Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition Research Articles

Cesare Emiliani (1922–1995), pioneer of Ice Age studies and oxygen isotope stratigraphy

Cesare Emiliani established that the ice ages of the last half million years or so are cyclic phenomena, which gave strong support to the hypothesis of Milankovitch. He discovered the cycles when analyzing foraminifers from long deep-sea cores for their oxygen isotope composition (cores were from the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition, from the Lamont collection and later from collections made at Miami). Emiliani’s method has become the standard procedure for interpreting the deep-sea record in terms of ocean and climate history. Emiliani introduced a time scale suggesting that the cycles are typically 40 000 years in duration, and he defended this scale for almost 20 years. He also thought that temperature was a more important influence on oxygen isotope variations of the ocean than the buildup and decay of northern hemisphere ice sheets. Both these notions proved incorrect. However, his insistence that the Milankovitch mechanism, in conjunction with ice dynamics and crustal response to loading, is the driving force behind the climate cycles of the Quaternary proved well founded.

Frances Lawrence Parker (1906–2002), micropaleontologist and pioneer of paleoceanography

Frances L. Parker made important contributions to the knowledge of benthic and planktonic Foraminifera, both in respect to taxonomy and to biogeographic and stratigraphic distributions. Her work became part of the foundations of modern paleoceanography, which may be said to begin with the results of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition (R/V Alabatross, 1947–1948). Among her most significant works is a demonstration of warm-cold cycles in the Mediterranean, based on Albatross cores, a reorganization of the classification of recent planktonic foraminifers, and a study of lineages in planktonic foraminifers for the Late Cenozoic.

Quaternary history of calcium carbonate fluctuations in the western equatorial Indian Ocean (Somali Basin)

A study of the Quaternary history of calcium carbonate fluctuations in the equatorial Indian Ocean, based on the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition Core 154 demonstrates that the Calcite Compensation Depth (CCD) was shallower during interglacial periods than during glacials. Higher percentages of calcium carbonate, lower percentages of dissolution-resistant planktonic foraminifera and lower values of the Berger dissolution index, suggesting better calcium carbonate preservation, are recorded during glacial periods and/or at glacial/interglacial transitions. In contrast, interglacial periods are marked by stronger calcium carbonate dissolution. The data indicate that dissolution is the main controlling factor of calcium carbonate in the western equatorial Indian Ocean. Higher dissolution during interglacial periods and enriched δ 13C are due to higher noncarbonate productivity and enhanced Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) ventilation in the equatorial Indian Ocean.

Rate of production, dissolution and accumulation of biogenic solids in the ocean

The equatorial current system, by its response to global circulation changes, provides a unique recording mechanism for long range climatic oscillations. A permanent record of the changes in rate of upwelling and organic production is generated in the equatorial deep sea sediments, particularly by such biogenic components which are unaffected by secondary dissolution. In order to determine the rates of accumulation of various sedimentary components, a reliable differential measurement of age of the strata must be obtained. Various approaches to this problem are reviewed, and sources of error discussed. Secondary dissolution of calcium carbonate introduces a substantial and variable difference between the dissolution-modified, and hence a priori unknown, rate of deposition on one hand and the rate of accumulation, derivable from the observed concentration, on the other. The cause and magnitude of these variations are of importance, particularly since some current dating schemes are based on assumed constancy in the rate of accumulation of this and, in some cases, also all other sedimentary components. The concepts used in rate evaluation are discussed with emphasis on the difference between the state of dissolution, an observable property of the sediment, and the rate of dissolution, a parameter that requires deduction of the carbonate fraction dissolved, and of the time differential. As a most likely cause of the enhanced state of dissolution of the interglacial carbonate sediments is proposed the lowered rates of biogenic production and deposition, which cause longer exposure of the carbonate microfossils to corrosion in the bioturbated surface layer of the sediment. Historical perspective is included in the discussion in view of the dedication of the Symposium to Hans Petterson, the leader of the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition 1947–1948, an undertaking that opened a new era in deep sea research and planetary dynamics.

Sponges Collected by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition

The paper deals with sponges collected in the Atlantic by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition. The collection contains six species of the genera Malaco-saccus, Chonelasma, heptonema, Asbestopluma, and Chondrocladia, which are well known from the deep-sea. Three new species are described, viz. Asbestopluma quadriserialis sp.n., Chondrocladia al-batrossi sp.n., and C. burtoni sp.n. A survey of the knowledge of the Atlantic deep-sea sponge fauna shows that 118 species are at present known from depths of more than 2 000 m. About 35% of the species were found four or more times, whereas about 47% are known only from the type locality. 63 species were taken more than once, and 50 species are known also from depths of less than 2 000 m.

