Distribution of Sediment and Benthic Foraminifera in the Gulf of Venice, Italy

Sedimentary provinces and foraminiferal biotopes from the Gulf of Venice, northern Adriatic, have been determined based on 174 sampling sites. The sediment distribution is primarily due to longshore transport. The foraminiferal biotopes are largely controlled by the interaction between the marine and lagoonal water masses. The distributions of benthic foraminifera and sedimentary provinces do not correlate directly, but sediments and foraminifera reflect the characteristics and behaviour of the water masses. Areas of dumped industrial solid wastes show no effect on the distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages which are influenced primarily by water quality.