Reconnaissance Survey of Benthonic Foraminifera from Baffin Island Fiord Environments

Abstract

Benthonic foraminiferal assemblages in 63 grab samples collected in Baffin Island fiord basin environments (67-800 m) are dominated by arenaceous species such as Textularia earlandi and Spiroplectammina biformis. These forms reflect the influence of cold (<=0.0 degrees C) arctic water conditions. Incursions of comparatively warm and saline Atlantic bottom water is marked in the deepest part of some fiord basins by the distribution of several calcareous species such as Melonis zaandamae and Nonionella atlantica. The highest living calcareous species population densities are associated primarily with fiord sills and with inner shelf environments near the mouths of fiords. Conversely, the patchy distribution and low percentages of many calcareous species found in basin sediments suggest passive transport of perhaps both living specimens and empty tests from shallow nearshore (endemic) environments or their occupation of deep basin transitional environments that mark the change from Atlantic to arctic water masses.

Key words: foraminifera, Baffin Island, Fiords, arenaceous foraminifera, calcareous foraminifera