Spatio temporal distribution of foraminifera assemblages in the coastal plain estuary offshore and lagoon sediments of southern kerala india

Abstract

Globally estuaries are more abundant than deltas because of the relatively short time available for coastal sedimentation since the onset of the Holocene sea level high stand However given sufficient time and under conditions of stable sea level and continuous sediment supply all estuaries have the potential to infill their paleo valleys and evolve into deltas The estuaries are considered as ephemeral geological features that are infilled by fluvial and marine sedimentary processes which lead to the development of coastal sedimentary plains newlineThis research work is emphasized to substantiate the classical approaches of investigation quantitative methods of foraminifera distribution and interpretation of geological processes and event with time and space The evolution of the geological features on the surface of the earth is a continuing process and is influenced by tectonics and climate To address the evolution of these features are required for an understanding of the associated processes faunal signatures sediments characteristics on the surface of the earth which provides the clues to reconstruct paleoenvironment In this study the comparative study of continental and marine foraminifers distribution its relationship provides the clue on the Holocene environment newlineThe Kerala state is located on the southern tip of Indian Peninsula and embraces the coast of Arabian Sea on the west and is bounded by the western ghats in the east South Indian state stretches from north to south along the coast line of 580 Km with an approximate breadth of 35 to 120 Km The topography and the geographical relief features are marked by distinct changes from east to west and consist of the western ghats hill and valleys midland plains coastal belt and backwaters and rivers newline newline