潮滩沉积物重金属累积特征研究进展

在分析总结国内外潮滩重金属研究现状和成果的基础上，指出潮滩重金属来源的定量分析尚很不完整；沉积物的物质组成、粒径、水动力作用、潮滩生物、河流输入量、人类活动等都对重金属在潮滩的分布有着重要影响。在垂岸方向，重金属从高潮滩到低潮滩含量逐渐降低，反应了水动力以及粒径对潮滩重金属的分布的控制；沿岸方向，淤涨岸段，重金属含量低，排污口严重影响着重金属的沿程分布，重金属含量随离排污口的距离增大而呈指数减少；垂向方向，在许多地方重金属分布与人类活动、经济发展状况相吻合。生物活动使潮滩重金属的累计特征变得复杂，改变了潮滩局部的微环境。与国内外河口重金属研究相比，潮滩重金属的研究远远不足。沉积物中重金属常用研究方法，如Tes sier地球化学相连续提取法、Meso cosm模型，以及数值和现场模拟的方法的应用，对潮滩重金属的研究将有很大帮助。在潮滩重金属的污染评价中，生物标准较其它标准更为适合。     

长江口现代潮滩沉积物粒度特征及其在沉积相识别中的应用

本研究通过对长江口现代潮滩6个柱状样沉积物的粒度精细分析,试图提取研究区潮滩沉积相识别的粒度敏感指标,并通过对长江三角洲南部平原一个全新世钻孔(SL67孔)潮滩沉积物的粒度研究,检验现代沉积粒度敏感指标在全新世钻孔潮滩沉积相识别中的应用。研究显示,长江口现代高潮滩和中潮滩的黏性颗粒(8μm)和粗粉砂(32~63μm)含量差异显著,可以成为区分高潮滩和中潮滩的敏感组分;在开敞型的中、低潮滩之间,砂(63μm)和细粉砂含量(8~32μm)也差异明显。长江口现代潮滩沉积物的粒度频率曲线及众数值也可以有效协助区分高潮滩、中潮滩和低潮滩沉积物。利用上述粒度敏感组分和众数指标检验SL67孔全新世早中期在海平面波动控制下的潮滩演替过程,并揭示了7.5 cal ka BP前后的一次海平面加速上升事件。     

长江口北支潮滩不同沉积微相有机地球化学元素分布*

利用在长江口崇明岛北支北四滧港（SY）、北堡港（BBG）以及新卫村（XW）潮滩获取的表层沉积物,测试总有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）及总硫（TS）含量,分析有机地球化学元素在潮滩微相的分布规律及影响因素,试图建立TOC/TN、TS/TOC等潮滩微相识别指标。研究结果显示,影响长江口潮滩TN、TS微相分布的重要因素为有机质含量及类型。在淤涨型潮滩,TOC/TN在高潮滩一般大于10,在中潮滩明显降至10以下;中潮滩植被带TS/TOC最高,平均值达0.063,其次为高潮滩互花米草带和中潮滩光滩（分别为0.055和0.054）,高潮滩芦苇带最低;TS-TOC一元线性回归斜率在高潮滩芦苇带呈现为显著低值,自高潮滩米草带向光滩,逐渐增大。在侵蚀型潮滩,TOC/TN从高潮滩到低潮滩均大于10,而且中、低潮滩的比值大于高潮滩,潮下带骤降至小于10;TS/TOC自陆向海逐渐增大,TS-TOC一元回归斜率高潮滩最低,中潮滩最高。另外,侵蚀型潮滩各微相的TS-TOC一元线性回归斜率均明显低于淤涨型潮滩。上述研究结果表明,长江口沉积物的TOC/TN和TS/TOC及TS-TOC一元线性回归斜率与潮滩沉积微相之间存在一定的关系,具有应用于全新世钻孔识别潮滩沉积物微相的潜力。     

