THE TAXONOMIC DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AROUND OF ALIBEY AND MADEN ISLANDS (AYVALIK-BALIKESİR)

Abstract

Four cores were collected from different localities and depths around the Alibey and Maden Islands (northwestern Ayvalýk). 91 young sediment samples obtained from these cores were analysed for their foraminiferal content. 42 genera and 77 species of foraminifers, belonging to 22 families and 19 subfamilies were identified. Agglutinated species were found to be rare, however species with calcareous test were represented with 18 families and 74 species. Observation of large benthic foraminifer species in abundance suggests the presence of submarine springs with high CaCO3 content, which might be the results of broken faultlines. Accordingly, plenty of large sized (>0.5mm) Peneroplis, Lobatula, Ammonia, Challengerella and Elphidium individuals were observed. Besides, gypsum crystals observed in one of the core samples were suggested to be caused by the high temperature characteristics of these submarine springs. The aim of this study is to figure out the recent and near past foraminiferal assemblages, the distribution patterns of the species related to ecological conditions and compare the study area with nearby localities.