(Table 1) Strontium isotopic ratios of interstitial waters from ODP Leg 125 holes

The strontium isotopic data presented here are from interstitial waters squeezed from unconsolidated serpentine, an unusual type of substrate that was recovered from Mariana and Bonin forearc seamounts and has not been previously drilled by the Deep Sea Drilling Project or Ocean Drilling Program. The texture and composition of some of these serpentine deposits from Conical Seamount, located on the Mariana forearc, indicate emplacement as low- or high-viscosity, cold gravitational flows, which are therefore neither sediment nor igneous rock. The strontium isotopic ratios of the interstitial waters from the unconsolidated serpentine range from 0.70912 to 0.70525 and trend toward a relatively less radiogenic composition with increasing sub-bottom depth. These strontium isotopic ratios are derived from at least two strontium sources: seawater and igneous. The strontium isotopic gradients from the interstitial waters from the Leg 125 sites are probably the result of diffusive transport of strontium from an igneous source deep within the lithosphere that may be contaminated with subducted or underplated sediment.

(Table 1) Framework-grain composition of ODP Leg 125 sediment samples

This report presents petrographic data that will be used to characterize spatial and temporal changes in the provenance of Izu-Bonin forearc sediments recovered during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 125. These data document the history of the Izu-Bonin arc system as reflected in the framework mineralogy of supra-subduction zone sediments. Subsequent analysis will reveal the record of arc-splitting events as well as the spatial and temporal episodes in forearc volcanism, in source type, and in source area that are preserved in these sediments.

Recent benthic foraminifera of the Scotia Sea and Argentine Basin

We investigated 88 surface sediment samples taken with a multiple corer from the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean for their live (Rose Bengal stained) and dead benthic foraminiferal content. Using Q-Mode Principal Component Analysis six live and six dead associations are differentiated. Live and dead association distributions correspond fairly well; differences are mainly caused by downslope transport and selective test destruction. In addition, four potential fossil associations are calculated from the dead data set after removal of non-fossilizable species. These potential fossil associations are expected to be useful for paleoceanographic reconstructions. Environments are described in detail for the live and potential fossil associations and for selected species. Along the upper Argentine continental slope strong bottom currents control the occurrence of live, dead and potential fossil Angulogerina angulosa associations. Here, particles of a high organic carbon flux rate remain suspended. Below this high energy environment live, dead and potential fossil Uvigerina peregrina dominated associations correlate with enhanced sediment organic carbon content and still high organic carbon flux rates. The live A. angulosa and U. peregrina associations correlate with high standing crops. Furthermore, live and dead Epistominella exigua-Nuttallides umbonifer associations were separated. Dominance of a Nuttallides umbonifer potential fossil association relates to coverage by Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) and Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW), above the Calcite Compensation Depth (CCD). Three associations of mainly agglutinated foraminifera occur in sediments bathed mainly by AABW or CDW. A Reophax difflugiformis association was found in mud-rich and diatomaceous sediments. Below the CCD, a Psammosphaera fusca association occurs in coarse sediments poor in organic carbon while a Cribrostomoides subglobosus-Ammobaculites agglutinans association covers a more variable environmental range with mud contents exceeding 30%. One single Eggerella bradyi-Martinottiella communis association poor in both species and individuals remains from the agglutinated associations below the CCD if only preservable species are considered for calculation.