DISTRIBUTION OF MODERN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM FJORDS OF SVALBARD, EUROPEAN ARCTIC

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.