Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2023-49
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2023-49
07 Mar 2023
 | 07 Mar 2023
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal BG.

Reviews and syntheses: Foraminifera from anaerobic environments – Survival strategies, biogeochemistry, ecology and applications for paleoceanography 

Nicolaas Glock

Abstract. The oceans are losing oxygen (O2) and oxygen minimum zones are expanding, due to climate warming (lower O2 solubility) and artificial fertilization related to agriculture. This ongoing trend is challenging for most marine taxa that are not well adapted to O2 depletion. For other taxa this trend might be advantageous, because they can withstand low O2 concentrations or thrive under anaerobic or even anoxic conditions. Benthic foraminifera are a group of protists that might benefit from ongoing ocean deoxygenation, since several foraminifera species possess adaptations to O2 depletion that are unique amongst eukaryotes. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge about foraminifera from low O2 environments. The specific survival strategies of foraminifera to withstand O2 depletion include an anaerobic metabolism, heterotrophic denitrification, symbiosis with bacteria, kleptoplasty and dormancy. These adaptations, especially the ability to denitrify by some benthic foraminiferal species, have a strong impact on their preferred microhabitat in the sediments, which will be discussed in detail. In addition, due to their high abundances in O2 depleted environments and their metabolic adaptations, benthic foraminifera are key players in marine nutrient cycling, especially within the marine N and P cycles. Studies about the ecology of benthic foraminifera are scarce but there is evidence that foraminifers have the capacity of phagocytosis, even under anoxia, and some foraminiferal species, which can withstand low O2 conditions, even seem to prey on meiofauna. Finally, the fact that foraminifera can calcify even under anaerobic conditions makes them important archives for paleoceanographic applications. So this review will briefly summarize O2 proxies based on foraminiferal morphology, shell geochemistry and composition of foraminiferal assemblages.

Nicolaas Glock

Status: open (until 18 Apr 2023)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse

Nicolaas Glock

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Short summary
Ocean deoxygenation due to climate warming is an evolving threat for organisms that are not well adapted to O2 depleted conditions, such as many pelagic fish species. Other better adapted organisms, such as benthic foraminifera, might benefit from ocean deoxygenation. Benthic foraminifera are a group of marine protists and can have specific adaptations to O2 depletion such as the ability to respire nitrate instead of O2. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge about these organisms.
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