Raghavan, B.R.Nayak, S.R.Shylini, S.K.Deepthi, T.Sadatipour, S.M.T.Chauhan, P.Srinivasakumar, T.Lotliker, A.Venkat Reddy, D.Kumaraswami, M.Ashwini, S.Nisaj, M.2026-02-052011International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering, 2011, 4, 3, pp. 395-4109745904https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/27244In the vast oceanic microbial environment of 2468.83km 2, GIS modeling techniques involving sixty query steps, enabled the deciphering of Microenvironments as low as 1.19km 2 to 38.6 km 2 for the summer of 2004 and in case of summer 2005 where 84 query steps were involved to decipher Microenvironments of 10.55km 2 to 25.94km 2. Thirtythree sampling stations were established between Betul to Ankola off the central west coast of India accounting for a spatial coverage of 2468.83km 2. GIS query-modeling investigation was carried out using spatial layers of depth, optical parameters (k-Irradiance attenuation Coefficient, c-Beam attenuation coefficient), sediment size parameters (Sediment Mean Size and Sediment Sorting) and Benthic Foraminifera Suborders (Rotaliina, Textulariina, Miliolina, Lagenina). Foraminifera have been used as a surrogate parameter. However, any microbial parameter could proxy for foraminifers providing for the numerical deciphering of microenvironments. This is suggestive of the assimilation of GIS technology for a better appreciation of microbial oceanography. © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.Attenuation coefficientBenthic foraminiferaForaminifersGeographic informationGIS modelingGIS technologyMean sizeMicrobial oceanographic environmentsMicrobial oceanographyMicrobial parametersMicroenvironmentsOptical parameterSampling stationsSediment sizeSpatial coverageWest coastAnoxic sedimentsSedimentologyGeographic information systemsforaminiferaGISmicrobial communityoceanographyIndiaForaminiferaLageninaMiliolinaRotaliinaTextulariida