage from the surrounding mudrock during early compaction. The final triggering mechanism for sand remobilization and injection is inferred to have been fracture propagation due to differential compaction and/or fault-induced earthquakes. The injectite complexes are often associated with folding of overlying strata, which we relate to differential compaction. Intrusion of sand took place during the Middle Eocene. Post-depositional sand remobilization and injection have important implications for hydrocarbon exploration because they cause changes in the reservoir primary architecture, connectivity and structure.     

Carbon cycling in a high-arctic marine ecosystem – Young Sound, NE Greenland

Young Sound is a deep-sill fjord in NE Greenland (74°N). Sea ice usually begins to form in late September and gains a thickness of 1.5 m topped with 0–40 cm of snow before breaking up in mid-July the following year. Primary production starts in spring when sea ice algae begin to flourish at the ice–water interface. Most biomass accumulation occurs in the lower parts of the sea ice, but sea ice algae are observed throughout the sea ice matrix. However, sea ice algal primary production in the fjord is low and often contributes only a few percent of the annual phytoplankton production. Following the break-up of ice, the immediate increase in light penetration to the water column causes a steep increase in pelagic primary production. Usually, the bloom lasts until August–September when nutrients begin to limit production in surface waters and sea ice starts to form. The grazer community, dominated by copepods, soon takes advantage of the increased phytoplankton production, and on an annual basis their carbon demand (7–11 g C m⁻²) is similar to phytoplankton production (6–10 g C m⁻²). Furthermore, the carbon demand of pelagic bacteria amounts to 7–12 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹. Thus, the carbon demand of the heterotrophic plankton is approximately twice the estimated pelagic primary production, illustrating the importance of advected carbon from the Greenland Sea and from land in fuelling the ecosystem.In the shallow parts of the fjord (<40 m) benthic primary producers dominate primary production. As a minimum estimate, a total of 41 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ is fixed by primary production, of which phytoplankton contributes 15%, sea ice algae <1%, benthic macrophytes 62% and benthic microphytes 22%. A high and diverse benthic infauna dominated by polychaetes and bivalves exists in these shallow-water sediments (<40 m), which are colonized by benthic primary producers and in direct contact with the pelagic phytoplankton bloom. The annual benthic mineralization is 32 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ of which megafauna accounts for 17%. In deeper waters benthic mineralization is 40% lower than in shallow waters and megafauna, primarily brittle stars, accounts for 27% of the benthic mineralization. The carbon that escapes degradation is permanently accumulated in the sediment, and for the locality investigated a rate of 7 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ was determined.A group of walruses (up to 50 adult males) feed in the area in shallow waters (<40 m) during the short, productive, ice-free period, and they have been shown to be able to consume <3% of the standing stock of bivalves (Hiatella arctica, Mya truncata and Serripes Groenlandicus), or half of the annual bivalve somatic production. Feeding at greater depths is negligible in comparison with their feeding in the bivalve-rich shallow waters.     

Productivity, trophic levels and size spectra of zooplankton in northern Norwegian shelf regions

Many studies have been conducted in northern Norwegian shelf regions to assess distributions and abundances of zooplankton in the last decade using towed Scanfish-conductivity, temperature and depth sensors (CTD)–optical plankton counter (OPC), and plankton nets. Significant progresses have been made in understanding dominant species, life histories and behavior, and in using size-structured data to identify dominant species in a certain size range. Using these Scanfish–CTD–OPC data, the analysis of zooplankton community size structures, compositions and their relationships with water types is made along the shelf region from Lofoten, North Cape to Varangerfjorden. From the relationships between the water types and zooplankton communities, the transports and exchanges of zooplankton communities between the Norwegian Coastal and Norwegian Atlantic Waters in regions near Malangsgrunnen and Nordvestbanken are examined. The biovolume (biomass) spectra are further analyzed for the productivity, trophic levels and seasonality of communities in these regions, indicating a steeper slope of the biovolume spectrum for a community dominated by herbivorous species in spring and a flatter slope for a community dominated by carnivorous–omnivorous species in winter. The comparison with the zooplankton biovolume spectra obtained in areas west of Antarctic Peninsula is made to examine and understand the differences in the zooplankton biovolume spectra, their trophic dynamics and potential human impacts between different regions.     

