Ecology of some Arctic foraminifera

An investigation of the Foraminifera in cores of the bottom sediments of the central Arctic Ocean indicates significant quantitative trends in this relatively uniform environment. Foraminiferal occurrence are compared with sediments, sea-floor topography, water depth, calcium carbonate distribution, organic C content of the sediments, temperature and salinity of the water, and associated organisms. A total of 105 species of Foraminifera, of which 20 were useful in establishing depth zones, were collected at depths between 433 and 2760 m. Five species and 1 variety are new. Faunal changes correspond generally to changes in slope. Application of the data suggests displacement of the sediments in parts of some cores.