Benthic foraminifera of surface sediments in the Arctic Ocean

It is, however, also possible to distinguish these two basins by the use of diagnostic species. At intermediate water depths (500 to 2000-2500 m) the faunas show higher diversities and higher abundances of Atlantic species than the deep-sea sites. Mixing of North Atlantic water down to approximately 2500 m, is suggested to explain the influx of Atlantic species on the Yermak Plateau and the Morris Jesup Rise.

The foraminiferal tests are well preserved within the investigation area and dissolution does not seem to be very obvious in the deeper areas. There is no evidence from the Recent foraminiferal faunas that the bottom waters of the eastern, central Arctic Ocean are undersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate and the deep-sea areas appear, therefore, to lie above the present CCD.