Spatial distribution and assemblage structure of foraminifera in Nayband Bay and Haleh Estuary, North-West of the Persian Gulf

The spatial distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblage of Nayband Bay and Haleh Estuary in the North-West of the Persian Gulf, was explored during 2011-2012. The relationship between spatial pattern of foraminifera assemblages and the ambient factors (i.e. water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, sediment grain size distribution, sediment organic content, and CaCO3 concentration of sediments) was measured. The most abundant benthic foraminifera species which were found in the studied area include Ammonia beccarii, Eponides repandus, Quinqueloculina sp., Elphidium sp. The two most abundant species belongs to Rotaliidae family. The specimen groups presented in the study area were somehow the same, and their relative abundance did not vary tremendously in sites consisting of foraminifera assemblages. The fauna shows affinities to those of the southern coastline of the Persian Gulf and also the Oman Sea. The BIO-ENV analysis identified temperature, salinity, pH, and total organic matter as the major environmental variables influencing the infaunal pattern. Generally foraminiferal populations were sparse in the study area, which may be due to the low depth and consequently, low distribution of foraminiferal specimens.