Holocene foraminifera, climate, and decelerating rise in sea level on the mud patch, southern New England continental shelf
We examined Holocene benthic foraminiferal biofacies, % planktonic foraminifera, and lithofacies changes from New England mud patch cores and present a relative sea-level (RSL) record to evaluate evolution of these rapidly deposited (30–79 cm/kyr) muds. Sandy lower Holocene sections are dominated by Bulimina marginata. The mud patch developed from 11–9 ka as RSL rise slowed from 10 to 7 mm/yr; mud deposition began when the cores (69 to 91 m modern) were inundated below storm wave base. An Elphidium-B. marginata fauna developed at ca. 7–6 ka as RSL rise slowed from approximately 7 to 2 mm/yr. A Globobulimina fauna developed at 3 ka as RSL rise slowed to 1 mm/yr, reflecting lower O2 conditions. Single specimen δ18O analyses of Globobulimina show ∼1‰ variations over the past 3 kyr, reflecting a shelf bottom water seasonal cycle of 4–5°C, and a temperature minimum during the Little Ice Age with warming since.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2024 |
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Title | Holocene foraminifera, climate, and decelerating rise in sea level on the mud patch, southern New England continental shelf |
DOI | 10.61551/gsjfr.54.2.172 |
Authors | Kenneth G. Miller, James V. Browning, Lloyd D Keigwin, Jason Chaytor, Emily Schneider, Matthew Richtmyer, W. John Schmelz |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Journal of Foraminiferal Research |
Index ID | 70254099 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center; Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program |