Response of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to a simulated sedimentation event

Abstract

The response of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to a simulated sedimentation event was assessed in a shipboard microcosm by using transmission electron microscopy, organic carbon, adenosine nucleotide, ETS assays and live observations. A rapid activation of foraminiferal metabolism was detected with an increase in ETS activity and a distinct decrease in AMP to build up A TP. Based on this phy iological-awakening reaction, food was gathered by pseudopodia] activity and ingested in high quantities. Three days after feeding, high quality food was found in the digestion vacuoles leading to an increase of 89% in individual organic carbon contents.
\nDuring the following six days, this food was converted into biomass as lipids and other reserve compounds were built up. After ten days, digestion vacuoles contained degraded matter onJy. The final shift in individual biomass
\nwas 16.9% in comparison to the initial population.