Foraminiferal proxies for environmental monitoring in the polluted lagoon of Santa Gilla (Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

The results from scientific literature evidence that the benthic foraminifera are
\nexcellent indicators to monitoring the marine-coastal environments (Armynot du Châtelet et
\nal., 2004; Coccioni, 2000; Debenay et al., 2000; Kravchuk, 2006; Murray, 2006; Samir & El-
\nDin, 2001; Scott et al., 2005). This study is based on an analysis of eighteen samples of
\nsurface sediment collected in the lagoon of Santa Gilla in October 2006. The physicalchemical
\ncharacterization of waters, geochemical and sedimentological analysis have
\nintegrated the analysis of benthic foraminifera. Statistical analysis revealed a possible control
\nof trace element on the benthic foraminiferal assemblage, faunal density, species diversity and
\nthe development of specific morphological abnormalities.