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Grain-Size Analysis
Lidz and Hallock (1998, 2000) have shown that the carbonate
sediments contain a record of spatial and temporal trends in composition that are reliable indicators of
changes observed in the dominant calcifying benthos and hence reflect changes in benthic community
structure and function.
Grain-size analysis revealed that most samples were poorly sorted, especially those from the vicinity of Black Point, and that samples at 15 of the 38 sites were composed of >90% sand, ranging from medium to very fine in texture. The muddiest samples (>50%) were confined to small areas in the upper bay. Fine sands were predominant in samples from the Dinner Key Marina and Snake Creek areas. Correlation of the grain-size and foram data indicated that grain size does not affect distribution of benthic forams.
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U. S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
