Oceanographic implications of recent planktonic foraminifera along the southern Australian margin
Date
1998
Authors
Li, Q.
McGowran, B.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Marine and Freshwater Research, 1998; 49(5):439-445
Statement of Responsibility
Li, Qianyu; McGowran, Brian
Conference Name
DOI
Abstract
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The distribution of planktonic foraminifera along the southern Australian
margin is strongly gradational from warmer assemblages in the west to more
temperate assemblages in the east. This pattern follows a decreasing
temperature gradient generated by the warm Leeuwin Current which flows
southward and then eastward on the southern margin. The abundances of tropical
and subtropical species including Globorotalia menardii and Globigerinoides
trilobus s.l. decrease rapidly after rounding the south-western corner, while
the temperate index species Globorotalia inflata increases and subsequently
dominates the fauna towards the east, especially on the Lincoln and Lacepede
shelves of South Australia. This W–E gradation is also observed in the
relict Pleistocene assemblages, indicating that the Leeuwin Current has been
influential since at least the last interglacial time. The interaction between
the warm and saline water from the Great Australian Bight and cold water from
the south produced an assemblage in deeper parts of the Bight with abundant
small species such as Globigerina falconensis, Globotur-borotalita rubescens,
Neogloboquadrina pachyderma and
Turborotalita quinqueloba.
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