如东县紫菜养殖对潮滩地貌的冲淤影响

在放射性核素210Pb测年分析的基础上,综合运用沉积物粒度、沉降板测量及遥感影像解译等方法,对如东县紫菜养殖前后潮滩沉积环境尤其是潮滩地貌的冲淤变化进行了初步探讨.研究结果表明:在以年计算的长时间尺度上,紫菜养殖对潮滩地貌的冲淤不会产生明显影响,紫菜养殖区沉积物的沉积速率符合自然状况下沉积物的沉积速率,这一变化规律与紫菜养殖区沉积物粒径变化规律相一致.但在紫菜养殖期间,由于网帘、竹竿的架设及紫菜对水动力的阻滞作用,会大大加速该区域潮滩的沉积,此期间紫菜养殖区呈淤积状态;而一旦进入非紫菜养殖期间,潮滩在水动力作用的冲刷下又将恢复到原来的自然状态,滩面保持冲淤平衡,这一变化规律与沉降板泥沙厚度测量及遥感影像分析结果互为印证.因此,潮滩紫菜养殖本身并不会对养殖区潮滩地貌的冲淤变化产生明显的影响,但养殖紫菜期间所引起的频繁人类活动,在一定程度上会加速该区域低潮滩的侵蚀.     

长江口现代潮滩表层沉积物磁性特征和自生铁硫化物的分布*

以长江口崇明岛北支潮滩的3个潮滩为对象,在粒度测量和磁性分析的基础上,揭示了现代潮滩表层沉积物的磁性变化,探讨了磁性矿物、尤其是自生亚铁磁性矿物—硫复铁矿（Fe₃S₄）在潮滩沉积微相的分布规律及机制。研究结果表明：长江口潮滩表层沉积物的磁性特征由亚铁磁性矿物及超顺磁颗粒(SP)主导。淤积型中高潮滩磁铁矿以单畴(SD)和SP为主,侵蚀型潮滩的中低潮滩则更多假单畴/多畴(PSD/MD)晶粒,反映了水动力的分选及以细颗粒矿物溶解为主的早期成岩作用。此外,最东侧的北四滧港剖面潮上带—高潮滩芦苇带普遍存在自生亚铁磁性硫复铁矿,北堡港和新卫剖面的高潮滩也局部存在硫复铁矿,反映了本区高潮滩—潮上带丰富的有机质及细颗粒沉积物、加上有限的海水淹没时间,是早期成岩作用过程中生成硫复铁矿的主要机制。     

苏北潮滩湿地不同生态带碳、氮、磷分布特征*

通过对比苏北潮滩湿地不同生态带的表层以及柱状沉积物中总有机碳、总氮、总磷和有机磷含量,并结合不同植被不同植株部位中碳、氮、磷的含量变化,分析了潮滩沉积物中碳、氮、磷的垂向和水平分布特征与规律,探讨了不同生态带以及潮滩植被对碳、氮、磷等生源要素的富集作用。对比分析结果表明:苏北潮滩湿地各生态带对不同的测量指标有着不同的富集作用,互花米草滩的总有机碳、总氮和有机磷含量要远大于其他几个生态带,光滩沉积物中总磷的含量最高; 粒度效应是控制互花米草前缘地带以及互花米草滩沉积物中有机碳和氮分布的一个重要因素,盐蒿和芦苇滩中有机碳和氮的分布更多的是受粒度之外的其他因素影响; 不同生态带表层沉积物中的C/N比值分布,大致可反映其有机物来源的差异,而不同生态带中柱状沉积物中的C/N比值相对接近,很难根据C/N比值大小来对不同生态带中的有机物来源进行判断,这可能是埋藏在柱状沉积物中的有机物更多的受到了早期成岩作用造成的。植被对潮滩湿地中碳、氮、磷的分布有着重要影响,3种物质在互花米草、盐蒿和芦苇中的含量差别不是很大,因此潮滩植被对沉积物中上述3种物质的贡献差别主要是由不同植被的生物量和其所处环境的沉积动力差异造成的。     

