Effects of radionuclides on the recent foraminifera from the clastic sediments of the Çanakkale Strait-Turkey

The Ra-226 series, the Th-232 series and the K-40 radionuclides accumulate naturally and increase continuously due to anthropogenic pollution. Although the Ra-226 values obtained in the study areas remained within normal limits according to UNSCEAR values, the K-40 and Th-232 series values were observed to be high in almost all locations. The values of Cs-137 were found to be maximum 20 in Çanakkale Dere Port and they were parallel to the values in the other places. In the study, 13 genera and 20 species were identified from core and drilling samples. The number of foraminifera species and individuals obtained at locations with high pollution was very low compared to those in non-polluted zones.