Sponges Collected by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition

Sponges Collected by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition

Bottom water and benthonic foraminifera in the North Atlantic—Glacial-interglacial contrasts

Today, below 2500 m, benthonic foraminiferal faunas in the North Atlantic are dominated by a few species. Faunal composition changes slowly with increasing depth and decreasing temperature. Surface sediment and down-core counts of benthonic foraminifera reported by Phleger, Parker, and Peirson (1953) in the reports of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition have been supplemented by additional bottom sediment and piston core samples. Present-day benthonic foraminiferal assemblages from the deeper portions of the North Atlantic appear to be controlled more by the distribution of bottom water types than by bathymetry. In most piston cores, the assemblages vary greatly during the last 150,000 yr, suggesting depression and elevation of faunas at the core site through a depth range of several hundred meters. This would indicate that bottom water characteristics have shifted back and forth in this interval of time and, therefore, that bottom circulation partakes in the well-documented shifts recorded for surface waters of the North Atlantic. It appears that dense water, similar to present-day North Atlantic Deep Water, was produced over a wide area north of 45° N during cooler intervals and that it spread widely at depth.

Deposition of Extraterrestrial Nickel in Marine Sediments

THE vertical distribution of nickel components in deep sea sediments was first obtained by the studies of long cores raised from the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition with the Albatros in 1947–19481. The NiO content varied from a maximum of 0.089% by weight to a minimum of 0.041% by weight. Five distinct maxima occurred at various depths, and the average value was 0.056% by weight. Four sources of the nickel content in red clay were considered by Pettersson and Rotschi1 and the extraterrestrial supply (meteoric dust) was considered by them as the most important. This interpretation of the origin of the nickel component, however, has received several objections2–4.

7. The deep-sea cores of the Pacific

Summary Detailed descriptions of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition's cores of the East Pacific were given by Arrhenius (1952), and their interpretation has been discussed further by Olausson (1961, 1965), Arrhenius (1963) and Riedel et al . (1963). Two c

4. The 40 000 year cycle

Summary The palaeomagnetic time–scale discussed in sections 2 and 3 is helpful in establishing the dates of a few important changes in climate and in marine and in marine faunas which occured more than 700 t.y. ago: it is of little help in dating more recent events. The most promising evidence for determining the ages of the later climatic changes comes from depp-sea sediments. Arrhenius (1952) and Olausson (1960 A,b) found in cores taken by the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition of 1947–8 a record of cyclic changes in the proportion of carbonate and in the abudance of foraminifera. These changes were interpreted as indications of broad climatic chnages. Emiliani (1955A) found somewhat similar cyclic changes in the proportions of the oxygen isotope 18O contained in foraminifera preserved in deep-sea sediments. Despites uncertainties in the exact interpretation of the variations of this isotope, it is agreed that they do reflect the major changes in climate. This deduction is supported by mire recent work, especially in the Caribbean, which has shown that the 18O variations are closely parallel to variariona in the amount of coarse material in the sediments and in the proportions of temperature-sensitive foraminifera. The various parameters which give an indication of climate are usually presnted in graphs in which climate is plotted against depth below the top of the core. There are now sufficient cores with radiometric dates to make it possible to calibrate the scale of these graphs in terms of thousands of years. Figure 9 shows a climate–time curve

Reports of the Swedish Deep‐Sea Expedition 1947–1948 (Edited by Nils Jerlov and Börje Kullenberg). Distributed by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm VA – Sweden

Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie und HydrographieVolume 55, Issue 4 p. 684-685 Buchbesprechung Reports of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition 1947–1948 (Edited by Nils Jerlov and Börje Kullenberg). Distributed by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm VA – Sweden H. Caspers, H. CaspersSearch for more papers by this author H. Caspers, H. CaspersSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1970 https://doi.org/10.1002/iroh.19700550413AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume55, Issue41970Pages 684-685 RelatedInformation

Studies on trace element distribution in a sediment core from the Pacific Ocean

Samples from a sediment core taken during the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition 1947–1948 have been analyzed for their content of some minor constituents. The core, No. 69, Sta. 102, in the collection of the Expedition, was obtained from 13° 25′ S, 149° 30′ W. It had been analyzed earlier for the major constituents, the ferrides and boron. These results are published elsewhere.The lower part of the core (565-340 cm from the top) is a manganiferous marl ooze, and the upper part (336-6 cm) is a manganiferous-ferruginous clay (“red clay”). The decrease in the carbonate content during sedimentation is rather sudden at about the 340-cm level; the corresponding increase in the phosphorus concentration is more gradual. The average relative concentration of silicate-oxide (sil), phosphorus (ap) and CaCO3 (car) and the concentrations of the constituents studied are given in Tables 1–4.The excess and deficiency in the concentrations, in comparison with the averages, are discussed and also the probable sources of elements. Four chief sources are responsible for the distribution pattern of the minor constituents studied: the fine fractions of weathering material from basic igneous rocks, authigenic mineral forming processes in the sea, biological processes, and precipitation of metal ions on the surface of colloidal particles.

