Diatom biostratigraphy of sediments from the Kerguelen Plateau, Southern Ocean

The biostratigraphic distribution and abundance of lower Oligocene to Pleistocene diatoms is documented from Holes 747A, 747B, 748B, 749B, and 751A drilled during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 120 on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southeast Indian Ocean. The occurrence of middle and upper Eocene diatoms is also documented, but these are rare and occur in discrete intervals. The recovery of several Oligocene to Pleistocene sections with minimal coring gaps, relatively good magnetostratigraphic signatures, and mixed assemblages of both calcareous and siliceous microfossils makes the above four Leg 120 sites important biostratigraphic reference sections for the Southern Ocean and Antarctic continent. A high-resolution diatom zonation divides the last 36 m.y. into 45 zones and subzones. This zonation is built upon an existing biostratigraphic framework developed over the past 20 yr of Southern Ocean/Antarctic deep-sea coring and drilling. After the recent advances from diatom biostratigraphic studies on sediments from Legs 113, 114, 119, and 120, a zonal framework for the Southern Ocean is beginning to stabilize. The potential age resolution afforded by the high-diversity diatom assemblages in this region ranks among the highest of all fossil groups. In addition to the 46 datum levels that define the diatom zones and subzones, the approximate stratigraphic level, age, and magnetic anomaly correlative of more than 150 other diatom datums are determined or estimated. These total 73 datum levels for the Pliocene-Pleistocene, 67 for the Miocene, and 45 for the Oligocene. Greater stratigraphic resolution is possible as the less common and poorly documented species become better known. This high-resolution diatom stratigraphy, combined with good to moderately good magnetostratigraphic control, led to the recognition of more than 10 intervals where hiatuses dissect the Oligocene-Pleistocene section on the Kerguelen Plateau. We propose 12 new diatom taxa and 6 new combination

Cenozoic ostracoda of ODP Leg 104 holes

Ostracodes are less common than might be normally expected at Sites 642, 643, and 644, perhaps pointing to the fact that the marine habitat below the overlying Pleistocene ice covers was a severe environment. This explanation, however, would not apply to the Pliocene and Miocene deposits from which ostracodes are just as poorly represented. In the latter case the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge might still have acted as a submerged barrier that did not allow an open ocean circulation of bottom waters. Thus the barrier presumably prevented an exchange of cold subarctic bottom water with that of the open Atlantic and therefore benthic deep-sea migration from the south was impeded. Some Quaternary species are, for the first time, recorded to extend to the Pliocene and/or Miocene.

Diatoms and Silicoflagellates from ODP Hole 114-699A and Site 114-704

The stratigraphic ranges and relative abundances of selected diatoms and silicoflagellates are presented from three Neogene sedimentary sequences from the subantarctic South Atlantic. These data were compiled from Hole 699A in the southwest South Atlantic and Holes 704A and 704B in the southeast South Atlantic. Thirty-five samples were examined from a 67.5-m section of Hole 699A, which is mostly late Miocene or younger in age. A total of 225 samples was examined from the upper 569.1-m lower Miocene to Quaternary section in Holes 704A and 704B. Although the partial census of the Site 704 sequences is only preliminary, it reveals that the Neogene is remarkably complete and serves as a reference for further detailed examination of an important biostratigraphic-magnetostratigraphic reference section for the Neogene record of the Southern Ocean.

