THE USES OF FORAMINIFERA AS BIOINDICATOR FOR POLLUTION

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلفون

Ain Shams University, Faculty of Education, Program: Department of Geological Sciences.

10.21608/aash.2025.458403

المستخلص

Benthic foraminifera, unicellular marine protists, exhibit a globally extensive distribution, high
population densities, and significant species richness. Their robust tests (shells) are readily
preserved within sedimentary archives, providing a detailed historical record. Furthermore,
their demonstrated sensitivity to environmental perturbations renders them valuable
bioindicators in paleoenvironmental and modern ecological change studies.
Benthic foraminiferal assemblages are increasingly employed as bioindicators of environmental
disturbance, as their sensitivity to pollutants manifests in compositional shifts, providing
valuable insights into ecosystem health. This study focused on assessing the impact of both
organic and inorganic pollutants, noting that Ammonia tepida is recognized as a pollutiontolerant
species.
Ammonia tepida is consistently documented across numerous polluted sites, indicating its
potential as a robust bioindicator species. The species' preference for fine-grained, organic
carbon-rich sediments may explain its observed dominance in these impacted environments.
Morphological abnormalities, including twinned or reduced chambers, coiled or uncoiled
shells, surface protrusions, irregular suture lines, and test dissolution, are frequently observed in foraminiferal tests from polluted regions. Over the past decade, there has been a significant
increase in laboratory culture studies aimed at elucidating foraminiferal responses to specific
pollutants. These controlled experiments have facilitated improved differentiation between
natural and anthropogenic environmental alterations. Furthermore, the Uvigerina jacksonensis,
Bulimina jacksonensis, and Nonion scaphum are relevant to environmental studies.

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