Indian J ournal of Marine Sciences

Vol. 30, September 2001, pp. 173-179

Benthic foraminiferal responses to bottom water characteristics in the Palk Bay,
off Rameswaram, southeast coast of India

1
V Kumar &
2
V Manivannan
1
Department of Geology, National College, Tiruchirapalli-620 001, Tamil Nadu, India
2
Department of Geology, Government College, Salem 636 007, Tamil Nadu, India
Received 29 August 2000, revised 10 May 2001
Recent benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the shallow shelf sediments of the Palk Bay, off Rameswaram were
studied qualitatively and quantitatively. The study revealed that the microfaunal assemblage consisting of 108 benthic fo-
raminiferal species belonging to 50 genera of 27 families. Various bottom water parameters were determined and correlated
with the foraminiferal population and seasonal distribution of living population was evaluated. The ecology and distribution
of eight widespread and abundant foraminiferal species of the study area viz. Spiroloculina communis, Quinqueloculina
seminulum, Triloculina insignis, T. trigonula, Ammonia beccarii, A. tepida, Pararotalia nipponica and Osangularia venusta
were discussed in detail. Increase in temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen content of the bottom water were observed
as favourable factors promoting the abundance of living population in the study area.
Foraminifera occur in marine and brackish water en-
vironments. The occurrence of benthic species is con-
trolled to a great extent by physical factors viz. depth,
temperature, amount of light, turbidity of the water;
chemical factors of water viz., salinity, dissolved
oxygen and available elements; biological factors viz.,
available food supply and character of the bottom
sediments
1-3
. Studies have been conducted on the
ecology and distribution of Recent benthic foraminif-
era from east coast
4-10
and from west coast
11-15
of In-
dia. Naidu et al.
6
reported, after studying the fo-
raminifera from Visakhapatnam harbour complex,
that foraminifera can be used as an indicator for ma-
rine pollution. Sreenivasa Rao et al.
8
studied the dis-
tribution of foraminifera from Nizampatnam bay and
determined four assemblages which are influenced by
distinct environmental conditions prevailed in the area
by means of Q-mode factor analysis. Khare
et al.
15
studied the foraminifera from off Mangalore
and concluded that the distribution pattern of benthic
foraminiferal morpho-groups can be correlated with
fresh water river discharge. The present work was
undertaken to study the influence of bottom water
characters on the foraminiferal population and diver-
sity in general, and ecology and distribution of abun-
dant and widespread foraminifera, in particular.
Materials and Methods
Fifty-two sediment and bottom water samples were
collected at 13 sampling stations, once in three
months, representing four seasons in the year 1987,
from the Palk Bay, off Rameswaram (long. 79 29' to
79 35' E and lat. 9 15' to 9 17'N) (Fig. 1). The sam-
ples were collected in depths ranging from <1 m to
16 m. Unit volume of 25 ml wet sediment from each
sample was preserved in formaldehyde solution and
the living and dead populations of the foraminifera
were quantitatively and qualitatively examined for the
ecological studies
16
.

Fig. 1Map showing location of sampling stations in the Palk
Bay, off Rameswaram, southeast coast of India
INDIAN J . MAR. SCI., VOL. 30, SEPTEMBER 2001


174
The temperature of the bottom water sample was
recorded from the built-in thermometer. A portion of
water sample at each station was preserved according
to Strickland & Parsons
17
to estimate the dissolved
oxygen content. To determine the salinity of water,
chlorinity was estimated and related by Knudsen
equation. The pH values were measured for each of
the water sample using pH meter. Nutrients (silicate,
phosphate, and nitrate) were estimated using methods
described by Strickland & Parsons
17
.

Results and Discussion

Bottom water
Temperature: In the present area, since the samples
were collected from shallow depths, there was no ap-
preciable variation in temperature among the different
stations of a season (Figs 2 and 3). However, there
was an appreciable variation in temperature during
different seasons (Fig. 4). It was generally observed
that the population of living foraminifera was more
when the temperature was high.
Salinity: In the bottom water, off Rameswaram, the
salinity values (Figs 2 and 3) varied from 30 (stations
6, 7 -J anuary) to 35.2 (station 5,7 - J uly). The sa-
linity values did not show any noticeable variations
within the stations in particular season, but there was
a conspicuous variation among different seasons. The
average salinity value was higher during J uly, which
was very closely followed by April (Fig. 4). In the
study area, it was observed that the living population
of foraminifera was more during these two seasons,
which may be attributed, mainly, to salinity values
ranges from 33.6 to 35.2 .
Dissolved oxygen: The distribution of dissolved
oxygen showed a clear seasonal variation in the


