Indications for a correlation of substrate permeability and foraminiferal faunas - an example from the late Chattian "Cerithien-Sand " of Karben (Wetterau, Hesse State, Germany)

Abstract

Interrelationships between benthic foraminiferal assemblages and corresponding permeability characteristics (hydraulic conductivity) from the Late Oligocene Cerithien-Sand of Karben in central Germany have been compared. A clear but not functional correlation is indicated for certain faunal groups: 1st, a negative correlation between permeability and predominantly infaunal genera (Bolivina, Buliminella, Caucasina; correlation coefficient r = -0.667) and 2nd, a positive correlation between permeability and predominantly epifaunal genera (Quinqueloculina, Cibicides, Cycloforina, Lobatula, Miliolinella, Protelphidium, Rosalina; r = 0.651). The results indicate that permeability of substrate may play an important role for distributional patterns of benthic foraminifera in inner shelf, sandy environments.