Elphidiella Hannai Research Articles

Good News and Bad News in Two Highly Industrialized Puget Sound, Washington (u.s.a.) Embayments

AbstractIn this study, an offshoot of studies undertaken by the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE), the density and diversity of foraminiferal assemblages in Commencement and Elliott bays, two heavily industrialized embayments in Puget Sound, Washington (U.S.A) were compared and correlated with concentrations of metal pollutants and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Samples used in this study were collected by the WDOE between 1998 and 2014, allowing comparison over a temporal range encompassing the beginnings of environmental remediation in both bays. The composition of the foraminiferal assemblages is typical of polluted estuaries globally, with the major taxa being Elphidiella hannai, Cribroelphidium excavatum, Bucella frigida and Eggerella advena. Foraminiferal density and diversity showed negative correlations with pollutants, however, these correlations were significant for only a few pollutants, and trends could not be attributed to any single one. Both embayments showed increasing diversity over time, and both had high proportions of calcareous tests that displayed signs of dissolution, indicating corrosive conditions in the water. In Elliott Bay the percentage of partially dissolved tests increased over time, suggesting remediation efforts have not been successful in all areas.

Late 20th Century benthic foraminiferal distribution in Central San Francisco Bay, California: Influence of the Trochammina hadai invasion

The distribution of foraminifera in most of San Francisco Bay is well documented, but this is not the case for the subembayment known as Central Bay. To resolve this, 55 grab samples obtained in 199 were analyzed to characterize the foraminiferalfauna in the surface sediments of the area. Thirty-five species were identified, including the invasive Japanese species Trochammina hadai that was introduced into the bay in the early 1980s. A cluster analysis of the samples from Central Bay produced three groups (biofacies) and one outlier. The Shallow Subtidal Biofacies is characterized by a marsh to shallow-subtidal agglutinated fauna, dominated by T. hadai but also including T. inflata, T. macrescens, Haplophragmoides subinvolutum, and Miliammina fusca. The Intermediate Subtidal Biofacies, the Intermediate Subtidal Outlier, and the Deep Subtidal Biofacies are dominated by calcareous taxa, most notably Ammonia tepida, Elphidium excavatum, and Elphidiella hannai. Ammonia tepida is most abundant in the warmer, intermediate depths of eastern Central Bay, abundances of E. excavatum peak in the cooler estuarine water near Alcatraz Island, and E. hannai thrives in the cold water west of Angel Island in a transitional setting between the deep subtidal estuarine and the nearshore marine environments. The recovery of oceanic species as far east as Angel Island indicate that western Central Bay is the most marine-influenced region of San Francisco Bay. Samples collected from 1965 onward were also compared with those from 1998 to investigate how the distribution of benthic foraminifera in Central Bay has changed over the latter half of the 20th Century, particularly in response to the invasion by Trochammina hadai. In 1998, T. hadai was recovered at 46 of 55 sites in Central Bay, comprising from 0.3 to 97% (mean = 23%) of the foraminiferal fauna. With the species’ affiliation for shallow environments, it is not unexpected that it dominated the fauna of the Shallow Subtidal Biofacies (68-97%, mean = 77%) and was also a significant component of the Intermediate Subtidal Biofacies (7-51%, averaging 28%). In the deeper waters west of Alcatraz Island, the abundance of T. hadai was significantly less (mean = 8%), most likely reflecting allochthonous specimens that were the result of post-mortem transport. A cluster analysis clearly distinguishes pre- and post-invasion biofacies, illustrating how dominant T. hadai has become in Central Bay.

DISTRIBUTION OF FORAMINIFERA IN PUGET SOUND, WESTERN WASHINGTON, U.S.A.

Puget Sound, the southern portion of the Salish Sea, has been intensely studied for its macrofauna, but lacks a comprehensive study of its benthic foraminifera. The Sound is a fjord-like lowland consisting of numerous smaller estuaries. Much of it has been heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities, and two locations have been designated as federal Superfund sites. The purpose of this investigation was to survey the benthic foraminifera present in Puget Sound and relate their distribution to environmental parameters. The 64 grab samples used were provided by the Washington Department of Ecology through their annual Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program and span the years 1997–2010. The investigation recorded 46 species of benthic foraminifera, with four species dominating the assemblages: Eggerella advena (Cushman), Elphidiella hannai (Cushman and Grant), Elphidium excavatum (Terquem), and Bucella frigida (Cushman). Agglutinated taxa were dominant in the northern Sound and parts of the southern Sound, but nearly absent in samples from the central Sound. Density and diversity indices were extremely variable throughout the Sound, even in samples taken from the same site over a number of years. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that no single environmental parameter analyzed was responsible for the distribution of foraminifera. Cluster analysis yielded four main groups dominated by the four taxa listed above. These clusters were heterogeneous in their distribution, with samples from the same sample site grouped in different clusters in different years. The extreme heterogeneity of the results indicates the need for a series of smaller-scale investigations focusing on individual embayments to better understand the foraminiferal distributions and to develop a foraminiferal monitoring tool unique to Puget Sound.

