Quaternary foraminiferal data from western Arctic Ocean sediment cores, 2013-2016

Data reported for downcore distribution of foraminifers in three sediment cores distributed across the western Arctic Ocean (Northwind, Mendeleev, and Lomonosov Ridges). Data include total numbers for benthic and planktic foraminifers and identification of benthic species. The purpose of the data is to characterize stratigraphic changes in foraminiferal assemblages as proxies for sedimentary environments. This investigation provides insights into middle to late Pleistocene history of Arctic paleoceanographic and sea-ice conditions on multi-millennial time scales. Calcareous foraminiferal abundances and composition show stratigraphically consistent development, including glacial–interglacial variability and long-term evolution of foraminiferal assemblages. The long-term trend shows notably a diminishing role of phytodetritus-related species indicative of ice-margin proximity at the expense of oligotrophic species adapted to live under persistent sea ice. These changes presumably indicate an overall expansion of year-round ice cover in the Arctic during the Pleistocene.
Data is reformatted from Lazar, K.M., Polyak, L., 2016. Middle to late Pleistocene benthic foraminifers in the Arctic Ocean: implications for sea-ice and circulation history. Marine Micropaleontology 126, 19-30.