Preliminary report on the occurrence of benthic foraminifera in the area south of Ikishima and Tsushima islands, Tsushima Strait

Benthic foraminifera in surface sediments of the Tsushima Strait, collected during the GB23 cruise, were subjected to a preliminary examination.Benthic foraminiferal assemblage compositions at multiple sites are consistent with those of shallow-water (sublittoral) bathymetric zones around southwestern Japan.Spatial variations in the assemblage composition, planktonic-to-total foraminiferal ratio, and preservation (e.g., filled by green marine clay) might reflect the ambient environment and sedimentary processes in the region of the strait.