Littoral Foraminiferal Fauna of the Surface Sediments : A Case Study of the Continental Shelf Sediments off the Lagos Coast, Southwestern Nigeria

Littoral sands constitute excellent ancient reservoirs and are thus oil exploration targets in the oil field. Investigation of modern littoral environments' sands and microfaunas is essential to understand such ancient reservoirs. Very little attention has hitherto been paid to the investigation of the littoral environments. This work will fill this gap and enhance oil exploration activities in Nigeria and other parts of the world. This work was aimed at determining the distribution, composition, diversity pattern, and defining the biotopes/biofacies of foraminiferal fauna. Eighty-three foraminiferal species were recorded belonging to sub-orders Rotaliina, Miliolina and Textulariina. Rotaliina dominated the inner and middle continental assemblages. Textulariina and Miliolina occur in the inner continental shelf as rare species. There is increase in Planktic/Benthic ratio of the foraminiferal species from the shoreline to the middle shelf in the study area. The diversity indices generally increase away from the shore. This work will be of use to palaeontologist, geologist in the oil industries and also serve as a guide for final year student in the universities and colleges.