Testing benthic foraminiferal distributions as a contemporary quantitative approach to biomonitoring estuarine heavy metal pollution

► Opportunistic/tolerant species can be used to indicate pollution. ► The relative abundance of Quinqueloculina bicostata correlated with toxicity. ► Foraminiferal distribution change was shown to be more influenced by nature than pollution. ► Foraminiferal density increased with % mud fraction (Food supply/energy). ► Foraminiferal diversity decreased with proximity to the sea (c.f. salinity).