Export flux succession of dinoflagellate cysts and planktonic foraminifera in an active upwelling cell off Cape Blanc (NW Africa)

Abstract

Abstract To better understand production, succession, excystment and transport of dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) and planktonic foraminifera in the upper water column, we investigated their fluxes during a 7-day survey in the active upwelling off Cape Blanc (NW Africa) in November 2018 with drifting traps at 100 m, 200 m and 400 m water depth. The survey covered a change from active upwelling to stratified conditions. Highest production of organic dinocysts and planktonic foraminifera was observed during active upwelling conditions and decreased drastically towards the end of the survey. Calcareous dinocysts appeared later during upwelling relaxation. Cytoplasm-bearing (full) dinocysts and foraminifera were produced in the water column above the traps (<100 m depth). Some of the empty dinocysts were resuspended, implying that sediments below the survey site contain both local and allochthonous cyst assemblages. This is the first demonstration that excystment in the upper water column is species-specific. Brigantedinium excysted in the upper water column before reaching deeper depths, whereas no upper water column excystment was observed for the other dinoflagellate species. Dinoflagellate and planktonic foraminifera associations showed a clear succession. During active upwelling, Echinidinium zonneveldiae, Brigantedinium spp., other peridinioids, Echinidinium spp., cysts of Pentapharsodinium dalei, ‘other photosynthetic organic-walled dinocysts‘, Neogloboquadrina incompta and Globigerinella calida were collected. During upwelling relaxation, Lingulodinium machaerophorum was produced; and under stratified conditions Gymnodiniaceae cysts (G. microreticulatum, G. catenatum) and the foraminifera Globigerina bulloides and Orbulina universa were sampled. Apart from enhancing knowledge of these species, our observations allow more detailed reconstructions of upwelling history in the Cape Blanc region based on sedimentary archives using fossilized dinoflagellate and planktonic foraminifera assemblages.