Preliminary report on the study of benthic foraminiferal content in the marine sediment of Queen Maud Land Shelf, Lazarev Sea, Antarctic

Abstract

During the 4th and 6th Indian Expedition to Antarctica, surface sediment samples were collected from eight stations in the Queen Maud Land Shelf, Lazarev Sea from the depth ranging from 157 to 785 m. The mean biomass of these samples is 3057 + or -209.70 g m-². Out of the total biomass a specific micro-organism namely foraminifera has been the focus for the present study. The relationship between organic carbon in sediments and foraminifera is highlighted in the present study. The ecological interpretation of the foraminiferal population is considered in totality, which is composed of benthic foraminifera as the planktic foraminifera is too meager to be considered for any significant interpretation. The population of benthic foraminifera has been further divided into two morpho-groups namely angular-asymmetrical forms and around-symmetrical forms. The results (though preliminary) show an inverse relationship between the organic carbon content and total benthic foraminifera, whereas a direct relation exists between the organic carbon content and angular-asymmetrical forms of benthic foraminifera. Such studies, if further strengthened, may have their bearing on marine environment assessment around Antarctica.