Distribution of Pararotalia calcariformata McCulloch on the Turkish coastline

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were investigated in 28 surface samples taken from the south-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Alien species Edentostomina cultrata (Brady), Pyrgo denticulata (Brady) Articulina alticostata Cushman, Sorites orbiculus (Forskål), Bulimina biserialis Millett, Cymbaloporetta plana (Cushman), Amphistegina lobifera Larsen and Pararotalia calcariformata McCulloch, which are originated from the Indo-Pacific were recorded in the samples

The effect of heavy metal pollution on foraminifera in the Western Marmara Sea (Turkey)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heavy metals on foraminiferal assemblages in Holocene sediments in the western Marmara Sea. Accordingly, four drilling samples, one in Bandirma (Balikesir/Turkey), two in Erdek Bay (Erdek-Bandirma/Turkey) and one in Teldrdag (Turkey). Samples of cores taken from 43 different locations in the western Marmara Sea also have been examined. Changes in heavy metal concentrations were determined (spatially) in the vertical direction by means of drilling samples in the vertical direction for geochronology and in the horizontal direction by the areal distribution of the core samples, and foraminiferal assemblages were identified. In order to summarize the results of geochemical analyses, an average value defined as Pollution Index (PI) was used for the first time in this study. In this method, the pollution index value is obtained by dividing the sum of average value ratios of heavy metal measurement values by the number of measurements. The obtained index value was correlated separately with the numbers of foraminifer individuals and species. It was observed that the number of individuals and species decreased where the heavy metal measured values (MV) were higher than the pollution index and increased where the heavy metal values were lower than the pollution index. It was also observed that foraminifera were completely absent in some locations where PI was less than MV. Morphological changes were observed in Elphidium crispum, Massilina secans, and Ammonia compacta foraminifer species in the core samples taken in areas where industrial wastes are discharged into the southern parts of the Marmara Sea. No foraminifer species were observed at some locations where the heavy metal density was high (between Misakca-Denizkent, and Erdelc-Balikesir). The pollution index (PI) value measured in this area was higher than the critical value, indicating that heavy metal concentrations affect the habitats of foraminifera. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Commission [NKUBAP.00.17.AR.13.06, NKU.BAP.00.17.AR.15.05]The author also thanks Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Commission for accepting and financing the scientific studies (Project no: NKUBAP.00.17.AR.13.06 and Project no: NKU.BAP.00.17.AR.15.05)

Ponto-caspian and mediterranean faunal and floral records of upper pleistocene-holocene sediments from the Izmit Gulf (Marmara Sea, Turkey)

Izmit Gulf is located between Kocaeli and Armutlu peninsulas at east of Marmara Sea and the interaction area of North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) and Marmara Graben systems. In this study, the faunal and floral contents (ostracod, foraminifer, mollusc and diatom) of the samples belonging to seven drilling cores were studied and obtained the radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age data in order to establish on the Black Sea -Marmara Sea - Mediterranean water connections and palaeoenvironmental changes. The sediments in this study are Late Pleistocene-Holocene aged and only cover the Marine Isotope Stages MIS-5 (interglacial), MIS-3 (an interstadial period between MIS-4 and MIS-2 glacial epochs) and MIS-1. The determination of ostracod and mollusc fauna of the Mediterranean and Ponto-Caspian origin provide important clues to water exchange between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Although some Mediterranean originated ostracods occur sporadically with low abundance, absence of foraminiferal fauna and existence of Ponto-Caspian ostracods together with fresh water and cosmopolitan diatom flora indicate that the area strongly interacted with the Black Sea waters during MIS-5. The faunal and floral characteristics of the sediments deposited during MIS-3, clearly denote that the Izmit Gulf was connected with the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea at the beginning of MIS-3 (ca. 52.0 - 40.0 ky BP) and the shallow shelf areas were frequently affected by both the Black Sea discharge and Mediterranean input. A thick Holocene sedimentary sequence recovered from the southern Hersek Burnu drilling cores reflects the environmental changes after the latest Black-Mediterranean seas connection. The studied ostracod and mollusc assemblages are mainly characterized by the Mediterranean originated species with a few relict Ponto-Caspian fauna. Also, the benthic foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by normal marine and euryhaline species, reflecting the salinity fluctuations in the Holocene interval

Eolianite and coquinite as evidence of MIS 6 and 5, NW Black Sea coast, Turkey

This paper discusses the implications of a lowstand carbonate eolianite and overlying transgressive sequence of coquinite at Şile on the Turkish Black Sea coast based on composition, depositional characteristics and optical age estimations. The cross-bedded eolianite is a mixed ooid quartz grainstone in composition, yielding a depositional age matching MIS 6. It formed at the backshore of the paleobeach with the supply of sediment the from the beach face and offering insights into the drift of mixed shallow marine carbonates and siliciclastics together with radial ooids by onshore winds from a subaerially exposed high- to low-energy ooid shoals and oolitic sand complexes which developed parallel to the shoreline on the shallow shelf margin. During this lowstand, a low-relief dune retaining a record of opposing paleowind directions than that of prevalent northeasterly winds of today appears to have been lithified to form dune rock (aeolinite) under drier conditions compared to the present. Coinciding with MIS 5e, shallow marine coquina beds resting unconformably on the eolianite indicate the occurrence of the Mediterranean transgression during the last interglacial, as confirmed by benthic foraminifera within the high-salinity tolerant coquina shells.Publisher's Versio