Foraminiferal study of a cross section of Hudson Bay, Canada, 34, 44, and 54

There are three distinctive foraminiferal faunas in an eastwest cross-section of Hudson Bay. They are: (l) a near shore fauna, (2) a central basin fauna and (3) a central high fauna. Eggerella advena is the dominant species at the shallow stations, and Textularia torquata is the important species in the basins. The central high has a distinctive fauna, including high percentages of Cassidulina norcrossi, Bulimina exilis, and Astrononion gallowayi. Planktonic foraminifera are represented by Globigerina pachydenna, which is present at only three stations and in numbers less than l per cent. The concentration of planktonics in bottom sediments of Hudson Bay probably increases toward the entrance of Hudson Strait where more typical marine conditions exist. Ice rafting has had little effect upon foraminiferal distribution. Evidence from sediment studies indicates that only the two stations farthest west have been influenced. Sediment size is closely related to bottom topography and current direction in the bay. Since the grain size and bottom topography are related, the foraminiferal population varies with each. Ostracodes occur only at the western end of the section. Diatoms are present in all the samples, but are most abundant on the western side of the bay. Radiolarians were not found in any of the samples, and if they are living in Hudson Bay, it is near the entrance to Hudson Strait.