Quaternary sea-level change and sedimentation on the continental shelf and slope of Antibes,French Riviera

Thin Quaternary sediments overlie Neogene bedrock on the shelf off Antibes, southeastern France. Sparker seismic profiles show shelf break progradation at 110 m water depth, immediately below the most recent postglacial transgression. An older progradational event at the same depth correlates with the top of an acoustically, well-stratified sequence on the slope dated at 29.6 ka. Cores show the post-glacial transgressive surface overlain by shelly sands (dated at 12.7 ka at 85m) and several meters of mud. At the present, the seabed consists of an ephemeral cover of fine sand. The data set on sea-level rise complements data recently obtained on land on the Holocene transgression.     

Significance of quaternary sea-level fluctuations for delta construction along the Brazilian coast

Many important areas of Quaternary deltaic sedimentation along the Brazilian coast are practically unknown in the geologic literature, especially outside Brazil. Our studies show that these areas, previously considered as highly destructive wave-dominated deltas of Holocene age, were affected by a wave-dominated phase during the Pleistocene, succeeded by highly constructive, intralagoonal stage in the Holocene, in turn followed by wave-dominated deltaic sedimentation that continues until today. The geologic evolution of these coastal plains is exemplified here by the Doce River mouth area, State of Espírito Santo, where relative sea-level fluctuations during the Quaternary played an important role in the construction of the deltaic complex.     

Tracking the last sea-level cycle: seafloor morphology and shallow stratigraphy of the latest Quaternary New Jersey middle continental shelf

Seafloor geomorphology and surficial stratigraphy of the New Jersey middle continental shelf provide a detailed record of sea-level change during the last advance and retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet (120 kyr B.P. to Present). A NW–SE-oriented corridor on the middle shelf between water depths of 40 m (the mid-shelf “paleo-shore”) and 100 m (the Franklin “paleo-shore”) encompasses 500 line-km of 2D Huntec boomer profiles (500–3500 Hz), an embedded 4.6 km² 3D volume, and a 490 km² swath bathymetry map. We use these data to develop a relative stratigraphy. Core samples from published studies also provide some chronological and sedimentological constraints on the upper <5 m of the stratigraphic succession.The following stratigraphic units and surfaces occur (from bottom to top): (1) “R”, a high-amplitude reflection that separates sediment >46.5 kyr old (by AMS ¹⁴C dating) from overlying sediment wedges; (2) the outer shelf wedge, a marine unit up to 50 m thick that onlaps “R”; (3) “Channels”, a reflection sub-parallel to the seafloor that incises “R”, and appears as a dendritic system of channels in map view; (4) “Channels” fill, the upper portion of which is sampled and known to represent deepening-upward marine sediments 12.3 kyr in age; (5) the “T” horizon, a seismically discontinuous surface that caps “Channels” fill; (6) oblique ridge deposits, coarse-grained shelly units comprised of km-scale, shallow shelf bedforms; and (7) ribbon-floored swales, bathymetric depressions parallel to modern shelf currents that truncate the oblique ridges and cut into surficial deposits.We interpret this succession of features in light of a global eustatic sea-level curve and the consequent migration of the coastline across the middle shelf during the last 120 kyr. The morphology of the New Jersey middle shelf shows a discrete sequence of stratigraphic elements, and reflects the pulsed episodicity of the last sea-level cycle. “R” is a complicated marine/non-marine erosional surface formed during the last regression, while the outer shelf wedge represents a shelf wedge emplaced during a minor glacial retreat before maximum Wisconsin lowstand (i.e., marine oxygen isotope stage 3.1). “Channels” is a widespread fluvial subarial erosion surface formed at the late Wisconsin glacial maximum 22 kyr B.P. The shoreline migrated back across the mid-shelf corridor non-uniformly during the period represented by “Channels” fill. Oblique ridges are relict features on the New Jersey middle shelf, while the ribbon-floored swales represent modern shelf erosion. There is no systematic relationship between modern seafloor morphology and the very shallowly buried stratigraphic succession.     

