Contiunous surface water uncorrected and quench-corrected active fluorescence and derived chlorophyll a concentration using calibration by HPLC pigments during POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXV/1

The relationship between phytoplankton assemblages and the associated optical properties of the water body is important for the further development of algorithms for large-scale remote sensing of phytoplankton biomass and the identification of phytoplankton functional types (PFTs), which are often representative for different biogeochemical export scenarios. Optical in-situ measurements aid in the identification of phytoplankton groups with differing pigment compositions and are widely used to validate remote sensing data. In this study we present results from an interdisciplinary cruise aboard the RV Polarstern along a north-to-south transect in the eastern Atlantic Ocean in November 2008. Phytoplankton community composition was identified using a broad set of in-situ measurements. Water samples from the surface and the depth of maximum chlorophyll concentration were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), flow cytometry, spectrophotometry and microscopy. Simultaneously, the above- and underwater light field was measured by a set of high spectral resolution (hyperspectral) radiometers. An unsupervised cluster algorithm applied to the measured parameters allowed us to define bio-optical provinces, which we compared to ecological provinces proposed elsewhere in the literature. As could be expected, picophytoplankton was responsible for most of the variability of PFTs in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Our bio-optical clusters agreed well with established provinces and thus can be used to classify areas of similar biogeography. This method has the potential to become an automated approach where satellite data could be used to identify shifting boundaries of established ecological provinces or to track exceptions from the rule to improve our understanding of the biogeochemical cycles in the ocean.

Revised depth scale, splice tie points and chron boundaries of ODP Hole 151-907A and Site 162-907

The magnetic polarity stratigraphy at Site 907 obtained from the shipboard pass-through magnetometer and from discrete samples is readily interpretable back to the onset of the Gilbert Chron (5.89 Ma). From this level to the base of the section at ~14 Ma, the interpretation is corroborated by silicoflagellate datums with predictable correlation to polarity chrons. The resulting magnetostratigraphic interpretation differs from those proposed in the Leg 151 (Hole 907A) and 162 (Holes 907B and 907C) Initial Reports volumes. An important hiatus in the 7-10 Ma interval at Site 907 caused sedimentation to slow or cease for ~2.7 m.y. We have revised the shipboard correlation among the three holes at Site 907, resulting in a new composite section splice and recalculation of composite depths. For Site 985, magnetostratigraphic interpretation is possible down to ~150 meters below seafloor (mbsf) (C3An/C3Ar) at ~6 Ma. There are no useful biostratigraphic datums from Site 985 to support this interpretation; however, the interpretation is supported by the correlation of Sites 985 and 907 using natural gamma data from the shipboard multisensor track. Below ~150 mbsf at Site 985, drilling-related deformation at the onset of extended core barrel drilling precluded magnetostratigraphic interpretation.

(Table 1) Magnetozone boundaries at DSDP Site 68-502

Obtaining long, continuous, and undisturbed sections of unconsolidated Neogene deep sea sedimentary sections has been limited by (1) practical length of piston cores to about 30 meters and (2) disturbance of sediment by rotary drilling with Glomar Challenger. The relatively high deposition rates of late Neogene sediments in the North Atlantic and in the Caribbean in particular has limited penetration, with conventional piston coring, to sediments not much older than late Pliocene in the Atlantic and not even through the late Pleistocene in the Caribbean. Rotary drilling has penetrated much older sediments in both areas, but the cores suffered extensive drilling disturbance that seriously degrades the Paleomagnetism of the material. Utilization of the hydraulic piston corer on the Challenger combines the advantage of a generally undisturbed recovery and great penetration to produce long, relatively undisturbed sections of late Neogene and Quaternary sediments suitable for paleomagnetic studies. In this chapter we present paleomagnetic data from Site 502. We tried to determine relative azimuthal orientation of successive cores (see Introduction for details). Because the low latitude of the site meant a small (inclination of about 22°) vertical component of magnetization, reversals of magnetization could easily be detected only in changes in the horizontal component, as 180° shifts in the declination direction of magnetization. Based on information from the core orienting device, a fiducial line was drawn the length of each core prior to cutting it into the standard 1.5 meter sections.

