Povzetek

Purpose This work highlights the sedimentary characteristics and the role of submarine sulfur-rich karstic springs in the distribution of benthic foraminifera in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea (Bay of Koper). Little is known about how local conditions such as temperature and sulfur bursts may influence sediment properties, benthic habitat variability, and composition of foraminiferal assemblages. Here we compare the distribution of total and living benthic assemblages in surface sediment samples collected from a funnel-shaped depression created by submarine sulfur springs. Materials and methods Sampling was performed at water depths between 24.6 and 32.2 m in fine-grained sandy silt to silty sand (partially washed). Sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses of the sediment were carried out and the distribution of benthic foraminifera living around the springs was studied. Results and discussion In general, sediment characteristics (i.e., mineralogical, geochemical, and organic content) around the sulfur springs do not show prominent deviations from the marine surface sediment of the area; however, some differences exist among depressions of different depths. Deeper depressions in the lower parts probably extend to older continental sediments of Late Pleistocene age with alluvial features, while shallower depressions were formed entirely in Holocene marine sediments typical of a wider area. Only one of the five samples (M05) contained living foraminifera in sufficient abundance for biocenosis research. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages of moderate diversity are composed of opportunistic species. Elphidium translucens, Ammonia ex gr. tepida, Haynesina depressula, and Porosononion granosum dominate, while A. neobeccarii, Reussella spinulosa, and Textularia bocki are subordinate. Conclusions The distribution and diversity of foraminifera in the sediment near sulfur springs can be explained by several factors and their interactions. The intensity of the spring discharge affects the mixing/oxygenation of the sediment, the shape of spring depressions, and the granulometry of the coarser sediment around the springs. Sediment characteristics indicate different types of sediment origin. This is related to and can be explained by the depth of spring depressions.

Ključne besede

marine sediments;benthic foraminifera;mineralogy and geochemistry;organic matter;submarine sulfur spring;Northern Adriatic;

Podatki

Jezik: Angleški jezik
Leto izida:
Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
Organizacija: UL NTF - Naravoslovnotehniška fakulteta
UDK: 55
COBISS: 163177475 Povezava se bo odprla v novem oknu
ISSN: 1439-0108
Št. ogledov: 16
Št. prenosov: 3
Ocena: 0 (0 glasov)
Metapodatki: JSON JSON-RDF JSON-LD TURTLE N-TRIPLES XML RDFA MICRODATA DC-XML DC-RDF RDF

Ostali podatki

Vrsta dela (COBISS): Članek v reviji
Strani: str. 1-17
Čas izdaje: 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s11368-023-03614-8
ID: 21327431