Fig. 2Showing the relation between the cumulative percent of widespread and abundant living foraminifera and bottom water
parameters (J anuary and April)
KUMAR & MANIVANNAN: BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSES


175
bottom waters, off Rameswaram (Figs 2-4). The maxi-
mum mean value was observed in the month of April
and the minimum in J anuary. Spatially, there was no
observable variation noticed among the different sta-
tions of a season. The increase in the dissolved oxy-
gen content during April may be due to high photo-
synthetic activities of phytoplankton
1,4
. This increase
in the dissolved oxygen content coincided with the
increase in the living population in the present area, as
reported for Vellar estuary by Ramanathan
19
. It was
considered that the dissolved oxygen content was one
of the important factors governing the standing crop.
pH: According to Phleger
20
hydrogen ion concen-
tration is expected to affect the production of calcare-
ous tests so that at a pH approximately <7, such
forms may not survive. In the present study, the pH
values of the bottom water did not show much varia-
tion spatially and seasonally (Figs 2-4). Since the
fluctuation in the pH values was meager, the water
maintained alkalinity throughout, within the limits of
the tolerance of the fauna. Because of the small varia-
tions in pH, its effect on the distribution of foramini-
fera was not possible of accurate determination.
Nutrients: The variations in the concentration of
nutrients-silicate, phosphate and nitrate constituents
of the bottom waters for the different stations of dif-
ferent seasons are given in Figs 2 and 3. As the distri-
bution of all the nutrients was meager and erratic spa-
tially, the correlation between them and the living
crop cannot be achieved. But it was observed from the
mean values (Fig. 4) that the increase of these nutri-
ents showed an inverse relationship with the popula-
tion.
Foraminifera
The qualitative analyses of sediment samples led to
the recognition of 108 benthic species consisting of


Fig. 3Showing the relation between the cumulative percent of widespread and abundant living foraminifera and bottom water
parameters (J uly and October)
INDIAN J . MAR. SCI., VOL. 30, SEPTEMBER 2001


176
both living and dead fauna. They belong to 50 genera,
27 families and 10 superfamilies
18
. Among the 108
species, 12 species [viz. Rhabdommina scabra,
Ammobaculites exiguus, Textularia agglutinans,
T. aura, T. candeiana, T. conica, T. foliacea, T. foli-
acea occidentalis, T. palustris,. Bigenerina irregu-
laris, Trochammina inflata, and Eggerella advena]
are arenaceous agglutinated (suborder Textulariina),
43 are calcareous porcelaneous [viz. Edentostomina
cul
trata, Spiroloculina angulata, S. communis, S. corru-
gata, S. costifera, Spiroloculina. sp., Vertibralina
striata, Quinqueloculina agglutinans, Q. bicostata,
Q. bidenta compressa, Q. lamarckiana, Q. parkeri,
Q. polygona, Q. pseudoreticulata, Q. rameswarensis,
Q. seminulam, Q. sulcata, Q. tenagos, Q. undulose
costata, Pseudomassilina australis, P. australis re-
ticulata, P. macilenta, Pyrgo elongata, P. sub-
spherica, Triloculina carinata striata, T. insignis,
T. schreiberiana, T. terquemiana T. tricarinata
T. trigonula, Rupertianella rupertiana, Miliolinella
circularis, M. labiosa, Hauerina bradyi, H. fragilis-
sima, Articulina mayori, Parrina bradyi, Peneroplis
plantus, Monalysidium politum, Spirolina acicularis,
S. arietinus, Sorites marginalis and S. orbiculus (Sub-
order Miliolina)] and the rest 53 are calcareous perfo-
rate [viz. Lagena costata amphora, L. gracillima,
L. laevis, L. setigara, L. striata, Guttulina sp,.
Fissurina marginata, Bolivina doniezi, B. lanceolata,
Brizalina lowmani, B. striatula, Rectobolivina glabra,
R. raphanus, Chrysolidinella dimorpha, Reusella at-
lantica, Rosalina globularis, R. valvulata granulosa,
Cancris oblonga, Spirillina vivipara, Ammonia bec-
carii, A. dentata, A. tepida, Asterorotalia inflata,
A. trispinosa, Pararotalia nipponica, P. ozawai,
Pseudorotalia schroeteriana Calcarina umblicata,
Elphidium advenam, E. crispum, E. discoidale,
E. excavatum, E. hispidium, E. incertum, E. limbatum,
E. poeyanum, E. verriculatum, Poroeponoides later-
alis, Cibicides lobatulus, C. refulgens, Planorbulina
mediterranensis, Planorbulinella larvata, Acervulina
inhaerens, Cymbaloporetta bradyi, C. squammosa,
Fursenkoina compressa, F. punctata, Sigmavirgulina
tartuosa, L. limbatum costulata, Florilus boueanum,
F. grateloupi, F. labradoricum and O. venusta (sub-
order Rotaliina)].
Out of the 52 sediment samples collected and ana-
lysed from the Palk Bay, the living foraminifera have
been observed in all the samples (Table 1). The living
population was maximum during April (summer sea-
son) and abundant in the intermediate stations (sta-
tions 4 to 9) irrespective of any season. Among the
108 species identified, only 85 species were found to
be in living condition, which include 9 arenaceous, 34
porcelaneous and the rest 42 were perforate forms.
Among living, only the eight taxa [viz. Spiroloculina
communis, Quinqueloculina seminulum, Triloculina
insignis, T. trigonula, Ammonia beccarii, A. tepida,
Pararotalia nipponica and Osangularia venusta] were
considered to be widespread and abundant in the pre-
sent area since they were found in living condition in
more than 75% of the samples collected and
studied.

