Data report: early Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils, IODP Expedition 339, Site U1387

Abstract

We present a revision and refinement of semiquantitative analyses of calcareous nannofossil assemblages in early Pleistocene samples from Holes U1387A and U1387C recovered toward the eastern end of the Faro Drift (36°48.3210′N, 7°43.1321′W) during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 339, Mediterranean Outflow (November 2011–January 2012). The record is characterized by intervals very rich in calcareous nannofossils that  are in general moderately to well preserved. On the other hand, the record contains an interval directly above the youngest dolomite layer in Section 339-U1387C-19R-4 (~0.7 m) where no coccoliths were preserved. The new stratigraphic constraints of events such as the lowest occurrence (LO) of large Gephyrocapsa, the highest occurrence (HO) of Calcidiscus macintyrei (1.66 Ma), the LO of medium-sized Gephyrocapsa group, and the HO of Discoaster brouweri (1.95 Ma) allow better interpretation of the isotope stratigraphy applied to this interval.