title: Distribution of trace metals and the benthic foraminiferal assemblage as a characterization of the environment in the north Minjiang River Estuary (Fujian, China).
abstract: A study of the total benthic foraminifera was carried out in 173 surficial sediment samples collected from the north Minjiang River Estuary and two bays. Foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by Ammonia tepida and subordinately by Elphidium advenum. Trace metal analyses reveal that the study area is unpolluted to moderately polluted with As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The metal distribution has an affinity with fine-grained sediment. Five metal groups are recognized based on their distribution patterns: (1) As, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ni, V, and Zn, (2) Hg, Pb, and Sb, (3) Ba and Zr, (4) Rb and Y, and (5) Sr. The species-environment relationship showed that the species composition is adversely influenced by Cr, Cu, Ga, Pb, Rb, Zn, and Zr, whereas sand may exert a positive influence on Quinqueloculina. This study supports the adaptability of using benthic foraminifera as bio-monitors of trace metal pollution in marginal marine environments.
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: lukelitao80@163.com.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Ministry of Land and Resources, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xuejie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hexian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Ministry of Land and Resources, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chupeng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Ministry of Land and Resources, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guihua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510760, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D063366:Estuaries; D056908:Foraminifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Benthic foraminifera; Minjiang River Estuary; Multivariate statistical analysis; Self-organizing map; Trace metal pollution