Benthic Foraminifera are Useful Bioindicators of Heavy Metal and Organic Enrichment in Northern Temperate Coastal Zones: An Executive Summary Review

Joshi, N., Arya, P.C., and Saulnier-Talbot, É., 2024. Benthic foraminifera are useful bioindicators of heavy metal and organic enrichment in northern temperate coastal zones: An executive summary review. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 926-930. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Benthic foraminifera are known to respond to naturally occurring and anthropogenically induced stresses. A considerable body of literature exists describing the effects that contamination by heavy metal and organic enrichment have on these organisms in coastal environments. Our analysis of the literature since 1980 shows that metal enrichment leads to deformations and altered foraminiferal test chemistry, whereas organic enrichment tends to mostly affect foraminiferal abundance and community structure, with little evidence for morphological effects. This review highlights the usefulness of the ecological response of foraminifera in assessing the current and long-term state of ecosystems of temperate benthic coastal environments, especially in the context of increased heavy metal and organic contamination by anthropogenic activities.