HIGH RESOLUTION TIME SERIES OF THE PETM -MICRO CT, ECOLOGY, AND BIODIVERSITY. A CASE STUDY OF IODP 392, AGULHAS PLATEAU

During the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a hypothermal event ~56 million years ago, a major extinction of benthic foraminifera occurred, with 30–50% of species becoming extinct. The PETM has also been linked to large changes in ocean temperature, acidity, and oxygen levels. With these rapid environmental shifts not only did many species of benthic foraminifera go extinct, but species dominance shifted, and several species likely relocated in response to changing environmental conditions. A newly acquired core from the International Ocean Discovery Program, IODP 392 has produced in time, well-preserved samples from an under sampled location of the world’s oceans and has produced a new high resolution time series of the PETM. This study examines the ecology, abundance, and diversity of benthic foraminifera populations at a high-resolution time slices through the PETM and ~1 million years on either side of the boundary. High resolution refers to the level of detail, clarity, or precision with which data or information is captured, measured, or represented. From these samples, we will produce a subset of geochemical and morphological examinations with Micro CT scans to assess total calcite and test volumes of individuals across the boundary. Examination of populations ~1 million years before the event allows for more accurate determination of extinction and recovery rates, as well as offering important insights on how these high latitude ecosystems were affected by rapid climate change and how they react to harsh environmental conditions. Assessing the onset, timing, and reactions of marine organisms during the PETM is essential to establishing a better understanding of modern global climate change and predicting the possible consequences of this change to the environment.