Relict benthic foraminifera in surface sediments off central east coast of India as indicator of sea level changes

Abstract

An attempt has been made to reconstruct sea level variations along the central east coast of India during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. A total of 39 surface sediment samples collected from water depth range of 270-2,777 m were studied for foraminiferal content. The samples within the depth range of 36-110 m showed presence of relict foraminiferal tests along with recent foraminifers. The relict foraminiferal assemblage of Amphistegina, Operculina, Calcarina and Alveolinella in the selected surface samples is characteristic of coral reef environment and has been inferred as evidence for past low sea levels. Based on extrapolation of previously published radiocarbon dates from the region, we propose a pliable sea level curve for the period between approx. 9,000 to approx. 14,000 years BP.