Late Quaternary variations in calcium carbonate preservation of deep-sea sediments in the northern Cape Basin: results from a multiproxy approach

In this study, we test various parameters in deep-sea sediments (bulk sediment parameters and changes in microfossil abundances and preservation character) which are generally accepted as indicators of calcium carbonate dissolution. We investigate sediment material from station GeoB 1710-3 in the northern Cape Basin (eastern South Atlantic), 280 km away from the Namibian coast, well outside today’s coastal upwelling. As northern Benguela upwelling cells were displaced westward and periodically preceded the core location during the past 245 kyr (Volbers et al., submitted), GeoB 1710-3 sediments reflect these changes in upwelling productivity. Results of the most commonly used calcium carbonate dissolution proxies do not only monitor dissolution within these calcareous sediments but also reflect changes in upwelling intensity. Accordingly, these conventional proxy parameters misrepresent, to some extent, the extent of calcium carbonate dissolution. These results were verified by an independent dissolution proxy, the Globigerina bulloides dissolution index (BDX′) (Volbers and Henrich, submitted). The BDX′ is based on scanning electronic microscope ultrastructural investigation of planktonic foraminiferal tests and indicates persistent good carbonate preservation throughout the past 245 kyr, with the exception of one pronounced dissolution event at early oxygen isotopic stage (OIS) 6.

The early OIS 6 is characterized by calcium carbonate contents, sand contents, and planktonic foraminiferal concentrations all at their lowest levels for the last 245 kyr. At the same time, the ratio of radiolarian to planktonic foraminiferal abundances and the ratio of benthic to planktonic foraminiferal tests are strongly increased, as are the rain ratio, the fragmentation index, and the BDX′. The sedimentary calcite lysocline rose above the core position and GeoB 1710-3 sediments were heavily altered, as attested to by the unusual accumulation of pellets, aggregates, sponge spicules, radiolaria, benthic foraminifera, and planktonic foraminiferal assemblages.

Solely the early OIS 6 dissolution event altered the coarse fraction intensely, and is therefore reflected by all conventional calcium carbonate preservation proxies and the BDX′. We attribute the more than 1000 m rise of the sedimentary calcite lysocline to the combination of two processes: (a) a prominent change in the deep-water mass distribution within the South Atlantic and (b) intense degradation of organic material within the sediment (preserved as maximum total organic carbon content) creating microenvironments favorable for calcium carbonate dissolution.     

末次盛冰期以来南海北部神狐海域沉积有机质的组成特征及其古气候/环境意义

通过对两根沉积柱GHE27L和GHE24L的总有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）、C/N比值及稳定碳同位素（δ13C_org）的分析,本文探讨了21.1 ka BP以来南海北部陆坡神狐海域沉积有机质的组成特征及可能的古气候/环境信息。沉积柱GHE27L的TOC含量、TN含量、C/N比值及δ13C_org值分别为0.53%~1.81%,0.07%~0.18%,8.2~16.0和-23.6‰~-20.3‰。沉积柱GHE24L各参数则分布为0.45%~1.65%,0.09%~0.24%,5.3~12.2和-22.6‰~-20.4‰。沉积柱总体有机质的剖面变化显示,末次盛冰期以来南海北部沉积有机质具有海洋和陆地混合来源,但以海洋有机质来源为主。冰期陆源有机质对总有机质的相对贡献比全新世高。末次盛冰期南海北部气候相对干旱,C₄植被发育。全新世夏季风增强、降雨增多。自2.0 ka BP以来,人类活动对南海北部海洋初级生产力产生一定的影响。     

