A relatively continuous hemipelagic sedimentary section spanning the last 360 k.y. of the Pleistocene was recovered from Site 1078. Sediments in the uppermost 3 m contain rare intact gastropod and mollusc shells, pteropods, and abundant shell fragments. Below 80 mbsf all holes contain several sections with whitish gray nodules, 1-2 mm in diameter. Diagenetic dolomite concretions between 3 and 7 cm thick and laminated intervals were found at various depths. The biogenic component is represented by frequent foraminifer fragments and nannofossils.
Diatoms are abundant only in laminated sequences.
Laminated packages also show abundant diatom resting spores. Trace amounts of plant remains and amorphous organic matter were observed occasionally. Detailed comparisons between the magnetic susceptibility record generated on the MST and high resolution color reflectance measured with the Minolta spectrophotometer demonstrated complete recovery of the sedimentary sequence down to 136 mcd. Calcareous microfossils are abundant and well preserved in the entire section, except for the laminated intervals, which are barren of nannofossils. With the exception of the laminated intervals, diatoms, silicoflagellates, and radiolarians are absent at this site.