Diatoms in Paleocene sediments of the southwestern South Atlantic

The taxonomy and stratigraphy of pelagic Paleocene diatoms from ODP Sites 698, 700, and 702 and DSDP Site 524 in the South Atlantic and DSDP Site 214 in the Indian Ocean are presented, as well as paleogeographic and paleoecologic implications. Eleven new species and one new variety are described and one new combination is proposed: Coscinodiscus cruxii sp. nov. Grunowiella palaeocaenica var. alternans var. nov. Hemiaulusl beatus sp. nov. Hemiaulusl ciesielskii sp. nov. Hemiaulusl conicus sp. nov. Hemiaulus kristoffersenii sp. nov. Hemiaulus nocchiae sp. nov. Hemiaulusl oonkii sp. nov. Hemiaulusl velatus sp. nov. Triceratium gombosii sp. nov. Trochosira gracillima comb. nov. Trochosira marginata sp. nov. Trochosira radiata sp. nov. Hole 700B provides one of the most continuous diatomaceous Paleocene profiles known. Stratigraphic ranges of diatom species from this and other Southern Hemisphere sites are calibrated against calcareous microfossil zones. The first-appearance datums of Triceratium gombosii, Hemiaulus incurvus, and Triceratium mirabile in Paleocene deep-sea sediments are useful for regional stratigraphic correlations. Quantitative analysis of the biosiliceous microfossil groups (diatoms, silicoflagellates, radiolarians, and archaeomonadaceae) shows that preservation of diatoms is confined primarily to the upper Paleocene (planktonic foraminifer Zones P3 and P4 and calcareous nannofossil Zones upper NP5 to lower NP9). In the lower Paleocene only short intervals in Hole 700B are diatomaceous. A correlation between the degree of silica diagenesis and the calcium carbonate content of the sediment is not obvious. Diatom species analysis reflects changes in the paleoenvironment between island-related upwelling conditions with highly diverse and well-preserved diatom assemblages and less productive periods resulting in less wellpreserved diatom assemblages with a higher content of robust neritic diatoms.

Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the central East Pacific Rise

During Leg 92 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, sediments containing calcareous nannofossils of latest Oligocene to Holocene age were recovered from 14 holes at six sites (597 to 602) along the East Pacific Rise. The combined sections yield a virtually complete record for the region, with a compressed upper Miocene to Pleistocene interval. The nannofossil content of 14 U.S.N.S. Eltanin piston cores from the study area were also examined in order to supplement data generated during Leg 92. Two taxonomically new combinations are presented: Sphenolithus umbellus and Pontosphaera segmenta. Assemblages of calcareous nannofossils juxtaposed in reversed stratigraphic order within the upper Miocene provide strong evidence for downslope transport of sediments along the East Pacific Rise during the Messinian. Narrow bands of dark metalliferous sediment of coccolith Zone CN8b alternate with normal light-colored, in situ, pelagic sequences of Zone CN9b. This may indicate more vigorous bottom current activity between 5.40 and 6.70 Ma.

Late Neogene to Pleistocene palynology of ODP Leg 112 samples

The main objectives of this study are (1) to characterize the spatial and temporal variations in organic matter deposited in upwelling and related sediments (manifest in the palynoclast and organic-walled microplankton assemblages) and (2) to relate these variations to paleoenvironmental changes. A total of 40 samples from Holes 679D, 680B, 681B, 684B, 686B, and 687B were analyzed. Without exception, amorphogen dominates the palynoclast assemblages overwhelmingly. Influx of terrestrial particulate organic matter to the marine realm was extremely low. Levels of amorphogen swamp other palynoclast categories, and little significance can be attached to any variations observed. Microplankton dominate the palynomorph assemblages, with variable levels of subordinate foraminiferal test linings. Miospores are rare and are absent in most samples. Foraminiferal test linings are particularly abundant in the shallowest samples, which may reflect low surface-water paleotemperatures. Cysts of heterotrophic peridiniacean dinoflagellates (P-cysts) dominate the microplankton assemblages, with variable levels of cysts of autotrophic gonyaulacacean dinoflagellates (G-cysts). Samples dominated by P-cysts are derived largely from laminated, unbioturbated units deposited under the influence of strong upwelling. A lower abundance of P-cysts in some samples is restricted to unlaminated, bioturbated units deposited under oxygenated conditions. We conclude that the ratio of P-cysts to G-cysts is a useful indicator of variable upwelling strength. Detailed study of the variations in the microplankton assemblages offers one the greatest potential for palynological characteriztion and understanding of the upwelling system.