Continental shelf architecture and sea-level cycles: Late Quaternary high-resolution stratigraphy of the Gulf of Cádiz, Spain

 The stratal architecture of the Gulf of Cádiz continental margin (SW Spain) has been analyzed by using single-channel, very high-resolution seismic reflection profiles. An evolutionary scheme of asymmetrical depositional sequences is proposed that was governed by the Late Pleistocene–Holocene sea-level fluctuations. Stratigraphic analysis defined 14 seismic units, that are configured into two major type-1 depositional sequences related to 4th-order eustatic sea level changes (100–110 ka). Within these sequences, minor asymmetrical depositional sequences have been recognized related to 5th-order eustatic cycles (22–23 ka) superimposed and modulated by the regressive trends of 4th-order cycles. In 5th-order depositional sequences, the forced regressive and lowstand deposits are volumetrically dominant. They cause the main progradation of the margin in such a way that they form the margin structure almost entirely. Received: 6 April 1995 / Revision received: 8 March 1996     

Submerged terraces in the southwestern Barents Sea: origin and implications for the late Cenozoic geological history

Based on high-resolution seismics, submerged terraces have been identified and mapped. They constitute two semi-continuous terrace zones that can be followed for up to about 350 km along the bank flanks, at more or less uniform depths of ca. 150 m and ca. 220 m, respectively. The features are interpreted as wave-cut platforms, and thus indicate a submergence of as much as 220 m after they formed. Several arguments suggest that they were probably not formed during glaciation maxima, but rather during interglacials or parts of glacials with restricted glaciation. Consequently, only a smaller part of their submergence may be due to glacial eustasy. A signigicant tectonic related subsidence is inferred. Relatively young ages are indicated since they are so lightly eroded by the Plio-Pleistocene ice sheets. A maximum age in the order of 0.8 Ma and a minimum age of 0.2 Ma is tentatively suggested. One implication is that subsidence rates for this part of the Barents Sea margin are in the range 0.2–0.9 m/kyr.     

浙江沿岸海平面变化的初步研究

本文对浙江沿岸海平面变化研究中的若干问题进行了分析和讨论,结果表明:浙江沿岸海面形状较平坦。海平面变化呈上升趋势,在过去的30～33年间,用长涂、镇海和坎门站长期潮位资料分析,海平面年上升速率为2.3mm/a。预测今后几十年间浙江沿岸海平面处在一个上升时期。     

Deglacial and Holocene evolution of the Vietnam shelf: stratigraphy,sediments and sea-level change

On the Vietnam Shelf more than 1000 miles of shallow high-resolution seismics were analyzed to unravel post-glacial evolution in a tropical, siliciclastic environment together with 25 sediment cores from water depths between 21 and 169 m to determine stratigraphy, distribution and style of sedimentation. Fourty-seven samples were dated with the AMS-¹⁴C technique.The shelf was grouped into three regions: a southern part, a central part, and a northern part. On the broad Southern Shelf, sedimentation is influenced by the Mekong River, which drains into the SCS in this area. Here, incised valley fills are abundant that were cut into the late Pleistocene land surface by the Paleo-Mekong River during times of sea level lowstand. Those valleys are filled with transgressive deposits. The Holocene sedimentation rate in this low gradient accommodation-dominated depositional system is in the range of 5–10 and 25–40 cm/ky at locations sheltered from currents. The Central Shelf is narrow and the sedimentary strata are conformable. Here, numerous small mountainous rivers reach the SCS and transport large amounts of detrital sediment onto the shelf. Therefore, the Holocene sedimentation rate is high with values of 50–100 cm/ky in this supply-dominated depositional system. The broad Northern Shelf in the vicinity of the Red River Delta shows, as on the Southern Shelf, incised valleys cut into the Pleistocene land surface by paleo river channels. In this accommodation-dominated shelf area, the sedimentation rate is low with values of 5–10 cm/ky. Where applicable, we assigned the sampled deposits to different paleo-facies. The latter are related to certain intervals of water depths at their time of deposition. Comparison with the sea-level curve of [Hanebuth, T.J.J., Stattegger, K., Grootes, P., 2000. Rapid flooding of the Sunda Shelf; a lateglacial sea-level record. Science, 288: 1033–1035.] indicates subsidence on the Central Shelf, which is in agreement with the high sedimentation rates in this area. In contrast, data from the Northern Shelf suggest tectonic uplift that might be related to recent tectonic movements along the Ailao Shan–Red River Fault zone. Data from the Southern Shelf are generally in agreement with the sea-level curve mentioned above.     

