Densities of living (stained) benthic Foraminifera in the southern North Sea were found to be enriched in areas with high organic carbon content. Enriched densities were not restricted to the surface sediment (0-1 cm) but also extended into deeper layers (down to 25 cm). foraminiferal populations were larger in June than in February. This will be caused by a spring increase in temperature and organic carbon input. This seasonal effect is also clearly reflected in the deeper layers. There is no well-defined depth stratification of species within the sediment, their vertical distribution being governed primarily by the burrowing activities of macrofauna. Therefore, the maximum depth at which living benthic Foraminifera are encountered can be used as an indicator of bioturbation depth.
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