MODERN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE BEAUFORT SHELF, SLOPE AND MACKENZIE TROUGH, BEAUFORT SEA, CANADA: TAXONOMY AND SUMMARY OF SURFICIAL DISTRIBUTIONS

Research Article| July 01, 2008 MODERN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE BEAUFORT SHELF, SLOPE AND MACKENZIE TROUGH, BEAUFORT SEA, CANADA: TAXONOMY AND SUMMARY OF SURFICIAL DISTRIBUTIONS David B. Scott; David B. Scott 4 1Centre for Environmental and Marine Geology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H3J5, Canada. 4Correspondence author. E-mail: David.Scott@Dal.Ca Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Trecia Schell; Trecia Schell 1Centre for Environmental and Marine Geology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H3J5, Canada. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar André Rochon; André Rochon 2ISMER, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec G5L 3A1, Canada. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steve Blasco Steve Blasco 3Natural Resources Canada, 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y4A2, Canada. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2008) 38 (3): 228–250. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.38.3.228 Article history received: 29 Nov 2007 accepted: 02 Feb 2008 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 David B. Scott, Trecia Schell, André Rochon, Steve Blasco; MODERN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE BEAUFORT SHELF, SLOPE AND MACKENZIE TROUGH, BEAUFORT SEA, CANADA: TAXONOMY AND SUMMARY OF SURFICIAL DISTRIBUTIONS. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2008;; 38 (3): 228–250. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.38.3.228 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 This paper reviews some new data on distribution patterns of modern benthic foraminifera and related organisms from the Canadian Arctic, specifically the Beaufort Shelf and slope. The smaller sizes—45–63 μm as well as >63 μm—were examined, and it was discovered that many species had either been overlooked altogether or severely underrepresented in previous studies. Not surprisingly, the deep-sea forms in particular had been overlooked even though they are present in the shallow shelf sediments in significant numbers. Although the data show many of the same species as previous studies, improved techniques of sample processing greatly increased the numbers of specimens and species found, enhancing the spatial and faunal relationships. These new data change the known faunas and will allow a much more precise indication for paleoenvironmental studies than was previously available. However, the major focus of this paper is taxonomy and illustration of most of these species to update the taxonomy last done in the 1990’s. One new species is reported, Cyclogyra distincta Cole and Scott, and Komokiacea (excluding Rhizammina algaeformis Brady) are reported from the Arctic for the first time as well as a southern immigrant, Elphidiella hannai (Cushman and Grant), which appears to thrive in methane-rich environments in the Arctic. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Foraminiferal Evidence of Late Holocene Sea-Level Change and Amerindian Site Distribution at Montague Harbour, British Columbia

Foraminiferal and sedimentological analysis of an underwater stratigraphie section from an Amerindian habitation site at Montague Harbour, British Columbia has further documented late Holocene sea level changes. It appears that part of the documented transgression was caused by tectonic subsidence of the area (Event 1 at approx. 3500 calendar years BP and Event 2 sometime before 1100 calendar years BP) and was recognized in the stratigraphie record by rapid environmental changes. The environmental changes caused by rapid shifts in water depth were recognized through sedimentological and foraminiferal evidence. The tectonic subsidence events, coupled with gentle late Holocene transgression, caused the breaching of Montague Harbour's northwestern channel. The breaching of the channel improved water circulation and increased salinity within the harbour. The salinity changes are reflected in the shift from a low salinity Cribroelphidium excavatum (Terquem, 1876) phenotype "clavata" dominated biofacies (1) at the base of the section to a higher salinity Buccella tenerrima (Bandy, 1950) and Elphidiella hannai (Cushman and Grant, 1927) dominated biofacies (2) at the top. These sea-level changes would have eventually forced local Amerindian settlements inland. The 14C dating of wood and shell, indicates that the recovery of archaeological remains of the Charles culture (ca.6500-3200 years BP) requires investigation in deeper waters.

