Long-term development and current status of the Barcelona continental shelf: A source-to-sink approach |
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Authors: | C Liquete M Canals G Lastras D Amblas R Urgeles B De Mol M De Batist JE Hughes-Clarke |
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Institution: | 1. GRC Geociències Marines, Dept. d’Estratigrafia, Paleontologia i Geociències Marines, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain;2. Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Universiteit Gent, Krijgslaan 281 S8, B-9000 Gent, Belgium;3. Ocean Mapping Group, Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3 |
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Abstract: | The Barcelona continental shelf, off the city of Barcelona (NE Spain), is a relatively narrow canyon-bounded shelf in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Three medium-size rivers (Tordera, Besós and Llobregat) and several ephemeral rivulets flow into this margin. Two main domains have been recognized in the Barcelona shelf: (i) a modern, river-influenced area, and (ii) a relict, sediment depleted area, both affected by a variety of human impacts. A detailed geomorphologic study based on multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, high resolution seismic profiles, and surface sediment samples allowed mapping and interpreting the main distinctive seafloor features on the Barcelona shelf. Modern sedimentary features reveal that the Llobregat River is the main sediment source of the Barcelona prodeltaic shelf. High-discharge fluvial events result in the formation of suspended sediment plumes and sediment waves on the shelf floor. Relict (late Pleistocene–Holocene) sedimentary features reflect that an important shift occurred in the seashore direction between MIS 4 and MIS 2, and that recent neotectonic reactivation has created a set of seafloor faults. The Barcelona inner and middle shelf is severely impacted by anthropogenic activities such as the enlargement works of the Port of Barcelona, sewage pipes, dredging, anchoring and trawling. |
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Keywords: | Shelf sedimentary environments Source-to-sink Prodelta Multibeam River basins Seismic reflection Neotectonics Sediment waves Late Quaternary sea level change Human impacts Northwestern Mediterranean Sea Barcelona continental shelf Spain |
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