Drilling and core data from the Gulf of Gemlik (SE Sea of Marmara): Holocene fauna and flora assemblages

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine fauna and flora assemblages of Holocene sequences fromGemlik Gulf (SE Marmara Sea) and to obtaine their similarities and differences between theassemblages of Gemlik and İzmit Bays. Total of 201 dark gray colored, fine to medium grainedsandy clay samples were studied. In the drilled samples, 22 genera and 38 species were identifiedfrom the foraminifera characterizing the infralittoral zone. 40 genera and 58 species of foraminiferacharacterizing the upper circalittoral zone were identified. In addition, Black Sea originatedAmmonia parasovica was found for the first time in cores taken from Gemlik Gulf. Nannofossilspecies characterizing the open-shallow marine environment Emiliania huxleyi, Reticulofenestraparvula, Coronosphaera spp., Syracosphaera spp., Helicosphaera spp. beside Gephyrocapsaoceanica, small Gephyrocapsa spp., Scyphosphaera porosa were obtained. A total of 27 generaand 37 species from ostracods were defined in the samples from gulf. Moreover, the quite abundantmollusc assemblage characterizing the shallow marine environment and fewer genera and speciesof diatoms were identified. The studied sequence is represented by NN21 Emiliania huxleyi biozoneat the Holocene. Foraminifers and ostracods of the Gemlik Gulf are observed as MediterraneanAegean Sea originated assemblages. The mollusc shows the shallow marine community