Distribution of foraminifera
Out of the 108 benthic foraminiferal species recog-
nised in the Palk Bay, 23 were not found in living
condition and such species are collectively referred as
dead species in the present study. Among the rest
85 which are found living, 9 are arenaceous aggluti-
nated, 34 are calcareous porcelaneous and the rest 42
are calcareous hyaline. The following 8 species are
considered to be widespread and abundantly occur-


Fig. 4Seasonal mean values of living population and bottom
water parameters
KUMAR & MANIVANNAN: BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSES


177
ring since they are found as living in more than 75%
of the samples collected and studied: Spiroloculina
communis, Quinqueloculina seminulum, Triloculina
insignis, T. trigonula, Ammonia beccarii, A. tepida,
Pararotalia nipponica and Osangularia venusta.
The foraminiferal population (living) was found to
be more in the summer season (April). This abun-
dance of population may be positively correlated with
an increase of temperature, salinity and dissolved
oxygen content of the bottom waters. Since there was
no observable variation of these bottom water charac-
ters among different stations of a season, a positive
correlation between them and population cannot be
achieved. Kumar et al.
9
have reported that a silty sand
substrate and higher calcium carbonate content of
sediments favoured an abundant population. The rela-
tion between the cumulative percent of abundant and
widespread living foraminifera and the various bot-
tom water parameters governing them are given in the
Figs 2 and 3.
Spiroloculina communis Cushman & ToddThe
living representatives were absent only in the shore
stations of April and October. Spatially, this species
was found to be abundant in the later half stations (7
to 13) of the traverse. As there was no much variation
in the bottom water parameters among the stations, it
was hard to correlate them with the population of the
species. Temporally, this species had higher popula-
tion in summer and lesser during October. This popu-
lation variation can be very well correlated positively
with the increasing temperature, dissolved oxygen
content of the bottom water. The optimum salinity
value for higher reproduction of this species is be-
tween 33.6 and 34.8.
Quinqueloculina seminulum (Linn)The living
specimens of Q. seminulum occurred in 41 samples.
Spatially, more population was noticed in the middle
segment of the traverse (stations 3 to 9). The living
forms were found to be abundant during April and
minimum during October. The temporal distribution
of this species can be positively correlated with the
higher temperature and dissolved oxygen content of
the bottom water. The optimum salinity value for
higher reproduction was <3. Kumar et al.
9
have
observed that the higher calcium carbonate content of
the substrate was the main controlling factor for the
abundance in the intermediate segment of the traverse.
Triloculina insignis (Brady)The living speci-
mens were absent in the first and last stations of all
the collections. In general, the living specimens were
more concentrated in the intermediate stations (4 to
10). Temporal distribution of the species revealed that
the living population was greater during summer
(April) followed by J anuary. During the monsoon
seasons the living population size was considerably
small. In this area, it was found that the active repro-
duction for T. insignis occurred between J anuary and
April, with more reproductive activity in April.
Triloculina trigonula (Lamarck)The living
population was completely absent in the shore sta-
tion and minimal in the second. The concentrations
were more in the intermediate stations of the trav-
erse. Temporally, the maximum living population
was seen in summer (April) which was followed by
winter (J anuary) while both the monsoons witnessed
a lower living population size. Complete absence of
living forms in the first station as well as the mini-
mum in the second station showed that the near-
shore turbulence caused by the wave action was not
favourable for the thriving of T. trigonula. The
smaller population size during J uly and October may
be due to the monsoon weather and bay depressions.
This species prefers quiet water as in the case of
T. insignis.
Ammonia beccarii (Linne)Phleger & Lankford
21

