DISTRIBUTION OF RECENT BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN A SUB-ARCTIC FJORD-DELTA - TANA, NORWAY

Analysis of benthic foraminifera (living + dead fauna) in surface sedi ments from a deltaic and fjord environment at Tana, northern Norway, s hows a marked contrast in foraminiferal assemblages between delta plat form and delta slope-fjord basin provinces, and a correspondence betwe en test abundance, percentage living of total foraminifera and inferre d rate of sedimentation. The relatively shallow (<25 m), high-energy, sandy delta platform province is characterized by an absence or low ab undance of foraminifera and a dominance of calcareous forms. Delta pla in and tidal strait environments of this province contain a sparse Elp hidium albiumbilicatum assemblage and a resedimented Cibicides lobatul us assemblage, respectively. The deeper (25-125 m), lower energy, silt y-sandy to sandy-muddy delta slope-fjord basin province is characteriz ed by a relatively high abundance of foraminifera and a dominance of a gglutinated forms comprising an Adercotryma glomerata-Spiroplectammina biformis assemblage. Foraminiferal abundance in the delta slope-fjord basin province tends to increase with increasing depth and distance f rom the river mouth, suggesting a correlation with sedimentation rate. A generally high percentage of living foraminifera is thought to main ly reflect high sedimentation rates in the deltaic environment. Local variations in foraminiferal abundance, percentage living foraminifera, and faunal composition are ascribed mainly to local variations in sed imentation rates and processes, and postmortem changes.