Foraminiferal assemblages and their use as indicators of sediments movement: a study in the shelf region off Navapur, India

Abstract

Factor analysis of 60 species of foraminifera from 13 stations off Navapur, reveals three major assemblages - Ammonia annectens, Ammonia papillosus-Asterorotalia dentata and Ammobaculites persicus assemblages. These assemblages are governed by fresh water runoff and organic matter content in the sediments. A comparison of living and dead tests distribution of important assemblages indicates movement of sediment towards east southeast and thus a current. The study is particularly important for predicting net sediment transport and planning and designing for offshore structures. The method adopted to decipher current-sediment transport may be useful in other areas where data on long-term movement of current or sediment transport are not available