Iberian Margin Research Articles

Optical properties of dissolved organic matter relate to different depth-specific patterns of archaeal and bacterial community structure in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Prokaryotic abundance, activity and community composition were studied in the euphotic, intermediate and deep waters off the Galician coast (NW Iberian margin) in relation to the optical characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Microbial (archaeal and bacterial) community structure was vertically stratified. Among the Archaea, Euryarchaeota, especially Thermoplasmata, was dominant in the intermediate waters and decreased with depth, whereas marine Thaumarchaeota, especially Marine Group I, was the most abundant archaeal phylum in the deeper layers. The bacterial community was dominated by Proteobacteria through the whole water column. However, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes occurrence was considerable in the upper layer and SAR202 was dominant in deep waters. Microbial composition and abundance were not shaped by the quantity of dissolved organic carbon, but instead they revealed a strong connection with the DOM quality. Archaeal communities were mainly related to the fluorescence of DOM (which indicates respiration of labile DOM and generation of refractory subproducts), while bacterial communities were mainly linked to the aromaticity/age of the DOM produced along the water column. Taken together, our results indicate that the microbial community composition is associated with the DOM composition of the water masses, suggesting that distinct microbial taxa have the potential to use and/or produce specific DOM compounds.

Integrated analysis of bacterial and microeukaryotic communities from differentially active mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cadiz.

The present study assesses the diversity and composition of sediment bacterial and microeukaryotic communities from deep-sea mud volcanoes (MVs) associated with strike-slip faults in the South-West Iberian Margin (SWIM). We used a 16S/18S rRNA gene based pyrosequencing approach to characterize and correlate the sediment bacterial and microeukaryotic communities from MVs with differing gas seep regimes and from an additional site with no apparent seeping activity. In general, our results showed significant compositional changes of bacterial and microeukaryotic communities in sampling sites with different seepage regimes. Sediment bacterial communities were enriched with Methylococcales (putative methanotrophs) but had lower abundances of Rhodospirillales, Nitrospirales and SAR202 in the more active MVs. Within microeukaryotic communities, members of the Lobosa (lobose amoebae) were enriched in more active MVs. We also showed a strong correlation between Methylococcales populations and lobose amoeba in active MVs. This study provides baseline information on the diversity and composition of bacterial and microeukaryotic communities in deep-sea MVs associated with strike-slip faults.

Constraints on the application of long chain diol proxies in the Iberian Atlantic margin

Long chain diols are lipids that have gained interest over the last years due to their high potential to serve as biomarkers and diol indices have been proposed to reconstruct upwelling conditions and sea surface temperature (SST). However, little is known about the sources of the diols and the mechanisms impacting their distribution. Here we studied the factors controlling diol distributions in the Iberian Atlantic margin, which is characterized by a dynamic continental shelf under the influence of upwelling of nutrient-rich cold deep waters, and fluvial input. We analyzed suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Tagus river, marine SPM and marine surface sediments along five transects off the Iberian margin, as well as riverbank sediments and soil from the catchment area of the Tagus river. Relatively high fractional abundances of the C32 1,15-diol (normalized with respect to the 1,13- and 1,15-diols) were observed in surface sediments in front of major river mouths and this abundance correlated strongly with the BIT index, a tracer for continental input of organic carbon. Together with an even higher fractional abundance of the C32 1,15-diol in the Tagus river SPM, and the absence of long chain diols in the watershed riverbank sediments and soils, we suggest that this long chain diol is produced in-situ in the river. Further support for this hypothesis comes from the small but distinct stable carbon isotopic difference of 1.3‰ with the marine C28 1,13-diol. The 1,14-diols are relatively abundant in surface sediments directly along the northern part of the coast, close to the upwelling zone, suggesting that diol indices based on 1,14-diols would work well as upwelling tracers in this region. Strikingly, we observed a significant difference in stable carbon isotopic composition between the mono-unsaturated C30:1 1,14- and the saturated C28 1,14-diol (3.8±0.7‰), suggesting different sources, in accordance with their different distributions. In addition, the Long chain Diol Index (LDI), a proxy for sea surface temperature, was applied to the surface sediments. The results correlated well with satellite SSTs offshore, but revealed a significant discrepancy with satellite-derived SSTs in front of the Tagus and Sado rivers. This suggests that river outflow might compromise the applicability of this proxy.

Integrated biostratigraphy (Ammonoidea, Foraminiferida) of the Aalenian of the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal): A synthesis

This work reports a synthesis of biostratigraphic outputs resulting from over two decades of comprehensive analysis on the expressive stratigraphic record of the Aalenian of the Lusitanian Basin (Western Iberian Margin; Portugal). The rich and diverse ammonite record studied from ten marly and marlylimestones sections, outcropping in different sectors of the basin ranging from distal to proximal facies, has enabled the establishment of a detailed ammonite-based biostratigraphical framework correlated with other basins located around the Iberian Plate. The study of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages occurring in the basin at the same time interval has allowed the establishment of a biostratigraphic scale based on microfossils accurately calibrated with the ammonite record, an important tool in log interpretation in the context of hydrocarbon exploration activities in sedimentary basins of Jurassic age. The corresponding biostratigraphic units are characterized, as well as the bioevents recognized in the benthic foraminiferal record, which represent another additional proxy of local and/or regional rank that can be used to determine both the age and depositional environment assigned to core samples.

