Paper No. 31
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
SEASONAL VARIATION IN SURFACE POPULATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF SALT MARSH FORAMINIFERA IN THE NISQUALLY DELTA, WASHINGTON
RAYRAY, Shan M., Northern Illinois University, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Davis Hall 312, Normal Road, DeKalb, IL 60115 and BENHAM, Steven, Dept. of Geosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447, srayray@niu.edu
Foraminifera, microscopic shell-forming amoeboid protists, are sensitive to environmental conditions and are useful for environmental characterization. This investigation of the distribution and populations of benthonic foraminifera in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington was conducted to correlate climate and salinity conditions to other temperate deltaic regions. Five genera of benthonic foraminifera were identified from three upper intertidal stations and one mid-intertidal station during June and December, 2008. The upper intertidal zone was dominated by the arenaceous species Trochammina spp. in June and Miliammina fusca in December. The mid-intertidal zone was dominated by Miliammina fusca in June and Trochammina spp. in December. Haplophragmoides spp. was present in small numbers in the upper intertidal zone in June, but was identified in both the upper and mid-intertidal zones in December. The calcareous species, Ammonia spp. was present in small numbers in the upper intertidal zone for both June and December. Quinqueloculina spp. was also present in small numbers in the upper intertidal zone in June, but was found in the mid as well as the upper intertidal zone in December. Foraminifera identified are consistent with those found in similar temperate salt marsh environments. This indicates a correlation with climate and salinity in temperate deltaic environments, and can be useful in future environmental analysis.