Some Bottom Cores from the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition, 1947–48

Some Bottom Cores from the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition, 1947–48

The specific alkalinity

The variations of the specific alkalinity in ocean water are studied on the basis of the measurements carried out in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean during the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition. Each water mass shows a characteristics specific alkalinity as a result of the circulation and the life processes going on in the ocean. The production of carbonic acid and the lime secretion by organisms seem to be the main factors influencing the alkalinity. The stability of the stratification seems to increase the specific alkalinity together with the content of carbon dioxide in deep waters. Surface waters in the equatorial region shows a low specific alkalinity; polar and subpolar waters generally are enriched, as are also deep waters. The specific alkalinity grows with the depletion of oxygen, and highest in the Pacific and lowest in Atlantic deep waters. The range of variation is within 0·119 and 0·130, with an averaage of all water masses of about 0·126. The value is about 3 per cent higher than that quoted by W attenberg, who had investigated only Atlantic waters, but it is in agreement with all the alkalinity measurements made hitherto.

Cosmic Spherules in Deep-Sea Sediments

IN 1876, Sir John Murray1 published observations on magnetic spherules extracted from deep-sea sediments collected by the Challenger Expedition. Together with Renard2, he later described them more fully and gave strong reasons for assuming them to have a cosmic origin. Very few observations have since then been published on these spherules. The two most recent publications are by Bruun, Langer and Pauly3 describing magnetic particles collected from the sediment surface by the Galathea Expedition, and by Laevastu and Mellis4, working in Goteborg, who extracted, counted and measured black spherules from one ordinary long core from the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition.

Magnetic particles found by raking the deep sea bottom

A collection of strongly magnetic material on the ocean floor was one of the many subjects undertaken by the Danish Deep Sea Expedition - The Galathea Expedition 1950–1952. In the following a description of the instrument, the magnetic rake, is given by its constructor, A. Fr. Bruun, and the way it was handled on the Galathea is mentioned. The description of the material is given by Hans Pauly. His conclusions are further supported by experiments carried out and described by E. Langer. The magnetic rake, an oak-board 100 × 15 × 5 cm, carrying 63 magnets in three rows, was drawn along the ocean bottom and is considered to have covered about 45,000 m 2. Apart from insignificant amoutns of artificial material and varying amounts of magnetite-sand more than 300 particles of a very remarkable character were obtained. Most particles were spheres with a diameter of less than half a millimetre. A lot of them consist wholly of magnetite, but many have a silicate groundmass loaded with magnetite crystallites. In nearly all spherical cavities occur. Seven metallic particles were found in the material. Those examined were seen to contain: NiFe, carbides, phosphides, etc. The structure and composition of these metallic particles seem to require high temperatures and rapid cooling in the formation-process. Discussions of similar material from bottom cores taken by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition, certain features in crusts of two Danish stony meteorites, the whole picture of the material from the Galathea Expedition 1950–1952 and the Challenger Expedition 1872–1976 seem to favour the ideas of Murray and Renard. The particles are supposed to represent material torn off from meteors due to air-resistance on their passage through the atmosphere; it only seems necessary to add stony meteorites as an important source. It is considered convenient to give these particles a special name in order to distinguish them from meteorites and cosmic dust, and it is therefore suggested to call them caudaites.

Origin of Nickel in Deep-Sea Sediments

Pettersson and Rotschi1 have suggested that cosmic dust may be in part the source of the nickel found in Pacific deep-sea cores. In these cores nickel occurs in amounts up to 0.08 per cent, and it was stressed that this is considerably higher than the average value of 0.008 per cent given by Sandell and Goldich2 for the uppermost crust of the earth. Opik3 concurred with the view that the nickel is largely of cosmic origin, and concluded that the “zodiacal light as interpreted by van de Hulst4, and the cosmic nickel revealed by the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition are produced mainly by primordial dust of the solar system spiralling towards the sun in orbits which are nearly circular”. Buddhue5 estimated from the amounts of cosmic dust brought down by rain that the annual fall of magnetic particles over the earth's surface is 35–70 × 106 kgm., while Norris and Hogg6, from the weight of magnetic particles falling on trays exposed in north-west Canada, state that the annual fall per square kilometre amounts to less than half a kilogram. Support3 for a cosmic origin of nickel was also given by the similarity between van de Hulst's figure for the space density of the zodiacal light cloud of primordial dust and that required to account for the nickel content of deep-sea clays.

Volcanic ash-horizons in deep-sea sediments from the Eastern Mediterranean

1N 1948 the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition with the Albatross collected a series of cores by means of the Kullenberg piston-core sampler. In some of these one or two ash-horizons were established. As seen from Table 1 the ash-horizons are present in the upper part of each core only. The cores were from 658 cm up to 958 cm long.

A new deep-sea winch

This article describes the manufacture and performance of a deep-sea winch which was fitted to the Albatross for use in the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition, mainly for use in deep-sea coning.

A survey on deep-sea features taken during the Swedish deep-sea expedition

A survey on deep-sea features taken during the Swedish deep-sea expedition