北大西洋沿岸过去2000年海平面变化的若干重要特征

北大西洋沿岸是世界上最容易受海平面上升影响的地区之一。了解该区域过去海平面变化历史和特征,对认识现代海平面变化过程、预估未来海平面变化趋势具有重要科学意义,同时也有助于最大限度地减小预测结果的不确定性。基于此,我们以北大西洋沿岸1 350个验潮站观测记录和已发表的1 604个海平面数据为基础,进行系统分析和集成研究,尝试建立北大西洋沿岸过去2000年海平面的变化历史,并分析北大西洋沿岸过去2000年海平面变化的主要过程与特征、区域差异和存在的问题。结果表明：①北大西洋沿岸过去2000年海平面变化具有显著的时空差异性,海平面的变化幅度、变化时间、波动次数等均具有区域差异性。②北大西洋沿岸过去2000年以来海平面总体上呈现出波动上升趋势,但不同地区海平面上升高程相差较大,北大西洋西岸北美洲东部海平面上升超过2.5 m,格陵兰岛-冰岛、欧洲和美国南部和东南部海平面上升幅度约1.9 m,北海和地中海海平面上升幅度约1 m。③公元1900年以来,北大西洋东西沿岸海平面上升速率普遍加快,并呈现出明显的纬度差异,即北大西洋东岸从地中海到欧洲沿岸再到格陵兰岛-冰岛,随着纬度增加,海平面上升速率逐渐增加。类似的,北大西洋西岸美国南部和东南部到美国东部再到加拿大东部,随着纬度的增加,海平面上升速率也依次增加。④过去2000年北大西洋沿岸海平面变化及其时空差异性是多种因素综合作用的结果,气候冷暖交替、冰川均衡调整、大气-海洋动力学、区域构造以及沿岸地形的变化、沉积物压实和潮汐范围变化等可能是主要原因。     

南沙群岛西南陆架区条尾鲱鲤资源状况研究

根据2003年南沙群岛西南陆架区春秋两季调查资料,分析南沙群岛西南陆架区条尾鲱鲤的资源现状.结果表明,渔获率有明显的季节变动,秋季（1.76kg/h）高于春季（0.08kg/h）,春季密集分布于91～100m水深,秋季密集分布于71～80m水深.其群体组成也有季节差异,春季的平均体长、平均体重大于秋季,春季优势体长组为101～110mm,秋季优势体长组为91～100mm,渔获中不足1龄鱼占多数,其资源密度及现存资源量分别为12.02kg/km^2 和880.82t,现存资源量只有原始资源量的54.92%,该鱼种资源已接近衰退状态.文中并讨论合理利用该资源的措施.     

Preliminary research on sea-level changes of the South China coast since late Epipleistocene

Several views on sea-level changes of the South China coast are briefly introduced in this paper. On the basis of 236 samples whose ages are determined by 14C chronological method and their sites are corrected with ancient water depth and crustal deformation, a basic model about sea-level changes of the South China coast since late Epipleistocene is set up. This model basically accords with the general cognitions of predecessors, i. e. it not only represents the common characteristics of sea-level changes of the East China coast but has some features of the South China coast itself. In general, this model is relatively close to the Fairbridge's curve, indicating that the sea-level undulations exist since 6 ka ago but the ranges of undulations are slightly larger than those of Fairbridge's curve.     