A record of estuarine water contamination from the Cd content of foraminiferal tests in San Francisco Bay, California

A five-year dissolved Cd time series from San Francisco Bay and adjacent coastal water shows that the composition of surface water towards the mouth of the estuary is determined largely by the effect of coastal upwelling. Cd concentrations inside and outside the estuary Ž0.2–1.0 nmolrkg. increase as Cd-rich deep water is advected to the surface near the coast during spring and summer. On average, the mean Cd concentrations inside San Francisco Bay Ž0.54 nmolrkg. during 1991–1995 was significantly higher than outside Ž0.35 nmolrkg , however. Surface samples collected throughout San . Francisco Bay confirm an internal Cd source unrelated to river discharge. The Cd content of the test of a benthic foraminifer Ž Elphidiella hannai . in a dated sediment core from San Francisco Bay was measured to determine if the water column Cd enrichments in San Francisco Bay could be related to the rapid development of the watershed. The method is based on the observation that the CdrCa ratio of carefully cleaned tests of foraminifera is determined by the dissolved Cd content of overlying water at the time of test formation. Pre-industrial foraminiferal CdrCa ratios in the sediment core average 274 15 nmolrmol Ž n s 19. nmolrmol. Foraminiferal CdrCa ratios increased to 386 33 nmolrmol Ž n s 19. over the past several decades indicating a 40% increase in the mean Cd content of surface water in Central San Francisco Bay. We suggest that, in addition to Cd discharges into the estuary, indirect consequences of agricultural development in the Central Valley of California could have contributed to this increase. This new method to reconstruct estuarine contamination is not affected by some of the processes that complicate the interpretation of changes in bulk sediment metal concentrations. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent foraminifera in shelf sediments of the Scoresby Sund fjord, East Greenland

A study of sea‐bottom samples from shallow waters in the northern part of Scoresby Sund, off Jameson Land, East Greenland, reveals four different foraminiferal assemblages between 1.3 and 35.6 m water depth. The shallowest samples. Assemblage SA (1.3–2.2 m), contain only very few foraminifera, presumably due to the annual repeated formation of an ice foot. Assemblage SB (3.7 and 4.3 m) is characterized by the calcareous species Haynesina nivea and H. orbiculare, while the arenaceous species Spiropleclammina biformis, Reophax arctica, and Recurvoides turbinatus dominate all the faunas of Assemblage SC (9.3–25.9 m depth). The change in fauna to the succeeding Portatrochammina bipolaris ‐ Spiropleclammina biformis fauna (Assemblage SD, 29.6 and 35.6 m) presumably corresponds to the transition from the shallow Fjord water layer to the deeper and relatively more stable Polar water. Elphidiella hannai (Cushman & Grant) is recorded live for the first time in recent assemblages from the Atlantic Ocean.

Taphonomic Features of Benthic Foraminifera in a Temperate Setting: Experimental and Field Observations on the Role of Abrasion, Solution and Microboring in the Destruction of Foraminiferal Tests

Benthic foraminifera recovered from sediments in the waters surrounding San Juan Island, Washington, were examined to assess taphonomic damage and to compare magnitude of the taphonomic agents of abrasion, solution and microboring to studies done in tropical settings. Abrasion experiments of 24, 72, 120 and 240 hour duration were run on fresh Elphidiella hannai and Islandiella limbata, two hyaline benthic foraminifera common in the Puget Sound region. Results show that styles of taphonomic damage observed in field sediment samples, including impact pitting, scratching, caving, and exfoliation, were produced on experimentally manipulated groups in as few as 24 hours

Evidence from Cd/Ca ratios in foraminifera for greater upwelling off California 4,000 years ago

UPWELLING of nutrient-rich Pacific deep water along the North American west coast is ultimately driven by the temperature difference between air masses over land and over the ocean. The intensity of upwelling, and biological production in the region, could therefore be affected by anthropogenic climate change. Examination of the geological record is one way to study the link between climate and upwelling. Because Pacific deep water is enriched in cadmium, dissolved cadmium concentrations in coastal water off central California reflect the intensity of upwelling. By demonstrating that the Cd/Ca ratio in the shell of a benthic foraminifer, Elphidiella hannai, is proportional to the Cd concentration in coastal water, we show here that foraminiferal Cd/Ca ratios can be used to detect past changes in mean upwelling intensity. Examination of a sediment core from the mouth of San Francisco Bay reveals that foraminiferal Cd/Ca decreased by about 30% from 4,000 years ago to the present, probably because of a reduction in coastal upwelling. This observation is consistent with predictions of atmospheric general circulation models that northwesterly winds, which drive upwelling, became weaker over this period as summer insolation of the Northern Hemisphere decreased.

