Quantitative análisis of benthic foraminiferal assemblages at South Atlantic Site 1263 provided
information about paleobathymetry and changes in benthic foraminiferal faunas across the Eocene-Oligocene
boundary. Benthic foraminifera indicate an upper abyssal depth (~ 2000 m). Changes in relative abundances
of Epistominella exigua, Epistominella vitrea, Globocassidulina subglobosa and Nuttallides umbonifera,
probably indicate variability in seasonality of export productivity, bottom current intensity and carbonate
corrosivity. The transition into glaciation event Oi-1 is characterized by highly seasonal productivity, Oi-1
itself by less variability, probably at fairly active bottom currents