DEPTH PATTERNS OF BENTHONIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC

Abstract

Depth zonations of benthonic Foraminifera off the western United States are summarized. Generalized depth biofacies in 55 new samples from coastal Mexico are at 25 m, 35 m, 55 m, 75-85 m, 120 m, 180 m, 340 m and 550 m. Criteria for determining depth biofacies are examined. Distributions based on living specimens are the most reliable. Shallow limits of species are the best boundary indicators; deep limits of species vary in value as indicators due to possible movement of specimens downslope. Each species seems to have a distinctive depth range and there are almost as many depth boundaries as there are species. Analysis of species depth ranges in new samples from coastal Mexico shows at least 24 depth boundaries. Analysis of data from the San Diego, California, area suggests 72 boundaries which can be recognized on the basis of shallow and deep limits of species.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 07, 1965
Accession Number
AD0622264

Entities

People

  • Fred B. Phleger

Organizations

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abyssal Zones
  • Baja California
  • Boundaries
  • California
  • Central America
  • Continental Shelves
  • Data Analysis
  • Deep Depth
  • Deep Water
  • Depth
  • Ecology
  • Frequency
  • Marine Geology
  • Oceanography
  • Regions
  • United States
  • Water

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Geology

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.