Imprint of eastern Indian Ocean surface oceanography on modern organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst assemblages

Ines Hessler*, Martin Young, Ulrike Holzwarth, Mahyar Mohtadi, Andreas Lückge, Hermann Behling

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Assemblages of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) from 116 marine surface samples have been analysed to assess the relationship between the spatial distribution of dinocysts and modern local environmental conditions [e.g. sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), productivity] in the eastern Indian Ocean. Results from the percentage analysis and statistical methods such as multivariate ordination analysis and end-member modelling, indicate the existence of three distinct environmental and oceanographic regions in the study area. Region 1 is located in western and eastern Indonesia and controlled by high SSTs and a low nutrient content of the surface waters. The Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) region (Region 2) is dominated by heterotrophic dinocyst species reflecting the region's high productivity. Region 3 is encompassing the area offshore north-west and west Australia which is characterised by the water masses of the Leeuwin Current, a saline and nutrient depleted southward current featuring energetic eddies.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)89-105
    Number of pages17
    JournalMarine Micropaleontology
    Volume101
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2013

    Keywords

    • Eastern Indian Ocean
    • Marine surface sediments
    • Organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts
    • Sea surface conditions

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