Abstract
Calcium-carbonate dissolution has been studied in several grab samples and piston cores from Baffin Bay and Davis Strait ranging in water depth from 200 to 2300 m. The intensity of dissolution was determined from examining: (1) the ratio of arenaceous to calcareous benthonic foraminifera; (2) the ratio of benthonic to planktonic foraminifera; (3) the relationships between the dissolution-susceptible and dissolution-resistant foraminifera; (4) the degree of foraminiferal test fragmentation; and (5) the relationships between plankton tows and the fauna in the surface sediments. All core tops and grab samples from Baffin Bay surface sediments below 600–900 m water depth demonstrated intense dissolution of calcium carbonate. Sediments below 900 m were biogenic carbonate free, indicating 100% foraminiferal loss due to dissolution. Possible causes of substantial undersaturation in calcium carbonate of Baffin Bay Bottom Water are very low temperatures, and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide. All cores also demonstrated intense dissolution during interglacial or interstadial isotope stages 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Similarities in planktonic foraminiferal assemblages suggested the presence of similar bottom-water masses during these periods. The preservation state of biogenic carbonate debris in glacial isotope stages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 is similar to the assemblage found in the water at present.
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