东北太平洋胡安·德富卡隆起西翼晚第四纪以来的碳酸盐记录

通过对东北太平洋胡安·德富卡隆起西翼沉积柱样中的碳酸盐含量和浮游有孔虫氧同位素测试以及浮游有孔虫丰度、溶解指数和粗组分的统计,发现在晚第四纪约65 ka以来碳酸盐含量变化幅度大(0 4%~77 2%),相差非常悬殊,但其变化未呈现出冰期时溶解作用减弱、间冰期时溶解作用强烈这样明显的旋回性。粗组分分析结果显示,地层中有明显的浊流沉积发育。另外,碳酸盐含量和浮游有孔虫丰度分析结果揭露了研究区的 CCD在3 500 m左右。研究认为,在约65 ka来水深浅于3 500 m的区域碳酸盐含量的无规律性变化应与浊流沉积影响有直接的关系,而水深深于3 500 m的区域碳酸盐含量主要受控于深海碳酸盐的溶解作用。     

东海2万年来碳酸盐溶解作用变化:翼足类的记录

对东海84个表层沉积样品和5个重力柱状样中的翼足类和浮游有孔虫丰度、浮游有孔虫碎壳率和底栖有孔虫群中胶结质类的比例等进行了定量分析,确定了东海现代文石补偿深度（ACD）位于约600 m处,碳酸盐溶跃面在约1 400 m处.末次冰期时随着碳酸盐溶解作用的显著减弱,ACD大幅度下降至现代的1 000 m之下.     

Abrupt changes of intermediate-water oxygen in the northwestern Pacific during the last 27 kyr

An oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) currently exists at intermediate water depths on the northern Japanese margin in the northwestern Pacific. The OMZ results largely from a combination of high surface–water productivity and poor ventilation of intermediate waters. We investigated the late Quaternary history (last 27 kyr) of the intensity of this OMZ using changes in benthic foraminiferal carbon isotopes and assemblages in a sediment core taken on the continental slope off Shimokita Peninsula, northern Japan, at a water depth of 975 m. The core was located well within the region of the present-day OMZ and high surface–water productivity. The benthic foraminiferal δ¹³C values, which indicate millennial-scale fluctuations of nutrient contents at the sediment–water interface, were 0.48‰ lower during the last glacial maximum (LGM) than during the late Holocene. These results do not indicate the formation of glacial intermediate waters of subarctic Pacific origin, but rather the large contribution of high-nutrient water masses such as the Antarctic Intermediate Water, implying that the regional circulation pattern during the LGM was similar to that of modern times. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages underwent major changes in response to changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations in ocean floor sediments. The lowest oxygen and highest nutrient conditions, marked by dysoxic taxa and negative values of benthic foraminiferal δ¹³C, occurred during the Bølling/Allerød (B/A) and Pre-Boreal warming events. Dysoxic conditions in this region during these intervals were possibly caused by high surface–water productivity at times of reduced intermediate–water ventilation in the northwestern Pacific. The benthic assemblages show dysoxic events on approx. 100- to 200-year cycles during the B/A, reflecting centennial-scale productivity changes related to freshwater cycles and surface–water circulation in the North Pacific.     

南海北部表层沉积物中浮游有孔虫分布特征与环境意义

对南海北部12°以北海域表层沉积物中的浮游有孔虫丰度、属种数量与组合、碳酸盐含量以及硅质生物相对丰度等进行了分析和鉴定,结果表明:随水深的增加,浮游有孔虫的丰度降低、属种数量减少,碳酸盐含量降低,硅质生物相对丰度升高,浮游有孔虫优势种由易溶种转变为抗溶种。浮游有孔虫以及碳酸盐含量等的这些变化与深海碳酸盐的溶解作用密切相关,同时,浊流沉积作用和水团等环境因素也是影响浮游有孔虫丰度与组合以及碳酸盐含量变化的重要因子。     

Holocene and Pleistocene dissolution cycles in deep-sea cores of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait: Palaeoceano-graphic implications

