Comparison between the dead and living benthic foraminiferal assemblages in Aveiro Lagoon (Portugal)

Author(s)
Maria Virgínia Alves Martins, Johann Hohenegger, Fabrizio Frontalini, Paulo Miranda, Maria Antonieta da Conceição Rodrigues, João Manuel Alveirinho Dias
Abstract

This work provides a comparison between living (LAs) and dead (DAs) benthic foraminiferal assemblages in 53 sampled sites located in intertidal and subtidal areas of Ria de Aveiro (Portugal).The results of multivariate statistical analysis provide evidence for the main factors that control the distribution of DAs and LAs, which seems to correspond to different gradients of marine/continental influence, conditioned by differences in the hydrodynamics of tidal currents. In addition to these factors, the LAs are clearly influenced by the total organic carbon, biopolymers and pollutants. The main factor that however drives the high level of agreement or the degree of disorder between the DAs and the LAs seems to be the hydrodynamics. The highest level of agreement between the DAs and the LAs is found in sheltered inner lagoon areas, out of the tidal currents strongest influence. This study shows an interesting application of advanced statistical analysis to study the similarity between LAs and DAs aiming to identify the zones or conditions of a coastal system in which the DAs can potentially be a better record of Las. Through similar studies conducted in coastal systems it is possible to select the most suitable sites to collect cores in view of the development of paleoenvironmental studies.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology, Dean's office of the Faculty of Life Sciences
External organisation(s)
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, University of Aveiro, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", University of Algarve
Journal
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
Volume
455
Pages
16-32
No. of pages
17
ISSN
0031-0182
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.05.003
Publication date
08-2016
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Oceanography, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Earth-Surface Processes, Palaeontology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c9d87264-e9c0-46fb-99a8-86f91619c737