杭州湾潮滩沉积物黏土矿物空间差异与物源指示

通过对杭州湾潮滩沉积物中主要黏土矿物成分及组合类型的研究,分析了杭州湾潮滩沉积物黏土矿物的空间分布特征。借助聚类分析等手段,同时结合杭州湾水动力特征,探讨了研究区黏土矿物的来源和成因。研究结果表明,杭州湾潮滩表层沉积物主要为黏土质粉砂,其余为砂质粉砂。本区沉积物黏土矿物成分复杂,主要为伊利石,其次是高岭石和绿泥石;还有少量蒙皂石和蛭石及1.4 nm过渡矿物。根据其相对含量可分为3种组合类型:Ⅰ型为伊利石-高岭石-绿泥石-蛭石类-蒙皂石型,Ⅱ型为伊利石-绿泥石-高岭石-蒙皂石-蛭石类型,Ⅲ型为伊利石-高岭石-绿泥石-蒙皂石-蛭石类型。在空间上,北岸的蒙皂石和绿泥石平均含量高于南岸,而伊利石、高岭石和蛭石(含1.4 nm过渡矿物)平均含量则低于南岸。高潮滩和中潮滩黏土矿物对比,除了蒙皂石含量高潮滩大于中潮滩外,其他矿物含量均无明显规律。表层沉积物黏土矿物的分布特征与水动力条件和物质来源密切相关,杭州湾北岸乍浦以东潮滩受潮流和长江沿岸流影响明显,沉积物主要为长江和东海源的;南岸由于曹娥江和甬江两条河流的注入,流域物质所占比例明显比北岸高。柱状岩芯样品中各黏土矿物含量自下而上的变化则反映了物源区风化强度的波动特征。     

潮滩剖面形态与泥沙分选研究进展

潮滩剖面形态与多组分泥沙分选是海岸动力学与河口、海岸地貌学的重要研究内容,对保持生物多样性、研究沉积历史和沿海工程评估等具有重要的实际意义。从现场观测、理论解析和数值模拟等方面,归纳了在潮滩剖面形态特征与多组分泥沙分选方面研究的主要进展。回顾了潮滩剖面形态分别在潮流和波浪主导下的经典理论解析解,剖析了包括潮流、波浪泥沙来源及特性等主要影响因子以及植被、海平面上升、围垦工程等其他影响因子对潮滩剖面形态水平向、垂向泥沙分选过程的作用机理,同时提出了考虑水动力、生物作用、人类活动等多因子耦合作用下潮滩演变研究以及定量化预测方向的若干亟待解决的科学问题。     

南通近海潮滩表层沉积物重金属含量特征与生态风险评价

基于南通近海(洋口港—吕四)潮滩特点布设潮滩断面并采集表层沉积物,根据样品汞、镉、铅、砷、铬等7种重金属元素含量测试结果,分析研究区沿海潮滩表层沉积物主要重金属元素含量特征,并与江苏其他滨岸地区潮滩沉积物的重金属含量进行对比,初步探讨2009—2012年南通沿海滩涂表层沉积物重金属含量变化与元素的相关性。采用潜在生态危害指数法评价南通近海潮滩表层沉积物中7种重金属元素的潜在生态危害系数及潜在生态风险。南通潮滩表层沉积物重金属含量分布均匀,且低于江苏省苏北其他地区沿海潮滩的沉积物含量。7种重金属元素的相关分析表明,Cu与Pb、Zn具有较好的相关性,Pb与Cd、Hg的相关性最差。潜在生态危害指数法评价表明,南通近岸潮滩表层沉积物7种重金属潜在生态危害系数均属低生态危害范畴,近岸海域(洋口港—吕四段)潮滩表层沉积物环境质量总体较好。     

潮滩沉积记录正演模拟初探*

以江苏中部海岸潮滩沉积为原型,提出了获取潮滩沉积记录中沉积层保存潜力信息的正演模拟方法。模拟结果显示,在沉积物供应恒定的条件下,随着潮滩的不断淤长,岸线淤进速率逐渐减小,潮滩滩面的沉积速率逐渐降低,而潮滩层序中的泥质沉积的厚度向海逐渐增厚。沉积层保存潜力的计算结果显示,潮滩上保存潜力在高潮位附近和潮下带的较低部位为最高,可达80 ％ 以上,潮间带下部存在着低值区,保存潜力低于20 ％ ,与前人在潮间带进行的现场观测结果相近。对研究方法经进一步细化(如考虑滩面坡度和粒度分布变化、波浪和风暴潮作用、潮沟摆动等因素),并与反演方法相结合,可望更好地解释沉积记录中的环境演化信息。     

黄河入海泥沙沉积固结过程抗侵蚀性变化研究

河口入海泥沙沉积固结过程中抗侵蚀性的变化直接决定着沉积物的再悬浮和二次迁移,对河口岸滩的稳定具有重要决定作用。在现代黄河三角洲潮滩模拟入海泥沙快速沉积,现场测试不同固结时间沉积物的抗侵蚀性和物理力学指标的变化。研究发现,黄河入海泥沙沉积物的抗侵蚀性随固结时间增长迅速提高,当沉积固结时间达8h时,其临界侵蚀切应力就超过了原状潮滩表层沉积物;新沉积泥沙的临界侵蚀切应力与其重度、贯入阻力、剪切强度呈良好的正相关关系,与含水率呈良好的负相关关系。黄河入海泥沙临界侵蚀流速的试验值随固结时间的增长速率要高于各泥沙起动公式计算值的增长速率,前者是后者的1.5～4.1倍。     

