Benthic foraminifera and trace element distribution: A case-study from the heavily polluted lagoon of Venice (Italy) |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1047 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway;2. Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalleén 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway;3. Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway;1. Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;2. Department of Geosciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA;1. MARUM — Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, 28359 Bremen, Germany;2. Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. box 1028 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway;3. Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Institute for Geology, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;4. Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany;5. Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Hafenstraße 43, 25992 List/Sylt, Germany;1. Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel;2. School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, England, UK;3. The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada National Park, Israel;4. Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel;5. Marum- Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany;6. Geological Survey of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel |
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| Abstract: | Living benthic foraminiferal assemblages were studied in surface samples collected from the lagoon of Venice (Italy) in order to investigate the relationship between these sensitive microorganisms and trace element pollution. Geochemical analysis of sediments shows that the lagoon is affected by trace element pollution (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) with the highest concentrations in its inner part, which corresponds to the Porto Marghera industrial area. The biocenosis are largely dominated by Ammonia tepida, Haynesina germanica and Cribroelphidium oceanensis and, subordinately, by Aubignyna perlucida, Ammonia parkinsoniana and Bolivina striatula. Biotic and abiotic factors were statistically analyzed with multivariate technique of cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The statistical analysis reveals a strong relationship between trace elements (in particular Mn, Pb and Hg) and the occurrence of abnormalities in foraminiferal tests. Remarkably, greater proportions of abnormal specimens are usually found at stations located close to the heaviest polluted industrial zone of Porto Marghera. This paper shows that benthic foraminifera can be used as useful and relatively speedy and inexpensive bio-indicators in monitoring the health quality of the lagoon of Venice. It also provides a basis for future investigations aimed at unraveling the benthic foraminiferal response to human-induced pollution in marine and transitional marine environments. |
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