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BenthicForaminifera

Benthic foraminifera as indicators of heavy metal pollution - a new kind of biological monitoring for the Mediterranean Sea
NUMBER: AVI-CT-1992-0007
Start Date: 01/05/1993 End Date: 01/05/1996
SUMMARY: (01/05/1996)

Morphological deformities in foraminiferal tests have been noted since the last century. Deformities have been related to a number of natural environmental factor and also to pollution in marine environment (heavy metal, domestic sewage, hydrocarbon). In polluted areas, foraminifera can display a wide variey of deformities caused by pathological morphogenesis, including extreme compression, double apertures, twisted coiling, aberrant chamber shape and protuberances.

Hypothesis tested during the research project.
Selected biologically active heavy metals might damage the foraminiferal cytoskeleton and cause morphological deformities independent of taxonomy and mode of life.An increase in abundance of deformed tests among the examined species would delineate areas with elevated concentrations of heavy metals in sediments: a low cost monitoring method, more easily available than spectrometers and other sophisticated technologies in many Mediterranean countries.

Objectives:

  • to study the taxonomy, mode of life and morphotypes of living deformed foraminifera

  • to examine the quantitative distribution of living deformed foraminifera

  • to differentiate the morphological deformities in each species

  • to verify the possible relationship between living deformed forams and oceanographic and sedimentological parameters

  • to test the response of living deformed foraminifera to particula biologically active heavy metals and possibly identify the proxy indicator species of marine pollution.

Summary of methods.
The Iskenderun Bay (Eastern Turkey) and the Haifa and Atlit Bay (Israel) have been selected for this study. One spring cruise and one winter cruise have been carried out along the Turkish and Israeli coasts. A total of 454 grab samples have been collected and studied for sedimentology, heavy metal content, living (Bengal rose) benthic foraminiferal associations, size of normal and deformed foraminifera, type and frequency of deformation. Oceanographic data (temp., salin., depth, DO, pH, turbidity) and chlorophyll-a at each station have been also recorded.

Summary of results.
Benthic Foraminifera respond to elevated concentrations of certain heavy metals by changes in their test morphology, size and chemistry. Each species of Foraminifera has its own threshold of sensitivity to different environmental parameters and to different types of pollution.
Foraminifera have several defense mechanisms of protections from xenobiotics. The decrease in population density and the deformation of the tests show that different levels of these biological barriers have been breached.
Test deformities of live benthic foraminifera are regarded to be sensitive in situ monitors of marine pollution by heavy metals.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
ACHIEVED RESULTS: (01/05/1996)

In the selected coastal areas of Turkey and Israel, we obtained:

  • complete data set of oceanographic parameters: temperature, salinity, depth, DO, pH, turbidity.
  • the distribution and abundance of chlorophyll-a
  • the complete data set and correlations for:
  • grain size distribution,
  • clay mineralogy
  • carbonate content
  • organic matter content
  • heavy metals in sediments
  • the Foraminifera community structure and distribution at the studied coastal areas of Turkey and Israel (more than 300 species)
  • the complete data set for deformed forams:
  • species
  • abundance
  • size
  • type of deformation
  • type of reproduction
  • the correlation between foraminifera and natural environmental parameters: the major controlling factor of the distribution of the assemblages in Iskenderun Bay is the substratum. A minor role is played by other environmental parameters such as organic matter, dissolved oxygen and, locally, the fresh-water input.
  • the geochemical and morphological characteristics of normal versus deformed foraminiferal tests: deformed tests show higher Mg/Ca ratio and S
  • relationship between type of reproduction and deformation: the majority of deformed specimens is megalospheric (=asexual reproduction) as a response to stress from heavy metal pollution
  • the discovery of seven defense mechanisms against xenobiotics in Foraminifera
  • the correlation between the occurrence and increased frequency of deformation in some species of benthic Foraminera and the concentration of some heavy metals in the sediments.
AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS:

 

Avsar, N., Basso, D., Spezzaferri, S., Meric, E. and Yanko, V., 1995 - Taxonomy and spatial distribution of benthic foraminifera in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. 2nd Intl. Symposium on The Geology of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Jerusalem, 27 Aug. - 1 Sept., 1995: 2 (Abstract book).

