Bottom Sediments and Foraminifera
on the Continental Margin of Northwest Africa

E. M. Emeliyanov and N. P. Lukashina

Atlantic Branch, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kaliningrad, Russia

Received December 18, 1996

Abstract—Distribution patterns and composition of bottom sediments, as well as planktonic and benthic for-
aminifera, are studied within the area of a coastal upwelling on the continental margin off Northwest Africa, at
depths less than 500 m (the Morocco study area). Sediments are mainly represented by biogenic ooze composed
of benthic and planktonic foraminifera. Some sediment samples are enriched in organic matter (up to 5.05%
C_org), phosphorus (up to 0.33%), and iron (up to 7.5%). The upwelling is best manifested in the southern part
of the study area, where Globigerinita glutinata, an indicator of upwelling, predominates among planktonic for-
aminifera. In the central and northern parts of the study area, the North Atlantic central and intermediate Med-
iterranean water masses propagating from the north restrict the ascending of deep water.

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