The Yerba Buena mud: Record of the last-interglacial predecessor of San Francisco Bay, California

The Yerba Buena mud member of the San Antonio Formation is an upper Pleistocene estuarine deposit that records a marine transgression during the last interglacial into the valley today filled by San Francisco Bay. These sediments now lie between 25-70 m below mean sea level and are not exposed subaerially. Foraminifers, sand-sized diatoms, seeds, fish elements, molluscan shells, and other microfossils preserved in core samples trace environmental changes that occurred as sea level rose. This multitaxon approach permits biostratigraphic analysis of subsurface units even when core samples have undergone extended storage and consequent deterioration of calcareous microfossils. Foraminifers are preserved in only 22% of the Yerba Buena mud samples, but more than 70% of the samples contain diatoms or other taxa useful for paleoenvironmental analyses. In the Yerba Buena mud, 32 species of foraminifers are present. These species are predominantly estuarine and nearshore marine fauna. Seven species make up more than 98% of the population in all samples: Ammonia beccarii, Buccella frigida, Buliminella elegantissima, Elphidiella hannai, Elphidium excavatum, Elphidium gunteri , and Elphidium magellanicum . Foraminifers and sand-sized diatoms define five biofacies that indicate changing environmental conditions during a single transgression into the Yerba Buena bay. Biofacies present in the lower portion of the unit indicate environments ranging from brackish, such as those prevailing in the upper reaches of the present estuary, to the higher salinity of the present central Bay. Biofacies in the upper part of the unit indicate coastal-marine salinity and lower water temperature, conditions unlike those in the present estuary but prevalent along the outer-central California coast today The transgressional record in the Yerba Buena mud is a useful example of environmental changes that might result from the effect of sea-level rise in major Holocene estuaries.

Foraminiferal Biofacies Analysis of the Yakataga Formation, Icy Bay, Alaska: Insights into Pliocene Glaciomarine Paleoenvironments of the Gulf of Alaska

The Upper Miocene to Pleistocene Yakataga Formation of the Gulf of Alaska provides a 5 km thick record of episodic glacially-influenced marine sedimentation. The Pliocene Yakataga Fm. is exposed along western Icy Bay and records the return of glaciomarine deposition in the Gulf of Alaska, after the initiation of glaciation in the Late Miocene, and the onset of major northern hemisphere glaciation by the Late Pliocene. Analysis of foraminifera found in the Yakataga Fm. provides the basis for the interpretation of paleobathymetry and depositional environments from these rocks. Quantitative analysis is used to define eight paleoenvironmentally significant biofacies: (1) Elphidium excavatum clavatum biofacies (inner neritic), (2) Haplophragmoides spp. biofacies (outer neritic--mudline), (3) Cassidulina cf. C. teretis biofacies (outer neritic), (4) Uvigerina juncea biofacies (uppermost bathyal), (5) Elphidiella hannai biofacies (innermost neritic), (6) Epistominella pacifica biofacies (upper bathyal), (7) Cassidulina cf. C. limbata biofacies (outer neritic), (8) Nonionella miocenica biofacies (outer neritic). Paleobathymetric zones defined by these biofacies, which are constrained by modern Gulf of Alaska faunal relationships, indicate bathymetric fluctuations on the order of 100 m in the Icy Bay section. Mixing of biofacies due to downslope transport is common. Analyses of paleobathymetry, benthic formaminiferal biofacies, and sedimentology are usedmore » to interpret depositional environments ranging from innermost neritic to upper bathyal for these rocks.« less

Foraminiferal Trends in Oregon Sublittoral: ABSTRACT

Benthic foraminiferal species from a part of the central Oregon shelf are grouped into four distinct bathymetric faunas. Elphidiella hannai and Buccella spp. are indicative of Fauna A (17-50 m). Fauna B (50-100 m) is characterized by Buliminella elegantissima and Elphidium magellanicum. In the rocky area off Cape Arago Cassidulina californica, C. limbata, Cibicides fletcheri, and C. lobatulus become dominant. Spiroplectammina biformis, Textularia earlandi, and Trifarina angulosa are important species of Fauna C (100-175 m). Abundant species of Fauna D (175-339 m) include Eggerella advena, Epistominella exigua, and Uvigerina juncea. Species diversity increases offshore to a maximum of about 35 benthic species near 100 m and then decreases slightly with depth. The standing crop is small nearshore, increases to a maximum of approximately 300 specimens per 20 cm3 between 125 and 150 m, and then declines. The total benthic population reaches a maximum of approximately 6,000 specimens per sample between depths of 150 and 175 m. Values then decrease to about 2,000 specimens at 339 m. A maximum of 15-20 percent live benthic specimens occurs near 50 m. Planktonic Foraminifera normally constitute less than 10 percent of the total population. Maximum percentages generally are in water shallower than 100 m, whereas maximum specimens per sample are at the deepest stations. Porcelaneous specimens do not exceed 6 pe cent of the benthic population. Agglutinated Foraminifera are more abundant than calcareous specimens at depths greater than 100 m. Miscellaneous biofacies trends indicate that: thecameobians are most abundant between 50 and 125 m; statoliths and otoliths are most abundant between 75 and 200 m; the largest number of ostracods are between 25 and 150 m; and radiolarians generally predominate over Foraminifera below 250 m. End_of_Article - Last_Page 466------------