Spatial macrozoobenthic distribution patterns in relation to major environmental factors- A case study from the Pomeranian Bay (southern Baltic Sea)

The aim of this study was to identify potential environmental “key factors” causing spatial distributions of macrozoobenthic communities to improve our understanding concerning benthic biotic/abiotic interactions and ecosystem functioning. To this end benthic and environmental data, collected over a period of 4 years (2003–2006) at 191 sampling stations in the Pomeranian Bay (southwest Baltic Sea), were analysed. This represents the most comprehensive study performed in this respect in the Baltic Sea up to date and also the necessary first step towards a model able to predict macrofaunal distributions regarding autecological species-environment interactions. Based on species abundances, distinctive macrobenthic community patterns were identified and evaluated via univariate correlation methods, multivariate numerical classification and ordination techniques (e.g. PCA, CCA). These patterns were caused by clear responses of several benthic species to certain prevailing environmental conditions. The observed distribution of selected species followed a strong gradient of depth and was explained best by the sediment parameters total organic carbon (TOC), median grain size and sorting. By using different statistical methods these abiotic/biotic interactions were modelled allowing to extend our knowledge concerning ecosystem functioning, and provide a tool to assess natural and anthropogenic forced changes in species distribution.     

Nutrient, sulfur and carbon dynamics in a hypersaline lagoon

We measured benthic and water column fluxes in a hypersaline coastal system (Baffin Bay, Texas) in 1996–1997, a period of decreasing salinity (increased freshwater input) and turbidity. Salinity decreased from a mean of 60 to 32 practical salinity units (psu) and turbidity decreased from a mean of 78 to 25 NTU over the study period. Associated with hydrological changes, there were important changes in nutrient fluxes and metabolism. There was a shift of total respiration from the water column to the sediments and an increased amount of the benthic metabolism (2–67%) was attributed to sulfate reduction in this system when salinity was lowest, perhaps a consequence of increased benthic light levels and photosynthetic production of labile carbon in the sediments. The sediments were a large sink for both N and P. Sediment particulate C:N (9.8) and C:P (119) ratios were lower than those in the water column. However, ammonium:phosphate fluxes increased coincident with increased sulfate reduction rates and porewater sulfide concentrations. Efficient N-retention mediated through dissimilative nitrate reduction to ammonium, and high rates of N-fixation in shallow, hypersaline systems may facilitate transitions from N-limitation to P-limitation. During the most hypersaline period, seston exhibited some of the most extreme nutrient ratios ever reported for a marine ecosystem (C:N 10–37 and C:P 200–1200) and suggest that plankton are likely to be P-limited or are very well adapted to low P availability. When salinity and N:P and C:P ratios were highest, the plankton was dominated by a brown tide alga (Aureoumbra lagunensis), supporting evidence that this organism is adapted to low P, long residence time systems.     

Reconstruction of deep-water conditions in the North Atlantic during MIS 9 based on benthic foraminiferal assemblages

Marine isotope stage (MIS) 9 is one of the least investigated Pleistocene interglaciations. The present study describes reconstructions of deep-water conditions during this time interval based on benthic foraminiferal assemblages from sediment core M23414 (Rockall Plateau, North Atlantic). The results of faunal analysis were supported by planktic δ¹⁸O, sea surface temperature reconstructions based on planktic foraminiferal assemblages and content of ice rafted debris. Statistical data processing using principal component analysis revealed five climate-related benthic foraminiferal associations that changed in response to alterations of deep-water circulation.     

Benthic primary production, respiration and remineralisation: in situ measurements in the soft-bottom Abra alba community of the western English Channel (North Brittany)

In situ measurements of ammonium and carbon dioxide fluxes were performed using benthic chambers at the end of spring and the end of summer in two soft-bottom Abra alba communities of the western English Channel (North Brittany): the muddy sand community (5 m, about 10% of surface irradiance) and the fine-sand community (19 m, about 1% of surface irradiance). High rates of ammonium regeneration were measured in the two communities at the end of summer (296.03±40.07 and 201.7±62.74 μmolN m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively) as well as high respiration rates (2.60±0.94 and 2.23±0.59 mmolC m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively). Significant benthic gross primary production (up to 6.11 mmolC m⁻² h⁻¹) was measured in the muddy sand community but no benthic primary production was measured in the fine-sand community. It suggests that microphytobenthic production values used in simulations previously published for these two communities were overestimated while values of community respiration were underestimated. The study confirms that this benthic system is heterotrophic and strengthens the idea that an important pelagic-benthic coupling is required for the functioning in such coastal ecosystems.     

