Open-File Report 2013-1240

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Biological and Geochemical Data of Gravity Cores from 

Mobile Bay, Alabama

By Kathryn A. Richwine, Marci Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Lisa E. Osterman, and C. Scott Adams
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2013

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Richwine, K.A., Marot, M., Smith C.G., Osterman L.E., and Adams, C.S., 2013, Biological and geochemical data of 

gravity cores from Mobile Bay, Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1240, 20 p.

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.
iii

Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1

Data Collection and Processing ............................................................................................................................... 1

Gravity Core Collection......................................................................................................................................... 1

Geochemical Processing and Analyses................................................................................................................ 1

Foraminiferal Processing .................................................................................................................................... 10

Core Splicing ...................................................................................................................................................... 18

Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................. 18

References Cited ................................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix 1. Mobile Bay foraminifers...................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix 2. Elemental Explanation........................................................................................................................ 20

Tables

1. Mobile Bay Gravity Core sample locations...................................................................................................... 1

2. Mobile Bay MB0810-03GC geochemical data ................................................................................................ 3

3. Mobile Bay MB0810-04GC geochemical data ................................................................................................ 4

4. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC geochemical data ................................................................................................ 5

5. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC metals data.......................................................................................................... 8

6. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts............................................................................... 11

Figures

1. Location map showing sampling sites in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Gravity cores were collected at these sites in 

August 2010. See Table 1 for more information.............................................................................................. 2
iv

Multiply By To obtain

Length

centimeter (cm) 0.394 inch (in.)

millimeter (mm) 0.039 inch (in.)

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft)

kilometer (km) 0.621 mile (mi)

meter (m) 1.094 yard (yd)

Area

square centimeter (cm2) 0.001 square foot (ft2)

square meter (m2) 10.76 square foot (ft2)

square centimeter (cm2) 0.155 square inch (ft2)

Volume

liter (L) 33.82 ounce, fluid (fl. oz)

liter (L) 2.113 pint (pt)

liter (L) 1.057 quart (qt)

liter (L) 0.264 gallon (gal)

cubic meter (m3) 264.2 gallon (gal)

cubic meter (m3) 35.31 cubic foot (ft3)

cubic meter (m3) 1.308 cubic yard (yd3)

Mass

gram (g) 0.035 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb)

Pressure

kilopascal (kPa) 0.010 atmosphere, standard (atm)

Energy

joule (J) 0.000 kilowatthour (kWh)

Radioactivity

becquerel per liter (Bq/L) 27.027 picocurie per liter (pCi/L)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: 

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: 

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Conversion Factors
1

Biological and Geochemical Data of Gravity Cores from 

Mobile Bay, Alabama

By Kathryn A. Richwine, Marci Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Lisa E. Osterman, and C. Scott Adams

Introduction 

A study was conducted to understand the marine-influenced environments of Mobile Bay, Alabama, 

by collecting a series of box cores and gravity cores. One gravity core in particular demonstrates a long 

reference for changing paleoenvironmental parameters in Mobile Bay. Due to lack of abundance of foraminifers and (or) lack of diversity, the benthic foraminiferal data for two of the three gravity cores are not 

included in the results. The benthic foraminiferal data collected and geochemical analyses in this study 

provide a baseline for recent changes in the bay. 

Data Collection and Processing

Gravity Core Collection

During the August 2010 research cruise, three gravity cores were collected aboard the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) RV Gilbert (table 1; fig. 1). The gravity core samples were refrigerated after 

collection and then extruded and subsampled at 1-centimenter (cm) intervals within 48 hours of collection. 

The samples were refrigerated and transported to the U.S. Geological Survey foraminiferal laboratory in St. 

Petersburg, Florida, where they remained refrigerated until laboratory processing. 

Geochemical Processing and Analyses

For geochemical analyses, all gravity cores were subsampled at 1-cm resolution for the upper 50 

cm and 2-cm resolution below 50 cm. A split of each subsample was processed for basic sediment characteristics (dry bulk density and porosity) and bulk organic matter content (tables 2–4). Porosity and dry bulk 

density were determined on 20 mL (with 0.5 mL resolution) of wet sediment packed into a syringe with 0.5 

mL graduations. Porosity (j, -) was determined as the fraction of mass loss relative to the initial mass after 

drying at 60 °C for 48 hours. Salt mass contributions were removed under the assumption that pore water 

salinity was equivalent to bottom water salinity. Dry bulk density (rb g cm-3) was determined as the dry 

Gravity Core Site NameDateLatitude (0N)Longitude (0W) Water Depth (m)Temperature (

oC)

SalinityDOpH

MB0810-GC03 8/6/2010 30.557 88.054 3 30.74 12.14 3.89 7.56

MB0810-GC04 8/6/2010 30.439 87.983 3.8 30.35 16.43 1.05 7.38

MB0810-GC20 8/5/2010 30.291 87.883 31.03 16.45 1.91 7.41

Table 1. Mobile Bay Gravity Core sample locations
2

mass normalized to the standardized 20 mL volume. Bulk organic matter content was determined by losson-ignition on dried, homogenesized samples. A small aliquout of each sample (3–5 grams [g]) was briefly 

weighed in porcelain crucibles and combusted at 450 °C in a muffle furnance for 6 hours. Samples were 

held at 60 °C in the furnance until post-combustions weights could be recorded. The loss-on-ignition or organic matter content were estimated by the ratio of mass loss during combustion to original sediment mass. 

Approximately 10 percent of the samples were replicated. 

Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and the stable isotopic signature (δ13C and δ15N, in 

standard per mil notation) of each were measured on dried, gravity core subsamples (tables 2–4). Sample 

preparation follows that outlined by Harris and others (2001). Each homogenized, dried sediment sample 

was pre-weighed in a 5 x 9 millimeter (mm) silver capsule (Costech, Inc.). Inorganic carbon was removed 

by fumigating with concentrated hydrochloric (HCl) acid for 4 to 6 hours. Silver capsules were sealed and 

ass Aux Herons

Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico

Mobile Bay

20 GC

04 GC

03 GC

0 5

0

P

88°10'W 88°0'W 87°50'W

30°40'N

30°30'N

30°20'N

EXPLANATION

Sediment Sample Sites Bathymetry (m)

Gravity Cores

Land

Water

0.5

32

10 MILES

4.5 9 KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Location map showing sampling sites in Mobile Bay, Alabama. 

Gravity cores were collected at these sites in August 2010. See Table 1 

for more information.
3

MB0810-03GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)

0.5 -26.60 4.77 1.365 0.177 9.02

1.5 -26.35 4.67 1.206 0.155 9.06

2.5 -26.35 4.20 1.094 0.151 8.47

3.5 -26.34 4.21 0.791 0.096 9.55

4.5 -26.33 4.27 0.996 0.126 9.25

5.5 -26.50 6.19 1.054 0.096 12.77

6.5 -27.06 3.59 1.471 0.152 11.28

7.5 -26.95 5.41 1.716 0.134 14.93

8.5 -26.27 4.80 1.365 0.148 10.77

9.5 -26.15 4.54 1.354 0.166 9.51

10.5 -26.18 3.76 1.301 0.160 9.47

11.5 -26.27 4.41 1.284 0.137 10.91

12.5 -26.13 4.77 1.381 0.149 10.78

13.5 -26.09 4.57 1.198 0.138 10.12

14.5 -26.12 5.70 1.205 0.108 13.06

15.5 -26.03 6.14 1.211 0.105 13.40

16.5 -26.08 4.12 1.223 0.129 11.05

17.5 -25.48 4.06 1.081 0.141 8.94

18.5 -25.43 7.77 1.115 0.102 12.76

19.5 -25.52 6.35 0.988 0.101 11.37

20.5 -25.36 5.73 0.869 0.087 11.68

21.5 -25.40 6.14 0.972 0.093 12.16

22.5 -25.23 4.01 0.982 0.139 8.21

23.5 -25.29 3.59 0.992 0.170 6.82

24.5 -25.24 2.71 0.959 0.253 4.41

25.5 -25.36 4.50 0.917 0.131 8.15

26.5 -25.32 4.27 0.880 0.130 7.90

27.5 -25.74 4.22 0.804 0.102 9.20

28.5 -25.63 4.11 0.867 0.103 9.79

29.5 -25.45 4.20 0.845 0.107 9.25

30.5 -25.64 2.95 0.970 0.165 6.85

31.5 -25.42 5.63 1.070 0.111 11.20

32.5 -25.43 3.66 1.016 0.146 8.11

33.5 -25.48 3.18 0.982 0.158 7.23

34.5 -25.62 4.29 1.061 0.133 9.27

35.5 -25.67 4.70 1.322 0.133 11.54

36.5 -25.91 4.58 1.228 0.128 11.14

MB0810-03GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)