reported that the reproduction of Streblus beccarii
(Linne) occurs in frequent intervals and is not related
to the season. Boltovskoy
22
stated that Rotalia bec-
carii did not show any seasonal periodicity and as-
sumed that reproduction occurred at frequent intervals
throughout the year. The spatial distribution of this
species in the present area was erratic. Seasonally, the
Table 1Living foraminiferal populations, off Rameswaram (No. of specimens/25 ml. of wet sediment)

Period Station numbers Total
(1987) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
J an 232 665 301 588 363 440 882 1649 2345 1197 605 208 295 9770
April 20 663 1758 1604 2150 2648 1013 1039 195 307 361 315 334 12407
J uly 191 365 1177 1652 334 1170 1025 1585 509 611 550 311 589 10069
Oct 13 812 441 979 1063 1259 1004 656 977 609 222 375 432 8842
Mean 114 626 919 1206 978 1379 981 1232 1007 681 435 302 413

INDIAN J . MAR. SCI., VOL. 30, SEPTEMBER 2001


178
living population size was maximum during SW mon-
soon followed by winter and minimum during NW
monsoon and summer.
Ammonia tepida (Cushman)Spatially, the distri-
bution of A. tepida reveals that they were compara-
tively lesser in the last 3 stations of any traverse.
Temporally, the total living population for a season
was found to be maximum during April, followed by
J anuary and was minimum during October. Brad-
shaw
23
observed from the laboratory experiments that
the reproduction of A. tepida occurred only between
20 - 30C, with optimum conditions from 25 - 30C
and salinity values between 20 40. In the present
study, this species occurs in living condition in almost
all the samples, indicating its tolerance to consider-
able upward and downward fluctuations of environ-
mental factors. The distribution of the fauna of the
present area reveals that the optimum conditions for
the abundance of this species aretemperature
31.5C - 32.6C; dissolved oxygen - 6.0 ml/l; salinity
<34.5and low nutrient values.
Pararotalia nipponica (Asano)The distribution
of P. nipponica reveals that the population was found
to be more in stations between 1 and 7. Temporally,
the population was found to be maximum during
J anuary, followed by J uly and minimum during Octo-
ber. In general, the living specimens were found to be
more in the earlier two stations, moderate in the in-
termediate stations and lesser in the last four stations.
Thus, one of the controlling factors of this species in
the present area was depth. The optimum conditions
for the abundance of living population of P. nip-
ponica are: temperature 26.4 - 26.8C; salinity 30.2 -
30.8 %o and dissolved oxygen 2.8 - 3.6 ml/l.
Osangularia venusta (Brady)The living speci-
mens of O. venusta were more concentrated in the
intermediate stations and were absent in station 13
and minimum in stations 1, 11, and 12 during any
season. Seasonally, living population size showed a
maximum during summer (April - 6271 specimens)
followed by southwest monsoon (J uly - 5611 speci-
mens). The active reproduction of the faunaseemed to
occur irrespective of the season. A correlation of
O. venusta population with different ecological pa-
rameters measured shows that this species is tolerant
of extreme changes of ecological conditions.
The distribution and ecology of widespread and
abundant living foraminifera revealed that among the
eight species, Ammonia beccarii is found to have
maximum reproduction during southwest monsoon
and Pararotalia nipponica during winter. For
Osangularia venusta, the active reproduction seems to
occur irrespective of the season. The other five spe-
cies reproduce actively during summer. In general, in
the present area, the increase in temperature, salinity
and dissolved oxygen content of the bottom waters
are causative factors for the abundance of the living
population.

Acknowledgement
The authors thank the authorities of Fisheries De-
partment, Tamil Nadu for providing motor launch to
collect samples for the present work (Ph.D work of
the first author). They also express their gratitude to
the Head, Department of Geology, University of Ma-
dras, Chennai and the Principal, National College,
Tiruchirapalli for the permission to utilise the labora-
tory facilities.

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