COMPARISONS OF ROSE BENGAL STAINED BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM A TRANSECT ACROSS THE VENICE LAGOON, ITALY

Comparisons of living (rose Bengal stained) foraminifera (>150µm) from the Venice Lagoon, Italy indicate that densities and spatial distribution patterns of at least some taxa are influenced by the presence of contaminants in the Lagoon. This study examined a transect across a contamination gradient as part of an on-going international project (SIOSED) that focuses on the effects of sediment redistribution in the Lagoon. Differences in geographic and vertical distribution patterns of different taxa were noted within the Venice Lagoon sediments. Ammonia tepida dominates the surface sediments of the three sites exposed to higher levels of contaminants. Most taxa, including Ammonia parkinsoniana, Aubignyna perlucida and Haynesina germanica have appreciable infaunal densities in the top 3 cm. Results of this study are consistent with collaborative investigations, and provide information about the effects that environmental conditions may have on benthic foraminifera in the Venice Lagoon.