Taxonomy, distribution and ecology of the order Phyllodocida (Annelida, Polychaeta) in deep-sea habitats around the Iberian margin

The polychaetes of the order Phyllodocida (excluding Nereidiformia and Phyllodociformia incertae sedis) collected from deep-sea habitats of the Iberian margin (Bay of Biscay, Horseshoe continental rise, Gulf of Cadiz and Alboran Sea), and Atlantic seamounts (Gorringe Bank, Atlantis and Nameless) are reported herein. Thirty-six species belonging to seven families – Acoetidae, Pholoidae, Polynoidae, Sigalionidae, Glyceridae, Goniadidae and Phyllodocidae, were identified. Amended descriptions and/or new illustrations are given for the species Allmaniella setubalensis, Anotochaetonoe michelbhaudi, Lepidasthenia brunnea and Polynoe sp. Relevant taxonomical notes are provided for other seventeen species. Allmaniella setubalensis, Anotochaetonoe michelbhaudi, Harmothoe evei, Eumida longicirrata and Glycera noelae, previously known only from their type localities were found in different deep-water places of the studied areas and constitute new records for the Iberian margin. The geographic distributions and the bathymetric range of thirteen and fifteen species, respectively, are extended. The morphology-based biodiversity inventory was complemented with DNA sequences of the mitochondrial barcode region (COI barcodes) providing a molecular tag for future reference. Twenty new sequences were obtained for nine species in the families Acoetidae, Glyceridae and Polynoidae and for three lineages within the Phylodoce madeirensis complex (Phyllodocidae). A brief analysis of the newly obtained sequences and publicly available COI barcode data for the genera herein reported, highlighted several cases of unclear taxonomic assignments, which need further study.

3D numerical modelling of marine organic matter distribution: example of the early Jurassic sequences of the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal)

AbstractDue to the multiple controlling factors involved, it is a challenging task to identify and quantify the processes influencing the distribution and heterogeneity of marine organic‐rich rocks. To improve our understanding of these deposits, we model their burial history and stratigraphic evolution as well as processes linked to marine organic matter history throughout the Lower Jurassic in of the Northern Lusitanian Basin (Western Iberian Margin). This 15‐Ma‐long interval is modelled using 100‐kyr time steps to simulate lithologies and organic matter heterogeneity as layers with a thickness of 2–5 m, depending on the sedimentation rate in the basin. The model is calibrated by well and outcrop data which provide structural and biostratigraphic constraints, as well as information on the depositional facies and geochemistry of the sediments. The results show that the presence of organic‐rich intervals is linked to first‐order variations in the basin geometry and sedimentation rates. Without considering any variation of primary productivity or oxygen content in surface sea waters, the parameters of basin geometry and sedimentation rate are sufficient to predict the main characteristics of source rocks, i.e. their occurrence, thickness and mineralogy at the basin scale. However, to fit the measured organic carbon contents, we need to take account of other parameters such as variations of primary productivity or changes in dissolved oxygen concentration.

Influence of external forcings on abrupt millennial-scale climate changes: a statistical modelling study

The last glacial period was punctuated by a series of abrupt climate shifts, the so-called Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events. The frequency of DO events varied in time, supposedly because of changes in background climate conditions. Here, the influence of external forcings on DO events is investigated with statistical modelling. We assume two types of simple stochastic dynamical systems models (double-well potential-type and oscillator-type), forced by the northern hemisphere summer insolation change and/or the global ice volume change. The model parameters are estimated by using the maximum likelihood method with the NGRIP Ca$^{2+}$ record. The stochastic oscillator model with at least the ice volume forcing reproduces well the sample autocorrelation function of the record and the frequency changes of warming transitions in the last glacial period across MISs 2, 3, and 4. The model performance is improved with the additional insolation forcing. The BIC scores also suggest that the ice volume forcing is relatively more important than the insolation forcing, though the strength of evidence depends on the model assumption. Finally, we simulate the average number of warming transitions in the past four glacial periods, assuming the model can be extended beyond the last glacial, and compare the result with an Iberian margin sea-surface temperature (SST) record (Martrat et al., Science, vol. 317, p. 502, 2007). The simulation result supports the previous observation that abrupt millennial-scale climate changes in the penultimate glacial (MIS 6) are less frequent than in the last glacial (MISs 2-4). On the other hand, it suggests that the number of abrupt millennial-scale climate changes in older glacial periods (MISs 6, 8, and 10) might be larger than inferred from the SST record.

Radiocarbon evidence for enhanced respired carbon storage in the Atlantic at the Last Glacial Maximum.

