Joshi, N.; Montero-Serrano, J.-C.; Lefebvre, C., and Saulnier-Talbot, É., 0000. Tracking pre- and post-industrialization changes in the Bay of Sept-Îles, Canada, using foraminifera as bioindicators.

A multiproxy analysis of a short sediment core retrieved from the Bay of Sept-Îles (Quebec, Canada) allowed for better understanding of changes in geochemical composition and foraminiferal assemblages during the pre- and post-industrial periods (i.e. before and after 1900 Common Era [CE]). The vertical distribution of the major elements suggests that environmentally consequential colonial activities in Sept-Îles began around the 1860s CE. Elemental analysis showed fluctuations in metal concentrations, with marked shifts in iron, manganese, and calcium levels between the pre- and post-industrial periods. Furthermore, a synchronous shift from calcareous to agglutinated foraminifera suggests a stressful environment for the calcareous species, potentially influenced by factors such as calcium limitation and carbonate dissolution. Species belonging to the genera Reophax and Miliammina and Spiroplectammina biformis showed tolerance of the changing environmental conditions within the bay. Overall, the findings emphasize that none of the element concentrations is above contamination threshold but rather that the shift in the source provenance and escalation in the relative prevalence of metals, especially iron, demands careful consideration because it potentially signifies alterations of environmental conditions. Moreover, the results highlight the sensitivity of foraminifera to environmental changes and their utility as bioindicators of stress in coastal marine ecosystems, providing valuable insights into past and present conditions of the Bay of Sept-Îles and other similar environments.

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