Quaternary stratal architecture of the Barcelona prodeltaic continental shelf (NW Mediterranean)

The Barcelona continental shelf is part of a 6–20 km wide canyon-bounded shelf located off the city of Barcelona (NE Spain). This study integrates newly acquired high-resolution single channel seismic reflection profiles and available lithological information of the Barcelona shelf to describe its late Quaternary architecture and the role of global glacio-eustatic fluctuations and local factors in its development.

Four major sequence boundaries are identified throughout the seismic dataset. They are tentatively correlated with the four last 4th order (100–120 ka) high-amplitude late Quaternary glacio-eustatic lowstands. Most of the stratigraphic record is formed by falling stage systems tracts with forced-regressive deposits, which confers a general progradational vertical stacking pattern. Transgressive systems tracts are represented by continuous units confined directly off river sources and on previously eroded surfaces. Stillstand deposits are difficult to recognize in the available dataset. The uppermost seismic unit corresponds to the Holocene shore-parallel Besos and Llobregat joint prodelta affected by the prevailing south-westward circulation.

The general architecture of the late Quaternary Barcelona shelf deposits is determined by global glacio-eustatic cycles. However, the lateral variability of the seismic units depends largely on local factors such as (i) the position of sediment sources (essentially the Llobregat River); (ii) differential subsidence and, especially, sediment compaction; (iii) erosive processes such as canyon incision, mass wasting or wave base dynamics; and (iv) underlying geomorphic restrictions.     

南科1井第四系暴露面特征及其与海平面变化的关系*

珊瑚礁地层中的暴露面是海平面变化的忠实记录, 对地层层序的划分和研究珊瑚礁体的生长发育过程具有重要意义。本文基于手标本观察与薄片鉴定、碳氧同位素和矿物组成分析, 识别了南沙美济岛南科1井第四纪生物礁碳酸盐岩地层中的典型暴露面, 剖析了主要暴露面与海平面变化及珊瑚礁发育演化的关系。在南科1井(NK-1)第四纪地层中典型暴露面附近以出现大量溶蚀孔穴和红褐色或锈黄色钙质结核为特征, 其碳氧同位素偏负, 并富集Al、Th、Fe和稀土元素, 具有典型碳酸盐岩风化壳的特征。南科1井全新世礁体发育在晚更新世暴露面之上, AMS¹⁴C和U-Th年龄数据证实美济岛全新世珊瑚礁生长时段与南海其他珊瑚岛礁一致, 主要发育在8.2~4.7ka时期, 该时段海平面的缓慢上升为珊瑚礁连续垂向生长提供了有利环境。Sr同位素和古地磁年龄标定的南科1井更新世地层中的主要暴露面时代与南沙永暑礁和西沙群岛珊瑚礁地层中的暴露面时代基本一致, 主要暴露面对应于全球第四纪低海平面时期。     

Ecology of Quaternary benthic foraminiferal assemblages on the Amazon shelf,northern Brazil

The distribution of benthic foraminiferal microfauna recovered from two offshore transects on the Amazon shelf was studied. Eight box-core samples were collected along the inner, middle, and outer parts of the continental shelf. Each box-core sample was divided into 10 subsamples, of 1- to 5-cm intervals, in order to investigate the foraminiferal microhabitat preferences. The variations of salinity, oxygen, lithology, and sediment accumulation rates were used to evaluate ecological patterns. Four benthic foraminiferal assemblages identified in the study area characterize a record of oceanographic changes from early Holocene to the present. An abundant assemblage, with opportunistic species, was found near the river mouth. Two assemblages were identified northwest of the river mouth, with dominant epifaunal and infaunal species, respectively. A relict assemblage was encountered northwest of the river mouth.     

