Publication Date:
2008
Description:
〈b〉Foraminiferal response to environmental changes in Kiel Fjord, SW Baltic Sea〈/b〉〈br〉
A. Nikulina, I. Polovodova, and J. Schönfeld〈br〉
eEarth, 3, 37-49, doi:10.5194/ee-3-37-2008, 2008〈br〉
The living benthic foraminiferal assemblages in Kiel Fjord (SW Baltic Sea)
were investigated in the years 2005 and 2006. The faunal studies were
accomplished by geochemical analyses of surface sediments. In general,
sediment pollution by copper, zinc, tin and lead is assessed as moderate in
comparison with levels reported from other areas of the Baltic Sea. However,
the inner Kiel Fjord is still exposed to a high load of metals and organic
matter due to enhanced accumulation of fine-grained sediments in conjunction
with potential pollution sources as shipyards, harbours and intensive
traffic. The results of our survey show that the dominant environmental
forcing of benthic foraminifera is nutrients availability coupled with human
impact. A comparison with faunal data from the 1960s reveals apparent
changes in species composition and population densities. The stress-tolerant
species 〈i〉Ammonia beccarii〈/i〉 invaded Kiel Fjord. 〈i〉Ammotium cassis〈/i〉 had disappeared that reflects apparently the
changes in salinity over the last 10 years. These changes in foraminiferal
community and a significant increase of test abnormalities indicate an
intensified environmental stress since the 1960s.
Print ISSN:
1815-3836
Electronic ISSN:
1815-3844
Topics:
Geosciences
