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Miocene-Late Quaternary environmental changes and molluscs as proxies of MIS-1 transgression in the Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain

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Abstract

This paper studies the malacofauna of four sediment cores collected in an old cove of the Tinto-Odiel estuary (SW Spain) to establish the chronology and spatial extent of MIS-1 transgression in this area. The paleoenvironmental interpretation based on facies analysis and the malacological record point to an evolution from a Miocene marine substrate to a final anthropic filling. During the late Pleistocene?-lower Holocene, this substrate was eroded by the fluvial network and alluvial sediments were deposited. During the maximum of the MIS-1 transgression (~ ca 6.5–5.4 kyr BP), this area was flooded and malacofauna is revealed as an excellent proxy of this transgression. Mesolittoral paleoenvironments dominated by the gastropod Peringia ulvae characterized the inner zones of the cove, while phanerogam meadows with abundant specimens of the gastropod Bittium reticulatum developed in the outermost areas. During the last 5400 years, this cove was progressively covered by marshes, although some mesolittoral paleoenvironments persisted until 4000 years BP.

Resumen

Este trabajo analiza la malacofauna de cuatro testigos obtenidos en una antigua ensenada del estuario de los ríos Tinto y Odiel (S.O de España) para estblecer la cronología y la extension especial de la transgresión holocena en este area. La interpretación paleoambiental basada en el análisis de facies y el registro malacológico revela una evolución desde un sustrato marino mioceno a un relleno antrópico final. Durante el Pleistoceno final-Holoceno inicial, este sustrato fue erosionado por la red fluvial y se depositaron sedimentos aluviales. Durante el máximo desarrollo de la transgresión holocena (~ ca 6.5–5.4 kyr BP), este area fue inundada y la malacofauna se revela como una excelente trazadora de esa transgresión. Los medios mesolitorales dominados por el gasterópodo Peringia ulvae eran dominantes en las zonas internas de la Ensenada, en tanto que las praderas de fanerógamas con abundantes especímenes del gasterópodos Bittium reticulatum se desarrollaron en las zonas más externas. Durante los últimos 5.400 años, esta ensenada fue progresivamente cubiertas por marismas, aunque algunos zonas mesolitorales persistieron hasta hace unos 4.000 años.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been carried out through the following projects: (a) DGYCIT project CTM2006-06722/MAR; (b) DGYCIT project CGL2006-01412; (c) ‘Roman cities of the Baetica. CORPVS VRBIVM BAETICARVM (I) (CUB)’ (Andalusian Gouvernement); (d) From the Atlantic to the Tyrrhenian. The hispanic ports and their commercial relations with Ostia Antica. DEATLANTIR II-HAR2017-89154-P-(Plan Nacional de I+D+i); and (e) FEDER 2014-2020 project UHU-1260298. Other funds have come from Andalusian Government (groups HUM-132, RNM-238, RNM-293 and RNM-349) and the town hall of Palos de la Frontera. It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the Huelva University. Valves and shells are deposited in the Laboratory of Paleontology and Applied Ecology of the Huelva University.

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Junta de Andalucía, UHU-1260298, francisco ruiz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciencias de La Tierra, Universidad de Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain

    Gabriel Gómez, Francisco Ruiz, Joaquín Rodríguez Vidal, María Luz González-Regalado, Luis Miguel Cáceres, Paula Gómez, Antonio Toscano, Marta Arroyo & Verónica Romero

  2. Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, España

    Manuel Abad & Tatiana Izquierdo

  3. Centro de Investigación en Patrimonio Histórico, Cultural y Natural (CIPHCN), Universidad de Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain

    Francisco Ruiz, Joaquín Rodríguez Vidal, Luis Miguel Cáceres & Paula Gómez

  4. Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Avda. 3 de marzo, s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain

    Francisco Ruiz

Authors
  1. Gabriel Gómez
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Correspondence to Francisco Ruiz.

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Gómez, G., Ruiz, F., Vidal, J.R. et al. Miocene-Late Quaternary environmental changes and molluscs as proxies of MIS-1 transgression in the Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain. J Iber Geol 48, 129–140 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-021-00183-y

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