Rhodalgal-bryomol temperate carbonates from the Apulian shelf (Southeastern Italy), relict and modern deposits on a current dominated shelf

Abstract

Mound-shaped algal banks and associated bioclastic deposits have been investigated on the Apulian shelf, SE Italy, off Capo d’Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca within a bathymetric range of 53–60m water depth. The bioclastic deposits form different sand-gravel skeletal assemblages; each one characterised by different associations and occurrence of prevailing organisms in relation to substratum types. These deposits lie on a lee shore and form rhodalgal and bryomol relict-modern deposits which originate from the banks’ erosion by means of bottom currents and storms. These play a significant role in reworking bottom preventing colonization by a sessile stabilizing bottom community, and mobile deposits prevent large encrustations. Sediments are thus characterised by a variable taphonomical preservation state and time-averaging as shown by the occurrence of abraded bryozoan growth forms. The banks, sub-circular in shape, display a maximum diameter of 70 m and 1–2m relief. Their position on the shelf coincides with the present day 50 m isobath and it is assumed to correspond to a paleoshore such as that which formed in the Holocene during the transgression following the last ice age. Living counterparts of these banks occur today north of the study area at 10–30 m water depth.