Abstract
From the shallow region off the central west coast of India, 21 samples of surface sediments (ranging in depth from 22 to 52 m) along with two sediment cores of 4.80 m and 4.00 m (surface/subsurface) have been analyzed for foraminiferal composition and diversity. A total of 177 species have been identified and illustrated by scanning electron photo micrographs. Seventy-two genera, 47 families, 26 super families and 5 sub orders are represented. In order to have insight into paleoclimatic changes in this region, quantitative spatial distribution data was generated for morpho-groups (angular-asymmetrical and rounded-symmetrical). The distribution revealed less abundance of angular-asymmetrical forms at the river mouth thus indicating an inverse relationship of angular-asymmetrical morpho-groups with river discharge (low salinity water). The reverse is true for rounded-symmetrical forms. The down core profiles of these parameters revealed major wet periods at around 3200 years BP and 1000 AD separated by a dry spell at around 2000 years BP. Our inference is in agreement with the climatic conditions reported elsewhere in the world.
