DEEP-SEA BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE CENTRAL RED SEA
2001-01-01

Research Article| January 01, 2001 DEEP-SEA BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE CENTRAL RED SEA Yael Edelman-Furstenberg; Yael Edelman-Furstenberg 1Institute of Earth Science, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.2Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Yisrael St., Jerusalem 95501, Israel. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Maria Scherbacher; Maria Scherbacher 3Institut und Museum für Geologie und Paläontologie, University of Tübingen, Sigwartst. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christoph Hemleben; Christoph Hemleben 3Institut und Museum für Geologie und Paläontologie, University of Tübingen, Sigwartst. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ahuva Almogi-Labin Ahuva Almogi-Labin 2Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Yisrael St., Jerusalem 95501, Israel. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Yael Edelman-Furstenberg 1Institute of Earth Science, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.2Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Yisrael St., Jerusalem 95501, Israel. Maria Scherbacher 3Institut und Museum für Geologie und Paläontologie, University of Tübingen, Sigwartst. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Christoph Hemleben 3Institut und Museum für Geologie und Paläontologie, University of Tübingen, Sigwartst. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Ahuva Almogi-Labin 2Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Yisrael St., Jerusalem 95501, Israel. Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 06 Jul 1999 Accepted: 13 Jun 2000 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2001 Journal of Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2001) 31 (1): 48–59. https://doi.org/10.2113/0310048 Article history Received: 06 Jul 1999 Accepted: 13 Jun 2000 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Yael Edelman-Furstenberg, Maria Scherbacher, Christoph Hemleben, Ahuva Almogi-Labin; DEEP-SEA BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE CENTRAL RED SEA. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2001;; 31 (1): 48–59. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/0310048 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract The distribution of living (Rose Bengal-stained), dead and fossil benthic foraminifera was investigated in six short cores (multicores, 30–32 cm total length) recovered from the central Red Sea. The ecological preferences as well as the relationship between the live and dead/fossil assemblages (preserved down-core) were examined. The sites, located along a W-E profile and between the depth of 366 and 1782 m, extend from the center of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ, ~200–650 m), through its margin at ~600 m, and down to the well-aerated deep-water environment. Live (Rose-Bengal stained) and coexisting dead foraminifera were studied in the upper 5 cm of each of the sites, and the fossil record was studied down to ~32 cm. Q-mode Principal Component Analysis was used and four distinct foraminiferal fossil assemblages were determined. These assemblages follow different water mass properties. In the center of the OMZ, where the organic carbon content is highest and the oxygen concentration is lowest (≤0.5 ml O2/1), the Bolivina persiensis-Bulimina marginata-Discorbinella rhodiensis assemblage dominates. The slightly more aerated and lower organic-carbon-content seafloor, at the margin of the OMZ, is characterized by the Neouvigerina porrecta-Gyroidinoides cf. G. soldanii assemblage. The transitional environment, between 900–1200 m, with its well-aerated and oligotrophic seafloor, is dominated by the Neouvigerina ampullacea-Cibicides mabahethi assemblage. The deeper water (>1500 m), characterized by the most oxygenated and oligotrophic seafloor conditions, is associated with the Astrononion sp. A-Hanzawaia sp. A assemblage.Throughout the Red Sea extremely high values of temperature and salinity are constant below ~200 m depth, but the flux of organic matter to the sea floor varies considerably with bathymetry and appears to be the main controlling factor governing the distribution pattern of the benthic foraminifera. Comparison between live and the dead/fossil assemblages reveals a large difference between the two. Processes that may control this difference include species-specific high turnover rates, and preferential predation and loss of fragile taxa (either by chemical or microbial processes). Significant variations in the degree of loss of the organic-cemented agglutinants were observed down core. This group is preserved down to 5–10 cm at the shallow OMZ sites and down to greater depths at well-aerated and oligotrophic sites. The lower rate of disintegration of these forms, in the deeper locations of the Red Sea, may be related to low microbial activity. This results in the preservation of increasing numbers of organic-cemented shells down-core. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.