THE FORAMINIFERAL SIGNATURE OF RECENT GULF OF MEXICO HURRICANES

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2015 THE FORAMINIFERAL SIGNATURE OF RECENT GULF OF MEXICO HURRICANES Katrina A. Rabien; Katrina A. Rabien 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephen J. Culver; Stephen J. Culver 4 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA 4Correspondence author. E-mail: culvers@ecu.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Martin A. Buzas; Martin A. Buzas 2Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. Reide Corbett; D. Reide Corbett 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA3Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John P. Walsh; John P. Walsh 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA3Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H. Ray Tichenor H. Ray Tichenor 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Katrina A. Rabien 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA Stephen J. Culver 4 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA Martin A. Buzas 2Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA D. Reide Corbett 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA3Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA John P. Walsh 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA3Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA H. Ray Tichenor 1Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA 4Correspondence author. E-mail: culvers@ecu.edu Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 05 Nov 2013 Accepted: 05 May 2014 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2015 Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2015) 45 (1): 82–105. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.45.1.82 Article history Received: 05 Nov 2013 Accepted: 05 May 2014 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Katrina A. Rabien, Stephen J. Culver, Martin A. Buzas, D. Reide Corbett, John P. Walsh, H. Ray Tichenor; THE FORAMINIFERAL SIGNATURE OF RECENT GULF OF MEXICO HURRICANES. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2015;; 45 (1): 82–105. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.45.1.82 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract We investigated foraminiferal assemblages contained within known deposits of Hurricanes Ivan (2004), Katrina (2005), and Rita (2005) on the continental shelf west of the Mississippi Delta to determine: 1) whether they differ significantly from assemblages of non-hurricane units and of a unit deposited by a river flood event, and 2) whether assemblage characteristics might provide insight into the provenance of the sediment. Cores and surface samples were collected along a transect southwest from Southwest Pass (~30-m water depth) to the head of the Mississippi Canyon (~170-m depth) in 2004, 2005, and 2007 following hurricane, non-hurricane, and Mississippi flood episodes.Discriminant analysis indicates that all unit types are generally distinguishable. Species that contribute most to the discrimination of units are mostly rare, while the species significant in the ANOVA are among the most abundant. Both abundant and rare species were useful for identifying the provenance of hurricane-deposited sediment. Seaward transport of sediment by hurricanes is indicated by the presence of rare marsh taxa (not recorded in non-hurricane units) and increased relative abundance of coastal taxa in the hurricane units. High relative abundances of taxa that are abundant in both the hurricane and non-hurricane units suggest a portion of the hurricane-deposited sediments were also locally derived. In summary, foraminifera can provide information on the provenance of hurricane-deposited sediment soon after deposition, but bioturbation can destroy this signal rapidly. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.