Mesoscale distribution patterns of diatoms in surface sediments as tracers of coastal upwelling of the Galician Shelf (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract

Diatom distribution on continental shelf sediments from the upwelling area off Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) has been determined in 78 surface sediment samples. Three well defined biofacies with a close relationship to upwelling influence along the coast have been distinguished from both the absolute diatom abundances in the sediments and assemblage diatom composition based on multivariate statistics: Rías Baixas and the shelf areas south and north to Cape Finisterre. Chaetoceros resting spores as well as highest absolute diatom content in the sediments are recorded in the highly productive Rías Baixas where most of the primary production is due to intense upwelling phenomena. The western shelf, south of Cape Finisterre, is characterized by Thalassionema nitzschioides and Thalassiosira cf. leptopus. Both taxa reflect a minor influence of upwelling conditions and productivity related to more persistent nutrient input due to coastal outwelling rather than upwelling. Minor and patchy upwelling conditions as well as lower productivity in the northern shelf are characterized by the lowest absolute diatom content in the sediments and the important increase in relative abundance of the resistant Paralia sulcata. Caution must be taken in the interpretation of Paralia sulcata dominated biofacies in downcore studies since a juxtaposition of discontinuous upwelling conditions and dissolution effects may be the factors responsible for the relative increase on the taxon in the sediments. The obtained results show the extent and limitations of fossil diatom distribution in surface sediments as tracers of regional coastal upwelling conditions in continental shelves where the existence of extensive areas of relict sediments and transported diatoms may mask the present-day upwelling signal of the photic zone.