Calcium-carbonate dissolution has been studied in several grab samples and piston cores from Baffin Bay and Davis Strait ranging in water depth from 200 to 2300 m. The intensity of dissolution was determined from examining: (1) the ratio of arenaceous to calcareous benthonic foraminifera; (2) the ratio of benthonic to planktonic foraminifera; (3) the relationships between the dissolution-susceptible and dissolution-resistant foraminifera; (4) the degree of foraminiferal test fragmentation; and (5) the relationships between plankton tows and the fauna in the surface sediments. All core tops and grab samples from Baffin Bay surface sediments below 600–900 m water depth demonstrated intense dissolution of calcium carbonate. Sediments below 900 m were biogenic carbonate free, indicating 100% foraminiferal loss due to dissolution. Possible causes of substantial undersaturation in calcium carbonate of Baffin Bay Bottom Water are very low temperatures, and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide. All cores also demonstrated intense dissolution during interglacial or interstadial isotope stages 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Similarities in planktonic foraminiferal assemblages suggested the presence of similar bottom-water masses during these periods. The preservation state of biogenic carbonate debris in glacial isotope stages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 is similar to the assemblage found in the water at present.     

南海北部陆坡ZSQD196PC柱状样末次间冰期以来的古海洋学记录：氧同位素、有孔虫和硅藻

为了解南海北部陆坡末次间冰期以来的古海洋沉积环境演化特征,对研究区ZSQD196PC柱状样有孔虫、硅藻及有孔虫氧同位素资料开展了分析。依据沉积有孔虫、硅藻主要属种的百分含量、丰度及组合特征,将有孔虫划分为3个组合,分别对应于氧同位素MIS1、2、3~4期;将硅藻划分为4个组合,大致对应于MIS1~4期。MIS1期有孔虫以暖水种占优势,Pulleniatina obliquiloculata百分含量显著升高;硅藻丰度低且以热性种占优势,其中冷期出现大量沿岸种,反映相对温暖的气候条件。MIS2~4期有孔虫以冷水种占优势,温跃层种含量相对较高;硅藻丰度高且以广布种占优势,出现沿岸种含量的升高,反映较冷的气候条件。通过对比浮游有孔虫氧同位素,分析讨论了末次盛冰期、Blling—Allerd暖期和新仙女木事件在ZSQD196PC柱状样的沉积响应,揭示了末次冰期中的气候波动。     

Upper quaternary biostratigraphy and formation environments of the southwestern Atlantic Core ACB-17-1447 inferred from micropaleontological data

The foraminiferal (planktonic and benthic) and nannofosssil assemblages have been analyzed in the sediments of Core ACB-17-1447 taken from the South America continental slope north of the Rio Grande Rise piedmont during Cruise 17 of the R/V Akademik Sergey Vavilov. The core section is largely composed of carbonate and marly hemipelagic mud. The Quaternary age of the host sediments is evident from the occurrence of the planktonic foraminiferal index species Globorotalia truncatulinoides. Based on the nannofossil assemblages, the core sediments are attributed to the upper Pleistocene-Holocene. They contain abundant reworked Pliocene, Miocene, and Paleogene taxa transported from the slopes of the underwater Rio Grande Rise. The paleotemperature analysis of the planktonic foraminifers provided data for constructing the temperature curve that demonstrates two warm peaks. During the first warm period (Interval of 7–9 cm), the surface water temperature was as high as 26°C (Holocene optimum), which exceeds by 3–4°C its presentday values and implies the more intense warm Brazil Current. The earlier warm peak with temperatures up to 24°C recorded in the upper Pleistocene sediments (Interval of 69–71 cm) most likely reflects the 3rd oxygenisotope stage (MIS 3), which corresponds to the interstadial phase of the last glaciation (30–40 ka ago). Based on the abundances, taxonomic diversity, and proportions of the characteristic species of benthic foraminifers, the Core ASV-17-1447 section is divided into six intervals correlated with the marine isotopic stages defined by both the planktonic foraminifers and climatic changes evident from the variations in the bottom water circulation along the southwestern slope of the Brazilian Basin during the Late Quaternary.     

