Distribution of recent foraminifera in high energy environment from the Strait of Bonifacio, Sardinia (Italy)

BUOSI, CARLA;Armynot Du Châtelet, E;Cherchi, A.

2010-01-01

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Abstract

The ecology of benthic foraminifera is related to the physical and chemical conditions of the bottom environment. Since foraminifera have a short life cycle and big density, they react quickly to environmental changes and can be used as bio-indicators for ecological investigations. This is true for both short and long time-scales and for various marine ecosystems (impacted by pollution, for instance). The understanding of the impact of natural parameters on benthic foraminifera distribution is a obliged prerequisite, before describing anthropogenic impact. More concrete knowledge about the various environmental parameters and their connected benthic foraminiferal community response is presently needed. A better understanding of the mechanisms that determine the distribution of associations in natural environments will allow promoting the use of foraminifera in environmental monitoring to decision-makers and governmental bodies. In this study, we investigate the relationships between the benthic foraminifera (species composition, population density and diversity, assemblage structure and spatial distribution pattern) and environmental parameters (depth, grain size, organic matter). These investigations are based on 31 samples collected in the Strait of Bonifacio. On the basis of a preliminary results, the spatial distribution of the foraminiferal assemblages appears to be strongly correlated to high hydrodynamic energy, sediments grain-size, organic matter content and bathymetry. These natural parameters appear to drive natural benthic changes that should be taken in account before studying polluted coastal environments.