Effect of the Red Sea brine-filled deeps (Shaban and Kebrit) on the composition and abundance of benthic and planktonic foraminifera

Abstract

Composition and abundance of benthic and planktonic foraminifera in surface sediments of the brine-filled Shaban and Kebrit Deeps and some bathyal-slope environments in the northern Red Sea were examined for correlation with environmental conditions (e.g., bathymetry, sediment grain-size, organic matter, and carbonates) of the brine-filled deeps and normal Red Sea water. About 67 benthic foraminiferal species were recorded in these sediments. The lowest faunal density and diversity were recorded in the Shaban and Kebrit Deeps, whereas the highest density and diversity were recorded in the bathyal-slope sediments. Cluster analysis divided the benthic foraminiferal species into three major faunal assemblages. Buccella granulata–Gyroidinoides soldanii–Bolivina persiensis assemblage dominated the 650–1,300 m depth due to predominance of oligotrophic, highly oxygenated bottom waters. The Melonis novozealandicum–Spirophthalmidium acutimargo assemblage was recorded in the deep and bathyal-slope sediments indicating its tolerance for wider ranges of environmental conditions. The deeps were only dominated by the Brizalina spathulata assemblage indicating existence of un-totally anoxic conditions. The deeps yielded also very low planktonic foraminiferal density that may be attributed to occurrence of the seawater–brine interface which not only minimized the deposition of high buoyancy, large-test species (Globigerinoides sacculifer, Globigerinella siphonifera, and Orbulina universa), but also overestimated the small-test species (Globigerinoides ruber, Globoturborotalita rubescens, and Globigerinita glutinata) in the sediments. These findings should be taken into consideration when reconstructing paleoceanographic conditions of the Red Sea using core sediments from the brine-filled deeps.