Distribution of benthic foraminifera in Upper Quaternary sediments of the Deryugin Basin (Sea of Okhotsk)

Benthic foraminifera are investigated in sediment core LV28-34-2 (53°51.971′N, 146°47.499′E, sea depth 1431 m, core length 965 cm). The distribution of foraminifera is studied in coarse-grained (>0.125 mm) sediment fractions of 191 samples taken with a step of 5 cm. The core covers the interval from oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 6 up to the Holocene. The foraminiferal assemblages of the penultimate (OIS 6) and last (OIS 5d-2) glaciations are characterized by low abundances and prevalence of Uvigerina auberiana. The specific structure of the OIS 6 assemblages differs from the last glaciation ones by the mass presence of Cassidulina teretis, which characterizes low temperatures and a high influx of organic matter to the sea floor. The major factor responsible for the weak development of benthic foraminifers during the glacial time is the deficiency of food resources. The foraminiferal assemblage of the interglacial optimum (OIS 5e) is composed of both calcareous and agglutinated species (Martinottiella communis).The inflow of Pacific waters was probably more intensive, the bioproductivity was higher, and the critical carbonate compensation depth was shallower at that time than during the glaciations. During the deglaciation, the quantity and structure of the foraminiferal assemblages reflected two pulses of warming (terminations 1B and 1A) with an intervenient cooling event (Younger Dryassic). The assemblages of warm periods were characterized by exclusively high foraminiferal abundances, which sharply decreased during the Younger Dryassic cooling. The specific structure of the foraminiferal assemblage during deglaciation was relatively uniform, being composed of only calcareous taxa typical of highly productive areas of the ocean. The paleoenvironmental conditions were similar to the conditions of the interglacial optimum (OIS 5e), although the preservation of calcareous tests is better. In the Holocene sediments, the concentration of benthic foraminifera is substantially lower than during the deglaciation, which is explainable by their dilution in the sediments by diatoms; the composition of the foraminiferal assemblages is similar to that of their glacial counterparts.     

西北冰洋表层沉积物中的底栖有孔虫组合及其古环境意义

通过对中国第1~4次北极考察在西北冰洋采集的表层沉积物中底栖有孔虫丰度及其优势种分布特征与环境因素关系的综合研究发现,楚科奇海区低的底栖有孔虫丰度主要受较高的陆源物质输入的稀释作用影响;楚科奇海台和阿尔法脊较高的底栖有孔虫丰度主要受到暖而咸的大西洋中层水的影响;受碳酸钙溶解作用影响的门捷列夫深海平原和加拿大海盆底栖有孔虫丰度较低,并且水深3 597 m的站位出现了似瓷质壳的Pyrgo williamsoni和Quinqueloculina orientalis,说明该区的CCD深度大于3 600 m。根据底栖有孔虫7个优势属种的百分含量分布特征可以划分出5个区域组合:南楚科奇海陆架-白令海峡组合以优势种Elphidium excavatum和Buccella frigida为特征,可能反映受白令海陆架水影响的浅水环境;阿拉斯加沿岸-波弗特海组合以优势种Florilus scaphus和Elphidium albiumbilicatum为特征,可能反映受季节性海冰融化,低盐的阿拉斯加沿岸流以及河流淡水输入的低盐环境;大西洋中层水组合以优势种Cassidulina laevigata为特征,可能反映高温高盐的大西洋中层水影响的环境;北极深层水组合以优势种Cibicides wuellerstorfi为特征,可能反映水深大于1 500 m低温高盐的北极深层水环境;门捷列夫深海平原组合以优势种Oridorsalis umbonatus为特征,可能反映低营养的底层水环境。     

Seasonal and annual variations of marine sinking particulate flux during 1993~1996 in the central South China Sea

