Abstract

This study was conducted in the area adjacent to the Apodi River Incised Valley, near the city of Areia Branca, RN, Brazil. The objective was to evaluate the responses of foraminiferal associations to environmental aspects. Ten surface sediment samples were collected from the northern shelf of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, along with the measurement of abiotic parameters. Granulometry (represented by silt content) was found to have the least influence on the dispersion of foraminiferal species, while physical water variables, mainly depth, showed a greater impact. An important observation in the northern region of the state was the absence of a single species dominating all stations. Instead, some stations were dominated by Quinqueloculina lamarckiana, while others were dominated by Amphistegina gibbosa.

Keywords

foraminifera, bio indicators, incised valley, Apodi River, abiotic data