Foraminiferal Fidelity: Identification of Intermediate-Depth Epibenthic Species that Faithfully Record Bottom-Water Chemistry

University Of South Carolina At Columbia, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

This project will collect benthic foraminifera from intermediate-depth waters off the coast of the Carolinas, to determine which species are reliable tracers of bottom water chemistry (Ba, Cd and 13C). Fluorescent labelling will be used to determine the life position of specimens; geochemistry of bottom water will be compared with that of the foraminiferal shells; and speciments will be cultured under controlled conditions. Identification of reliable tracers will permit more accurate estimates of past changes in circulation.