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Open-File Report 2013–1158

Seasonal Flux and Assemblage Composition of Planktic Foraminifera from the Northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008—11

By Caitlin E. Reynolds and Richard Z. Poore

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey anchored a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the previous time-series data to include results from 2011. Ten species, or varieties, constituted ~92 percent of the 2011 assemblage: Globigerinoides ruber (pink and white varieties), Globigerinoides sacculifer, Globigerina calida, Globigerinella aequilateralis, Globorotalia menardii group [The Gt. menardii group includes Gt. menardii, Gt. tumida, and Gt. ungulata], Orbulina universa, Globorotalia truncatulinoides, Pulleniatina spp., and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei. The mean daily flux was 205 tests per square meter per day (m-2 day-1), with maximum fluxes of >600 tests m-2 day-1 during mid-February and mid-September and minimum fluxes of <60 tests m-2 day-1 during mid-March, the beginning of May, and November. Globorotalia truncatulinoides showed a clear preference for the winter, consistent with data from 2008 to 2010. Globigerinoides ruber (white) flux data for 2011 (average 30 tests m-2 day-1) were consistent with data from 2010 (average 29 m-2 day-1) and showed a steady threefold increase since 2009 (average 11 tests m-2 day-1) and a tenfold increase from the 2008 flux (3 tests m-2 day-1).

First posted August 1, 2013

For additional information contact:
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U.S. Geological Survey
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St. Petersburg, Florida 33701–4846
(727) 803–8747
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Reynolds, C.E., and Poore, R.Z., 2013, Seasonal flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifera from the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008–11: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1158, 11 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1158/.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Regional Setting

Materials and Methods

Results from 2011

Discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References Cited


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