37.5 -26.17 4.53 1.043 0.108 11.22

38.5 -26.18 3.96 0.950 0.106 10.49

39.5 -26.17 3.18 1.056 0.119 10.36

41 -26.08 3.05 0.930 0.111 9.75

43 -26.09 2.74 0.910 0.126 8.44

45 -26.02 3.77 0.983 0.104 11.03

47 -26.03 3.56 0.968 0.108 10.49

49 -26.10 3.50 0.958 0.101 11.02

51 -26.53 4.72 1.155 0.098 13.73

55 -26.08 2.97 0.903 0.112 9.43

59 -26.14 3.82 0.893 0.107 9.76

63 -26.06 3.43 0.890 0.109 9.49

67 -26.16 2.85 0.903 0.111 9.45

71 -26.07 4.33 0.888 0.104 9.97

75 -26.04 3.09 0.856 0.099 10.02

79 -25.77 3.95 0.900 0.094 11.12

83 -25.84 3.65 0.844 0.106 9.25

87 -25.79 2.76 0.855 0.097 10.28

91 -25.77 3.06 0.850 0.101 9.79

95 -25.86 3.17 0.885 0.108 9.51

99 -25.79 3.33 0.891 0.109 9.48

103 -25.74 2.81 0.896 0.119 8.76

Table 2. Mobile Bay MB0810-03GC geochemical data
4

Table 3. Mobile Bay MB0810-04GC geochemical data MB0810-04GC depth (cm) d13C d15N %OC %ON C:N Molar (Avg)

0.5 -26.95 4.71 2.18 0.270 9.42

1.5 -27.65 4.16 2.41 0.255 11.01

2.5 -31.41 3.46 3.67 0.270 15.84

3.5 -29.68 3.28 2.82 0.261 12.57

4.5 -29.24 3.22 2.64 0.260 11.81

5.5 -29.52 3.29 2.84 0.226 14.61

6.5 -27.27 4.25 1.95 0.223 10.19

7.5 -27.32 4.09 1.86 0.207 10.47

8.5 -27.48 3.63 1.81 0.201 10.52

9.5 -25.75 3.92 1.52 0.204 8.67

10.5 -26.06 4.04 1.52 0.188 9.45

11.5 -25.89 3.15 1.50 0.206 8.47

12.5 -25.15 4.45 1.35 0.176 8.94

13.5 -25.38 2.96 1.42 0.200 8.23

14.5 -25.19 4.34 1.40 0.193 8.50

15.5 -24.73 3.68 1.36 0.198 8.03

16.5 -24.96 3.09 1.45 0.208 8.09

17.5 -24.79 3.73 1.38 0.208 7.76

18.5 -25.05 3.71 1.33 0.176 8.80

19.5 -25.50 4.14 1.39 0.182 8.94

20.5 -25.52 2.59 1.39 0.208 7.79

21.5 -25.43 3.52 1.39 0.206 7.90

22.5 -25.67 4.03 1.47 0.190 9.03

23.5 -25.43 3.46 1.48 0.219 7.90

24.5 -25.43 3.73 1.44 0.196 8.59

25.5 -25.44 3.65 1.51 0.193 9.14

27.5 -25.43 3.36 1.47 0.216 7.91

28.5 -25.45 2.72 1.48 0.219 7.88

29.5 -25.52 3.41 1.48 0.200 8.60

30.5 -25.48 3.07 1.47 0.213 8.07

31.5 -25.62 3.15 1.48 0.212 8.11

32.5 -25.59 3.61 1.49 0.198 8.74

33.5 -25.59 2.81 1.49 0.204 8.49

34.5 -25.54 3.35 1.50 0.202 8.70

35.5 -25.40 3.45 1.53 0.205 8.67

36.5 -25.26 3.17 1.40 0.188 8.64

37.5 -24.98 3.02 1.39 0.226 7.17

38.5 -24.99 2.42 1.48 0.215 8.02

MB0810-04GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)

39.5 -24.91 2.82 1.49 0.208 8.33

41 -25.02 3.44 1.50 0.215 8.12

43 -25.04 2.67 1.48 0.226 7.63

45 -25.05 2.88 1.45 0.204 8.30

47 -25.10 2.50 1.38 0.202 7.99

49 -25.00 3.43 1.36 0.176 9.06

51 -25.02 2.16 1.37 0.230 6.95

55 -25.24 2.56 1.27 0.214 6.89

59 -25.31 2.56 1.31 0.195 7.83

63 -25.50 2.49 1.33 0.193 8.01

67 -25.47 2.43 1.27 0.187 7.88

71 -25.69 2.85 1.36 0.168 9.43

75 -25.48 2.55 1.30 0.187 8.09

79 -25.37 2.24 1.27 0.185 8.01

83 -25.29 2.63 1.30 0.175 8.64

87 -25.19 3.06 1.30 0.194 7.76

91 -24.98 2.54 1.23 0.169 8.47

95 -24.96 2.24 1.24 0.163 8.86

99 -25.01 2.53 1.30 0.173 8.75

103 -25.16 3.36 1.29 0.148 10.19

107 -25.15 2.64 1.28 0.160 9.31

111 -25.13 3.08 1.34 0.180 8.68

115 -25.12 3.22 1.32 0.190 8.08

119 -25.14 2.79 1.34 0.186 8.41

123 -25.13 2.92 1.38 0.176 9.15

127 -25.19 2.66 1.27 0.162 9.13

131 -25.41 3.70 1.37 0.159 10.00

135 -25.29 3.26 1.36 0.156 10.11

139 -25.32 2.83 1.37 0.160 10.01

143 -25.28 2.79 1.36 0.175 9.02

147 -25.23 2.48 1.38 0.174 9.20

151 -25.29 2.82 1.40 0.167 9.78

155 -25.22 3.52 1.35 0.155 10.16

159 -25.33 3.13 1.32 0.156 9.89

163 -25.31 2.60 1.34 0.188 8.28

167 -25.29 2.48 1.37 0.180 8.87

171 -25.38 2.20 1.32 0.176 8.77

175 -25.46 2.57 1.38 0.175 9.19
5

MB0810-04GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)

179 -25.44 2.93 1.32 0.172 8.95

183 -25.59 3.03 1.29 0.155 9.66

187 -25.35 2.92 1.25 0.180 8.12

191 -25.19 2.02 1.06 0.150 8.25

195 -25.39 2.83 1.23 0.177 8.06

199 -25.48 2.56 1.27 0.171 8.67

203 -25.16 2.53 1.22 0.157 9.05

207 -25.11 3.47 1.17 0.137 9.96

211 -25.17 3.02 1.16 0.151 8.96

215 -25.05 3.43 1.21 0.148 9.55

Table 3—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-04GC geochemical data MB0810-20GC depth (cm) d13C d15N %OC %ON C:N Molar (Avg) Merged TOC TOC (mg/g)

0.5 -26.26 4.55 2.66 0.293 10.59 2.66 26.60

1.5 2.59 25.90

2.5 -25.14 4.33 2.00 0.336 6.94 2.63 26.30

3.5 -25.11 4.85 1.93 0.299 7.53 1.88 18.80

4.5 -24.98 4.24 1.97 0.340 6.73 2.38 23.80

5.5 2.77 27.70

6.5 -25.15 3.89 1.80 0.322 6.50 2.44 24.40

8.5 -25.31 4.99 1.63 0.202 9.42 1.92 19.20

9.5 -25.33 4.16 1.63 0.256 7.42 1.85 18.50

10.5 -25.25 4.04 1.63 0.270 7.04 1.82 18.20

12.5 -25.15 4.07 1.65 0.262 7.37 1.71 17.10

14.5 -25.18 3.61 1.64 0.264 7.24 1.61 16.10

15.5 -25.21 5.48 1.65 0.217 8.88 1.62 16.20

16.5 -25.16 4.89 1.64 0.210 9.11 1.60 16.00

18.5 -24.63 5.51 1.40 0.170 9.58 1.59 15.90

20.5 -24.82 5.56 1.41 0.160 10.25 1.53 15.30

21.5 -24.51 4.96 1.31 0.186 8.20 1.54 15.40

Table 4. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC geochemical data
6

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)Merged TOCTOC (mg/g)

22.5 -24.59 4.53 1.25 0.211 6.92 1.57 15.70

24.5 -24.57 4.04 1.31 0.213 7.16 1.48 14.80

26.5 -24.81 3.47 1.23 0.227 6.31 1.37 13.70

27.5 -24.51 4.53 1.22 0.166 8.51 1.28 12.80

28.5 -22.84 6.79 1.01 0.160 7.40 1.23 12.30

30.5 -24.23 3.18 1.26 0.235 6.26 1.24 12.40

32.5 -24.30 4.20 1.18 0.173 7.97 1.23 12.28

33.5 -24.31 5.83 1.22 0.143 10.10 1.22 12.16

34.5 -24.48 4.76 1.14 0.163 8.17 1.01 10.13

36.5 -24.12 6.64 1.21 0.137 10.24 1.26 12.63

38.5 -24.32 4.04 1.20 0.180 7.74 1.18 11.82

39.5 -24.44 4.70 1.20 0.161 8.66 1.22 12.23

40.5 1.14 11.45

42.5 1.21 12.06

43 -24.33 4.23 1.19 0.204 6.85

44.5 1.20 11.95

45.5 1.20 11.99

47 -24.23 4.67 1.20 0.172 8.15

49 1.19 11.88

51 -23.80 4.20 1.15 0.192 7.01

53 1.20 12.04

57 -23.84 4.01 1.18 0.194 7.10 1.15 11.53

61 -23.90 3.56 1.25 0.193 7.56 1.18 11.80

65 -23.88 3.75 1.35 0.190 8.30 1.25 12.52

69 -24.08 3.59 1.41 0.188 8.70 1.35 13.50

73 -24.15 3.95 1.50 0.193 9.08 1.41 14.07

77 -24.02 2.96 1.49 0.213 8.16 1.50 15.03

81 -23.91 3.00 1.37 0.189 8.47 1.49 14.90

85 -23.93 2.59 1.43 0.211 7.90 1.37 13.74

89 -23.85 2.50 1.34 0.197 7.93 1.43 14.30

93 -23.97 2.82 1.33 0.186 8.34 1.34 13.39

97 -24.06 2.36 1.32 0.201 7.62 1.33 13.30

101 -24.12 2.48 1.28 0.186 8.04 1.32 13.15

105 -24.20 2.36 1.30 0.174 8.72 1.28 12.81

109 -24.06 2.73 1.34 0.186 8.42 1.30 13.05

Table 4—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC geochemical data
7

