Distribution of coccoliths in surface sediments of the south-eastern South Atlantic Ocean

Recent coccoliths from 52 surface sediment samples recovered from the south-eastern South Atlantic were examined qualitatively and quantitatively in order to assess the controlling mechanisms for their distribution patterns, such as ecological and preservational factors, and their role as carbonate producers. Total coccolith abundances range from 0.2 to 39.9 coccoliths10*9/ g sediment. Four assemblages can be delineated by their coccolith content characterising the northern Benguela, the middle to southern Benguela, the Walvis Ridge and the deeper water. Distinctions are based on multivariate ordination techniques applied on the relative abundances of the most abundant taxa, Emiliania huxleyi, Calcidiscus leptoporus, Gephyrocapsa spp., Coccolithus pelagicus and subtropical to tropical species. The coccolith distribution seems to be temperature and nutrient controlled co-varying with the seaward extension of the upwelling filament zone in the Benguela. A preservation index (CEX') based on the differential dissolution behaviour of the delicate E. huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa ericsonii versus the robust C. leptoporus is applied in order to detect the position of the coccolith lysocline. Although some samples were recognised as dissolution-affected, the distribution of the coccoliths in the surface-sediments reflects the different oceanographic surface-water conditions. Mass estimations of the coccolith carbonate reveal coccoliths to be only minor contributors to the carbonate preserved in the surface sediments. The mean computed coccolith carbonate content is 17 wt.%, equivalent to a mean contribution of 23% to the bulk carbonate.

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Cite this as

Boeckel, Babette, Baumann, Karl-Heinz (2004). Dataset: Distribution of coccoliths in surface sediments of the south-eastern South Atlantic Ocean. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.736665

DOI retrieved: 2004

Additional Info

Field Value
Imported on November 30, 2024
Last update November 30, 2024
License CC-BY-3.0
Source https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.736665
Author Boeckel, Babette
Given Name Babette
Family Name Boeckel
More Authors
Baumann, Karl-Heinz
Source Creation 2004
Publication Year 2004
Resource Type application/zip - filename: Boeckel_Baumann_2004
Subject Areas
Name: Paleontology

Related Identifiers
Title: Distribution of coccoliths in surface sediments of the south-eastern South Atlantic Ocean: ecology, preservation and carbonate contribution
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marmicro.2004.01.001
Type: DOI
Relation: IsSupplementTo
Year: 2004
Source: Marine Micropaleontology
Authors: Boeckel Babette , Baumann Karl-Heinz .

Title: Present and past coccolith assemblages in the South Atlantic: implications for species ecology, carbonate contribution and palaeoceanographic applicability
Identifier: urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000103311
Type: DOI
Relation: References
Year: 2003
Source: Berichte aus dem Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der Universität Bremen
Authors: Boeckel Babette .