Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Recent Colored Benthic Foraminifers and Their Mineralogical and Geochemical Features in the Aegean and Southwestern Mediterranean (Gökçeada-Bozcaada-Mitilini Islands and Antalya) Coasts

Abstract: This study was performed on the recent foraminiferal samples of totally 49 collected fromGökçeada surroundings, southwestern Bozcaada, eastern Mitilini in the northeast of Aegean Sea in and in different points of shores in the southwest of Antalya. Total 24 genus and 41 species offoraminifers with colored shells were distinguished in the four regions. d(104) reflection and MgCO3contents) of calcites vary between 2.979-3.035 Å and 0.33-19.00 % mole, respectively. Mg/Ca andSr/Ca ratios of whole shells have values of 2.95-51.51 and 1.45-10.44. The values are normalized byconsidering maximum and minimum concentrations are respectively due to colorful and colorlessforaminifer shells in the chemical analyses from whole shells and their surfaces. The enrichments inamounts of particularly metallic elements concern with absorption depending on qualitative andquantitative of shell structures although the variations are also related to mineralogicalcompositions of shells. It can be considered that the ions transferred in hot waters coming fromactive faults in the sea-floor and/or the ions transported with cold waters releasing from land areenriched in the sea, and finally they caused an abnormal contamination within the shells and/orsecondarily richness during metabolism by livings.