A total of 67 samples from the upper and lower sediment traps in the central South China Sea were analyzed, which were collected during 1993~1996. It is indicated that the distribution of stable isotope values, surface primary productivity, fluxes of total particulate matter, carbonate, biogenic opal, organic carbon, planktonic foraminiferal species and their total amount exhibit obviously seasonal and annual fluctuations. High values of the fluxes occurred in the prevailing periods of the northeastern and southwestern monsoons, and the low values occurred during the periods between the two monsoons. The fluxes of some planktonic foraminiferal species (Globigerinoides sacculifer, G. ruber, Globigerinita glutinata, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei) and their percentages also exhibit two prominent peaks during the prevailing periods of the northeastern and southwestern monsoons respectively, while those of Globigerina bulloides, Globorotalia menardii and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata only exhibit one peak in the prevailing periods of the northeastern monsoon. In addition, fluxes and percentages of Globigerinoides sacculifer and Globorotalia menardii as well as the fluxes of carbonate and total amount of planktonic foraminifera decrease gradually from 1993 to 1996, and those of Globigerina bulloides, Globigerinita glutinata and biogenic opal increase gradually from 1993 to 1996. The fluxes of carbonate and organic carbon in the upper trap are higher than those in the lower one. The study indicates that the seasonal and annual variations of the sediment fluxes and planktonic foraminiferal species are mainly controlled by the changes of surface primary productivity and hydrological conditions related to the East Asian monsoon. The lower carbonate and organic carbon fluxes in the lower trap are related to the dissolution.     

Late Quaternary Seasonal Sea-Ice History of the Northeastern Japan Sea

The Late Quaternary sea-ice history of the northeastern Japan Sea is discussed on the basis of the occurrence of dropstones and ice-rafted debris (IRD) in fine sediment cores. IRD was found in all strata except those from the Holocene and oxygen isotope stage 5.5. The largest expansion of sea ice was recognized at the last glacial maximum (LGM; oxygen isotope stage 2), when the southern margin of seasonal sea ice was probably located in the vicinity of the Matsumae Plateau. The margin might occasionally have expanded further southward to off the Oga Peninsula. Sea ice expanded southward from mid-stage 5 to the LGM in response to global cooling, but with much fluctuation. Sea ice remained during deglaciation until around 10 ka, but after 10 ka it retreated northward rapidly in response to global warming and changes in surface water conditions. Greater fluctuations in IRD were found in core GH95-1208 collected from off Rumoi, Hokkaido, Japan. More IRD was found in sediments from late stage 3, late stage 5, and early stage 6. The fluctuations were not concordant with global climate changes (based on the standard oxygen isotope curve), and may have been controlled by regional climate factors such as the strength of the winter monsoon, which is related in turn to high-latitude atmospheric circulation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

南海东北部表层沉答中微体化石与碳酸盐溶跃面和补偿深度

通过对南海东北部(12°～22°N,116°～122°E)表层沉积中的浮游有孔虫、底栖有孔虫、钙质超微化石、硅质与钙质生物丰度和比值的定量分析以及碳酸盐含量的测定,发现碳酸盐含量、浮游有孔虫、钙质超微化石丰度以及钙质生物比值随水深的增大迅速减小,而底栖有孔虫占有孔虫全群的比值和硅质生物比值以及底栖有孔虫胶结质壳类的百分含量却随水深的增大迅速增加.研究表明,调查区内微体化石丰度和比值以及碳酸钙含量的高低,与碳酸盐溶跃面(lysocline)和碳酸盐补偿深度密切相关,碳酸盐溶跃面和碳酸盐补偿深度南、北还存在一定差异,碳酸盐溶跃面南部较北部深,南部在2600m上下,北部则在2200m上下;碳酸盐补偿深度也是南部的较深,南部为3 600 m上下,而北部在3 400 m上下。     

Regional variations in the fluxes of foraminifera carbonate,coccolithophorid carbonate and biogenic opal in the northern Indian Ocean

