Bioavailability of metals in coastal lagoon sediments and their influence on benthic foraminifera.

Coastal lagoons experience removal and leaching of metals due to seasonal fluctuation of salinity coupled with pH and dissolved oxygen variability. Benthic foraminifers are susceptible to seasonal variation in physicochemical conditions. Assessment of bioavailable fraction of selected metals in sediments along the salinity gradient of the largest brackish lagoon in Asia- Chilika was carried out.