Benthic foraminifera and geochemical assessment of Puravadaiyanar and Vettar estuaries, Karaikal, south east coast of India-Implication for pollution monitoring studies

A total of 24 surface sediment samples were collected from Puravadaiyanar and Vettar estuary. In the Puravadaiyanar estuary, 47 foraminifera and in Vettar estuary, 26 benthic foraminiferal species have been identified. The species, Ammonia beccarii, A. tepida, A. dentata, Nonionoides elongatum, Elphidium advenum, E. discoidale, Cribrononion simplex, Trochammina inflata,and Quinqueloculina seminulumshows a prolific abundance in both region. Puravadaiyanar estuary records comparatively high value of organic matter in most of the stations. The contamination factor of the trace elements of sediment sample from the Puravadaiyanar estuary is Co>Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Fe>Mn>Cr and in Vettar estuary Co>Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Fe>Mn>Cr. Factor analysis clearly reveals that fine particles and organic matter control the distribution metals in the sediments and organic matter act as a metal carrier in this region. These studies indicate geogenic origin of most of the elements. The impact of heavy metal pollution on benthic foraminifera was very less in the study area.