Distribution of benthic foraminifera, sediment characteristics and its environmental conditions in and around Manalmelkudi Spit, Palk Strait, Tamil Nadu, East coast of India

Abstract

Total numbers of species are abundant in the deeper depths (5.0 mts to 8.0 mts).The total foraminiferal specimens (living+ dead) were encountered in all the samples collected from offshore region Core, River, Beach. Total number of foraminifer’s species shows that the lowest species diversity is noticed in River sample and the highest species diversity in offshore sample. Living dead ratio ranges from 0.7 to 4.39 %. It indicates a lower rate of sedimentation in this region. Organic matter values are ranging from 0.9% to 2.4% in the offshore samples. The higher organic matter values are observed particularly in the river mouth region. In both the core samples, the top of the core received more number of organic matter 4.83% for core- I and 7.74% for core –II. Middle and bottom of the core received lesser organic matter. In beach samples the CaCO₃ values ranges from 9.8 and 10.2%. The CaCO₃ observed in the river mouth region ranges from 3 to 6.5%..