Benthic Foraminifera Distribution in Surface Sediments of Qatari Waters, Arabian Gulf PDF

Keywords

water depth, benthic foraminifera, Qatar

Abstract

Benthic foraminifera from surface samples collected from the sea floor of Qatari waters, Arabian Gulf, were analyzed during this study. Thirty-nine species were identified and two foraminiferal assemblages were recognized. The Upper offshore assemblage is characterized by Quinqueloculina poeyana, Quinqueloculina peregrina, Quinqueloculina spp., Textularia cushmani, Textularia foliacea and Textularia spp. and occupies a water depth between 5 and 20m. The lower offshore assemblage is characterized by Quinqueloculina poeyana, Quinqueloculina pergina, Quinqueloculina spp. Ammonia beccarii, Cibicides cf. C. fletcheri and Eponides murrayi, and occupies a water depth more than 20 m. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were more abundant and diverse in the lower offshore area then in the upper offshore area