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)d13Cd15N%OC%ONC:N Molar (Avg)Merged TOCTOC (mg/g)

113 -24.08 2.82 1.31 0.183 8.35 1.34 13.41

117 -24.16 2.83 1.28 0.174 8.56 1.31 13.14

121 -24.13 3.05 1.20 0.174 8.06 1.28 12.77

125 -24.07 2.91 1.12 0.165 7.89 1.20 12.00

129 -23.99 3.12 1.15 0.162 8.28 1.12 11.20

133 -23.96 2.82 1.15 0.166 8.09 1.15 11.50

137 -23.93 3.30 1.17 0.150 9.07 1.15 11.50

141 -24.01 2.93 1.18 0.161 8.51 1.17 11.66

145 -24.08 2.90 1.22 0.169 8.47 1.18 11.77

149 -23.98 3.51 1.20 0.125 11.20 1.22 12.25

153 -23.92 3.35 1.21 0.141 9.98 1.20 12.02

157 -23.97 2.94 1.21 0.155 9.06 1.21 12.06

161 -23.95 2.71 1.19 0.164 8.43 1.21 12.06

165 -24.01 3.37 1.19 0.137 10.11 1.19 11.87

169 -23.96 3.23 1.16 0.132 10.18 1.19 11.92

173 -24.09 3.46 1.16 0.141 9.62 1.16 11.56

177 -24.14 2.98 1.16 0.146 9.23 1.16 11.63

181 -24.15 2.76 1.22 0.166 8.59 1.16 11.57

185 -24.23 3.16 1.17 0.153 8.91 1.22 12.20

189 -24.13 2.83 1.09 0.154 8.21 1.17 11.69

193 -24.25 2.75 1.05 0.146 8.37 1.09 10.86

197 -24.23 2.71 1.03 0.152 7.87 1.05 10.51

201 -24.00 3.06 1.09 0.142 8.92 1.03 10.25

205 -24.08 3.33 1.01 0.117 10.04 1.09 10.89

209 -24.03 3.60 0.97 0.108 10.45 1.01 10.10

213 -24.01 2.76 0.99 0.127 9.07 0.97 9.73

217 -24.03 3.11 1.01 0.126 9.31 0.99 9.88

221 -23.90 3.20 1.03 0.126 9.55 1.01 10.09

225 -23.93 2.66 1.05 0.141 8.66 1.03 10.32

229 -23.88 2.93 0.95 0.121 9.18 1.05 10.46

233 -23.98 2.66 0.97 0.130 8.67 0.95 9.52

237 -23.88 2.96 0.94 0.114 9.65 0.97 9.67

241 -23.87 3.40 1.00 0.115 10.10 0.94 9.42

245 -24.09 2.82 1.05 0.128 9.57 1.00 9.95

249 1.05 10.55

Table 4—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC geochemical data
8

kept in a dry environment until analysis. A PDZ Europa ANCA-GSL elemental analyzer interfaced to a 

PDZ Europa 20-20 isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Sercon Ltd., Cheshire, UK) was used to measure TOC, 

TN, and respective isotopes by the Stable Isotope Facility at the University of California, Davis. Every 

third sample was replicated to evaluate sample heterogeneity. Standard deviations of δ13C and δ15N on all 

85 replicates were 0.4 and 4.8 percent, respectively. The δ13C and δ15N are presented as per mil differences 

relative to the reference standards Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (VPDB) and Air, respectively.

The gravity core MB08-10-20GC was also analyzed for total sediment metal concentrations. The 

sediment aliquout used was of the same resolution as mentioned for other geochemical analyses. Sediment 

samples were digested and analyzed for a suite of 42 elements using a combination of inductively coupled 

plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry 

(ICP–MS) by the Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center (CMERSC) Analytical 

Chemistry group. Laboratory procedures involved full digestion of sediment sample (0.5–5 g) using a 

mixture of hydrochloric (HCl, nitric (HNO3), perchloric (HClO4), and hydrofluoric (HF) acids at low temperature (Harris and others, 2001). Digestate was diluted with dilute HCl or HNO3

 at a known ratio and 

prepared for sample analysis by using ICP-AES and (or) ICP-MS. Results for the full 42 element suite are 

presented in table 5. MB0810-20GC depth (cm) Al (%) Ca (%)

Fe (%)K (%)Mg (%)Na (%)Ti (%)Ba (ppm)Co (ppm)Cr (ppm)Cu (ppm)Mn (ppm)Mo (ppm)Ni (ppm)Pb (ppm)Sn (ppm)Th (ppm)V (ppm)Zn (ppm)

0.5 8.31 0.5 4.92 1.23 1.05 1.43 0.43 305 17.4 82 21.8 995 1.47 32.8 25.1 3.4 12.9 120 139

2.5 8.53 0.49 4.90 1.30 1.09 1.54 0.42 297 17.1 82 21.7 1060 1.41 33.3 25.5 2.8 12.2 119 136

3.5 8.52 0.52 4.95 1.29 1.11 1.52 0.42 304 17.1 83 27.9 1060 1.49 33.7 25.3 2.8 12.6 119 138

4.5 8.53 0.52 4.87 1.28 1.12 1.53 0.42 300 17.0 80 22.9 1020 1.44 33.3 25.1 2.8 12.5 119 136

6.5 8.36 0.51 4.85 1.26 1.10 1.49 0.42 298 14.7 78 21.7 957 1.42 33.0 25.7 2.7 13.0 113 135

8.5 8.73 0.42 5.11 1.31 1.12 1.48 0.43 310 15.4 85 22.3 862 1.38 33.9 27.1 3.0 13.4 123 144

9.5 8.71 0.36 5.07 1.33 1.10 1.41 0.43 310 15.5 84 21.4 802 1.34 33.4 26.5 2.9 13.6 119 141

10.5 8.70 0.34 5.03 1.34 1.11 1.43 0.43 317 15.1 82 20.8 772 1.34 33.8 25.7 2.8 12.3 119 142

12.5 8.97 0.32 5.09 1.33 1.10 1.39 0.43 309 17.9 83 21.7 727 1.39 34.5 27.0 2.9 13.1 124 142

14.5 8.99 0.29 5.04 1.36 1.12 1.44 0.44 315 17.8 83 22.1 722 1.29 34.2 27.0 2.8 13.0 123 143

15.5 9.00 0.29 5.15 1.35 1.12 1.50 0.43 314 17.9 86 23.7 714 1.38 35.1 27.2 2.9 13.3 121 145

16.5 9.22 0.32 5.16 1.36 1.10 1.38 0.44 311 18.1 86 22.9 814 1.41 35.8 28.0 2.9 13.3 127 144

18.5 10.1 0.32 5.38 1.38 1.11 1.28 0.47 306 18.8 87 25.8 1170 1.55 38.9 30.0 3.1 14.3 134 142

20.5 10.2 0.34 5.41 1.37 1.11 1.25 0.46 307 18.6 89 26.1 1010 1.62 40.0 29.3 3.1 14.0 138 142

21.5 10.5 0.31 5.66 1.44 1.10 1.31 0.51 308 18.9 99 28.9 1210 1.68 39.9 29.7 3.2 14.3 139 141

22.5 10.6 0.32 5.55 1.38 1.11 1.31 0.48 307 18.8 86 28.6 1390 1.76 41.7 29.5 3.3 14.0 141 143

24.5 10.6 0.42 5.47 1.38 1.10 1.28 0.47 317 18.7 154 27.4 1010 1.78 40.3 28.9 3.2 13.9 144 137

26.5 10.9 0.36 5.49 1.40 1.08 1.31 0.48 324 19.1 92 27.7 798 1.86 40.7 29.8 3.3 14.6 140 136

27.5 10.9 0.48 5.51 1.40 1.09 1.33 0.49 324 18.7 91 28.5 841 1.94 41.9 29.2 3.4 14.5 138 137

28.5 10.9 0.39 5.44 1.37 1.07 1.34 0.48 321 18.6 87 29.8 884 1.92 41.3 29.1 3.1 14.4 137 133

30.5 10.7 0.49 5.39 1.36 1.08 1.31 0.48 311 18.8 93 28.0 807 2.00 41.1 29.1 4.2 14.6 136 133

32.5 10.7 0.58 5.29 1.42 1.11 1.32 0.49 318 18.0 92 26.8 827 2.00 39.9 27.2 3.1 13.9 140 127

