Marine Science Faculty Publications
Distribution of Heavy Metals and Foraminiferal Assemblages in Sediments of Biscayne Bay, Florida, USA
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2008
Keywords
ammonia, archaias, copper, lead, mercury, zinc
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.2112/06-0666.1
Abstract
Heavy-metal pollution is an issue of concern in estuaries influenced by agriculture, urban, and harbor activities. Foraminiferal assemblages have been shown to be effective indicators of pollution. Sediment samples (n = 110) from Biscayne Bay were analyzed for heavy metals, foraminiferal assemblages, and grain-size distribution. Highest Cu, Zn, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Ni concentrations were found closest to Miami and near the mouths of several canals along the western margin of the bay. Few samples exceeded limits of possible biological effects as defined by previous studies. Ammonia and Cribroelphidium, two known stress-tolerant genera, correlated positively with Cu, Zn, Hg, and Ni (r ≥ 0.43). Symbiont-bearing foraminifers, Archaias, Laevipeneroplis, and Androsina, correlated negatively with Cu, Zn, Hg, and Ni (r ≤ -0.26).
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Coastal Research, v. 24, issue 1, p. 159-169
Scholar Commons Citation
Carnahan, Elizabeth A.; Hoare, Ana M.; Hallock, Pamela; Lidz, Barbara H.; and Reich, Christopher D., "Distribution of Heavy Metals and Foraminiferal Assemblages in Sediments of Biscayne Bay, Florida, USA" (2008). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 940.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/940
