Recent benthonic foraminifera from the Western Antarctic Ocean

Abstract. Approximately 60 species of benthonic foraminifera are recorded from 14 samples collected by the RRS Discovery from water depths of 200–4200 m on the Antarctic Peninsula Shelf and Slope and adjacent areas of the Western Antarctic Ocean. Discussion focuses firstly on benthonic foraminiferal abundance, diversity and assemblage composition and the effects of calcite dissolution and, secondly, on the characteristic assemblages of the study area and their relationships to water-masses.