ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, ABU-QIR BAY, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2011 ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, ABU-QIR BAY, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Rehab Elshanawany; Rehab Elshanawany 6 1Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Klagenfurter Strasse, D-28334 Bremen, Germany2Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse, D-28359 Bremen, Germany3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt 6Correspondence author. E-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mohamed I. Ibrahim; Mohamed I. Ibrahim 3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yvonne Milker; Yvonne Milker 4University of Hamburg, Geological-Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerhard Schmiedl; Gerhard Schmiedl 4University of Hamburg, Geological-Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nadia Badr; Nadia Badr 3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Suzan E. A. Kholeif; Suzan E. A. Kholeif 5National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Qayed Bay, Alexandria, Egypt Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Karin A. F. Zonneveld Karin A. F. Zonneveld 1Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Klagenfurter Strasse, D-28334 Bremen, Germany2Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse, D-28359 Bremen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Rehab Elshanawany 6 1Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Klagenfurter Strasse, D-28334 Bremen, Germany2Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse, D-28359 Bremen, Germany3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt Mohamed I. Ibrahim 3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt Yvonne Milker 4University of Hamburg, Geological-Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Gerhard Schmiedl 4University of Hamburg, Geological-Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Nadia Badr 3Faculty of Science, Baghdad St., Moharam Bey 21511, Alexandria University, Egypt Suzan E. A. Kholeif 5National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Qayed Bay, Alexandria, Egypt Karin A. F. Zonneveld 1Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Klagenfurter Strasse, D-28334 Bremen, Germany2Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse, D-28359 Bremen, Germany 6Correspondence author. E-mail: [e-mail] Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 26 May 2010 Accepted: 05 May 2011 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2011 Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2011) 41 (4): 326–348. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.41.4.326 Article history Received: 26 May 2010 Accepted: 05 May 2011 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Rehab Elshanawany, Mohamed I. Ibrahim, Yvonne Milker, Gerhard Schmiedl, Nadia Badr, Suzan E. A. Kholeif, Karin A. F. Zonneveld; ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, ABU-QIR BAY, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2011;; 41 (4): 326–348. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.41.4.326 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract The present study examines the foraminiferal distribution in recent bottom sediments of Abu-Qir Bay located along the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria, Egypt. Abu-Qir Bay receives substantial amounts of heavy metals from the surrounding industrial area, as well as agricultural and domestic effluents, which makes it one of the most polluted areas along the Mediterranean coast. Information provided by the benthic foraminiferal associations was integrated with geochemical, sedimentological, and water data to characterize the environments. The benthic foraminifera are recognized as potential indicators of pollution in coastal marine environments. Surface sediment samples were collected in two seasons (May and November) from nine sites. Cluster analysis and Canonical Correspondances Analysis reveal a distinct boundary that separates two areas; the more-polluted stations nearshore, and the less-polluted stations offshore The first area is characterized by sediment with high silt and clay content and rich in total organic carbon, and bottom water with relatively high temperatures, but low in dissolved oxygen, salinity, transparency, and pH. Its foraminiferal fauna is dominated by Ammonia tepida, Quinqueloculina lata, and Porosononion spp., which are species considered as pollution opportunists. The second area is characterized by coarser sediment overlain by bottom waters high in dissolved oxygen, and transparent, saline, cold water, and is dominated mainly by Quinqueloculina vulgaris, Elphidium spp., Asterigerinata mamilla, Rosalina macropora, Ammonia beccarii, Triloculina trigonula, Peneroplis pertusus, and Quinqueloculina spp. Heavy-metal pollutants have a deleterious effect on benthic foraminifera that results in reduced population diversity, increased dominance, and deformed tests. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.