Table 5. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC metals data
9

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)Al (%)Ca (%)Fe (%)K (%)Mg (%)Na (%)Ti (%)Ba (ppm)Co (ppm)Cr (ppm)Cu (ppm)Mn (ppm)Mo (ppm)Ni (ppm)Pb (ppm)Sn (ppm)Th (ppm)V (ppm)Zn (ppm)

33.5 10.6 0.46 5.26 1.43 1.09 1.33 0.48 311 17.9 95 35.8 889 1.99 40.4 26.9 3.2 13.8 138 128

34.5 10.7 0.54 5.22 1.45 1.13 1.38 0.48 324 18.2 95 25.9 905 1.82 40.3 26.2 3.1 13.7 139 129

36.5 10.3 0.45 5.11 1.39 1.13 1.41 0.48 303 16.7 90 24.3 939 1.81 38.5 24.9 2.9 13.2 130 121

38.5 10.8 0.33 5.25 1.45 1.18 1.46 0.49 314 17.6 94 25.5 722 1.86 42.3 25.5 2.9 13.6 138 131

39.5 10.9 0.33 5.27 1.45 1.21 1.49 0.48 312 19.0 93 25.7 785 1.83 40.6 26.5 3.0 13.9 140 129

43 10.7 0.39 5.31 1.43 1.21 1.49 0.49 311 19.5 97 25.0 914 1.91 41.8 26.8 3.0 14.2 145 131

47 10.3 0.63 5.14 1.4 1.22 1.46 0.47 299 17.5 183 23.7 946 1.76 40.4 24.2 2.9 13.1 145 124

51 10.4 0.60 5.21 1.39 1.23 1.52 0.47 282 17.4 164 21.4 914 1.83 39.3 24.3 2.8 13.2 140 124

55 10.2 0.56 5.15 1.36 1.21 1.53 0.47 271 15.0 100 21.0 891 1.75 40.5 24.7 2.9 13.6 141 127

59 9.81 0.50 4.99 1.36 1.25 1.53 0.46 279 16.9 96 20.9 911 1.63 38.3 23.3 2.7 13.2 130 123

63 9.20 0.43 4.96 1.37 1.26 1.55 0.44 284 16.7 95 18.9 793 1.39 36.0 22.5 2.7 12.6 128 121

67 7.93 0.41 4.64 1.34 1.20 1.45 0.39 274 17.0 81 22.5 631 1.02 30.4 20.7 2.2 12.2 110 111

71 8.21 0.33 4.77 1.38 1.27 1.48 0.4 286 17.2 82 26.3 614 1.15 31.5 21.6 2.4 12.9 113 115

75 7.79 0.36 4.68 1.4 1.23 1.51 0.38 282 16.5 81 15.8 606 1.48 30.4 20.9 2.4 12.5 113 109

79 8.16 0.82 4.68 1.45 1.30 1.46 0.39 298 17.1 84 16.4 639 1.47 31.2 21.2 2.3 12.7 111 112

83 8.25 0.35 4.84 1.48 1.30 1.41 0.39 298 17.6 84 16.8 657 1.82 32.1 21.5 2.5 12.8 112 115

87 7.99 0.48 4.88 1.42 1.27 1.41 0.39 295 17.5 85 15.9 657 2.45 30.3 20.8 2.4 12.3 111 121

91 8.25 0.46 4.80 1.46 1.29 1.45 0.40 303 18.1 82 16.7 688 2.96 31.0 21.2 2.5 13.1 111 109

95 8.19 0.66 4.86 1.46 1.27 1.48 0.40 295 16.9 82 15.5 700 3.14 31.3 20.6 2.5 12.6 114 111

99 8.03 0.59 4.73 1.45 1.24 1.43 0.38 300 17.2 80 15.6 697 2.96 30.4 20.8 2.4 12.4 104 109

103 8.02 0.51 4.66 1.46 1.26 1.39 0.39 303 17.1 79 15.3 700 2.57 30.0 21.1 2.5 12.5 109 111

107 8.05 0.53 4.66 1.45 1.27 1.36 0.39 299 16.4 135 15.0 740 2.09 30.3 20.0 2.4 12.1 115 110

111 8.04 0.46 4.72 1.45 1.27 1.35 0.39 296 16.1 120 15.9 752 1.79 30.5 20.8 2.4 12.4 108 110

115 8.04 0.40 4.66 1.46 1.28 1.39 0.39 301 16.3 80 15.7 703 1.64 30.2 20.5 2.4 12.3 108 110

119 7.89 0.68 4.70 1.45 1.26 1.41 0.38 301 17.1 82 15.7 705 1.85 30.3 20.2 2.3 12.4 107 110

123 7.87 0.58 4.80 1.43 1.25 1.34 0.40 297 15.6 83 15.5 717 2.04 29.9 19.6 2.4 12.0 105 110

127 7.89 0.77 4.73 1.43 1.26 1.35 0.39 295 16.0 82 15.5 733 2.63 29.6 19.8 2.4 12.0 103 110

131 7.84 0.58 4.67 1.42 1.27 1.36 0.37 294 16.5 80 15.7 726 2.69 29.6 20.3 2.3 12.4 109 109

135 7.90 0.57 4.78 1.45 1.30 1.39 0.38 297 16.3 78 15.4 720 2.79 29.8 20.2 2.3 12.4 104 109

139 7.95 0.63 4.84 1.44 1.30 1.36 0.39 298 16.4 173 15.4 749 3.65 30.8 20.1 2.3 12.4 105 112

143 7.90 0.63 4.80 1.45 1.27 1.29 0.39 293 15.6 78 18.3 762 4.60 30.4 20.2 2.3 12.4 110 111

147 7.92 0.69 4.84 1.46 1.29 1.26 0.39 299 15.8 82 17.5 814 5.52 30.6 21.0 2.3 13.2 108 112

151 7.86 0.80 4.84 1.46 1.32 1.32 0.39 298 16.1 77 15.9 789 4.46 29.4 20.2 2.5 12.6 112 109

155 8.22 0.90 4.98 1.52 1.35 1.40 0.40 311 16.2 79 17.6 812 4.34 30.5 20.8 2.5 12.5 113 114

159 7.98 0.67 4.87 1.45 1.31 1.34 0.39 295 15.8 83 15.4 791 3.73 30.5 19.9 2.4 12.1 107 111

163 8.08 0.68 4.88 1.49 1.32 1.41 0.39 301 15.8 73 16.8 795 4.24 30.3 19.8 2.4 12.2 113 110

167 8.05 0.76 4.80 1.48 1.34 1.37 0.40 301 15.7 150 16.9 765 3.81 30.7 20.0 2.4 12.2 112 112

171 8.04 0.58 4.84 1.49 1.32 1.34 0.39 300 15.9 86 18.9 768 4.01 30.7 20.4 2.5 12.4 112 113

Table 5—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC metals data
10

Table 5—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC metals data MB0810-20GC depth (cm) Al (%) Ca (%) Fe (%) K (%) Mg (%) Na (%) Ti (%) Ba (ppm) Co (ppm)

Cr (ppm)Cu (ppm)Mn (ppm)Mo (ppm)Ni (ppm)Pb (ppm)Sn (ppm)Th (ppm)V (ppm)Zn (ppm)

175 8.06 0.55 4.85 1.47 1.31 1.29 0.39 300 16.2 80 17.0 736 3.22 30.6 20.0 2.5 12.1 110 111

179 8.34 0.47 4.98 1.50 1.32 1.35 0.38 303 15.9 83 16.5 765 3.81 31.3 21.0 2.5 12.9 112 116

183 8.31 0.58 4.87 1.52 1.32 1.34 0.40 305 16.2 84 16.9 783 3.09 31.4 21.5 2.5 13.0 114 115

187 8.04 0.42 4.68 1.48 1.30 1.29 0.38 302 15.4 80 16.1 694 2.61 30.3 20.1 2.5 12.1 108 113

191 8.12 0.44 4.76 1.5 1.30 1.32 0.39 300 15.5 82 15.7 711 2.52 30.5 20.4 2.5 12.1 109 114

195 7.90 0.50 4.66 1.46 1.27 1.25 0.39 298 15.1 73 15.5 703 2.43 29.0 19.5 2.5 11.9 112 111

199 8.09 0.51 4.73 1.48 1.28 1.30 0.39 296 15.3 75 15.9 764 2.29 30.8 20.3 2.6 12.1 112 113

203 7.65 0.62 4.49 1.41 1.22 1.23 0.38 283 14.7 78 31.2 677 2.11 56.0 19.6 2.4 11.9 103 123

207 7.43 0.77 4.44 1.39 1.22 1.20 0.38 284 14.2 72 15.3 667 2.17 28.3 19.0 2.3 11.8 105 106

211 7.64 0.71 4.64 1.40 1.23 1.23 0.39 280 14.5 79 19.2 703 2.57 28.9 19.1 2.5 11.5 107 106

215 7.56 0.77 4.60 1.36 1.24 1.21 0.38 278 15.0 75 17.3 731 3.35 28.9 19.6 2.4 12.2 106 106

219 7.66 0.84 4.58 1.38 1.27 1.23 0.38 280 14.5 78 16.4 756 5.70 28.5 19.7 2.4 11.8 101 106

223 7.51 0.82 4.58 1.35 1.24 1.18 0.37 275 13.7 81 15.9 783 5.87 28.1 20.0 2.2 12.5 99 103

