Benthic Foraminifera as bio-indicators of anthropogenic impacts in coastal environments: Acqua dei Corsari area case study (Palermo, Italy)

Mar Pollut Bull. 2017 Apr 15;117(1-2):75-87. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.032. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Abstract

This study investigates living benthic foraminiferal assemblages as bio-indicators of anthropogenic activities in a coastal area within the Gulf of Palermo (Sicily, Italy), affected by industrial and urban activities, and evaluates the environmental quality through the calibration of a Tolerant Species index (%TSstd). Sediments from 6 stations were sampled along a bathymetric transect from the coast to offshore. Sediment grain size, TOC, major, minor and trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were compared to benthic foraminiferal assemblages and species at each station. Diversity and density of benthic foraminiferal assemblages were not affected by the presence of pollutants, while tolerant species increased with organic (TOC and PAHs) or chemical (As and Pb) concentrations. Moreover, the calibration of the %TSstd formula to >125μm foraminiferal assemblage, gives a detailed description of environmental quality along the transect, representing a good and sensitive tool to evaluate marine coastal environment.

Keywords: Benthic Foraminifera; Bioindicators; Marine pollutants; Sicily; Tolerant species index.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Foraminifera*
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis*
  • Italy
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Trace Elements / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis

Substances

  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Trace Elements
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical