ROSE BENGAL STAINED BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM A CONTAMINATION GRADIENT IN THE VENICE LAGOON, ITALY

Analysis of vertical distribution patterns of living (rose Bengal stained) foraminifera (>150µm) from the Venice Lagoon, Italy indicate that densities and spatial distribution patterns of some taxa may be influenced by the presence of contaminants in the Lagoon. This study examined the vertical distribution patterns (top 5 cm) and ecology of foraminifera collected in June 2005 and Nov. 2006 on a transect across a contamination gradient. This study is part of an on-going international project (SIOSED). Differences in vertical distribution patterns of different taxa within the Venice Lagoon sediments were noted. Ammonia tepida dominated the surface sediments of the three sites exposed to higher levels of contaminants. Most taxa, including Ammonia parkinsoniana, Aubignyna perlucida and Haynesina germanica had infaunal density maxima. Results of this study provide information about the effects that environmental conditions may have on benthic foraminifera in the Venice Lagoon.