Response of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to a simulated sedimentation event

The response of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to a\udsimulated sedimentation event was assessed in a shipboard\udmicrocosm by using transmission electron microscopy,\udorganic carbon, adenosine nucleotide, ETS assays\udand live observations. A rapid activation of\udforaminiferal metabolism was detected with an incrca e\udin ETS activity and a distinct decrease in AMP to build\udup A TP. Based on this phy iological-awakening reaction,\udfood was gathered by pseudopodia] activity and ingested\udin high quantities. Three days after feeding, high quality\udfood was found in the digestion vacuoles leading to an\udincrease of 89% in individual organic carbon contents.\udDuring the following six days, this food was converted\udinto biomass as lipids and other reserve compounds were\udbuilt up. After ten days, digestion vacuoles contained degraded\udmatter onJy. The final shift in individual biomass\udwas 16.9% in comparison to the initial population