Stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios for Early to Middle Cretaceous benthic and planktonic foraminifera of DSDP Hole 62-463 from the Mid Pacific Mountains (Table 1)

The degree of alteration of the foraminifera has been assessed through the application of scanning electron microscopy. The oxygen isotope data support the view that during the Cenomanian 'globigerine' foraminifera, such as the genus Hedbergella, inhabited near-surface waters, whilst the flattened, keeled, morphotypes lived deeper within the water column.

The carbon isotope data reveal a more complex pattern as the delta13C values from planktonic species essentially show a large overlap, which is interpreted in terms of a weak delta13C gradient existing in the upper part of the ocean. In contrast, the oxygen isotope data from planktonic foraminifera from the Late Albian display no discernible depth stratification pattern and the delta13C data also show a large overlap of values indicative of a complete disruption of the upper part of the thermocline.