The distribution of living dinoflagellates is controlled by salinity, sea surface temperature, productivity and water depth, which produce definite patterns observed in the oceans today. Similar distribution patterns have been recognized in Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Investigation of the dinoflagellate cyst flora contained in upper Oligocene to lower Miocene sediments (diatomites, chalks and clays) from Cote d'Ivoire-Ghana Transform Margin has shown a pattern of cyclic alternation of the dominant dinoflagellates cysts (dinocysts) between gonyaulacalean and peridinialean forms. Spiniferites mirabilis and Hystrichokolpoma species are the most common gonyaulacoid dinocysts, although one sample contains Nematosphaeropsis labyrinthea as the dominant form. Peridinioid dominated sections are characterized by large numbers of protoperidinioid cysts. There is also cyclicity in the organic matter distribution, which appears to be controlling the abundance of dinocysts, calcareous and siliceous microfossils in the sediments. These patterns are probably indicative of changes in the water mass and paleoproductivity. Few spores and pollen occur in these sediments and several of these show evidence of reworking. Retibrevitricolpites obodoensis and Magnolia-type pollen support the age derived from dinocysts and other data for the sediments.

West: -3.1055 East: -2.4408 North: 3.3740 South: 3.1504

Expedition: 159

Site: 159-959

Site: 159-962

Provider: SEDIS Publication Catalogue

Data set link: http://sedis.iodp.org/pub-catalogue/index.php?id=2009-029227 (c.f. for more detailed metadata)

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