The anthropogenic impact on the western French coasts as revealed by foraminifera: A review

Coastal benthic foraminifera are widely studied as indicators of environmental disturbance. This paper presents a synthesis of the studies that showed correlations between foraminiferal assemblages and various environmental problems along the western French coasts. Pollution in coastal environments may be chronic, resulting from current activities, or may result from accidental events. All the studies show that foraminifera may be used as indicators of pollution after deconvoluting from natural impacts. The most sensitive foraminifera identified by these studies are Haynesina germanica, Ammonia tepida, Cribroelphidium excavatum, bolivinids and Eggerelloides scabrus.