227 6.74 0.85 4.20 1.24 1.11 1.06 0.36 251 13.0 74 14.9 713 4.22 25.6 18.0 2.2 10.9 87 96

231 6.98 0.72 4.31 1.28 1.15 1.15 0.36 258 13.4 66 18.7 707 3.39 26.6 18.5 2.2 11.3 98 98

235 6.89 1.03 4.39 1.26 1.12 1.11 0.36 257 13.7 73 14.8 739 3.90 26.1 18.7 2.2 11.4 90 95

239 7.12 1.10 4.47 1.30 1.14 1.10 0.35 261 14.1 75 15.8 824 5.08 26.8 18.9 2.2 11.8 93 96

243 7.78 0.89 4.64 1.41 1.22 1.08 0.39 287 14.9 82 16.2 779 5.06 29.0 20.8 2.5 12.4 102 106

Foraminiferal Processing

Per standard protocol, 20 cubic centimeter (cm3) subsamples were taken from gravity core samples 

using a 0.5 milliliter (mL) graduated syringe (Richwine and Osterman, 2012). When a sample contained 

less then 20 cm3, the entire sample was processed. Sediment samples for faunal analyses were wet sieved by 

soaking in water with a small amount of 10 percent Sodium hexametaphosphate solution, slowly agitated 

for up to 1 hour to aid disaggregation, and then washed over a stainless-steel, 63-micron (μm) sieve. The 

>63-μm fractions were oven dried at ≤60 degrees Celsius (°C) and then dry sieved at 125 μm. Percent mud 

was determined by the mass of the >63-μm and the initial sample mass minus water content. The foraminifers were picked, identified, and counted from the >125-μm fraction (table 6). All foraminiferal identifications are listed in Appendix 1. Processed gravity-core samples contained abundant benthic foraminifers. 

In all but a few cases, a representative subsample of approximately 300 specimens was obtained for faunal 

analysis using a microsplitter. The split-size fraction was spread across a 45-square, hole-punched tray, and 

each specimen was dropped through a hole onto a stationary 60-square micropaleontology slide to later be 

identified and counted.
11

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

0.5 9.38 81 12 21 138 3 37 292 6 20 155.7 61.0 7.2 31.8 333.6 0.5

1.5 15.63 138 60 51 1 20 270 5 20 86.4 0.0 26.7 73.3 340.8 1.5

2.5 9.38 130 54 72 6 1 23 1 24 311 8 20 165.9 15.4 25.1 59.2 2.5

3.5 7.81 100 111 71 3 12 1 1 61 2 26 388 10 2 17 292.1 22.9 22.2 54.4 84.533 3.5

4.5 3.13 58 91 44 12 150 1 15 371 7 20 593.6 44.7 15.1 40.2 68.4 4.5

5.5 18.75 92 105 69 13 2 1 3 285 7 2 14 108.6 2.1 28.8 69.1 5.5

6.5 25.00 152 76 47 3 8 2 4 292 7 20 58.4 4.8 17.1 78.1 131.867 6.5

7.5 12.50 67 97 37 12 1 113 1 10 338 8 20 135.2 36.7 14.5 48.5 7.5

8.5 10.94 95 59 40 3 89 1 4 291 7 20 133.0 32.3 14.8 52.9 178.133 8.5

9.5 21.88 48 17 9 2 281 3 13 373 7 20 85.3 79.6 2.9 17.4 207.271 9.5

10.5 100.00 83 22 34 3 9 2 3 156 7 20 7.8 9.0 23.7 67.3 10.5

11.5 25.00 47 14 14 2 279 4 8 368 7 20 73.6 79.1 4.3 16.6 134.886 11.5

12.5 31.25 47 23 19 8 167 1 8 273 7 20 43.7 64.5 9.9 25.6 12.5

13.5 100.00 29 9 8 229 8 25 308 6 17 18.1 85.1 2.6 12.3 88.9 13.5

14.5 37.50 5 267 1 8 281 4 20 37.5 98.2 0.0 1.8 119.914 14.5

15.5 100.00 3 3 267 10 283 4 20 14.2 97.9 1.1 1.1 15.5

16.5 100.00 175 1 3 179 3 20 9.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 93.3 16.5

17.5 100.00 33 3 5 100 2 1 144 6 20 7.2 71.5 3.5 25.0 60.1 17.5

18.5 15.63 53 6 4 129 1 0 193 5 20 61.8 67.4 2.1 30.6 18.5

19.5 25.00 158 10 10 3 205 1 387 6 20 77.4 53.2 3.4 43.4 56.659 19.5

20.5 50.00 23 1 1 229 3 2 259 6 20 25.9 90.3 0.4 9.3 20.5

21.5 37.50 156 12 5 1 1 178 1 354 7 20 47.2 50.8 1.7 47.5 23.825 21.5

22.5 25.00 72 1 4 3 162 2 244 6 20 48.8 67.2 2.9 29.9 22.5

23.5 12.50 111 46 24 3 1 151 1 1 338 8 20 135.2 45.3 8.0 46.4 12.5 23.5

24.5 4.69 80 9 8 2 1 191 291 6 20 310.4 65.6 3.4 30.6 48.33 24.5

25.5 25.00 138 17 17 2 1 1 225 3 2 406 9 20 81.2 56.7 4.9 38.2 25.5

26.5 12.50 132 9 10 6 1 129 1 288 7 20 115.2 45.1 5.6 49.0 29.85 26.5

27.5 9.38 133 94 74 2 12 1 2 3 1 46 368 10 20 196.3 12.5 23.9 61.7 27.5

28.5 15.63 173 50 14 2 29 1 269 6 20 86.1 11.2 5.9 82.9 49.4 28.5

29.5 21.88 87 90 34 1 12 1 98 1 324 8 20 74.1 30.6 14.5 54.6 90 29.5

30.5 12.50 95 74 55 2 18 41 1 2 288 8 2 20 115.2 15.3 26.0 58.7 30.5

31.5 6.25 55 103 123 23 42 5 1 4 4 1 361 10 2 20 288.8 0.3 52.1 43.8 63.3 31.5

32.5 3.13 123 87 67 10 8 1 7 303 7 20 484.8 2.3 28.1 69.3 115.2 32.5

Table 6. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
12

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

33.5 25.00 177 49 23 2 3 83 2 339 7 20 67.8 25.1 7.4 66.7 196.267 33.5

34.5 4.69 144 94 45 3 2 7 1 296 7 20 315.7 2.7 16.9 80.4 86.08 34.5

35.5 25.00 90 96 54 9 6 1 1 2 42 2 2 305 11 20 61.0 15.1 22.6 61.0 74.057 35.5

36.5 12.50 171 27 91 1 2 292 5 20 116.8 0.7 31.5 67.8 115.2 36.5

37.5 100.00 26 10 4 1 158 3 2 204 7 20 10.2 79.9 2.5 17.6 288.8 37.5

38.5 100.00 8 103 2 2 115 4 20 5.8 93.0 0.0 7.0 484.8 38.5

39.5 100.00 9 1 302 4 10 326 5 20 16.3 96.9 0.3 2.8 67.8 39.5

40.5 56.25 7 1 281 9 18 316 5 20 28.1 97.5 0.3 2.2 315.733 40.5

41.5 100.00 75 18 39 1 81 5 219 6 1 20 11.0 39.3 18.3 42.5 61 41.5

42.5 15.63 77 69 98 5 10 42 1 1 303 8 20 97.0 14.5 37.3 48.2 116.8 42.5

43.5 25.00 128 33 172 3 11 3 3 63 416 8 1 20 83.2 15.1 44.7 38.7 10.2 43.5

44.5 10.94 86 41 148 15 4 18 312 6 20 142.6 5.8 52.2 40.7 5.75 44.5

45.5 15.63 74 57 119 12 3 2 28 2 297 8 20 95.0 10.1 44.1 44.1 16.3 45.5

46.5 7.81 75 30 144 8 5 1 1 1 23 1 289 10 20 185.0 8.7 54.3 36.3 28.089 46.5

47.5 12.50 90 55 125 5 21 3 23 1 323 8 2 20 129.2 7.4 46.7 44.9 10.95 47.5

48.5 18.75 100 38 154 7 10 3 1 313 7 20 83.5 1.3 54.6 44.1 96.96 48.5

49.5 9.38 81 74 138 9 19 4 1 21 347 8 1 20 185.1 6.1 47.8 44.7 83.2 49.5

50.5 6.25 105 13 147 2 1 1 10 3 282 8 20 225.6 4.6 53.2 41.8 142.629 50.5

51.5 12.50 83 39 159 4 13 1 30 329 7 20 131.6 9.1 53.5 37.1 95.04 51.5

52.5 9.38 225 32 111 3 3 7 381 6 20 203.2 1.8 30.7 67.5 184.96 52.5

53.5 12.50 83 76 206 7 20 1 3 42 438 8 20 175.2 9.6 53.2 36.3 129.2 53.5

54.5 21.88 120 23 129 6 10 4 1 293 7 20 67.0 1.7 49.5 48.8 83.467 54.5

55.5 9.38 60 49 149 3 25 2 11 2 2 303 9 20 161.6 5.0 58.4 36.0 185.067 55.5

56.5 6.25 109 16 103 6 13 18 265 6 20 212.0 6.8 46.0 47.2 225.6 56.5

57.5 15.63 64 81 100 1 40 3 1 61 351 8 20 112.3 17.4 40.2 41.3 131.6 57.5

58.5 12.50 126 22 110 2 6 3 269 6 20 107.6 1.1 43.9 55.0 203.2 58.5

59.5 12.50 81 62 119 4 49 4 4 52 375 8 20 150.0 13.9 45.9 38.1 175.2 59.5

60.5 9.38 184 21 89 3 11 2 310 6 20 165.3 0.6 33.2 66.1 66.971 60.5

61.5 12.50 247 19 61 6 14 3 1 1 53 2 407 10 20 162.8 13.5 19.9 65.4 161.6 61.5

62.5 10.94 137 11 23 4 1 26 202 6 20 92.3 12.9 13.9 73.3 212 62.5

64.5 6.25 178 20 38 12 5 49 302 6 1 20 241.6 16.2 18.2 65.6 112.32 63.5

65.5 18.75 169 14 32 10 12 6 48 291 7 20 77.6 16.5 18.6 62.9 107.6 64.5

66.5 31.25 55 0 2 2 1 169 1 230 6 20 36.8 73.9 2.2 23.9 150 65.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
13