Avsar, N., Yanko, V. and Kronfeld, J., 1997 - The influence of tectonic movements on distribution of late quaternary foraminifera in Iskenderun Bay. The first Intl. Conf. "Application of micropaleontology in environmental sciences", Tel Aviv, 15-20 June, 1997: 33 (Abstract book).

Basso, D., Spezzaferri, S., Yanko, V., Koral, H. and Avsar, N., 1994 - Cruise AVI-II 92: preliminary data from the Iskenderun Bay (Turkey). Rend. Accademia dei Lincei, 4: 233-245.

Basso, D. and Spezzaferri, S., 2000 - The distribution of living (stained) benthic foraminifera in Iskenderun Bay (Eastern Turkey): a statistical approach. Boll. Soc. Paleont. It., in press.

Bresler, V. and Yanko, V., 1994 - Study of the Eastern Mediterranean coastal environment. Ecotoxicology of benthic foraminifera and methods of determination of toxic action (experiment study). The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 61-63.

Bresler, V., and Yanko, V., 1994 - Cytophisiological approaches to the detection of xenobiotics action on benthic foraminifera. Berkeley, FORAMS ‘94, Abstract Volume: 26.

Bresler, V., and Yanko, V., 1995 - Acute toxicity of heavy metals for benthic epiphytic foraminifera Pararotalia spinigera (Le Calvez) and influence of seeweed-derived DOC. J. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 14:1687-1695.

Bresler, V., and Yanko, V., 1995 - Chemical ecology: a new approach to the study of living benthic epiphytic foraminifera. J. Foram. Res. (25) 3: 267-279.

Bresler, V., Yanko, V., and Fishelson, L., 1996 - New methodological approach for detection of early responses to environmental pathology and clastogenecity in marine biota. The ecosystem of the Gulf of Aqaba in relation to the enhanced economical development and the peace process - III. Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, 22-25 January, 1996: 27.

Bresler, V., Yanko, V. and Fishelson, L., 1997 - In situ visualization and quantitative examination of structural organization, specific functions, metabolism and genetic alterations at molecular and cellular level. The first Intl. Conf. "Application of micropaleontology in environmental sciences", Tel Aviv, 15-20 June, 1997: 44-45 (Abstract book).

Bresler, V., Yanko, V. and Gasith, A., 1995 - Transport systems of xenobiotics in Mediterranean animals and their ecological significance. 2nd Intl. Symposium on The Geology of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Jerusalem, 27 Aug. - 1 Sept., 1995: 3 (Abstract book).

Butenko, V., Godfrey-Smith, D.I., Kronfeld, J., Ne’eman, E. and Koral, H., 1996 - The use of radiocesium as a tracers of marine sediment transport in the Eastern Mediterranean. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual meeting, Denver, Colorado, 28-31 October, 1996: 117 (Abstracts with Programs).

Butenko, V., Koral, H., Motnenko, I., Ne’eman, E., Kronfeld, J., and Brenner, S., 1994 - Study of the Eastern Mediterranean coastal environment: Chernobyl 4-derived radiocesium in bottom sediments of Iskenderun and Haifa Bay. The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 48-50.

Butenko, V., Koral, H., Yanko, V., Motnenko, I., Ne’eman, E. Kronfeld, J. and Brenner, S., 1994 - Radiocesium and the sedimentology of Haifa Bay. The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 25-27.

Butenko, V., Koral, H., Yanko, V., Motnenko, I., Ne’eman, E., Kronfeld, J. and Brenner, S., 1994 - Radio-Cesium and the sedimentology of Haifa Bay. First Mediterranean Conference for Radiation Protection. Athens, April, 1994, Abstract Volume.

