Benthic foraminiferids as pollution indicators in Southampton Water, southern England, U.K

A study of heavy metals in estuarine sediments and foraminiferal tests along with foraminiferal distributions from Southampton Water indicates that:a) heavy metals have a marked effect upon foraminiferid distribution. Some species are able to tolerate pollution and their relative abundance increases...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of micropalaeontology 1991-08, Vol.10 (1), p.109-113
Main Authors: SHARIFI, A.R, CROUDACE, I.W, AUSTIN, R.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Copper
Cores
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental indicators
Exact sciences and technology
Heavy metals
Pollution
Pollution effects
Pollution indicators
Pollution, environment geology
Relative abundance
Sediments
Soil testing
Water pollution
Zinc
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Summary:A study of heavy metals in estuarine sediments and foraminiferal tests along with foraminiferal distributions from Southampton Water indicates that:a) heavy metals have a marked effect upon foraminiferid distribution. Some species are able to tolerate pollution and their relative abundance increases at discharge points, whereas other species develop test deformities. Investigation of cores show that no deformed specimens exist within sediments prior to the introduction of pollution.b) deformed specimens contain higher levels of elements such as Cu and Zn than non-deformed specimens. This indicates that heavy metals may be responsible for the abnormalities within foraminiferid tests. Culture experiments support this hypothesis. Specimens of Ammonia beccarii (Linné) developed abnormal chambers over a period of 12 weeks within a culture medium containing 10–20ppb of Cu.
ISSN:0262-821X
2041-4978
2041-4978
DOI:10.1144/jm.10.1.109