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

67.5 50.00 77 2 10 2 224 315 5 20 31.5 71.1 3.2 25.1 165.333 66.5

68.5 43.75 122 11 22 12 3 36 1 207 7 20 23.7 17.9 17.9 64.3 162.8 67.5

69.5 28.13 108 15 29 21 6 2 1 5 187 8 1 20 33.2 2.7 26.7 65.8 92.343 68.5

70.5 28.13 165 14 26 29 4 9 247 6 20 43.9 3.6 23.9 72.5 241.6 70.5

71.5 37.50 107 3 39 18 1 2 170 6 20 22.7 1.2 34.1 64.7 77.6 71.5

72.5 18.75 159 3 29 35 5 4 1 236 7 20 62.9 2.1 29.2 68.6 36.8 72.5

73.5 25.00 67 28 28 30 14 23 190 6 20 38.0 12.1 37.9 50.0 31.5 73.5

74.5 100.00 47 13 7 1 93 1 3 165 7 20 8.3 58.8 12.7 28.5 23.657 74.5

76.5 9.38 166 5 64 22 3 50 310 6 20 165.3 16.1 28.7 55.2 33.244 75.5

77.5 37.50 96 17 42 25 11 6 40 237 7 2 20 31.6 16.9 32.9 47.7 43.911 76.5

78.5 25.00 68 6 75 22 25 196 5 20 39.2 12.8 49.5 37.8 22.667 77.5

79.5 15.63 75 28 79 29 10 4 10 235 7 1 20 75.2 4.3 50.2 43.8 62.933 78.5

80.5 12.50 46 36 93 48 18 1 3 3 248 8 1 25 79.4 2.4 64.1 33.1 38 79.5

82.5 50.00 84 7 38 31 2 2 2 1 167 8 20 16.7 1.8 42.5 54.5 8.25 80.5

83.5 50.00 105 17 19 14 1 2 158 6 20 15.8 10.8 22.8 66.5 165.333 82.5

84.5 21.88 67 1 13 12 24 1 118 6 20 27.0 21.2 21.2 57.6 31.6 83.5

85.5 25.00 181 15 30 11 2 239 5 20 47.8 0.8 23.4 75.7 39.2 84.5

86.5 25.00 109 9 32 32 6 18 206 6 20 41.2 8.7 34.0 57.3 75.2 85.5

87.5 25.00 183 38 13 6 14 254 5 20 50.8 5.5 22.4 72.0 79.36 86.5

88.5 12.50 109 15 39 39 11 2 215 6 20 86.0 0.9 41.4 57.7 16.7 88.5

89.5 9.38 142 3 49 25 5 15 1 240 7 20 128.0 6.7 32.9 60.4 15.8 89.5

90.5 18.75 86 20 25 2 37 170 5 20 45.3 21.8 27.6 50.6 26.971 90.5

91.5 12.50 36 2 33 6 77 4 20 30.8 0.0 50.6 49.4 47.8 91.5

92.5 7.81 89 28 65 33 21 1 3 240 7 20 153.6 1.3 49.6 48.8 41.2 92.5

93.5 9.38 148 6 67 19 6 48 1 295 8 20 157.3 16.6 31.2 52.2 50.8 93.5

94.5 18.75 136 52 22 1 4 5 220 6 20 58.7 2.3 34.1 61.8 86 94.5

95.5 12.50 170 4 81 9 6 3 273 6 20 109.2 1.1 35.2 63.7 128 95.5

96.5 6.25 76 2 118 9 2 207 5 20 165.6 0.0 62.3 37.7 45.333 96.5

97.5 12.50 90 152 9 3 1 255 5 20 102.0 0.4 64.3 35.3 30.8 97.5

98.5 6.25 78 2 189 13 6 1 289 6 20 231.2 0.3 72.0 27.7 153.6 98.5

99.5 2.34 57 7 107 9 3 2 185 6 20 394.7 1.1 64.3 34.6 157.333 99.5

100.5 6.25 77 12 138 39 7 3 276 6 20 220.8 1.1 66.7 32.2 58.667 100.5

101.5 9.38 122 4 96 11 2 235 5 20 125.3 0.0 46.4 53.6 109.2 101.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
14

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

102.5 12.50 161 1 95 32 6 5 300 6 20 120.0 1.7 44.3 54.0 165.6 102.5

103.5 9.38 110 2 128 12 7 2 261 6 20 139.2 0.8 56.3 42.9 102 103.5

104.5 18.75 79 6 131 14 4 2 236 6 20 62.9 0.0 63.1 36.0 231.2 104.5

105.5 9.38 109 2 146 15 272 4 20 145.1 0.0 59.2 40.8 394.667 105.5

106.5 9.38 115 3 98 18 7 6 2 249 7 20 132.8 0.8 49.4 47.4 220.8 106.5

107.5 12.50 120 93 8 1 2 224 5 20 89.6 0.9 45.5 53.6 125.333 107.5

108.5 15.63 92 31 126 21 9 3 2 1 285 8 20 91.2 1.1 54.7 43.2 120 108.5

109.5 9.38 113 11 137 13 9 1 2 286 8 20 152.5 1.0 55.6 43.4 139.2 109.5

110.5 4.69 67 18 125 28 17 1 1 257 7 20 274.1 0.4 66.1 33.1 62.933 110.5

111.5 14.06 89 2 111 7 1 210 5 20 74.7 0.5 56.2 43.3 145.067 111.5

112.5 31.25 107 4 61 23 2 1 198 6 20 31.7 0.5 43.4 56.1 132.8 112.5

113.5 15.63 104 58 9 1 5 177 5 20 56.6 2.8 38.4 58.8 89.6 113.5

114.5 50.00 151 1 45 15 7 1 9 229 7 20 22.9 3.9 29.3 66.4 91.2 114.5

115.5 12.50 130 10 31 17 5 193 5 20 77.2 0.0 27.5 72.5 152.533 115.5

116.5 23.44 160 3 28 17 1 1 210 6 20 44.8 0.5 21.9 77.6 274.133 116.5

117.5 7.81 192 4 42 18 1 4 261 6 20 167.0 1.5 23.4 75.1 74.667 117.5

118.5 12.50 136 1 50 17 1 205 5 20 82.0 0.0 33.2 66.8 31.68 118.5

119.5 6.25 113 7 39 28 1 1 189 7 20 151.2 0.5 36.0 63.5 56.64 119.5

120.5 31.25 175 96 17 1 1 290 5 20 46.4 0.3 39.3 60.3 22.9 120.5

121.5 6.25 140 8 65 16 3 4 236 5 20 188.8 1.7 35.6 62.7 77.2 121.5

122.5 4.69 179 4 101 17 1 1 303 6 20 323.2 0.3 39.3 60.4 44.8 122.5

123.5 3.13 149 7 99 16 6 1 278 6 20 444.8 0.4 43.5 56.1 167.04 123.5

124.5 9.38 167 2 74 18 3 264 5 20 140.8 0.0 36.0 64.0 82 124.5

125.5 3.13 114 6 133 15 3 271 6 20 433.6 0.0 55.7 44.3 151.2 125.5

126.5 3.13 95 11 82 39 5 1 233 6 20 372.8 0.4 54.1 45.5 46.4 126.5

127.5 7.81 130 5 120 13 2 270 5 20 172.8 0.0 50.0 50.0 188.8 127.5

128.5 7.81 94 11 96 28 3 232 5 20 148.5 1.3 53.4 45.3 323.2 128.5

129.5 7.81 120 4 121 5 1 251 5 20 160.6 0.0 50.6 49.4 444.8 129.5

130.5 3.91 121 24 119 17 12 293 5 20 375.0 0.0 50.5 49.5 140.8 130.5

131.5 7.03 110 110 8 4 232 4 20 165.0 0.0 52.6 47.4 433.6 131.5

132.5 9.38 104 21 123 27 17 292 5 20 155.7 0.0 57.2 42.8 372.8 132.5

133.5 10.94 105 45 9 3 1 163 5 20 74.5 0.6 35.0 64.4 172.8 133.5

134.5 21.88 108 8 88 19 6 3 232 6 20 53.0 1.3 48.7 50.0 148.48 134.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
15