Modeling diagnosis of suspended sediment transport in tidal estuarine system

A three-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamic and suspended sediment transport model was performed and applied to the Danshuei River estuarine system and adjacent coastal sea in northern Taiwan. The model was validated with observed time-series salinity in 2001, and with salinity and suspended sediment distributions in 2002. The predicted results quantitatively agreed with the measured data. A local turbidity maximum was found in the bottom water of the Kuan-Du station. The validated model then was conducted with no salinity gradient, no sediment supply from the sediment bed, wind stress, and different freshwater discharges from upstream boundaries to comprehend the influences on suspended sediment dynamics in the Danshuei River estuarine system. The results reveal that concentrations of the turbidity maximum simulated without salinity gradient are higher than those of the turbidity maximum simulated with salinity gradient at the Kuan-Du station. Without bottom resuspension process, the estuarine turbidity maximum zone at the Kuan-Du station vanishes. This suggests that bottom sediment resuspension is a very important sediment source to the formation of estuarine turbidity maximum. The wind stress with northeast and southwest directions may contribute to decrease the suspended sediment concentration. When the freshwater discharges increase at the upstream boundaries, the limits of salt intrusion pushes downriver toward river mouth. Suspended sediment concentrations increase at the upriver reaches in the Danshuei River to Tahan Stream, while decrease at Kuan-Du station.     

Episodic and Long-Term Sediment Transport Capacity in The Hudson River Estuary

A tidally averaged model of estuarine dynamics is used to estimate sediment transport in the Hudson River estuary over the period 1918 to 2005. In long-term and seasonal means, along-channel gradients in sediment flux depend on the estuarine salinity gradient and along-channel depth profile. Lateral depth variation across the estuary affects the near-bottom baroclinic circulation and consequently the direction of net sediment flux, with generally up-estuary transport in the channel and down-estuary transport on the shoals. Sediment transport capacity in the lower estuary depends largely on river discharge, but is modified by the timing of discharge events with respect to the spring–neap cycle and subtidal fluctuations in sea level. Sediment transport capacity also depends on the duration of high-discharge events relative to the estuarine response time, a factor that varies seasonally with discharge and estuarine length. Sediment fluxes are calculated with the assumption that over long periods, the system approaches morphological equilibrium and sediment accumulation equals sea level rise. The inferred across- and along-channel distributions of sediment erodibility correspond with observations of bed properties. Equilibrium is assumed at long time scales, but at annual to decadal time scales the estuary can develop an excess or deficit of sediment relative to equilibrium. On average, sediment accumulates in the estuary during low- and high-discharge periods and is exported during moderate discharge. During high-discharge periods, maximum export coincides with maximum sediment supply from the watershed, but the nearly cubic discharge dependence of fluvial sediment supply overwhelms the roughly linear increase in estuarine transport capacity. Consequently, sediment accumulates in the estuary during the highest flow conditions. Uncertainty remains in the model, particularly with sediment properties and boundary conditions, but the results clearly indicate variability in the sediment mass balance over long time scales due to discharge events.     

Effects of Shoreline Development on Composition and Physical Structure of Plants in a South Carolina High Marsh

Increased freshwater and nutrient runoff associated with coastal development is implicated in dramatically altering estuarine communities along eastern US shorelines. We examined effects of three categories of shoreline development on high-marsh environments within Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA by measuring sediment nutrients, porewater salinity, plant species diversity, and above- and belowground plant biomass. Effects on new plant growth also were examined in plot clearing and transplantation experiments. Greater nutrient availability in sediments along developed shorelines was reflected in greater aboveground biomass and nitrogen storage in Juncus roemerianus plant tissue. Plant species composition was not significantly different among levels of shoreline development. Zinc concentrations were greater in sediments from developed shorelines and may represent an easily measured indicator of shoreline development. Recently accelerating shoreline development in the southeastern USA may alter plant production, nitrogen storage, and sediment metal content in salt marshes.     

