Distribution and Composition of Biogenic Structures on the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge: Relation to Different Environments

Abstract

Sediment cores from the north and south slope of the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge taken at water depths from 500 m on the crest and 1500 m from the south slope show the influence of different hydrographic and sedimentary regimes on biogenic structures. Bottoms on the north slope contain an almost monospecific community of Chondrites-like burrows, whereas ichnocoenoses on the south slope are more diverse and show partly complex ichnofabrics with the ichnogenera Scolicia, Zoophycos, Trichichnus, Anconichnus-like, large Planolites-like, Teichichnus-like burrows, Palaeophycus, Gyrolithes and Helminthopsis. Grain size, controlled by bottom currents and ice-rafting, as well as redox conditions of the sediments seem to be the main factors controlling this ichnological pattern