Journal Article

Bioerosion Drill Holes Increase Carbonate Dissolution in the Planktonic Foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber

Pivel, Maria Alejandra Gomez, Martins, Alisson, Frozza, Cristiane Fraga, Bonetti, Carla, Suárez‐Ibarra, Jaime Y, Coimbra, João Carlos

2026

Overview

Planktonic foraminifera are instrumental in reconstructing paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic conditions. However, preferential dissolution can significantly bias both assemblages and chemical analyses, leading to biased interpretations. Bioerosional drill holes are commonly found in foraminiferal tests; however, it remains unknown if these marks increase the tests' vulnerability to dissolution. This study investigates how the number and size of drill holes affect the preservation of Globigerinoides ruber (comprising G. ruber albus and Globigerinoides elongatus) through an experimental approach. Sixty tests, extracted from a sediment core sample with variable bioerosion levels, were categorized into four groups based on the number of drill holes (0‐Control, I, III, IV). The tests were exposed to a buffered acetic acid solution and preservation was continually assessed through visual scoring and digital measurement of the test's area. These controlled conditions allowed the quantification of dissolution effects over time. Our results suggest that bioeroded tests are significantly more susceptible to dissolution when compared to non‐bioeroded ones. Tests with multiple drill holes (3 or 4) were especially vulnerable, showing rapid disintegration. Generalized linear models demonstrated that both the number and size of drill holes are key factors influencing the preservation indices. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for bioerosion in paleoceanographic studies, as it compromises the tests preservation and potentially biases fossil assemblage interpretations. This study links bioerosion‐driven dissolution to global biogeochemical cycles and highlights the necessity to better document this process and account for it in Earth System Models.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subject: Acetic acid / Acids / Bioerosion / Biogeochemical cycle / Biogeochemical cycles / Boreholes / Carbonates / Chemical analysis / Controlled conditions / Dissolution / Dissolving / Drills / Experiments / Foraminifera / Fossil assemblages / Fossil Foraminifera / Globigerinoides ruber / Productivity