The three-dimensional morphology of Zoophycos and its influence on sediment biogeochemistry

Power, Kathryn Margaret (2016) The three-dimensional morphology of Zoophycos and its influence on sediment biogeochemistry. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The three-dimensional reconstruction and detailed biogeochemical analysis of Zoophycos presented in this thesis help to fully characterize the three-dimensional morphology, ethology, and biogeochemical impact of Zoophycos. The three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that this sample of Rosario Formation Zoophycos is composed of two morphotypes of Zoophycos, produced by a range of behaviors. One Zoophycos demonstrated selective detritus feeding from a clay-rich layer above the burrow environment. A later Zoophycos displayed opportunistic behavior in exploiting earlier spreite through infaunal deposit feeding. This data provides evidence that the Zoophycos trace-maker can adapt to changing sediment characteristics during the construction of its burrow. The biogeochemical analysis of Zoophycos revealed that the trace-maker has a measureable influence on sediment biogeochemistry. The trace maker influenced paleoredox proxies and mineralogy through sediment ingestion and digestion. The combination of a three-dimensional reconstruction and detailed biogeochemical analysis has revealed a means to systematically analyze trace fossil morphology and trace-maker ethology. The data in this study also has further implications on how bioturbating organisms influence paleoredox reconstructions.

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