M. Hald et S. Korsun, DISTRIBUTION OF MODERN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM FJORDS OF SVALBARD, EUROPEAN ARCTIC, Journal of foraminiferal research, 27(2), 1997, pp. 101-122
We investigated the total (live + dead) benthic foraminiferal fauna fr
om six Svalbard fjords, European Arctic. The fauna relates to various
environmental variables including properties of the water masses, infl
uence of nearby glaciers, and surface sediment characteristics. Six be
nthic foraminiferal assemblages are distinguished. Two of these are do
minated by arenaceous species. These arenaceous faunas, which mainly o
ccupy the mid and outer fjords, include an Adercotryma glomerata assem
blage related to Atlantic Water and an as yet unexplained Alveolophrag
mium crassimargo assemblage, Pour calcareous assemblages are identifie
d. Cold bottom waters in the inner fjords are characterized by a Cassi
dulina reniforme assemblage. This assemblage and an Elphidium excavatu
m f. clavata assemblage dominate the foraminiferal fauna near glacier
termini; a Cibicides lobatulus assemblage relates to coarse sediments
and high energy environments; and a Nonionellina labradorica assemblag
e dominates the deeper/outer parts of the fjords, related to Atlantic
Water.