Relations between the biomass of benthic foraminifera living and models of vertical flux of organic particles in the region of the Campos Basin - RJ

Author(s)

Thaisa Marques Vicente

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Oceanográfico (IO/DIDC)
• Defense date: 2012-12-14

Examining board members

Áurea Maria Ciotti; Carla Van Der Haagen Custodio Bonetti; Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida

• Advisor: Áurea Maria Ciotti

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the particulate organic matter (POM) vertical flux and living benthic foraminifera biomass in the slope of Campos Basin region (between 400 and 3000). The POM vertical flux to the seafloor was inferred through models using remote sensing data, such as estimates of chlorophyll a concentration, sea surface temperature and derivatives of these (i.e. primary production and determination of classes phytoplankton size), whereas the biomass of benthic foraminifera was estimated using the biovolume technique . The fluxes estimates were correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) contents in the sediments, with benthic foraminifera total biomass and with 19 species biomass. The spatial distribution of these species biomass reveals both POM quantity and quality (i.e. lability). The distribution of the values of POM vertical flux and foraminifera total biomass are linked to mesoscale features (eddies and meanders in Cape Frio and Cape São Tomé), which provide increased primary productivity and microplankton growth increasing the POM vertical flux and consequently the food supplement for benthic foraminifera community, stimulating biomass increase. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/04853-0 - Relationship between biomass of benthic foraminifera in the oceanic region of the Campos Basin and empirical models for vertical fluxes of organic particles
• Grantee: Thaisa Marques Vicente
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master