Carbonate dissolution and temporal abundances of Foraminifera in Long Island Sound sediments

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.1993.38.2.0331
• Publication Date: 2010-05-17T23:55:09Z
• Authors: Mark A. Green; Robert C. Aller; Josephine Y. Aller
• Keywords: Bioturbation

The dynamics of benthic Foraminifera assemblages can be used to examine carbonate dissolution processes in nearshore sediments and as a general assay physical‐chemical factors affecting survival juvenile benthos. Abundances total (live dead) fluctuate regularly throughout the year Long Island Sound (LIS) mud deposits, with highest numbers spring‐summer lowest winter. Essentially all forams disappear each year. Pore‐water undersaturation respect minerals coincides periods rapid disappearance suggests that these fluctuations reflect balance between rate production‐recruitment rates death calcareous tests animals. Reworking by macrofauna LIS central basin inhibits accumulation or depletion pore‐water solutes is responsible for minimizing saturation states. Quantitative estimates seasonal patterns foram simple mass model give minimum average annual flux Ca 2+ ∼6 mmol m −2 d −1 (due solely dissolution). Abandoned have maximum mean residence time ∼86±13 d. Dissolution‐precipitation may significantly affect ∑CO 2 fluxes likely accounts large proportion (>30%) during some seasons at locales. Other organisms similar size, particularly bivalves, also affected undersaturated pore waters. Conditions promoting represent an important source mortality meiofauna.