Table 3. Foraminiferal biofacies and associated interpretive paleoenvironments
Biofacies Predominant foraminiferal genera Paleoenvironments
1 Foraminifera1 absent Freshwater
2 Ammonia Inner shelf and nearshore in coastal bays, lagoons, and lower reaches of estuaries having variable salinity values, frequently tidally influenced. Inner shelf and nearshore in coastal bays, lagoons, and lower reaches of estuaries having variable salinity values, frequently tidally influenced.
3 Elphidium Inner shelf and nearshore in coastal bays, lagoons, and lower reaches of estuaries having variable salinity values, but more normal salinity, open ocean.
4 Miliolids Continental shelf environments of normal to mildly hypersalinity, typically with grassy meadows and associated with areas of significant biogenic carbonate production. Depths can vary from about 3 feet to more than 130 feet.
5 Archaiasinids, soritids, and peneroplids Continental shelf environments of normal to mildly hypersalinity, typically with grassy meadows and associated with areas of significant biogenic carbonate production. Depths can vary from about 3 feet to more than 130 feet.
1Commonly contains smooth-walled ostracods and Planorbella gastropods.