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

135.5 6.25 96 14 163 8 281 4 20 224.8 0.0 60.9 39.1 160.64 135.5

136.5 18.75 115 7 150 19 6 2 299 6 20 79.7 0.7 58.5 40.8 375.04 136.5

137.5 6.25 113 4 143 12 4 276 5 20 220.8 0.0 57.6 42.4 164.978 137.5

138.5 3.13 89 3 114 11 4 2 223 6 20 356.8 0.9 57.8 41.3 155.733 138.5

139.5 25.00 77 102 13 192 3 20 38.4 0.0 59.9 40.1 74.514 139.5

140.5 50.00 64 1 93 18 176 4 20 17.6 0.0 63.1 36.9 53.029 140.5

141.5 6.25 96 8 159 23 3 289 5 20 231.2 0.0 64.0 36.0 224.8 141.5

142.5 12.50 73 1 143 11 2 230 5 20 92.0 0.0 67.8 32.2 79.733 142.5

143.5 7.03 63 1 115 17 196 4 20 139.4 0.0 67.3 32.7 220.8 143.5

144.5 1.56 56 19 122 17 8 1 1 224 7 3 20 716.8 0.4 65.6 33.5 356.8 144.5

145.6 3.91 82 6 227 10 4 1 330 6 20 422.4 0.3 73.0 26.7 38.4 145.5

146.5 3.13 63 10 175 19 2 1 270 6 20 432.0 0.4 72.6 27.0 17.6 146.5

147.5 2.34 78 6 125 32 4 245 5 20 522.7 0.0 65.7 34.3 231.2 147.5

148.5 4.69 78 6 204 16 4 1 309 6 20 329.6 0.3 72.5 27.2 92 148.5

149.5 1.56 62 6 102 19 6 195 5 20 624.0 0.0 65.1 34.9 139.378 149.5

150.5 6.25 62 1 116 25 1 205 5 20 164.0 0.0 69.3 30.7 716.8 150.5

151.5 6.25 88 6 154 23 4 275 5 20 220.0 0.0 65.8 34.2 422.4 151.6

152.5 15.63 94 4 89 8 2 197 5 20 63.0 1.0 49.2 49.7 432 152.5

153.5 12.50 98 1 96 7 1 203 5 20 81.2 0.0 51.2 48.8 522.667 153.5

154.5 10.94 55 3 69 24 7 1 159 6 20 72.7 0.6 62.9 36.5 329.6 154.5

155.5 7.81 100 67 8 2 1 178 5 20 113.9 0.6 43.3 56.2 624 155.5

156.5 17.19 118 2 110 16 6 252 5 20 73.3 0.0 52.4 47.6 164 156.5

157.5 5.47 92 1 85 5 3 1 187 6 20 171.0 0.0 49.7 49.7 220 157.5

158.5 7.81 88 11 79 22 11 1 212 6 20 135.7 0.5 52.8 46.7 63.04 158.5

159.5 15.63 114 87 9 1 1 212 5 20 67.8 0.5 45.8 53.8 81.2 159.5

160.5 3.13 56 15 151 19 9 1 251 6 20 401.6 0.0 71.3 28.3 72.686 160.5

161.5 50.00 69 5 20 20 1 7 122 6 20 12.2 5.7 33.6 60.7 113.92 161.5

162.5 75.00 91 52 13 2 1 159 6 20 10.6 0.6 42.1 57.2 73.309 162.5

163.5 31.25 87 40 40 2 3 172 5 20 27.5 1.7 47.7 50.6 170.971 163.5

164.5 100.00 60 60 8 1 129 4 20 6.5 0.8 52.7 46.5 135.68 164.5

165.5 6.25 64 89 89 5 2 249 5 20 199.2 0.8 73.5 25.7 67.84 165.5

166.5 3.13 71 11 129 8 2 221 5 1 20 353.6 0.0 62.9 37.1 401.6 166.5

167.5 18.75 81 1 116 116 314 4 20 83.7 0.0 73.9 26.1 12.2 167.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
16

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

168.5 12.50 75 1 44 10 4 5 139 6 20 55.6 3.6 41.7 54.7 10.6 168.5

169.5 100.00 55 3 19 19 2 6 104 6 20 5.2 5.8 38.5 55.8 27.52 169.5

170.5 18.75 49 7 26 19 9 2 112 6 20 29.9 1.8 48.2 50.0 6.45 170.5

171.5 4.69 71 33 177 13 8 302 5 20 322.1 0.0 65.6 34.4 199.2 171.5

172.5 18.75 100 16 99 25 1 241 5 2 20 64.3 0.0 51.9 48.1 353.6 172.5

173.5 100.00 45 20 20 1 86 4 20 4.3 0.0 47.7 52.3 83.733 173.5

174.5 18.75 79 3 142 9 233 4 1 20 62.1 0.0 64.8 35.2 55.6 174.5

175.5 1.56 51 10 123 24 6 1 1 216 7 1 20 691.2 0.0 70.8 28.2 5.2 175.5

176.5 75.00 116 10 3 4 1 134 5 20 8.9 3.7 9.7 86.6 29.867 176.5

177.5 31.25 160 13 42 8 5 6 234 6 20 37.4 2.6 23.5 73.9 322.133 177.5

178.5 31.25 103 17 102 15 237 4 20 37.9 0.0 49.4 50.6 64.267 178.5

179.5 43.75 99 15 128 8 2 252 5 20 28.8 0.8 54.0 45.2 4.3 179.5

180.5 6.25 30 29 114 37 22 5 237 6 7 20 189.6 0.0 73.0 24.9 62.133 180.5

181.5 37.50 79 10 137 10 5 241 5 20 32.1 0.0 63.1 36.9 691.2 181.5

182.5 75.00 48 8 113 13 3 1 186 6 2 20 12.4 0.5 69.4 30.1 8.933 182.5

183.5 25.00 96 2 91 24 2 2 217 6 20 43.4 0.0 53.9 45.2 37.44 183.5

184.5 50.00 59 1 52 13 1 126 5 20 12.6 0.8 51.6 47.6 37.92 184.5

185.5 75.00 85 56 9 150 3 20 10.0 0.0 43.3 56.7 28.8 185.5

186.5 75.00 19 3 28 49 4 103 5 20 6.9 0.0 78.6 21.4 189.6 186.5

187.5 100.00 9 1 5 15 3 20 0.8 33.3 6.7 60.0 32.133 187.5

188.5 9.38 65 9 107 26 9 2 1 219 7 20 116.8 0.5 64.8 33.8 12.4 188.5

189.5 100.00 3 2 5 2 20 0.3 40.0 0.0 60.0 43.4 189.5

190.5 50.00 34 2 70 13 10 3 132 6 20 13.2 2.3 70.5 27.3 12.6 190.5

191.5 25.00 99 10 132 11 5 2 259 6 2 20 51.8 0.8 57.1 42.1 10 191.5

192.5 100.00 5 2 1 8 3 20 0.4 12.5 25.0 62.5 6.867 192.5

193.5 37.50 90 4 103 10 2 209 5 20 27.9 0.0 55.0 45.0 116.8 194.5

195.5 3.13 90 15 151 16 10 2 1 285 7 20 456.0 0.0 62.1 36.8 13.2 196.5

196.5 100.00 67 6 80 3 2 1 1 160 7 20 8.0 0.6 53.1 45.6 51.8 197.5

200.5 3.13 45 26 172 11 7 261 5 27 309.3 0.0 72.8 27.2 27.867 199.5

202.5 18.75 96 8 135 12 4 1 256 6 20 68.3 0.0 59.0 40.6 456 201.5

204.5 75.00 120 1 47 5 173 4 20 11.5 0.0 30.1 69.9 8 202.5

205.5 3.13 31 16 98 14 4 163 5 17 306.8 0.0 71.2 28.8 309.333 206.5

206.7 3.91 77 18 121 13 5 2 1 237 7 20 303.4 0.0 58.6 40.1 68.267 208.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
17

MB0810-20GC depth (cm)% sample examinedAmmonia parkensonianaAmmonia tepidaElphidium excatatumElphidium mexicanumElphidium poeyanumGlandulina laevigataHaynesina germanicaOther calcareousPseudononion atlanticumQuinqueloculina comptaQuinqueloculina lamarckianaOther milliolidsRosalina floridensisOther agglutinatedAmmotium salsusAmmobaculites exiguusMiliammina fuscaParatrochammina simplissimaNumber of foraminifers (N)Number of species (S)OstracodsVolume (mL)Number of foraminifers per cc (density)Percent agglutinated speciesPercent Elphidium spp.Percent Ammonia spp.Number of foraminifers per cc (density) Merged 20GC and BC density valuesMerged 20 GC and BC depths (cm)

