Call number:
ZSP-124-90
In:
ANARE research notes
Description / Table of Contents:
Surficial bottom sediments collected from Prydz Bay, Antarctica contain three sedimentary facies, four foraminiferal faunas, and two diatom floras. A sandy diamict (Facies Ds) is deposited by iceberg rafting and reworked by currents of the Prydz Bay Cyclonic Gyre. A massive mud (Facies Mm) represents the sediments being supplied to the Bay and could provide a high resolution record of the Quaternary in Antarctica. A carbonate sand (Facies Cs) is a modern cold water carbonate deposited under special conditions on the outer continental shelf. The presence of the Triloculina fauna indicates areas of sediment reworking and chemical conditions hostile to carbonate. The Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (Ehrenberg), Trifarina angulosa (Williamson), and Ehrenbergina glabra (Heron et al.) faunas all indicate areas subject to marine influence. The cosmopolitan and sympagic Nitzschia curta (Van Heurck) flora is replaced by the planktonic Nitzschia kerguelenensis (O'Meara) flora supporting the presence of maine influence. A relationship between the proportion of biogenic material and reworking of sediments may be useful in elucidation of the paleoceanography within Prydz Bay. The presence of planktonic flora and fauna, and variations in sedimentological parameters are consistent with the physical oceanographic evidence for a large cyclonic gyre operating in the Bay.
Type of Medium:
Series available for loan
Pages:
III, 28 S. : graph. Darst. : 25 cm
ISBN:
0642196788
Series Statement:
ANARE research notes 90
Branch Library:
AWI Library
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