Methylmercury Bioaccumulation in an Urban Estuary: Delaware River,USA

Spatial variation in mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in urban coastal watersheds reflects complex interactions between Hg sources, land use, and environmental gradients. We examined MeHg concentrations in fauna from the Delaware River estuary, and related these measurements to environmental parameters and human impacts on the waterway. The sampling sites followed a north to south gradient of increasing salinity, decreasing urban influence, and increasing marsh cover. Although mean total Hg in surface sediments (top 4 cm) peaked in the urban estuarine turbidity maximum and generally decreased downstream, surface sediment MeHg concentrations showed no spatial patterns consistent with the examined environmental gradients, indicating urban influence on Hg loading to the sediment but not subsequent methylation. Surface water particulate MeHg concentration showed a positive correlation with marsh cover whereas dissolved MeHg concentrations were slightly elevated in the estuarine turbidity maximum region. Spatial patterns of MeHg bioaccumulation in resident fauna varied across taxa. Small fish showed increased MeHg concentrations in the more urban/industrial sites upstream, with concentrations generally decreasing farther downstream. Invertebrates either showed no clear spatial patterns in MeHg concentrations (blue crabs, fiddler crabs) or increasing concentrations further downstream (grass shrimp). Best-supported linear mixed models relating tissue concentration to environmental variables reflected these complex patterns, with species specific model results dominated by random site effects with a combination of particulate MeHg and landscape variables influencing bioaccumulation in some species. The data strengthen accumulating evidence that bioaccumulation in estuaries can be decoupled from sediment MeHg concentration, and that drivers of MeHg production and fate may vary within a small region.     

Controls on sedimentation in distal margin palaeovalleys in the Early Tertiary Alpine foreland basin, south-eastern France

The influence of palaeodrainage characteristics, palaeogeography and tectonic setting are rarely considered as controls on stratigraphic organization in palaeovalley or incised valley systems. This study is an examination of the influence of source region vs. downstream base level controls on the sedimentary architecture of a set of bedrock-confined palaeovalleys developed along the distal margin of the Alpine foreland basin in south-eastern France. Three distinct facies associations are observed within the palaeovalley fills. Fluvial facies association A is mainly dominated by poorly sorted, highly disorganized, clast-to-matrix-supported cobble-to-boulder conglomerates that are interpreted as streamflood deposits. Facies association B comprises mainly yellow siltstones and is interpreted as recording deposition in an estuarine basin environment. Estuarine marine facies association C comprises interstratified estuarine siltstones and clean, well-sorted washover sandstones. The sedimentary characteristics of the valley fill successions are related to the proximity of depositional sites to sediment source areas. Palaeovalleys located proximal to structurally controlled basement palaeohighs are entirely dominated by coarse fluvial streamflood deposits. In contrast, distal palaeovalley segments, which are located several kilometres downstream, contain successions showing upward transition from coarse fluvial facies into estuarine central basin fines, and finally into estuarine-marginal marine facies. Facies distributions suggest that the fluvial deposits form wedge-shaped, downstream-thinning sediment bodies, whereas the estuarine deposits form an upstream-thinning wedge. The vertical stacking of fluvial to estuarine to marginal marine depositional environments records the fluvial aggradation and subsequent transgression of relatively small bedrock-confined river valleys, which drained a rugged, upland terrain. Facies geometries suggest that a fluvial sediment wedge initially prograded downvalley, in response to high bed load sediment yields. Subsequently, palaeovalleys became drowned during the passage of a marine transgression, with the establishment of estuarine conditions. Initial fluvial aggradation and subsequent marine flooding of the palaeovalleys is a consequence of the interaction of high local rates of sediment supply and relative sea-level rise driven by flexural subsidence of the basin.     

Relationships Among Exceedences of Sediment Guidelines,the Results of Ambient Sediment Toxicity Tests,and Community Metrics in Estuarine Systems

