Correlation between textural characteristics of marine sediments and benthic foraminifera in the suape port (PE-Brazil): An environmental study

Abstract

The establishment of the largest industrial port complex of the Brazilian northeast, Suape Port (PE-Brazil), which caused geomorphological, sedimentary and environmental changes. This study investigate the influence of the Suape Port built on Benthic Foraminifera and your influence on marine sediments (calcium carbonate, total organic matter, grain size). To achieve it seven samples were selected from each representative local subenvironment. Thirty-six Foraminifera genera were identified, with the largest number of Rotaliidae Order. The dominant species are Ammonia tepida and A. parkinsoniana. Diversity values were higher near the inner shelf, with the lowest value in the region of the port that undergoes successive dredging. Sand grains prevail (85.3-99.8%); with the exception of the region of the dredged channel of the Tatuoca River that shows high percentage of clay (30.6%) and the highest percentage of silt (36.2%). Lithoclastic sediments are predominant, with average CaCO3 contents of 21.95%. Coarser grain size are absent of foraminifera, which can be associated to the strong dynamics of currents and the partial breaking of the reefs for implantation of the port The Suape lagoon. As well as the inner shelf, that presented higher percentage of mud correlated to organic matter, which reveals a positive influence on the values of diversity. The sample from dredged channel of the Tatuoca River showed less diversity probably due to the environmental stress from the reworking of sediments. Opportunistic species were dominant closer to the coast, and deeper stations, located in the shelf and closer of beachrocks show higher values of diversity, contributing to point out the marine influence and the water renovation for the environmental quality.