Foraminiferal Trends within Inner Sublittoral Zone off Coast of Washington: ABSTRACT

Foraminiferal and diatom distributional trends within the inner sublittoral zone have been studied along 170 km of the coast of Washington from Grays Harbor to Cape Flattery. The samples are from water depths of 7-59 m. Trends in the concentration of foraminiferal tests and diatom frustules in bottom sediments appear to be closely related to wave-induced turbulence at the sediment surface. Concentrations of tests markedly increase seaward at 20-m water depth, apparently the deepest limit of intense turbulence. Frustules, because of their very slow settling velocity, are prevented from settling at depths less than about 50 m except in certain microenvironments. These trends are not correlated with trends in sediment grain size, a fact which suggests that little modern sediment is accumulating in this area. One trend is related to increasing depth and distance from shore; Elphidium spp. decrease markedly seaward of 30 m as Eggerella advena increases. Comparison with other studies in nearby areas indicates that this trend is heterobathyal. Off Oregon it occurs at about 100 m and off Washington south of Grays Harbor, if the Elphidium fauna is present at all, it occurs at depths less than 20 m. Other foraminiferal trends are related primarily to substrate. Rocky substrates near the coastline have a characteristic Cibicides lobatulus-Glabratella ornatissima fauna. Relict coarse sand substrates offshore have faunas with abundant Trochammina charlottensis, Cribrostomoides jeffreysii, and Elphidiella hannai. End_of_Article - Last_Page 716------------

Review of Biostratigraphy of Los Angeles Basin: ABSTRACT

The Los Angeles basin contains a thick sedimentary sequence, mainly of late Miocene and Pliocene age. Sedimentary rocks from Cretaceous through Oligocene age crop out in places along the fringe of the basin, but these strata have not been encountered in the central portion of the basin. A rich foraminiferal assemblage makes it possible to subdivide the Miocene and Pliocene into a number of stages and zones. Luisian fauna, generally the oldest encountered within the basin, is indicated by Valvulineria californica and Anomalina salinasensis. Strata of the overlying late Miocene, lower Mohnian stage, contain the marker fossils Bulimina uvigerinaformis, Bolivina modeloensis, and Epistominella gyroidinaformis. The upper Mohnian fauna is recognized by the presence of Cassidulinella renulinaformis and Bolivina hughesi. The upper Miocene Delmontian stage has fauna similar to the early Pliocene Repettian stage, but contains the marker Rotalia garveyensis and abundant Radiolaria. The Pliocene is divided into three stages, these being--from oldest to youngest--Repettian, Venturian, and Wheelerian. The Repettian stage is divided into 18 zones. Typical Repettian forms are: Ellipsonodosaria verneuili, Karreriella milleri, Bulimina rostrata, and Nonion pompilioides. The Venturian stage has the markers Bulimina subacuminata and Bolivina sinuata. Fauna of the Wheelerian stage includes Uvigerina peregrina, Epistominella pacifica and Bolivina interjuncta. The early Pleistocene guide fossils include Cassidulina limbata and C. tortuosa. The late Pleistocene fauna has the forms Elphidium poeyanum and Elphidiella hannai. Water depth during Luisian time was about ±1,500 feet. Water depth increased at a fairly steady rate, through the Miocene and early Pliocene, until a maximum depth of about ±5,000 feet was reached during mid-Repettian time. The water depth then slowly decreased through late Repettian and sharply decreased during the Venturian. Wheelerian water depths commenced at ±2,000 feet and ended at ±1,000 feet. The basin was filled by the close of Pleistocene time. The main production in the basin is from strata of Repettian age. This is followed by production from the late Miocene. Rocks of other ages produce relatively minor amounts of oil. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1081------------