Marginal marine agglutinated foraminifera: affinities for mineral phases

The major agglutinated constituents in test material of marginal marine for aminifera are identified as alpha-quartz and clay particles using complemen tary spectroscopic techniques. Electron dispersive scattering analysis, mic ro-laser Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniqu es revealed detail about elemental and mineral polymorph constituents in te st walls. Additionally, FTIR identifies the existence of organic cements an d lining materials in wall structures. Micro-laser Raman specifically chara cterized the titanium oxide mineral, anatase, as a distinctive fraction of agglutinate in Ammobaculites balkwilli Haynes. The mineral represents appro ximate to 10% of the test material, but comprises a minor component of the sediment and is identified in sediments only after heavy mineral separation . The enhanced concentration of anatase in the test of A. balkwilli suggest s that there is a preferential selection for anatase. This provides further evidence that certain foraminifera can select grains specifically, which i mplies that there exists a selective mechanism and interaction between the organic (secreted) phases in the test walls and inorganic (grain surface) m aterials.