Over the past four decades, many studies have been carried out for different parts of the world in areas exposed to different kinds of marine pollution.

There are two different types of studies for gathering foraminifera samples.

 Spatial studies are used for collecting samples in a geographic area over a short time interval. (ie. days/months)  These studies are useful because they provide a 'snap-shot'  in time over a broad area.

Temporal studies are used for collecting samples from many different sites over an extended time period (decades)  These studies are useful because they provide a 'near continuous'  record of a small area.

    In addition, because of the increased knowledge of the foraminifera's biology, these studies have shown that benthic foraminifera have great potential as indicators of pollution.  This provides one of the most sensitive and inexpensive markets of environmental stresses in aquatic environments.