208.9 25.00 122 77 1 2 4 206 5 20 41.2 0.0 38.8 59.2 11.533 210.5

209.5 1.56 37 15 93 9 6 160 5 20 512.0 0.0 67.5 32.5 306.824 211.5

210.5 18.75 106 2 87 6 6 8 215 6 20 57.3 0.0 46.0 50.2 303.36 212.7

212.5 10.94 105 4 76 3 8 196 5 20 89.6 0.0 40.3 55.6 41.2 214.9

214.5 25.00 141 1 75 12 3 232 5 20 46.4 0.0 37.5 61.2 512 215.5

215.5 6.25 53 23 183 19 8 1 287 6 20 229.6 0.0 73.2 26.5 57.333 216.5

216.5 3.13 68 13 171 11 4 267 5 2 20 427.2 0.0 69.7 30.3 89.6 218.5

218.5 7.81 91 6 157 5 7 2 2 270 7 1 20 172.8 0.7 62.6 35.9 46.4 220.5

219.5 6.25 76 20 191 12 5 1 305 6 7 20 244.0 0.0 68.2 31.5 229.6 221.5

220.5 2.34 44 25 188 11 13 5 286 6 3 20 610.1 0.0 74.1 24.1 427.2 222.5

222.5 3.91 63 24 172 12 13 284 5 2 20 363.5 0.0 69.4 30.6 172.8 224.5

223.5 3.13 27 19 100 15 6 2 169 6 20 270.4 0.0 71.6 27.2 244 225.5

224.5 2.34 50 25 133 15 7 2 232 6 2 20 494.9 0.0 66.8 32.3 610.133 226.5

226.5 1.56 73 16 159 16 11 1 1 277 7 5 20 886.4 0.0 67.1 32.1 363.52 228.5

228.5 6.25 111 9 100 14 4 238 5 20 190.4 0.0 49.6 50.4 270.4 229.5

229.5 2.34 58 9 146 9 10 2 234 6 20 499.2 0.0 70.5 28.6 494.933 230.5

230.5 4.69 107 15 121 9 8 260 5 20 277.3 0.0 53.1 46.9 886.4 232.5

232.5 25.00 75 65 4 144 3 20 28.8 0.0 47.9 52.1 190.4 234.5

233.5 1.17 62 5 124 4 3 198 5 20 844.8 0.0 66.2 33.8 499.2 235.5

234.5 3.13 75 8 147 12 1 1 244 6 1 20 390.4 0.4 65.6 34.0 277.333 236.5

235.5 3.13 43 14 130 1 4 192 5 20 307.2 0.0 70.3 29.7 28.8 238.5

236.5 6.25 126 96 6 1 229 4 20 183.2 0.0 45.0 55.0 844.8 239.5

238.5 1.56 39 9 136 2 2 188 4 20 601.6 0.0 74.5 25.5 390.4 240.5

240.5 1.56 47 2 190 1 4 244 5 20 780.8 0.0 79.9 20.1 307.2 241.5

242.5 25.00 104 1 117 7 1 230 5 13 70.8 0.0 53.9 45.7 183.2 242.5

601.6 244.5

780.8 246.5

70.769 248.5

Table 6—Continued. Mobile Bay MB0810-20GC foraminiferal sample counts
18

Core Splicing

Foraminiferal counts and geochemical analyses were completed on box (BC) and gravity (GC) 

cores separately. The data indicated that the top of the gravity core was absent and/or compressed by six 

centimeters (cm) and the upper box core provided a more complete record. To merge the box and gravity 

core data sets, we present data values for the upper 19.5 cm of the box core. From 20.5 to 29.5 cm in BC 

(=14.5 to 23.5 cm in GC) the merged data consists of mean values for gravity and box core samples. Below 

30.5 cm (=24.5 cm in GC) the presented data is solely from the gravity core offset downward by six cm. 

Both compete and merged data are presented in Tables 2-6. Foraminiferal (Richwine and Osterman, 2012) 

and geochronological (Marot and Smith, 2012) from MB0810-20BC data are published separately. 

Acknowledgments

We thank Andrew Atchison, Chris Reich, and Caitlin Reynolds (USGS, St. Petersburg Coastal 

and Marine Science Center) for help with sample collection and processing. Tim Dellpenna (Texas A&M 

University at Galveston) graciously allowed the use of the box core. Captain Rich Young (USGS, St. 

Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center) assisted in the box coring cruise. 

References Cited 

Harris, D., Horwath, W.R., and van Kessel, C., 2001. Acid fumigation of soils to remove carbonates 

prior to total organic carbon or carbon-13 isotopic analysis. Soil Science Society of America Journal 65, 

1853-1856.

Marot, M.E., Smith, C.G., 2012. Radioisotopic data of sediment collected in Mobile and Bon Secour 

Bays, Alabama. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report: 2012-1172 available online at http://pubs.

er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20121172.

Richwine, K.A., Osterman, L.E., 2012. Benthic foraminiferal census data from Mobile Bay, AL-Counts 

of surface samples and box cores. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 704 available only online at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/704/.
19

Appendix 1. Mobile Bay foraminifers.

Following are the taxonomic citiations for foraminifers that appear in the benthic foraminiferal 

counts of MB0810-20GC Table 6.

AGGLUTINATED FORAMINIFERS

Ammobaculites exiguus Cushman and Bronniman, 1948, Contributions from the Cushman Laboratory 

for Foraminiferal Research, v. 24, pt. 2, p. 39, pl. 7, figs. 7, 8.

Ammotium salsus Cushman and Bronniman, 1948, Contributions from the Cushman Laboratory for 

Foraminiferal Research, v. 24, pt. 2, p. 16, pl. 3, figs. 7–9.

Miliammina fusca (Brady) = Quinqueloculina fusca Brady, 1870, Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 4, v. 6, p. 286, pl. 11, figs. 2, 3.

Other Agglutinated—any other agglutinated species.

Paratrochammina simplissima (Cushman and McCulloch) = Trochammina pacifica Cushman, 1925, 

var. simplex Cushman and McCulloch, 1939, Allen Hancock Pacific Expeditions, v. 6, n. 1, p. 104, 

pl. 11, fig. 4.

CALCAREOUS FORAMINIFERS

Ammonia parkinsoniana (d’Orbigny) = Rosalina parkensoniana d’Orbigny, 1939, in Ramone de la 

Sagra, Histoire physique, politique et naturelle de l’ile de Cuba “Foraminiferes,” p. 99, pl. 4, figs. 

25–27.

Ammonia tepida (Cushman) = Rotalina beccarri (Linne) var. tepida Cushman, 1926, Publications of 

the Carnegie Institue, Washington, no. 334, p. 79, pl. 1.

Elphidium excavatum (Terquem) = Polystomella excavata Terquem, 1876, Societe Dunquerquoise, 

Memoires, v. 19 (1874–75), p. 429, pl. 2, figs. A–d. Note: includes Elphidium gunteri Cole 1931 

especially in the lower part of the core.

Elphidium mexicanum = Elphidium incertum (Williamson) var. mexicanum Kornfeld, 1931, Contributions from the Department of Geology, Stanford Univ., v. 1, no. 3, p. 89, pl. 16, figs. 1, 2. 

Elphidium poeyanum (d’Orbigny) = Polystomella poeyana d’Orbigny, 1839, in Ramone de la Sagra, 

Histoire phsique, politique et naturelle de l’ile de Cuba “Foraminiferes,” p. 55, pl. 6, figs. 25, 26.

Glandulina laevigata (d’Orbigny) = Nodosaria (les Glandulines) laevigata d’Orbigby, 1826, Tableau 

methodique de la classe des Cephalopodes, Annales des Sciences Naturelles v. 7, p. 252.

Haynesina germanica (Ehrenburg) = Nonionina germanica, Ehrenburg, 1840, Koenigliche Preuss 

Akademie Der Wissenschaften, v. 11, p. 23, pl. 1, figs. 1a–g.

Other Calcareous—any other calcareous species.

Other Milliolids includes any other Quinqueloculina spp., Triloculina spp., etc.

Pseudononion atlanticum (Cushman) = Nonionella atlantica Cushman, 1947, Contributions from the 

Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, v. 23, pt. 4, p. 11, pl. 5, figs. 21–23.

Quinqueloculina compta Cushman, 1947, Contributions from the Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, v. 23, pt. 4, p. 87, pl. 19, fig. 2.

Quinqueloculina lamarckiana d’Orbigny, Phleger and Parker, 1951, Geological Society of America 

Memoir, 46, pt. II, p. 7, pl. 4, figs. 1a, b; 2a, b.

Rosalina floridensis (Cushman) = Discorbis bertheloti var. floridensis Cushman, 1930, Journal of Paleontology, v. 40, no. 4, p. 364, pl. 33, figs. 13a–c.
20

Appendix 2. Elemental Explanation.

Ag – silver

Al – aluminum

As – arsenic

Ba – barium

Be – beryllium

Bi – bismuth

C – carbon

Ca – calcium

Cd – cadmium

Ce – cerium 

Cl – chlorine

Co – cobalt

Cr – chromium

Cs – cesium

Cu – copper

Fe – iron 

Ga – gallium

H – hydrogen

In – indium

K – potassium 

La – lanthanum

Li – lithium

Mg – magnesium

Mn – manganese

Mo – molybdenum

N – nitrogen

Na – sodium

Nb – niobium

Ni – nickel

O – oxygen

P – phosphorus

Pb – lead

Rb – rubidium

S – sulfur

Sb – antimony

Sc – scandium

Sn – tin

Sr – strontium

Te – tellurium

Th – thorium

Ti – titanium

Tl – thallium

U – uranium

V – vanadium

W – tungsten

Y – yttrium

Zn – zinc