Mass fluxes of diatom opal, planktonic foraminifera carbonate and coccolithophorid carbonate were measured with time-series sediment traps at six sites in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIOT). The above fluxes were related to regional variations in salinity, temperature and nutrient distribution. Annual fluxes of diatom opal range between 3 and 28 g m⁻² yr⁻¹, while planktonic foraminifera carbonate fluxes range between 6 and 23 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ and coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes range between 4 and 24 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. Annual planktonic foraminifera carbonate to coccolithophorid carbonate ratios range between 0.8 and 2.2 and coccolithophorid carbonate to diatom opal ratios range between 0.5 and 3.3.In the western Arabian Sea, coccolithophorids are the major contributors to biogenic flux during periods of low nutrient concentrations. Coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes decrease and planktonic foraminiferal carbonate and diatom opal fluxes increase when nutrient-rich upwelled waters are advected over the trap site. In the oligotropic eastern Arabian Sea, coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes are high throughout the year. Planktonic foraminiferal carbonate fluxes are the major contributors to biogenic flux in the EIOT. In the northern and central Bay of Bengal, when surface salinity values drop sharply during the SW monsoon, there is a drastic reduction in planktonic foraminiferal carbonate fluxes, but coccolithophorid carbonate and diatom opal fluxes remain steady or continue to increase. Distinctly higher annual molar Si_bio/C_inorg (>1) and C_org/C_inorg (>1.5) ratios are observed in the northern and central Bay of Bengal mainly due to lower foraminiferal carbonate production as a result of sharp salinity variations. We can thus infer that the enhanced freshwater supply from rivers should increase oceanic CO₂ uptake. Its silicate supply favours the production of diatoms while the salinity drop produces conditions unfavourable for most planktonic foraminifera species.     

安达曼海浮游有孔虫群落对全新世海洋环境变化的响应

通过对安达曼海重力柱ADM-C1的浮游有孔虫群落分析, 探讨了该区全新世以来的海洋环境演化。研究发现, 该区浮游有孔虫群落总体以热带暖水种Globigerinoides ruber、Globigerinoides sacculifer、Neogloboquadrina dutertrei和Pulleniatina obliquiloculata等为主。其中G. ruber的相对丰度从早全新世至今呈逐渐降低的趋势, G. sacculifer则呈大致相反的变化趋势。N. dutertrei的相对丰度从11—7.9ka BP较高, 到7.9—3.8ka BP偏低, 3.8ka BP以来又逐渐升高。而P. obliquiloculata的变化趋势则与N. dutertrei大致相反。研究认为, 安达曼海不存在与冲绳海槽类似的晚全新世普林虫低值事件。浮游有孔虫群落Q型因子显示全新世海洋环境呈现三个明显的阶段变化: 早全新世 11—7.9ka BP期间, 浮游有孔虫群落以G. ruber、N. dutertrei与G. bulloides为主, 反映了该阶段较强的夏季风降水会导致表层水体盐度较低, 同时冬季风的影响相对较强; 7.9—3.8ka BP期间, 以G. ruber、P. obliquiloculata和Globigerinella aequilateralis为主, 指示水体盐度仍然较低, 同时次表层属种显著增多, 对应了该阶段强盛的印度夏季风, 上层海水混合强烈; 3.8—0ka BP期间, 以G. sacculifer、N. dutertrei和P. obliquiloculata为主要特征属种, 而G. ruber相对丰度明显下降, 表明该时期表层海水的盐度有显著上升, 对应了印度夏季风降水的明显减弱。安达曼海浮游有孔虫群落所呈现的全新世海洋环境阶段性变化和陆地夏季风记录有很好的一致性, 也与该孔敏感粒级组分所反映的印度季风的强度变化一致, 表明热带边缘海区的有孔虫群落组合可以很好地响应区域海洋环境变化。     

楚科奇海与白令海表层沉积中的钙质和硅质微体化石研究

通过对北冰洋楚科奇海和令海41个表层沉积样品中的有孔虫、介形类等钙质微体化石和硅藻、放射虫、海绵骨针等硅质微体化石的定量分析，发现表层沉积中浮游有孔虫几乎缺失，这可能与该区表层生产力相对低、碳酸盐溶解作用较强有关，而底栖有孔虫和硅质微体化石的丰度分布则明显受表层沉积物类型、表层初级生物生产力和碳酸盐溶解作用所控制。其中，北冰洋楚科奇海陆架区有孔虫丰度和分异度低，含少量浅水介形类，放射虫在陆架浅水区缺失，但含有较多硅藻和海绵骨针等其它硅质微体化石，反映该区由于海冰、表层海水温度较冷而导致表歧初级生产力相对低。白令海陆坡区底栖有孔虫丰度比较科奇海高一个数量级，底栖有孔虫分异度也相对高，硅藻、放射虫、海绵骨针等硅质微体化石的丰度与钙质化石一样，其丰度比楚科奇海明显高，反映表层初级生产力相对高。根据白令海陆坡区底栖有孔虫和硅质微体化石丰度、底栖有孔虫胶结质壳比值的水深变化，推测该区碳酸盐溶跃层和补偿深度（CCD）相对浅，分别位于水深2000m和3800m处。     

