Calcareous plankton response to early Paleogene climate change

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In the proposed study long-term climate variability as reflected by surface water conditions will be investigated from the latest Paleocene to the Middle Eocene at DSDP Site 401. This site is situated in the Bay of Biscay and represents one of the most northern sites which provide Paleogene carbonates. DSDP Site 401 consists of a continuous sedimentary record through the study interval and contains well preserved calcareous nannofossils and planktic foraminifera. Globally, the study interval is characterized by the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum and the subsequent gradual cooling finally leading to the Oligocene icehouse as indicated by benthic foraminiferal Delta 818O. Less is known about the surface water conditions during this interval, because only few sites have been studied with respect to calcareous nannofossils and planktic foraminifera yet In this study it is intended to decipher the response of planktic organisms to the longterm Paleogene climate changes. In order to achieve this goal multi-species planktic foraminiferal isotope records will be compiled for Site 401, which will supply us with information on the hydrographical situation, and compared to changes in the calcareous plankton communities. These data will allow us to improve our understanding on the interplay between environmental change, ecology and evolution of calcareous plankton during this crucial interval.