Neogene benthic foraminiferal biofacies of the New Jersey Transect ( USA).

Abstract

Quantitative study of benthic foraminifers from the upper Miocene to lower Pliocene section at Site 612 and the Pliocene section at Site 613 shows no evidence of widespread downslope transport of shallow-water biofacies in the greater than 150 mu m size fraction. In contrast, upper Miocene sediments from Site 604 show extensive reworking and downslope transport. At Site 612, benthic foraminifers show a succession from an upper Miocene Bolivina alata-Nonionella sp. biofacies, to an uppermost Miocene Bulimina alazanensis biofacies to a lower Pliocene Cassidulina reflexa biofacies, to an upper Pliocene Melonis barleeanum-Islandiella laevigata biofacies. Evidence suggests that the Pliocene biofacies are in situ. At Site 613, Uvigerina peregrina dominated the 'middle' Pliocene, while Globocassidulina subglobosa was dominant in the early and late Pliocene. High abundances of U. peregrina at Site 613 are associated with high values of sedimentary organic carbon. -from Authors