Distribution of Chaetoceros resting spores in the Quaternary sediments from Leg 119

Abstract

During Leg 119 of the Ocean Drilling Program, Quaternary sediments of the Southern Ocean were examined for the presence and abundance of Chaetoceros resting spores. Six drill sites were occupied along the Kerguelan Plateau. An additional five drill sites were clustered within Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Chaetoceros resting spores were present at all sites examined. These resting spore assemblages were comprised primarily of Chaetoceros neglectus and several unidentified Chaetoceros species. Resting spore assemblages accounted for approximately 20% of the total diatom assemblage (ranging from 0% to 91.4% of any given sample). Mean resting spore abundance appeared highest within the sediments of Prydz Bay and across the northern Kerguelan Plateau. Deep-water stations of the southern Kerguelan Plateau demonstrated the lower spore abundances and a reduction in the percentage contribution of spore to the total diatom assemblage. -from Author