Depths and ages of seismic sequence boundaries in ODP Leg 166 holes

High-resolution, multichannel seismic data collected across the Great Bahama Bank margin and the adjacent Straits of Florida indicate that the deposition of Neogene-Quaternary strata in this transect are controlled by two sedimentation mechanisms: (1) west-dipping layers of the platform margin, which are a product of sea-level-controlled, platform-derived downslope sedimentation; and (2) east- or north-dipping drift deposits in the basinal areas, which are deposited by ocean currents. These two sediment systems are active simultaneously and interfinger at the toe-of-slope. The prograding system consists of sigmoidal clinoforms that advanced the margin some 25 km into the Straits of Florida. The foresets of the clinoforms are approximately 600 m high with variable slope angles that steepen significantly in the Pleistocene section. The seismic facies of the prograding clinoforms on the slope is characterized by dominant, partly chaotic, cut-and-fill geometries caused by submarine canyons that are oriented downslope. In the basin axis, seismic geometries and facies document deposition from and by currents. Most impressive is an 800-m-thick drift deposit at the confluence of the Santaren Channel and the Straits of Florida. This "Santaren Drift" is slightly asymmetric, thinning to the north. The drift displays a highly coherent seismic facies characterized by a continuous succession of reflections, indicating very regular sedimentation. Leg 166 of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) drilled a transect of five deep holes between 2 and 30 km from the modern platform margin and retrieved the sediments from both the slope and basin systems. The Neogene slope sediments consist of peri-platform oozes intercalated with turbidites, whereas the basinal drift deposits consist of more homogeneous, fine-grained carbonates that were deposited without major hiatuses by the Florida Current starting at approximately 12.4 Ma. Sea-level fluctuations, which controlled the carbonate production on Great Bahama Bank by repeated exposure of the platform top, controlled lithologic alternations and hiatuses in sedimentation across the transect. Both sedimentary systems are contained in 17 seismic sequences that were identified in the Neogene-Quaternary section. Seismic sequence boundaries were identified based on geometric unconformities beneath the Great Bahama Bank. All the sequence boundaries could be traced across the entire transect into the Straits of Florida. Biostratigraphic age determinations of seismic reflections indicate that the seismic reflections of sequence boundaries have chronostratigraphic significance across both depositional environments.

Subgrain boundaries and related microstructural features in EDML (Antarctica) deep ice core

Subgrain boundaries revealed as shallow sublimation grooves on ice sample surfaces are a direct and easily observable feature of intracrystalline deformation and recrystallization. Statistical data obtained from the EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML) deep ice core drilled in East Antarctica cannot detect a depth region of increased subgrain-boundary formation. Grain-boundary morphologies show a strong influence of internal strain energy on the microstructure at all depths. The data do not support the classical view of a change of dominating recrystallization regimes with depth. Three major types of subgrain boundaries, reflecting high mechanical anisotropy, are specified in combination with crystal-orientation analysis.

(Table 1) Magnetozone boundaries at DSDP Site 68-503

The paleomagnetic measurement procedure at Site 503 was similar to that described for Site 502 (See preceding chapter). Each core section was measured with the longcore spinner magnetometer at 10-cm intervals. In addition, one or more discrete samples were taken from each core section for measurement of the total magnetic vector and its stability against progressive AF demagnetization. There were noteworthy differences in conditions at Site 503, however, that affected the quality and interpretation of the magnetic data and require comment. The most serious problem we encountered was the presence of rust scale from the drill string. Although the dark flecks typically were concentrated near the top of every recovered sediment core, they also smeared down a meter or more between the core liner and sediment, even when the sediment showed no indication of drilling disturbance. Individual rust scales proved to be highly magnetic - presumably because they incorporate small pieces of unoxidized metal. The anomalously high remanent intensities, several orders of magnitude above the uncontaminated sediment values, and scattered remanent directions observed in long-core magnetic measurements on many cores from Site 503 could be attributed to the presence of rust scale.

(Table 1) Population density and biomass of the foraminifer Rupertina, and grain size of cores from the Norwegian continental slope

Rupertina stabilis occupies a depth restricted biotope of suspension feeding animals situated at the Norwegian continental margin. It extends from the Voring plateau northwards for at least 200 - 300 km, in depths between 600 and 800 m. This slope position is known for relatively strong bottom currents and shifting watermass boundaries. - The species is attached to hard substrates, mainly stones or hydroid stalks and obviously prefers an elevated position. It is building a permanent cyst of sponge spicules and debris at the apertural region. The spicules are used to support a pseudopodial network similar to that described from Halyphysema (LIPPS 1983). It is believed to serve as a filter apparatus. - A review of known occurences in the Atlantic is given, suggesting a temperature adaption of the species ranging from 0°C to a maximum of 8°C. Specimens were successfully cultured for about 2-3 weeks.