Calcareous nannofossils from ODP Leg 105 holes

Neogene calcareous nannofossils were examined from 10 holes at three sites cored during ODP Leg 105. Sediment recovered in Baffin Bay at Site 645 is virtually barren of calcareous nannofossils, with the exception of a sparse lower Miocene assemblage. Sites 646 and 647 in the Labrador Sea contain upper Miocene to Holocene sediments having numerous barren intervals. Upper Pleistocene fossil coccolithophorid floras in the Labrador Sea indicate alternations of cold subpolar with transitional (subpolar/subtropical) assemblages. Extreme variations in the abundance of Coccolithus pelagicus were observed at Sites 646 and 647. These variations are correlated with stable isotopic data to interpret oceanographic responses to warming and cooling trends. The climatic history indicated by the changes of these assemblages closely approximates the past climatic fluctuations recorded in other North Atlantic cores. One new taxon, Discoaster bergenii, is described.

Middle Miocene to Quaternary diatom biostratigraphy of DSDP Site 90-594

A diatom biostratigraphy is presented for middle Miocene through Quaternary sediments recovered from the Chatham Rise east of New Zealand's South Island. The upper 590 m of the 639.5-m composite-section Site 594 represents approximately 16 m.y. and is characterized by moderately to very poorly preserved diatoms of antarctic to temperate affinity. Pliocene through Quaternary assemblages are poorly preserved and dominated by antarctic-subantarctic species which provide detailed biostratigraphic control. Recognized are 11 of 14 zones of the middle upper Miocene to Quaternary Neogene Southern Ocean diatom zonation (NSD 7-NSD 20) of Ciesielski (1983; this chapter). Four Neogene Southern Ocean diatom zones (NSD 3-NSD 6) are recognized in the lower middle Miocene to middle upper Miocene of Site 594. Assemblages of this interval have a mixed high-latitude and temperate affinity; however, poor preservation limits correlation to high- and temperate-latitude zonal schemes. Neogene North Pacific diatom zones and subzones of NNPD 3 through NNPD 5 (Barron, in press, b) are correlated to Neogene Southern Ocean diatom zones NSD 3 through NSD 7: the upper portions of the Actinocyclus ingens Zone (NNPD 3) is correlative to the upper Nitzschia maleinterpretaria Zone (NSD 3); the Denticulopsis lauta Zone (NNPD 4) and Subzones a and b are correlative to the lower Coscinodiscus lewisianus Zone (NSD 4); and the D. hustedtü-D. lauta Zone (NNPD 5) and its Subzones a through d encompass the upper C. lewisianus Zone (NSD 4), N. grossepunctata Zone (NSD 5), N. denticuloides Zone (NSD 6), and the lower D. hustedtii-D. lauta Zone (NSD 7). A major disconformity spans the late Gilbert to early Gauss Chron (3.9-2.8 Ma). A second disconformity brackets the Miocene/Pliocene boundary; the section missing covers late Chron 5 and the early Gilbert chron (5.5-4.6 Ma). The remainder of the siliceous-fossil-bearing Miocene sediments at Site 594 appear to be correlative to lower paleomagnetic Chronozone 5 through upper Chronozone 16. Uppermost lower Miocene or lowermost middle Miocene sediments in the basal 50 m of Hole 594A are barren of diatoms.

Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, Mg/Ca based reconstructed temperatures, stable carbon isotopes, and geochemical parameters of sediment core GeoB9508-5

In order to investigate a possible connection between tropical northeast (NE) Atlantic primary productivity, Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and drought in the Sahel region during Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), we used dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages, Mg/Ca based reconstructed temperatures, stable carbon isotopes (d13C) and geochemical parameters of a marine sediment core (GeoB 9508-5) from the continental slope offshore Senegal. Our results show a two-phase productivity pattern within HS1 that progressed from an interval of low marine productivity between ~ 19 and 16 kyr BP to a phase with an abrupt and large productivity increase from ~ 16 to 15 kyr BP. The second phase is characterized by distinct heavy planktonic d13C values and high concentrations of heterotrophic dinocysts in addition to a significant cooling signal based on reconstructions of past sea surface temperatures (SST). We conclude that productivity variations within HS1 can be attributed to a substantial shift of West African atmospheric processes. Taken together our results indicate a significant intensification of the North East (NE) trade winds over West Africa leading to more intense upwelling during the last millennium of HS1 between ~ 16 and 15 kyr BP, thus leaving a strong imprint on the dinocyst assemblages and sea surface conditions. Therefore, the two-phase productivity pattern indicates a complex hydrographic setting suggesting that HS1 cannot be regarded as uniform as previously thought.