Because of our broad knowledge of the biological aspect of forams, studies show they are great indicators of pollution.  Again, they provide sensitive and inexpensive markers of anthropogenic stress.

Many, studies (by Schafer et al, 1980 and Naidu et al, 1985) focussed on benthic foraminiferas response to heavy metal pollution, which has greatly increased over the last few decades.

These contaminants have harmful effects on micro fossils and there ecosystem they inhabit.  Research has shown these contamination's cause pathology (illnesses) within the foraminiferal cells and can be responsible for abnormalities in the organisms tests.