title: Benthic foraminiferal assemblages and trace metals reveal the environment outside the Pearl River Estuary.
abstract: We investigated the distribution patterns of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages outside the Pearl River Estuary in relation to trace metals, organic carbon and sedimentary particle fractions. The study area is unpolluted to moderately polluted by Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn and is completely polluted by Ni. The highest levels are found in the western coastal zone. Spatial distributions of the measured elements are strongly related to the behavior of the sedimentary clay fraction. The analyses of species abundance and community diversity as well as subsequent canonical correspondence analysis were used to reveal the relationship between foraminifera data and environmental parameters. Four sampling site groups established by factor analysis were distributed from the coastal area to the inner shelf. Their distribution patterns have a strong correlation with Cu, Pb and Ba. This research shows that benthic foraminifera can be used as bioindicators of trace metal pollutants outside the Pearl River Estuary.
authors: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China; South China Sea Marine Engineering Surveying Center, State Oceanic Administration, Guangzhou 510300, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: lukelitao80@163.com.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Li
authors: South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510301, People's Republic of China.
authors: Rong
authors: R
authors: Xiang
authors: South China Sea Marine Engineering Surveying Center, State Oceanic Administration, Guangzhou 510300, People's Republic of China.
authors: Tuanjie
authors: T
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D056908:Foraminifera / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Benthic foraminifera; Pearl River Estuary; Population characteristics; Statistical analysis; Trace metal