Benthic habitat quality change as measured by macroinfauna community in a tidal flat on the west coast of Korea

Yellow Sea tidal flats are internationally recognised for their contribution to biological diversity and yet are under enormous pressure from reclamation, pollution and overexploitation. The benthic macroinfauna community is the dominant community on these tidal flats and a reliable indicator of benthic environmental changes. We surveyed the current benthic macroinfauna community of the Ganghwa Southern Tidal Flat, the largest remaining Korean mud flat in the Yellow Sea, in order to examine changes in the environmental situation of this benthic ecosystem. The results show a significant decline in species diversity from the last survey made in 2003, and a shift in species composition with appearances of polychaetes indicative of pollution and physical disturbances and other opportunistic species becoming dominant in both density and biomass. The benthic community shift observed during the two study periods may be associated with increased nutrient pollution as well as increased physical disturbances in this area. However, we recognise the limitations of the data both in frequency and scope but believe the significant changes to the composition of the benthic fauna are sufficient to warrant concern. Observations are required to examine the extent to which these human activities induce benthic community shift in this tidal flat.     

Energy budgets and predation impact of dominant epibenthic carnivores on a shallow soft bottom community at the Swedish west coast

The energy flow through the epibenthic community on a shallow soft bottom in Gullmar Fjord, Sweden, is evaluated. The interaction between the dominant epibenthic predators: brown shrimp Crangon crangon L., juvenile plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. and sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas), and their food supply is examined, and the fate of the biomass produced within the shallow water ecosystem is described. A steady state model is presented which describes the amounts, pathways and annual rates of energy flowing through the shallow water community. Field and laboratory studies are performed in order to validate the consumption rates of the fish and shrimp species. The brown shrimp occupies a key position in this ecosystem. It represents food, consisting of newly settled juveniles, both to its conspecifics and to other epibenthic species in shallow water. Sixty to eighty per cent of the annual production of shrimps in shallow water is consumed by the epibenthic predators. The brown shrimp constitutes a main predator on other epibenthic species and, by providing such feedback loops, the shrimp constitutes a highly significant regulator of epibenthic carnivores in shallow water. A loss from the benthic community will occur due to predation, maximally amounting to 24–34% of the annual production, which is a high value compared to similar areas. A dynamic simulation is also performed in order to calculate the seasonal change of energy in the epibenthic community in shallow water. Based on mortality calculations, the total output from the shallow nursery should amount to 0·6 g m⁻² year⁻¹ (dry wt).     

Amphipod prey of gray whales in the northern Bering Sea: Comparison of biomass and distribution between the 1980s and 2002–2003

The ampeliscid amphipod community in the Chirikov Basin of the northern Bering Sea was a focus of study during the 1980s because they were a major food for the Eastern North Pacific (ENP) population of gray whales Eschrichtius robustus. Information from the 1980s benthic investigations, published accounts of ENP gray whale population trends and the occurrence in 1999–2000 of an unusual number of gray whale mortalities prompted concern that the whale population may have exceeded the carrying capacity of its food base. Therefore, during two cruises per year between June and September, 2002 and 2003, we resampled the 20 stations occupied during the 1980s, to determine if there had been any significant changes in ampeliscid abundance and biomass. During 2002–2003, average ampeliscid dry weight biomass was about 28±10 g m⁻² (95% confidence interval), a decline of nearly 50% from maximum values in the 1980s. Amphipod length measurements indicated that the declines were due mainly to the absence of the larger animals (20–30 mm length). Two hypotheses were considered regarding the amphipod declines: gray whale predation and climate. Ampeliscid production (105 kcal m⁻² yr⁻¹) and gray whale energy requirements (1.6×10⁸ kcal individual⁻¹ yr⁻¹) indicated that as little as 3–6% of the current estimate of the ENP gray whale population could remove 10–20% of the annual ampeliscid production from the study site in 2002–2003, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that top-down control by foraging whales was the primary cause of the observed declines. A 10-yr time series of temperature near the bottom in the Bering Strait and northward transport did not reveal a consistent trend between 1990 and 2001, suggesting that climate influences were not the major cause of the observed declines. Arctic ampeliscids have slow growth rates and long generation times; therefore the ampeliscid community may require decades to recover to densities observed in the 1980s. Predicted warming trends in the northern Bering Sea could impact ampeliscid recovery by lowering primary production or altering the community composition of the benthos.