Butenko, V., Koral, H., Yanko, V., Ne’eman, E. and Kronfeld, J., 1994 - Radiocesium isotope study in marine sediments from eastern Mediterranean coast. 1st Mediterranean Congress on Radiation Protection. Athens, 5-7 April, 1994: 50 (Abstract book).

Butenko, V., Ne’eman, E., Yanko, V., Koral, H., and Kronfeld, J., 1994 - Radiocesium in marine sediments from eastern Mediterranean. First Mediterranean Conference for Radiation Protection. Athens, April, 1994, Abstract Volume.

Butenko, V., Kronfeld, J., Ne’eman, E. And Koral, H, 1995 - Comparative study of Cs-137 in the bottom sediments of Iskenderun Bay (Turkey) and Haifa Bay (Israel). 2nd Intl. Symposium on The Geology of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Jerusalem, 27 Aug. - 1 Sept., 1995: 13 (Abstract book).

De Capitani L., Lacerenza S. and Basso D., 1997 - Heavy metals as tracers of pollution in the sediments of the Iskenderun Bay (Turkey). Geoitalia 1997. Bellaria, 5-9 October 1997. Plinius, 18: 94-95 (Abstract book).

De Capitani L., Basso D. and Lacerenza S., 2000 - Distribution of heavy metals in the sediment of the Iskenderun Bay (Turkey). Chemie der Erde, in press.

Koral, H., Avsar, N., Yanko, V. and Kronfeld, J., 1997 - Tectonic movement in Iskenderun Bay affects the distribution of the benthic foraminifera. Intl. Symp. The late Quaternary in the eastern Mediterranean, M.T.A. General Directorate, Ankara, 1-4 April, 1997: Abstract book.

Koral, H., Kronfeld, J. and Avsar, N., 1997 - Tectonic uplift of Iskenderun Bay (northeastern Mediterranean Sea) during late Pleistocene-Holocene time. EUG 9, Strasbourg, 23-27 March 1997: 406 (Abstract book).

Kravchuk, O.P., Motnenko, I., Penciner, J., Kronfeld, J. and Yanko, V., 1997 - The geological environment of the northern Israeli shelf and its affect on foraminifera. The first Intl. Conf. "Application of micropaleontology in environmental sciences", Tel Aviv, 15-20 June, 197: 74-75 (Abstract book).

Kronfeld, J., Yanko, V., Vogel, J.C., Quadru, C., Avsar, N. and Koral, H., 1996 - Major Holocene tectonic uplift in Iskenderun Bay, easternmost Mediterranean sea. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual meeting, Denver, Colorado, 28-31 October, 1996: A395 (Abstracts with Programs).

Penciner, J., Kronfeld, J. and Motnenko, I., 1995 - Marine sedimentation and heavy metal geochemistry, Haifa Bay region. 2nd Intl. Symposium on The Geology of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Jerusalem, 27 Aug. - 1 Sept., 1995: 13 (Abstract book).

Spezzaferri, S., Basso, D. and Koral, H., 1998 - Paleoceanographic evolution and biotic response as a result of river mouth diversion: an example from the Iskenderun Bay (eastern Turkey). Intl. Conf. On Paleoceanography. Lisbon, 23-28 August 1998.

Spezzaferri, S. and Basso, D., 2000 - Holocene palaeoceanographic evolution of the Iskenderun Bay, South-Eastern Turkey, as a response to river mouth diversions and human impact. Mediterranean Marine Science, 1 (1): 19-43.

Yacobi, Y.Z., Parparov, A. and Yanko, V., 1994 - Eutrophication indicators in Haifa Bay: their intensity and spatial distribution. The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 67-70.

Yanko, V., 1994 - Aspects of benthic foraminiferal ecology in Haifa Bay. The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 61-63.

Yanko, V., 1995 - Benthic foraminifera as indicators of pollution in the eastern Mediterranean. Rapport du XXXIV Congres de la CIESM, Malta, 34:118.

