Scotland Sunart, Loch

No previous studies have investigated isotopic composition in modem benthic foraminifera from NW Scottish coastal or fjordic environments. This study therefore aims to (1) compare the temporal pattern of calculated equilibrium calcite at sites from NW Scotland (Loch Sunart, Fig. 1) to 8 Oforaui measured from different species of modern and live benthic foraminifera collected from the same sites and (2) comment on potential seasonal effects in the stable oxygen isotopic composition of the tests. 

Fig. 1. Location of Loch Sunart, a fjord on theNW coast of Scotland (highlighted rectangle). Also shown are the major surface ocean currents (arrows) to the west of Scotland and Ireland, together with a simplified regional bathymetry. Figure modified after Cage (2005).

Surface sediment samples were collected from Loch Sunart, a sea loch (fjord) on the NW coast of Scotland, during cruises aboard the R. V. Clupea (April 1999) and the R. V. Envoy (July 2001 and June 2002). Bottom water temperature and salinity measurements were recorded using a STD Plus 646 conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) probe at each sample site (Table 1). No data were collected on pH and carbonate ion concentration. Two stationary Anderaa RCM-7 current meters complete with temperature and conductivity sensors and a data logger were deployed in the inner basin (56.6842°N, -5.6211°W) between 21 June 2001 and the 18 June 2002, and the main... 

Fig. 3. The seasonal evolution of calculated monthly averaged equilibrium calcite (S OEq.caidte) fot Loch Sunart (black line), a fjord in NW Scotland, and the Celtic Sea (mixed water column - grey line, stratified water column - dashed grey line).

Cage, A. G. 2005. The modem and late Holocene marine environments of Loch Sunart, N.W. Scotland. Ph.D thesis. University of St Andrews. 

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