Palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic analysis of Holocene deposits from the Adriatic Sea: detecting and dating short-term fluctuations in sediment supply

Type Article
Date 2008
Language English
Author(s) Vigliotti L1, Verosub K2, Cattaneo AntonioORCID3, Trincardi F1, Asioli A4, Piva A1
Affiliation(s) 1 : ISMAR CNR, Ist Sci Marine, I-40129 Bologna, Italy.
2 : Univ Calif Davis, Dept Geol, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
3 : IFREMER, Dept Geosci Marine, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
4 : IGG CNR, Ist Geosci & Georisorse, Padua, Italy.
Source The Holocene (0959-6836) (Sage Publications), 2008 , Vol. 18 , N. 1 , P. 141-152
DOI 10.1177/0959683607085605
WOS© Times Cited 18
Keyword(s) Holocene, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean, Sediment cores, Continental shelf, Secular variations, Palaeomagnetism
Abstract We present palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic results from five cores collected in the basin of the Adriatic Sea. Four cores (PRAD2-4; KS02-246; CSS00-23 and CSS00-07) were collected along a shore-parallel transect whereas the fifth core (AMC99-01) was retrieved in the central Adriatic in 250 m water depth, on the floor of the Meso-Adriatic Depression. After alternating field demagnetization, the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) directions show a characteristic and primary magnetization of the sediments that is representative of secular variation of the geomagnetic field. By combining C-14 dating and the ages of magnetic inclination features, it has been possible to establish an age-depth model for all of the cores. Precise identification of the secular variation features provides a refined chronology that allows us to quantify short-term changes in sediment flux from the Adriatic catchment as well as changes in sediment routing within the basin. Rock magnetic parameters indicate a homogeneous magnetic mineralogy dominated by fine-grained magnetite. Variations in both concentration and grain-size related magnetic parameters reflect changes in sediment supply between glacial and interglacial stages, as well as changes in environmental conditions. Selective dissolution of magnetic grains is associated with the formation of sapropel S1 during the first part of the Holocene, although the duration of the anoxic interval varies between cores. A significant modification in sediment supply characterizes the late-Holocene deposits with a marked increase in sedimentation rate occurring during the last few centuries. We interpret this as a far-reaching response to the rapid construction of the modern Po delta under increasing anthropogenic impact.
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Vigliotti L, Verosub K, Cattaneo Antonio, Trincardi F, Asioli A, Piva A (2008). Palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic analysis of Holocene deposits from the Adriatic Sea: detecting and dating short-term fluctuations in sediment supply. The Holocene, 18(1), 141-152. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683607085605 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4208/