To use bioassessments to help diagnose or identify the specific environmental stressors affecting estuaries, we need a better understanding of the relationships among sediment chemistry guidelines, ambient toxicity tests, and community metrics. However, this relationship is not simple because metrics generally assess the responses at the community level of biological organization whereas sediment guidelines and ambient toxicity tests generally assess or are based on the responses at the organism level. The relationship may be further complicated by the influence of other chemical and physical variables that affect the bioavailability and toxicity of chemical contaminants in the environment. Between 1990 and 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) conducted an Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) survey of estuarine sites in the Virginian Province of the eastern United States. The surveys collected data on benthic assemblages, physical and chemical habitat characteristics, and sediment chemistry and toxicity. We characterized these estuarine sites as affected by sediment contamination based on the exceedence of sediment guidelines or on ambient sediment toxicity tests (i.e., 10-day Ampelisca abdita survival). Then, benthic invertebrate metrics were compared among affected and unaffected sites to identify metrics sensitive to the contamination. A number of benthic invertebrate metrics differed between groups of sites segregated using the organism-level measures whereas other metrics did not. The difference among metrics appears to depend on the sensitivity of the individual metrics to the stressor gradient represented by metals or persistent organic toxics in sediments because the insensitive metrics do not effectively quantify the changes in the benthic invertebrate assemblage associated with these stressors. The significant relationships suggest that a relationship exists between the organism-level effects assessed by chemistry or ambient toxicity tests and the community-level effects assessed by community metrics and that the organism-level effects are predictive, to some extent, of community-level effects.     

Effects of the intertidal burrowing crab<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chasmagnathus granulatus</Emphasis> on infaunal zonation patterns,tidal behavior,and risk of mortality

Rhythmic movements in response to tidal cycles are characteristic of infaunal inhabitant of intertidal soft-bottoms, allowing them to remain in the area with best living conditions. The effect of bioturbators as modifier of local environmental conditions and thus of gradients in intertidal habitats, has not been investigated yet. The Atlantic estuarine intertidal areas are dominated by the burrowing crabChasmagnathus granulatus that generates strong environmental heterogeneity by affecting the physical-chemical characteristics of the sediment. The comparison between intertidal areas with and without crab shows that sediments in the crab beds remain more humid, softer, and homogeneous across the intertidal and along the tidal cycle than areas without crabs. The densities of infauna were higher at high intertidal zones in crab beds than in similar areas without crabs. Infaunal organisms performed vertical movements into the sediment following the tidal cycle that were always of higher magnitude in habitats without crabs. Infaunal species tend to spend most of the time buried into the sediment in the crab bed. Migratory shorebirds use the Atlantic estuarine environments as stopover or wintering sites. They feed (mainly on polychaetes) in the low intertidal zones of both habitats (with and without crabs), but they also feed in the upper intertidal of the crab bed; polychaete per capita mortality rate is higher in the upper part of the crab bed. Environmental heterogeneity produced by crab disturbance has an effect on the infaunal behavior, risk of mortality, and the zonation pattern. This is another example of the ecosystem engineering ability of a burrowing intertidal species.     

DETERMINATION OF BROMINE AND IODINE IN FOUR MARINE SEDIMENT REFERENCE SAMPLES BY ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY

The concentrations of bromine and iodine in the USGS marine mud MAG-1, the NRCC marine sediments BCSS-1 and MESS-1, and the NBS estuarine sediment SRM 1646 have been determined by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Matrix and intermediate thickness effects were overcome by standard additions to constant weights of each sample. 3-sigma detection limits are 6 ppm Br and 24 ppm I. There is a need for many more analysts to report their results before "usable values'can be established for these elements in marine sediment reference malterials.     

Estuaries of the past and present: A biofacies perspective

Estuaries are complex sedimentary and ecological systems, where controlling factors are variable largely depending on wave vs. tidal dominance and fluvial processes. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of their ancient counterparts in the form of coastal valley deposits in the subsurface or outcrop requires a multidisciplinary approach. Microfossils can play an integral part in identifying estuarine subenvironments. Foraminifera can be abundant in modern estuaries and resemble characteristics of brackish ichnofaunal communities in featuring low species diversity, but high abundances of opportunistic species, different feeding strategies and common infaunal species. Whereas sediment distribution is highly controlled by energy regimes, foraminifera seem to respond to salinities and tidal exposure. Whereas individual taxa can widely range bathymetrically, the combination of certain taxa becomes diagnostic for estuarine environments. Fossil marginal marine assemblages are dominated by agglutinated species due to taphonomic loss of the calcareous component that is often dominant in modern estuaries. When comparisons between fossil and modern assemblages are undertaken it is advisable to compare with Recent subsurface or remnant assemblages for a more accurate basis of paleoenvironmental interpretation. More integrated research with detailed taphonomic observations is needed on ancient coastal valley deposits to find the paleoecological requirements of extinct taxa and their link to sedimentary facies and ichnofacies.