Elsevier

Marine Geology

Volume 87, Issues 2–4, June 1989, Pages 323-328
Marine Geology

Letter section
Ostracod faunas and water masses across the continental margin off southwestern Africa

https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(89)90069-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Changes in composition of modern benthic ostracod faunas across the continental margin of southwestern Africa occur at boundaries between and within major water masses: a Mixed Layer-Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) boundary at 200 m, an AAIW salinity minimum zone at 650 m, an AAIW bathyal thermocline at 1000 m, and the AAIW/North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) boundary at 1500 m. In addition, two population changes occur within the NADW at 1.8–2.0 km and 2.0–3.0 km. The Antarctic Bottom Water assemblage is sparse and poorly preserved.

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Present addresse: South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town (South Africa).

∗∗

Present addresse: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich (U.K.).

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