From Site 1082 an apparently continuous hemipelagic sedimentary section spanning the upper Miocene to Holocene (5.8-0 Ma) was recovered. The upper part of the succession is composed of moderately bioturbated, intercalated intervals of olive to black clays, which contain varying abundances of diatoms, nannofossils, foraminifers, and radiolarians (Fig. 2). Three subunits are defined based on the various abundances and types of microfossils in the sediments: nannofossil- and foraminifer-rich clay (0-112 mbsf), diatom-rich clay (112-369 mbsf), and nannofossil clay (369-475 mbsf). The underlying lithostratigraphic unit (475-590 mbsf) consists of homogeneous, greenish gray nannofossil ooze. The lithostratigraphy at Site 1082 can be correlated to the one identified at Site 1081. Differences between these two sites are the higher sedimentation rates (70 200 m/m.y.) and the better temporal resolution at Site 1082 compared to Site 1081. Sediments at Site 1082 also have higher abundances of nannofossils than those at Site 1081.
The detrital component of the sediments consists of clay with rare silt-sized, angular and subangular, mono- and polycrystalline quartz and feldspar grains. Muscovite and biotite are present in trace amounts. Dolomite rhombs are observed in the diatom-rich clay and the nannofossil ooze. The biogenic component is represented by varying abundances of foraminifers (whole and fragments), nannofossils, diatoms, radiolarians, sponge spicules, and silicoflagellates.
Quartz, muscovite, and the feldspars microcline and albite, probably supplied by the wind, are present in relatively constant proportions in the upper Pliocene sediments. In the Pleistocene sediments, these windblown components were partly or completely decoupled, most strongly during the last 400 k.y. This observation, together with those from Site 1081, will be used to identify the continental source of windblown dust.
Detailed comparisons between the magnetic susceptibility and the GRAPE density records generated on the MST and the color reflectance measured with the Minolta spectrophotometer demonstrated complete recovery of the sedimentary sequence down to 141 mcd.
Fine biostratigraphic resolution was achieved by integrating datums from all microfossil groups. Calcareous nannofossils are abundant within the entire section. Planktonic foraminifers indicate upwelling activity at 70 mbsf, and downhole faunal variations indicate that a warm surface water current (Angola Current) reached the region in the past. Tropical to warm subtropical species appear at 36 mbsf. The surface water warming is associated with a decrease in upwelling, as indicated by a reduced abundance of G. bulloides. The benthic foraminifer fauna show high diversity throughout the entire section. The record of diatom abundance points to a substantial increase in deposition during the upper Pliocene and lower Pleistocene sediments, reaching a maximum in the upper Pliocene, followed by a decrease within the Pleistocene at about 1 Ma. Overall abundances are low or diatoms are absent in upper Miocene and lower Pliocene sediments. The diatom content at Site 1082 probably reflects a varying nutrient supply that could be related to upwelling of nutrient-rich deeper waters and high biological productivity, especially in the upper Pliocene sequence. The diatom assemblage is similar to Site 1081 and consists mainly of a mixture of upwelling-indicator species.
The polarity of the remanent magnetization was determined from the magnetic declinations and inclinations of APC cores (Fig. 5) and from the magnetic inclinations of XCB cores after AF demagnetization at 20 mT. All chrons from the Brunhes (C1n) to the onset of C3An at ~6 Ma could be identified. A short reversal event (Cobb Mountain) was observed at all three holes within the Matuyama Chron. The Reunion event (2.14 to 2.15 Ma) occurs in Hole 1082C between about 196 and 197 mbsf.
Well-developed cycles, in which concentrations of CaCO3 and organic carbon vary between 1% and 85% and <0.1% to 16.1%, respectively, reflect fluctuations in the elevated marine production associated with the Benguela Current. Higher concentrations of organic carbon from 0 to 260 mbsf record higher productivities during the last 2 m.y. than earlier in the history of this upwelling system. The interstitial water chemical profiles record a relatively shallow (0 to 20 mbsf) region in which diagenetic degradation of organic matter consumes sulfate and produces increases in alkalinity, ammonium, and phosphate that ultimately exceed those found at nearby Site 1081 on the Walvis Ridge. These changes are accompanied by calcite dissolution and dolomite precipitation, which are recorded by increases in dissolved strontium and decreases in dissolved magnesium and calcium.
Logging in Hole 1082A is characterized by a regular hole size (diameter ~10 to 11 in.) with numerous small enlargements from 530 to 120 mbsf and by washout zones at the top and bottom of the logged interval. Thirteen dolomitic layers were identified in the downhole logs, characterized by very high velocity, resistivity, and density, and by low gamma-ray intensity. Dolomitic layers are present in the entire interval but are particularly concentrated in the lower half. The core and log measurements of natural gamma-ray intensity are very similar and can be used for detailed correlations between the core and log dataset. In Hole 1082A, log depth is similar to core depth. The logging data from Sites 1081 and 1082 show a reliable correlation.
We expect that glacial/interglacial climatic cycles are well developed at Site 1082 in terms of productivity, carbonate dissolution, and terrigenous sedimentation cycles. In addition, the sediments from Site 1082 will document the supply of minerals and plant remains from land as a function of changing climate and sea level. Together with the results of Site 532, the record of Site 1082 will allow the definition of offshore gradients and the high-resolution reconstruction of the intensity of the Benguela Current. We expect detailed information of the history of upwelling activity, both on the scale of glacial/interglacial and subMilankovitch cycles. Trends will be compared with the records north and south of Walvis Ridge to identify long-term changes in boundary conditions.