Coralline algae as environmental indicators: a case study from the Attard member (Chattian, Malta) Author Quaranta, Francesca Author Tomassetti, Laura Author Vannucci, Grazia Author Brandano, Marco text Geodiversitas 2012 2012-03-31 34 1 151 166 http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/g2012n1a9 journal article 10.5252/g2012n1a9 1638-9395 4597256

TABLE 2. — Morphological and structural characteristics of the rhodoliths of the Attard member.

	Inner ramp	Middle ramp
Shape	ellipsoidal 78%	ellipsoidal 80%
	subspheroidal 22%	subspheroidal 16%
		discoidal 4%
Size	ellipsoidal: major axis: 2-5 cm (M = 3.1 cm);	ellipsoidal: major axis: 1.3-5 cm (M = 2.9 cm);
	minor axis: 1.2-4 cm (M = 2.3 cm).	minor axis: 1-3.5 cm (M = 2.1 cm).
	subspheroidal: diameter: 1.2-2.5 cm (M = 1.7 cm).	subspheroidal: diameter 1-4 cm (M = 2.4 cm).
		discoidal: major axis 3-3.4 cm (M = 3.2 cm);
		minor axis: 0.6-1 cm (M = 0.8 cm).
Nucleus	72.3% bioclastic sediment	60% bioclastic sediment
	22.2% lumpy or fruticose coralline thalli	40% lumpy or fruticose coralline thalli
5.5% coral fragment
Structure	50% laminar (of which 44.5% is concentric),	48% laminar/columnar, passing (12%) locally to
	passing locally to laminar/columnar (22.2%);	laminar and outward to columnar/branching;
	33.3% columnar/branching (III or rarely IV group)	32% laminar (of which 24% is concentric), passing
	passing to laminar;	(26%) to laminar/columnar or locally to columnar/
		branching;
	16.7% laminar/columnar, passing locally to laminar	20% columnar/branching (III group) passing (16%)
	(5.5%) or to columnar/branching (5.5%).	locally to laminar or laminar/columnar.