Molluscan biostratigraphy of the Miocene and Chatt in the southern Herzogtum Lauenburg (Schleswig-Holstein)

A study was made of the marine molluscan fauna from 12 borings in the Schwarzenbek area. In the fossil rich facies underlying the 'Braunkohlensande', the Neochatt and Vierland faunal sequences could be described and used to define the Oligocene/Miocene boundary. The Neochatt, defined by Pectinidae, seems to be more closely related to the Miocene than previously thought. Nevertheless, a sufficient number of additional molluscan species are present for placing the Neochatt/Vierland boundary. Overlying the Braunkohlensande, the sandy Reinbek fauna as well as Glimmerton faunas of the Reinbek and Langenfelde stages could be described.

Species abundance and water and sediment characteristics for three ANDEEP stations on Maud Rise and the Weddell Sea

The benthic fauna was investigated during the expedition ANT-XXIV/2 (2007/08) in relation to oceanographic features, biogeochemical properties and sediment characteristics, as well as the benthic, pelagic and air-breathing fauna. The results document that Maud Rise (MR) differs distinctly from surrounding deep-sea basins investigated during previous Southern Ocean expeditions (ANDEEP 2002, 2005). Considering all taxa, the overall similarity between MR and adjacent stations was low (~20% Bray-Curtis-Similarity), and analyses of single taxa show obvious differences in species composition, abundances and densities. The composition and diversity of bivalves of MR are characterised by extremely high abundances of three species, especially the small sized Vesicomya spp. Exceptionally high gastropod abundance at MR is due to the single species Onoba subantarctica wilkesiana, a small brooder that may prey upon abundant benthic foraminiferas. The abundance and diversity of isopods also show that one family, Haplomunnidae, occurs with a surprisingly high number of individuals at MR while this family was not found at any of the 40 bathyal and abyssal ANDEEP stations. Similarly, polychaetes, especially the tube-dwelling, suspension-feeder fraction, are represented by species not found at the comparison stations. Sponges comprise almost exclusively small specimens in relatively high numbers, especially a few species of Polymastiidae. Water-column sampling from the surface to the seafloor, including observations of top predators, indicate the existence of a prospering pelagic food web. Local concentrations of top predators and zooplankton are associated with a rich ice-edge bloom located over the northern slope of MR. There the sea ice melts, which is probably accelerated by the advection of warm water at intermediate depth. Over the southern slope, high concentrations of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) occur under dense sea ice and attract Antarctic Minke Whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and several seabird species. These findings suggest that biological prosperity over MR is related to both oceanographic and sea-ice processes. Downward transport of the organic matter produced in the pelagic realm may be more constant than elsewhere due to low lateral drift over MR.

Fossil record of Mollusca from Neogene sediments in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Über die Verbreitung, Gliederung und Ausbildung des Jungtertiärs im westlichen Schleswig-Holstein war bisher nicht viel bekannt. Am besten bearbeitet sind die glazial gestauchten Schollen von Morsum/Sylt. Eine Aufzählung erbohrter Miozänvorkommen mit nicht immer überzeugender Begründung lieferte H.-L. HECK 1935. S. THIELE (1941) hat die ihm bekannten Vorkommen hauptsächlich nach faziellen und petrographischen Gesichtspunkten bearbeitet. Er erkannte richtig die Stellung der Braunkohlensande. Die angekündigte palaeontologische Bearbeitung ist nicht erschienen. Eine allgemeine Übersicht über die Entwicklung des Jungtertiärs bringen W. WOLFE und H.-L. HECK 1949. W. HINSCH lieferte wertvolle Beiträge zur Molluskenfauna und zur Gliederung des Miozäns (1952, 1955). Über neue Vorkommen von Braunkohlen-Sanden berichtete E. DITTMER(1 956), eine erste Übersicht über neue Vorkommen der Hemmoorer Stufe gab derselbe Verfasser 1957.

Miocene molluscan biostratigraphy in Schleswig-Holstein, north Germany

Vierlandian, Behrendorfian (Lower Hemmoorian), Oxlundian (Upper Hemmoorian), Lower and Upper Reinbekian, Langenfeldian and Gramian stages could be proved by evaluation of marine molluscan faunas. The diachrone base of 'Braunkohlensande' is demonstrated by underlying Vierlandian mica clay in the E, and by Hemmoorian substages more to the W, at last the fluviatile facies is replaced completely by euhaline to brachyhaline sandy to silty sediments. Brachyhaline effects in adjacent environments make possible an approximate dating on fluviatile sedimentation. The widest extension of 'Braunkohlensand' is during upper Oxlundian, whilst slightly brachyhaline Katzheide beds, defined in this paper to be of Lower Reinbekian age, indicate a limit of 'Braunkohlensande' more to the E. Winnert-fauna was found to be a mixture of Oxlundian and Langenfeldian; the overlying lignitic sands belong to the Kaolinsand group. Upper mica clay overlying Miocene Braunkohlensande can be divided into beds of Upper Reinbekian, Langenfeldian and Gramian ages.

Diatom abundance in sediments from ODP Leg 167 sites

The Pliocene and Pleistocene periods are known for the onset and consequent amplification of glacial-interglacial cycles. The California margin, situated in the mid-latitudes of the northern Pacific Ocean, is expected to be one of the most interesting regions for Pliocene to Pleistocene paleoceanography because this area occupies a unique position in the ocean-atmosphere system over the region. In this study, we investigated paleoceanographic history, using fossil diatoms, since the Brunhes/Matuyama (B/M) paleomagnetic boundary in which glacial and interglacial periods began to alternate in 100-yr cycles. In Hole 1018A, to a depth corresponding to the beginning of Northern Hemisphere glaciation (late Pliocene), we investigated the responses of the ocean-atmosphere system to stepwise cooling in the California margin. Although the work is still continuing, this data report shows that fossil diatoms of Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments significantly changed both in quality and quantity and implies a possible relationship to global climatic changes.

Abundance of mesozooplankton during the long-tern mesozooplankton analysis in Sevastopol Bay from 1976 to 2003

The present dataset includes results of analysis of 227 zooplankton samples taken in and off the Sevastopol Bay in the Black Sea in 1976, 1979-1980, 1989-1990, 1995-1996 and 2002-2003. Exact coordinates for stations 1, 4, 5 and 6 are unknown and were calculated using Google-earth program. Data on Ctenophora Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata are not included. Juday net: Vertical tows of a Juday net, with mouth area 0.1 m**2, mesh size 150µm. Tows were performed at layers. Towing speed: about 0.5 m/s. Samples were preserved by a 4% formaldehyde sea water buffered solution. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. The collected material was analysed using the method of portions (Yashnov, 1939). Samples were brought to volume of 50 - 100 ml depending upon zooplankton density and mixed intensively until all organisms were distributed randomly in the sample volume. After that 1 ml of sample was taken by calibrated Stempel-pipette. This operation was produced twice. If divergence between two examined subsamples was more than 30% one more subsample was examined. Large (> 1 mm body length) and not abundant species were calculated in 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 part of sample. Counting and measuring of organisms were made in the Bogorov chamber under the stereomicroscope to the lowest taxon possible. Number of organisms per sample was calculated as simple average of two subsamples meanings multiplied on subsample volume. Total abundance of mesozooplankton was calculated as sum of taxon-specific abundances and total abundance of Copepods was calculated as sum of copepods taxon-specific abundances.