FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES FROM THE FJORDS AND SHELF OF EASTERN GREENLAND

Twelve grab samples from three fjords and the shelf of eastern Greenla nd were analyzed for foraminifera to observe the modern foraminifera a ssemblages and their relations to sediment properties and water mass c haracteristics. Both the >63 mum and the > 125 mum fractions were anal yzed to determine what size fraction should be used for future biostra tigraphic and paleoenvironmental studies along eastern Greenland. We f ound that the east Greenland fjords and shelf support a mixed calcareo us/agglutinated assemblage. The most common agglutinated species are T extularia earlandi, Spiroplectammina biformis, Trochammina nana, and S accammina difflugiformis. The most common calcareous species are Cassi dulina reniforme, C. teretis, Elphidium excavatum, and Lobatula lobatu la. The assemblages in the fjords appear to be associated with bottom water mass characteristics, with agglutinated foraminifera dominating sites with Polar Water at the seafloor (Mikis Fjord) and a mixed calca reous/agglutinated fauna found at sites with Atlantic Intermediate Wat er at the seafloor (Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord). In Nansen Fjord, with a wa ter mass transitional between the Polar and Atlantic waters, a mainly agglutinated assemblage was found. Foraminifera were up to 23 times mo re abundant in the 63 to 125 mum size fraction than they were in the > 125 mum size fraction. Although the species composition of these two s ize fractions differed substantially, principal components analysis of the >63 mum fraction and the >125 mum fraction showed similar results . However, the association between environmental variables (especially bottom water salinity and pH) and fauna was better defined using the >125 mum fraction.