The Response of Benthic Foraminifera and Ostracods to Various Pollution Sources: A Study From Two Lagoons in Egypt

Research Article| April 01, 2000 THE RESPONSE OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AND OSTRACODS TO VARIOUS POLLUTION SOURCES: A STUDY FROM TWO LAGOONS IN EGYPT Ashraf M. Samir Ashraf M. Samir Department of Geology, Alexandria University, P.O. Box 21526, Alexandria, Egypt Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ashraf M. Samir Department of Geology, Alexandria University, P.O. Box 21526, Alexandria, Egypt Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 13 Apr 1998 Accepted: 18 Aug 1999 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2000 Journal of Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2000) 30 (2): 83–98. https://doi.org/10.2113/0300083 Article history Received: 13 Apr 1998 Accepted: 18 Aug 1999 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Ashraf M. Samir; THE RESPONSE OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AND OSTRACODS TO VARIOUS POLLUTION SOURCES: A STUDY FROM TWO LAGOONS IN EGYPT. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2000;; 30 (2): 83–98. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/0300083 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract A study of foraminiferal assemblages was carried out at two Egyptian Nile Delta lagoons. Analysis of surficial sediment samples from Manzalah Lagoon shows enrichment in heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Cd). The environment has become so lethal to foraminifera that no species can currently survive. Among ostracods, only one species (Cyprideis torosa) was found living and able to invade the polluted lagoon region. Samples from Edku Lagoon, which receives only agricultural drainage water, show heavy metal concentrations close to natural baseline levels, and yield living foraminifera. The frequent occurrence of deformed specimens in Manzalah Lagoon, comparable to Edku Lagoon, reveals that: (1) benthic foraminifera are more sensitive to industrial wastes containing heavy metals; (2) agricultural wastes do not significantly harm benthic foraminifera; (3) Ammonia beccarii forma parkinsoniana is less resistant to pollution than forma tepida; (4) morphological abnormalities of the foraminiferal tests depend upon the nature of the pollutant; and (5) benthic foraminifera are less tolerant to pollution than ostracods and molluscs. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.