Impact of tropical monsoon forcing on foraminiferal distribution patterns within Chilika Lagoon

As biological proxies, benthic foraminifera are essential for interpreting environmental changes in coastal zones. Their community structure reflects a complex mix of salinity, oxygen, and hydrodynamic forces. Chilika Lagoon provides a prime example of a monsoon-dominated system where environmental boundaries are constantly shifting. This study synthesizes diverse datasets to test whether traditional lagoonal models hold true in such volatile tropical climates. The findings reveal that monsoon-induced salinity fluctuations and trophic forcing dictate species distribution. Meanwhile, the TROX model accurately explains how oxygen penetration and organic supply control sub-surface tiering. We also observed that discrepancies between living and dead shells are largely due to sediment reworking. Compared to temperate lagoons, monsoon-governed systems are defined by their rapid seasonal transitions. This has significant implications for monitoring, as natural “seasonal eutrophication” can often be mistaken for anthropogenic stress. This review establishes a robust basis for paleoenvironmental research in monsoonal regions and calls for more detailed time-series data to track ecosystem health amid a changing climate.