Core-top calibration of δ18O and δ13C of G. ruber (white) and U. mediterranea along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy

We carried out an extensive survey of the oxygen and carbon isotope composition of the planktic species G. ruber (white) and of the benthic species U. mediterranea along the southern Italian coast of the Adriatic Sea and in the Gulf of Taranto. Comparison with seasonal satellite-based sea surface temperature maps and water column profiles as well as with several sets of water samples allows estimation of the effect of salinity and different nutrient supply on the delta O-18 and delta C-13 of foraminifera. The results indicate that G. ruber (white), while being highly affected by different salinity and nutrient distributions related to circulation patterns of major water masses, dominantly record summer temperature conditions. U. mediterranea reflect the recent environmental conditions, such as nutrient supply and bottom water temperature characteristics, along the southern Italian coast and clearly show the transition from a near-coastal eutrophic system to an offshore oligotrophic system. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.