High resolution evolution of terrigenous sediment yields in the Provence Basin during the last 6 Ma: relation with climate and tectonics

Type Article
Date 2017-06
Language English
Author(s) Leroux EstelleORCID1, 2, 3, Rabineau MarinaORCID2, Aslanian DanielORCID3, Gorini Christian1, Molliex Stephane2, 3, Bache Francois4, Robin Cecile5, Droz Laurence2, Moulin MarylineORCID3, Poort Jeffrey1, Rubino Jean-Loup6, Suc Jean-Pierre1, 7
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Paris 06, Sorbonne Univ, UPMC, UMR 7193,Inst Sci Terre Paris ISTeP, F-75005 Paris, France.
2 : CNRS, IUEM, UMR6538, Domaines Ocean, Plouzane, France.
3 : IFREMER, DRO GM LGG, Plouzane, France.
4 : Santos Ltd, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
5 : Univ Rennes 1, Campus Beaulieu, Rennes, France.
6 : TOTAL, CSTJF, Pau, France.
7 : CNRS, UMR 7193, Inst Sci Terre Paris ISTeP, Paris, France.
Source Basin Research (0950-091X) (Wiley), 2017-06 , Vol. 29 , N. 3 , P. 305-339
DOI 10.1111/bre.12178
WOS© Times Cited 18
Abstract Basin-wide correlation of Messinian units and Plio-Quaternary chronostratigraphic markers (5.3 Ma, 2.6 Ma, 0.9 Ma and 0.45 Ma), the mapping of total sediment thickness and the determination of overall sedimentary volumes enabled us to provide a high-resolution quantitative history of sediment volumes for the last 6 Ma along the Gulf of Lions margin. The results point to (i) a dramatic increase in terrigenous sediment input during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. This increased sedimentation reflects enhanced regional fluvial erosion related to the dramatic fall of Mediterranean base-level. Stronger weathering due to a regional wetter climate probably also increased erosional fluxes. (ii) A sediment input three times higher during the Plio-Quaternary compared to the Miocene seems in agreement with published measurements from World's ocean. However, the timing of this increase being uncertain, it implies that the trigger(s) also remain(s) uncertain. (iii) A decrease in detrital volume around 2.6 Ma is attributed to a regional change in the drainage pattern of rivers in the northwestern Alps. (iv) This study also highlights the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution around 0.9 Ma, which resulted in an almost doubling of sediment input in the Provencal Basin.
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Leroux Estelle, Rabineau Marina, Aslanian Daniel, Gorini Christian, Molliex Stephane, Bache Francois, Robin Cecile, Droz Laurence, Moulin Maryline, Poort Jeffrey, Rubino Jean-Loup, Suc Jean-Pierre (2017). High resolution evolution of terrigenous sediment yields in the Provence Basin during the last 6 Ma: relation with climate and tectonics. Basin Research, 29(3), 305-339. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12178 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00310/42087/