3D architecture of Quaternary sediment along the NW Atlantic Moroccan Rharb continental shelf: A stratal pattern under the dual control of tectonics and climatic variations

This study focuses on the evolution of the Atlantic NW Moroccan Rharb continental shelf during the Neogene and Quaternary. This region is part of a foreland basin bounded by the Rif mountain belt and thus provides an interesting geological setting to study the interactions between eustasy and tectonics and the driving mechanisms controlling stratigraphic patterns. The results are supported by an interpretation of new data including high-resolution seismic lines coupled with an interpretation of industrial seismic lines and detailed logs of industrial wells completed by micropaleontologic analysis of cuttings. The stratigraphy reveals a succession of three mega sequences related to the transition from an underfilled to an overfilled stage reflecting the long-term evolution of the foreland system. Moreover, evidence of cyclical sea-level changes are visible in the upper megasequence composed of three depositional sequences assumed to be fourth-order sequences generated in response to the most recent 100-ka glacio–eustatic cycles. This study also shows the peripheral deformation of the Rharb shelf responsible for changes in the geometry of the deposits and thicknesses of the sedimentary fill during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The most important change was triggered by the uplift of the Lallah Zahra Ridge corresponding to a major Quaternary kinematic boundary and the broad uplift of the southern shelf interpreted as a flexural uplift of the forebulge domain. The deformation-controlled sediment dispersal pattern consists of a progressive growth of the shelf accompanied with a progressive shift of depocenters from the North East to the South West and a general progradation to the North West along the southern border. This progressive filling has led to the confinement of the Rharb paleo-valley across the continental shelf. The complete filling of the palaeo-valley was followed by the development of a more than 70-m thick prodeltaic lobe at the front of the Oued Sebou river mouth during the Holocene.     

Late Quaternary sediments on the outer shelf of the Korea Strait and their paleoceanographic implications

Sedimentological and micropaleontological characteristics of core sediments from the outer shelf of the Korea Strait, which connects the northern East China Sea and the East Sea (Sea of Japan), were investigated to elucidate the paleoceanographic environment, especially the timing of the Kuroshio inflow, since the last glacial maximum. The core sediments, containing continuous records of the last 15,000 years, are characterized by a relatively high mud content (more than 50%, on average) and well-developed tide-influenced sedimentary structures. Their mineralogy suggests that the material originated from the paleo-Nakdong River system, which extended across the shelf of the Korea Strait during low sea-level periods. Planktonic foraminifers reveal a series of well-defined changes in paleoceanographic conditions during the late Pleistocene–Holocene. Down-core variations in the abundance of four foraminiferal assemblages, i.e., cold, coastal, tropical–subtropical, and Kuroshio water groups comprising characteristic planktonic species, suggest the occurrence of a distinct paleoenvironmental change in the surface water at 7,000 years b.p., i.e., from 15,000 to 7,000 years b.p., the area was influenced by coastal waters whereas since ca. 7,000 years b.p., it has been under the influence of open-sea water related to the Kuroshio Current flow, associated with both higher temperature and higher salinity. In particular, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata increased markedly in abundance at this time, documenting the inflow of the Kuroshio into the study area. These data indicate that the coastal water stage terminated at ca. 7,000 years b.p. when the warm Kuroshio and its major branch, the Tsushima Current, began to flow into the East Sea, as is the case today. The intrusion of the Tsushima Current through the Korea Strait after ca. 7,000 years b.p. resulted in abrupt changes in sedimentation rates and a dramatic increase in abundance of the Kuroshio indicator species, P. obliquiloculata.     

Infaunal macrobenthos of the oxygen minimum zone on the Indian western continental shelf

The Arabian Sea is characterized by a mid‐depth layer of reduced dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration or oxygen minimum zone (OMZ ‐DO concentration <0.5 ml·l^?1) at ~150–1000 m depth. This OMZ results from the flux of labile organic matter coupled with limited intermediate depth water ventilation. Generally, benthic animals in the OMZ have morphological and physiological adaptations that maximize oxygen uptake in the limited oxygen availability. Characteristics of OMZ benthos have been described from only a few localities in the Arabian Sea. We measured the bottom water DO and studied the characteristics of infaunal macrobenthos of the Indian western continental shelf by collecting samples at 50, 100 and 200 m in depth from 7° to 22° N. The DO values observed at 200 m (0.0005–0.24 ml·l^?1) indicated that this area is lying within an OMZ. Five major taxa, namely Platyhelminthes, Sipunculoidea, Echiuroidea, Echinodermata and Cephalochordata were absent from the samples collected from this OMZ. In general, declines in total macrobenthic density and biomass and polychaete species richness and diversity were observed in this OMZ compared with the shallower depths above it. Community analyses of polychaetes revealed the dominance of species belonging to families Spionidae, Cirratulidae and Paraonidae in this OMZ. Low oxygen condition was more pronounced in the northern continental shelf edge (≤0.03 ml·l^?1), where the majority of spionids including Prionospio pinnata and cirratulids were absent; whereas amphipod, isopod and bivalve communities were not impacted.     