Variations of the oxygen minimum zone of the Okhotsk Sea during the last 50 ka as indicated by benthic foraminiferal and biogeochemical data

Benthic foraminiferal and sediment biogeochemical data (total organic carbon, calcium carbonate and biogenic opal contents) in two cores (1265 and 1312 m water depths) from the southeastern Sakhalin slope and one core (839 m water depth) from the southwestern Kamchatka slope were investigated to reconstruct variations of the oxygen minimum zone during the last 50 ka in the Okhotsk Sea. The oxygen minimum zone was less pronounced during cooling in the MIS 2 that is suggested to be caused by a maximal expansion of sea ice cover, decrease of marine productivity and increase of production of the oxygenated Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water (OSIW). A two-step-like strengthening of oxygen minimum zone during the warmings in the Termination 1a and 1b was linked to (1) enhanced oxygen consumption due to degradation of large amount of organic matter in the water column and bottom sediments, originated from increased marine productivity and supply of terrigenous material from the submerged northern shelves; (2) sea ice cover retreat and reduction of OSIW production; (3) freely inflow of the oxygen-depleted intermediate water mass from the North Pacific.     

Late Quaternary carbonate sedimentation at the Sierra Leone Rise (eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean)

In the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean, changes in the concentration of carbonate in Late Quaternary sediments resulted from reduced production of carbonate in surface waters and increased dilution with non-carbonate sediments during glacial maxima. During glacial stages, production of carbonate in surface water (measured as its accumulation rate in shallow, undissolved cores) decreased by one half. The glacial accumulation rate of non-carbonate components increased 1.5 to 4 times over Holocene values; the greatest increases occurred in the deepest cores.

Carbonate dissolution during stages 2, 3 and 4 increased the proportion of foraminiferal fragments and decreased the accumulation rate of susceptible species in the deep sites. In shallow sites, slightly increased dissolution can be detected during stage 3 while greatly increased dissolution occurred during stage 4. Bathymetric profiles of foraminiferal fragmentation and accumulation document a shoaling of the foraminiferal lysocline by 1000 m during glacial isotopic stages. We present a mass balance model of sediment accumulation for carbonate and insoluble components and from this model we estimate the rate of downslope transport and dissolution of carbonate at the Sierra Leone Rise. Our results show that during stage 4 the rate of carbonate loss to dissolution was greater than the rate observed today or during other interglacial stages. The calculated rates of dissolution for stages 2 and 3 are not significantly different from those calculated for stage 1.     

Ecology of Quaternary benthic foraminiferal assemblages on the Amazon shelf,northern Brazil

The distribution of benthic foraminiferal microfauna recovered from two offshore transects on the Amazon shelf was studied. Eight box-core samples were collected along the inner, middle, and outer parts of the continental shelf. Each box-core sample was divided into 10 subsamples, of 1- to 5-cm intervals, in order to investigate the foraminiferal microhabitat preferences. The variations of salinity, oxygen, lithology, and sediment accumulation rates were used to evaluate ecological patterns. Four benthic foraminiferal assemblages identified in the study area characterize a record of oceanographic changes from early Holocene to the present. An abundant assemblage, with opportunistic species, was found near the river mouth. Two assemblages were identified northwest of the river mouth, with dominant epifaunal and infaunal species, respectively. A relict assemblage was encountered northwest of the river mouth.