SUBTIDAL FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB DELTA, KUWAIT, ARABIAN GULF

Abstract

Other| October 01, 1998 SUBTIDAL FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB DELTA, KUWAIT, ARABIAN GULF Abdallah Z. Al-Zamel; Abdallah Z. Al-Zamel Department of Geology, College of Science, Kuwait University Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Omar H. Cherif Omar H. Cherif Department of Geology, College of Science, Kuwait University Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Journal of Foraminiferal Research (1998) 28 (4): 327–344. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.28.4.327 Article history received: 10 Nov 1997 accepted: 30 Apr 1998 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Abdallah Z. Al-Zamel, Omar H. Cherif; SUBTIDAL FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB DELTA, KUWAIT, ARABIAN GULF. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 1998;; 28 (4): 327–344. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.28.4.327 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract The foraminiferal fauna of the subtidal and tidal creek sediments of the western Mesopotamian shelf comprises 46 species including 0.17% Textulariina (agglutinated forms), 22.2% Miliolina (porcellaneous forms), 0.45% Lagenina and 77.1% Rotaliina. Cluster analysis of quantitative data on the distribution of tests of foraminiferal species in samples distinguished three assemblages related to major salinity variations and physiographic setting: 1) a tidal creek assemblage, including a typical Nonion association similar to that mentioned by Murray (1991) (found in low salinity areas), 2) an assemblage distributed over the eastern offshore of Bubiyan Island and around the island of Failaka, facing the open sea of the Mesopotamian shelf, including an atypical Nonion association with shallow shelf, subtidal faunal elements (found over regions of relatively “normal” Gulf salinities, but still affected by fresh-water influxes from Shatt Al-Arab), and 3) an assemblage distributed on the southern offshore region of Bubiyan Island and on the shore facing Kuwait Bay (found in relatively turbid waters with almost “normal” salinities), including an Ammonia/Asterorotalia association.The Nonion association, characterizes estuarine and lagoonal environments in coastal regions subjected to meso- or macrotidal regime. The Ammonia/Asterorotalia association is usually found in the Indian Ocean in shallow shelves with normal marine conditions and in sediments rich in organic carbon.The most stress resistant species in the studied fauna are those adapted to low salinities: Quinqueloculina poeyana, Pseudononion japonicum, Ammonia cf. aberdoveyensis and Ammonia elegans. They are conspicuously abundant in the tidal creeks. “Open marine” subtidal forms, which are less stress resistant, are Spiroloculina rotundata, Asterorotalia dentata and Challengerella bradyii. Both seem to favor Kuwait Bay. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.