Multiple late Quaternary episodes of exceptional diatom production in the Gulf of Alaska

Hole 887B of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) comprises a 44 m (750 kyr) long continuous section recovered from the Patton–Murray Rise, an elevated plateau that is largely isolated from turbidite deposition. The Patton–Murray area is centered under the Alaska Gyre, a region characterized by the domal upwelling of nutrient-rich waters. Marked increases in productivity and rapid settling of biogenic matter are suggested throughout the section by the episodic accumulation of diatomaceous oozes up to ∼1 m thick that are accompanied by barium enrichments. Significant δ¹³C_org maxima in the major diatomaceous bands suggest that mixed-layer [CO_2(aq)] may have been drawn down significantly during some of the productivity events. The episodes of enhanced productivity at Site 887 occur synchronously with short-lived minima in planktonic foram δ¹⁸O, suggesting a direct link to low salinity, or less likely, warming, events in the Gulf of Alaska. There is no obvious explanation for the events, but they may be related to seasonal incursions of meltwater from Alaska. We speculate that episodic input of meltwater- or dust-borne iron from Asian or Alaskan sources may have promoted the extraordinary diatom production events recorded in the sedimentary record.     

Late Quaternary changes in depositional processes along the western margin of the Indus Fan

Detailed sedimentological, geochemical and isotopic analyses were carried out on sediment samples from ODP Site 720A on the Indus Fan, Arabian Sea. High values of calcium carbonate associated with low values of Al and Ti from 0 to 375 ka, and low values of calcium carbonate along with high values of Al and Ti from 375 to 525 ka represent two distinct sedimentary sequences. The sediments deposited from 525 to 375 ka correspond to a turbidite sequence, characterized by a high terrigenous input of coarse-grained sediments composed mostly of sand and silt. The sediments deposited from 375 ka to the present day comprise a pelagic sequence, consisting of pelagic material and clay. The major turbidity flow between 375 and 525 ka resulted in the greatest development of the Indus Fan during the late Quaternary. Most of the active channels were buried by 375 ka, followed by deposition of mainly pelagic sequences since then. Enrichment of an Indus-derived Himalayan clay mineral assemblage (illite and chlorite) in both the turbiditic and pelagic sequences reveals that the source and supply of clay minerals to the Indus Fan were the same during pre- and post-turbidite deposition. At ODP Site 720A, Al, Ti and terrigenous material do not show any systematic changes with respect to glacial and interglacial periods, suggesting that sea-level changes are not directly responsible for the terrigenous material supply to this site. Rather, a major switch in distributary channels away from the western margin of the Indus Fan is suggested.     

福建沿岸晚第四纪地层的混合现象

本文根据福建省海岸带和海涂资源以及台湾海峡西部海域等综合调查资料进行研究,报道了福建沿岸晚第四纪地层存在着新老沉积物的混合现象。混合层分布在易受老碳玷污的闵江等河流入海区附近,存在于0.6～1.0m深的沉积物中,发生在10ka以近的时间里。这是由于冰后期气候、构造条件发生大变异,使老地层裸露、风化、剥蚀,其沉积物搬运后,在水动力条件适宜的海区与年轻沉积物发生混合沉积.在使用这些混合层的测年资料时应当加以研究,当沉积物与沉积层具有同时性时,沉积物年代可以代表沉积层年代;如果两者不具同时性,应当通过对比和必要的校正后方能做为地层划分的重要依据。