Reconstruction of Paleoceanography Significance in the Western Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during the Neogene Based on Calcareous Nannofossil Productivity and Size Variations, Related to the Global Tectonic Events

Abstract

We investigated the calcareous nannofossils in the western Pacific and Bahama Bank of Caribbean Sea to reconstruct the paleoceanography and correlate with the global events. The absolute abundant of coccolith (number/g) are gradually increased from NN6 throughout NN19 Zone, while the relative abundance of Discoaster is decreased at Sites 782 in the western Pacific Ocean. The changes of the modal and maximum size of Reticulofenestra which are strongly reflected the collapse of sea surface stability, show four times in 8.8 Ma, 6.4 Ma, 5.4 Ma and 3.75 Ma at Site 782. On the basis of relationship between the changes of maximum sizes of Reticulofenestra and nutrient condition, these eutrophication events are clearly traceable to the western Pacific, Bahama Bank, northwestern Pacific Ocean and to the Indian Ocean. Two paleoceanographic events found in 8.8 Ma and 3.75 Ma are interpreted as change to high nutrient condition resulted in the intensification of Asian Monsoon and closure of Panama Isthmus.