The Effects of Heavy Metal Concentrations in The Çanakkale Strait (Turkey): Morphological Differences in The Holocene Foraminiferal Assemblages

In this study have been investigated the effects of heavy metals on foraminiferal assemblages in Çanakkale Strait. For this purpose, core samples were collected from 12 locations in the Çanakkale Strait. With the consideration of the faunal and sedimentological properties of the samples have been showed that the Çanakkale Strait is completely has rich marine foraminifer populations. The abnormalities observed of foraminifer the yellow and/or black colored shells have been due to natural and anthropogenic ecological pollution. In the present study the pollution index (PI) values were calculated to bring to light the heavy metal pollution. Especially in the ports, Morphological abnormalities and the color changes have been seen at shales of benthic foraminifer genera and species. Morphological changes were observed in Elphidium crispum, Massilina secans, and Ammonia compacta foraminifer species in the core samples taken in areas where ports in the Çanakkale Strait. Especially Morphological changes were observed in Elphidium crispum, Massilina secans, and Ammonia compacta foraminifer species in the core samples taken in areas where ports in the Çanakkale Strait. The pollution index (PI) value measured in Ports have been higher than the critical value, indicating that heavy metal concentrations affect the foraminifera