Yanko, V., 1995 - Use of benthic foraminifera for the monitoring of trace metals pollution along northern Israeli shelf. 2nd Intl. Symposium on The Geology of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Jerusalem, 27 Aug. - 1 Sept., 1995: 27 (Abstract book).

Yanko, V., 1996 - Benthic foraminifera as indicators of heavy metals, fuel, ash and domestic sewage pollution. The ecosystem of the Gulf of Aqaba in relation to the enhanced economical development and the peace process - III. Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, 22-25 January, 1996: 101-102.

Yanko, V., 1997 - Benthic foraminifera as bioindicators of stress environment: anthropogenic problems - foraminiferal solution. The first Intl. Conf. "Application of micropaleontology in environmental sciences", Tel Aviv, 15-20 June, 1997: 117-119 (Abstract book).

Yanko, V., Ahmad, M. and Kaminski, M., 1998 - Morphological deformities of benthic foraminiferal tests in response to pollution by heavy metals. FORAMS ’98, Abstract Volume: 116.

Yanko, V., Ahmad, M. and Kaminski, M., 1998 - Morphological deformities of benthic foraminiferal tests in response to pollution by heavy metals: implications for pollution monitoring. J. Foram. Res. (28) 3: 177-200.

Yanko, V., Arnold, A.J. and Bresler, V., 1995 - Morphological abnormalities in foraminiferal tests: response to heavy metal pollution along the Israeli coast, eastern Mediterranean. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, 6-9 November, 1995: A244 (Abstracts with Programs).

Yanko, V. and Avsar, N., 1997 - Response of benthic foraminifera to pollution by heavy metals in the eastern Mediterranean. GEOENV ’97, Istanbul, 1-5 September, 1997: 210 (Abstract book).

Yanko, V., Bresler, V. and Hallok, P., 1994 - Defence and transport systems against xenobiotics in some benthic foraminifera. Israeli J. of Zoology, 40:114.

Yanko, V., Cita, M.B., Meric, E., Avsar, N., Basso, D., Bresler, V., Butenko, V., Koral, H., Kronfeld, J., Motneko, I., Ne’eman, E., Parparova, R., Penciner, J., Spezzaferri, S. & Yacobi, Y., 1994 - Study of the Eastern Mediterranean coastal environment, the framework of the Avicenne International Program. The Mediterranean continental margin of Israel, Sixth annual symp., Haifa, April 1994: 25-27.

Yanko, V., Cita, M.B., Spezzaferri, S., Basso, D., Avsar, N. & Meric, E. 1994 - Benthic foraminifera of the Eastern Mediterranean (distribution, taxonomy, ecology and test morphology), Berkeley, FORAMS ’94, Abstract Volume: 67.

Yanko, V., Debenay, J.P. and Bresler, V., 1998 - Benthic foraminifera as indicators of marine environmental change. FORAMS ’98, Abstract Volume: 117.

Yanko, V. and Kravchuk, O., 1996 - Geological situation and specifics of sedimentological process in Haifa Bay. Geological recreation of Ukraine. Ed. Tolstoy M.I., Odessa, Astroprint. 174-176 (in Russian).

Yanko, V. and Kronfeld, J., 1992 - Low magnesian calcitic tests of benthic foraminifera chemically mirror morphological deformations. Fourth Intl. Conf. On Paleoceanography, Kiel, 21-25 September 1992: 308 (Abstract book).

Yanko, V. and Kronfeld, J., 1993 - Trace metal pollution affects the carbonate chemistry of benthic foraminiferal shell. Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences, 24th Annual Meeting, Tel Aviv, 21-22 June 1993 (Abstract book).
URL: -
TOPICS 3310 Coastal areas, 6400 Monitoring, 1700 Water pollution
KEYWORDS Benthic_foraminifera, Deformations, Heavy_metal_pollution, Monitoring, EastMed_coastal_areas, Chemical_ecology
 
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