Planktonic foraminiferal faunas have been studied from the Pleistocene of ODP Site 1073 (Leg 174A), New Jersey margin, NW Atlantic Ocean and their abundances have been compared in the >63 μm and >150 μm size-fractions from the same samples. Trends in the relative abundance of many species are similar in the two size-fractions, although the general level varies considerably. The mean abundance and ranges of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral), N. pachyderma (dextral), Globorotalia inflata and Globigerina bulloides are greater in the >150 μm size-fraction compared with the >63 μm size-fraction. Turborotalita quinqueloba, Globigerinita uvula, G. glutinata, G. clarkei, and juvenile species are more abundant in the >63 μm size-fraction than the >150 μm size-fraction. Peaks (c. 60%) in abundance of G. uvula occur in the >63 μm size-fraction only, although the causes of these patterns are unclear. The data suggest that, in general, consistent palaeoclimatic/palaeoceanographic information is achieved by studying planktonic foraminiferal faunas from either size-fraction. However, because particular smaller species are either under-represented or even absent from the larger (>150 μm) size-fraction, the smaller (>63 μm) size-fraction must be included in studies of planktonic foraminifera. Furthermore, studies that involve planktonic foraminifera in the >63 μm size-fraction could provide different transfer function estimates for sea surface temperatures in areas where workers have only used larger (>125 μm and >150 μm) size-fractions.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.