Calcareous dinoflagellate cyst distributions in surface sediments from upwelling areas off NW Africa, and their relationships with environmental parameters of the upper water column

The Benguela upwelling related to the Miocene cooling events and the development of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current: Evidence from calcareous dinoflagellate cysts

“…The modern ecology of calcareous‐walled cyst producing dinoflagellates has been studied in surface sediments, sediment traps, and culture experiments [e.g., Vink et al , 2002; Vink , 2004; Meier and Willems , 2003; Richter et al , 2007; Richter , 2009; Karwath , 2000; Zonneveld et al , 2000]. Several environmental factors are known to be important for cyst production and germination, including temperature, salinity, trophic conditions and the stratification of the upper water column.…”

“…The use of calcareous dinoflagellates as productivity indicators has been discussed in several studies [ Höll et al , 1998, 1999; Zonneveld et al , 2000; Vink , 2004; Meier and Willems , 2003; Richter et al , 2007; Richter , 2009]. Zonneveld et al [2001] and Meier and Willems [2003] investigated the Eastern Mediterranean S1 sapropel, which was deposited under conditions of increased primary production.…”

“…Leonella granifera , Thoracosphaera heimii , Caracomia arctica and Calciodinellum levantinum are species with high abundances in areas characterized by enhanced nutrient availability in the surface waters, such as upwelling areas, river plumes, etc. Of these species, Leonella granifera is exclusively found in areas characterized by terrestrial input of fluvial origin [ Richter et al , 2007; Vink , 2004; Wendler et al , 2002a].…”

“…The cysts are species specific and the fossilized assemblages in marine sediments reflect the environmental conditions of the surface water masses at the time of their production [ Vink , 2004; Zonneveld et al , 2000]. Numerous studies have shown their suitability for paleoclimate reconstructions [ Bison et al , 2009; Esper et al , 2000, 2004; Meier and Willems , 2003; Richter et al , 2007; Vink , 2004; Zonneveld et al , 2005, 2000. ]…”

Alexandrium catenella cyst dynamics in a coastal embayment : temperature dependence of dormancy, germination, and bloom Initiation

“…The extent to which these factors affect the cyst seedbed depends on the nature of the habitat. In the open ocean, cyst abundance is a result of a complex combination of production, lateral transport, resuspension, and accumulation processes (Richter et al 2007). This is contrasted with confined shallow water systems, which tend to have tighter connections between cysts and vegetative populations or particular environmental conditions (e.g.…”