Planktonic foraminifers are dominated by Globigerina bulloides , a species characteristic for upwelling and a high-productivity indicator. Dissolution effects increase downhole, reducing the abundance of the planktonic foraminifers. The absence of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma may represent a change to warmer surface-water conditions, but it may also be an artifact of dissolution. Radiolarians are present throughout the section with an abundance that ranges from few to abundant. The preservation is good in all investigated samples, and no apparent reworking was identified.
Diatom abundance ranges from few to abundant.
In general, preservation is poor and diatom valves are fragmented. Silicoflagellates, opaline phytoliths, and sponge spicules are also present. Reworking is not evident. The presence of nonplanktonic diatoms in all core-catcher samples points to material derived from the shelf. Upwelling species dominate.