(Table T1) Stratigraphic distribution of phytoliths at ODP Site 188-1165 and 188-1166 sediments (continental slope)

Rare phytoliths are described from Late Cretaceous to Quaternary deep-sea sediments from Sites 1165 and 1166, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. The phytoliths are comparable to modern tree/shrub, grass, and fern forms, although some may be modern contaminants. Spherical tree/shrub phytoliths are the most common, occurring particularly in the lower middle to middle Miocene core sections at Site 1165. All phytolith forms observed (except irregular and folded sphericals) have been previously described in other Antarctic sediments. The low phytolith abundances in the cores probably result from a combination of factors including the substantial distance offshore of the drill sites, taphonomic influences (low source production, soil dissolution, and dilution of terrigenous material during transport and deposition), and silica diagenesis downhole.

本文对东南极普里兹湾1165和1166站位晚白垩世至第四纪深海沉积物中的稀有植硅体（phytolith）进行了描述。该类植硅体可与现代乔木/灌木、草本及蕨类的植硅体形态相类比，但其中部分可能属于现代污染物。球形乔木/灌木植硅体为最常见的类型，尤其富集于1165站位中中新统下部至中部的岩芯地层中。本次观测到的所有植硅体形态（不规则球形与折叠球形除外）此前均已在其他南极沉积物中被报道。岩芯内植硅体丰度偏低，可能由多重因素共同导致：钻探站位离岸距离极远、埋藏学作用影响（物源生产能力低、土壤溶蚀，以及搬运与沉积过程中陆源物质的稀释效应），以及井下硅质成岩作用。