Benthic foraminifers from the continental shelf and slope of the Gulf of Mexico: An indicator of shelf hypoxia

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
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Abstract

Benthic foraminifers from 74 core-top sediment samples collected primarily from the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed to determine a microfaunal indicator for shelf hypoxia to be used in future paleoenvironmental studies. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) of 93 species recognized factors/clusters that were similar to previous investigations of the benthic foraminifers, except that both analyses also identified PCA6/CA6 in the area where hypoxic conditions have been observed. Three low-oxygen-tolerant species, Pseudononion atlanticum, Epistominella vitrea, and Buliminella morgani have high factor loadings in PCA6. The cumulative percentage of three species is defined as the PEB (PEB, Pseudononion, Epistominella, Buliminella) index. The highest PEB values observed in the 74 surface sediment samples occur in the zone of recognized hypoxia on the Louisiana shelf. Values of the PEB index are also elevated along the southern Texas coastline, suggesting that this area may experience periodic hypoxia as well. ?? 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Benthic foraminifers from the continental shelf and slope of the Gulf of Mexico: An indicator of shelf hypoxia
Series title Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
DOI 10.1016/S0272-7714(02)00352-9
Volume 58
Issue 1
Year Published 2003
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
First page 17
Last page 35
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