The influence of ocean circulation changes on atmospheric CO2 hinges primarily on the ability to alter the ocean interior's respired nutrient inventory. Here we investigate the Atlantic overturning circulation at the Last Glacial Maximum and its impact on respired carbon storage using radiocarbon and stable carbon isotope data from the Brazil and Iberian Margins. The data demonstrate the existence of a shallow well-ventilated northern-sourced cell overlying a poorly ventilated, predominantly southern-sourced cell at the Last Glacial Maximum. We also find that organic carbon remineralization rates in the deep Atlantic remained broadly similar to modern, but that ventilation ages in the southern-sourced overturning cell were significantly increased. Respired carbon storage in the deep Atlantic was therefore enhanced during the last glacial period, primarily due to an increase in the residence time of carbon in the deep ocean, rather than an increase in biological carbon export.

Tropically-driven climate shifts in southwestern Europe during MIS 19, a low eccentricity interglacial

The relative roles of high- versus low-latitude forcing of millennial-scale climate variability are still not well understood. Here we present terrestrial–marine climate profiles from the southwestern Iberian margin, a region particularly affected by precession, that show millennial climate oscillations related to a nonlinear response to the Earth's precession cycle during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 19. MIS 19 has been considered the best analogue to our present interglacial from an astronomical point of view due to the reduced eccentricity centred at 785 ka. In our records, seven millennial-scale forest contractions punctuated MIS 19 superimposed to two orbitally-driven Mediterranean forest expansions. In contrast to our present interglacial, we evidence for the first time low latitude-driven 5000-yr cycles of drying and cooling in the western Mediterranean region, along with warmth in the subtropical gyre related to the fourth harmonic of precession. These cycles indicate repeated intensification of North Atlantic meridional moisture transport that along with decrease in boreal summer insolation triggered ice growth and may have contributed to the glacial inception, at ∼774 ka. The freshwater fluxes during MIS 19ab amplified the cooling events in the North Atlantic promoting further cooling and leading to MIS 18 glaciation. The discrepancy between the dominant cyclicity observed during MIS 1, 2500-yr, and that of MIS 19, 5000-yr, challenges the similar duration of the Holocene and MIS 19c interglacials under natural boundary conditions.

Vertical stratification of bacterial communities driven by multiple environmental factors in the waters (0–5000 m) off the Galician coast (NW Iberian margin)

The processes mediated by microbial planktonic communities occur along the entire water column, yet the microbial activity and composition have been studied mainly in surface waters. This research examined the vertical variation in bacterial abundance, activity and community composition and structure from surface down to 5000m depth following a longitudinal transect off the Galician coast (NW Iberian margin, from 43°N, 9°W to 43°N, 15°W). Community activity and composition changed with depth. The leucine incorporation rates decreased from the euphotic layer to the bathypelagic waters by three orders of magnitude, whereas prokaryotic abundance decreased only by one order of magnitude. The relative abundance of SAR11 and Alteromonas, determined by catalyzed reported deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH), decreased with depth. Meanwhile, the contribution of SAR 202 and SAR324 was significantly higher in the deeper layers (i.e. NEADW, North East Atlantic Deep Water and LDW, Lower Deep Water) than in the euphotic zone. Bacterial community structure, assessed by Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA), was depth-specific. A distance based linear model (DistLM) revealed that the variability found in bacterial community structure was mainly explained by temperature nitrate, phosphate, dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescence, prokaryotic abundance, leucine incorporation and to a lesser extent salinity, oxygen, CDOM absorbance and dissolved organic carbon concentration. Our results displayed a bacterial community structure shaped not only by depth-related physicochemical features but also by DOM quality, indicating that different prokaryotic taxa have the potential to metabolize particular DOM sources.

Particle fluxes in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system: Hydrodynamical and biological control

To better understand sources and transport of particulate material in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system, a mooring line dotted with an automated PPS 4/3 sediment trap was deployed off Cape Silleiro at the base of the photic zone. The samples were collected from November 2008 through June 2012 over sampling periods of 4–12 days.Our study represents the first automated sediment trap database for the NW Iberian margin. The magnitude and composition of the settling material showed strong seasonal variability with the highest fluxes during the poleward and winter mixing periods (averages of 12.9±9.6gm−2d−1 and 5.6±5.6gm−2d−1 respectively), and comparatively lower fluxes (3.6±4.1gm−2d−1) for the upwelling season. Intensive deposition events registered during poleward and winter mixing periods were dominated by the lithogenic fraction (80±3%). They were associated to high energy wave-driven resuspension processes, due to the occurrence of south-westerly storms, and intense riverine inputs of terrestrial material from Minho and Douro rivers.On the other hand, during the spring - summer upwelling season, the share of biogenic compounds (organic matter, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), biogenic silica (bSiO2)) to downward fluxes was higher, reflecting an increase in pelagic sedimentation due to the seasonal intensification of primary production and negligible river inputs and wave-driven resuspended material. Otherwise, the large variations of biogenic settling particles were mainly modulated by upwelling intensity, which by means of upwelling filaments ultimately controlled the offshore transport of the organic carbon fixed by primary producers towards the adjacent ocean. Based on the average downward flux of organic carbon (212mgCm−2 d−1) and considering an average primary production of 1013mgCm−2d−1 from literature, we estimated that about 21% of the fixed carbon is vertically exported during the upwelling season.

The Asturian Basin within the North Iberian margin (Bay of Biscay): seismic characterisation of its geometry and its Mesozoic and Cenozoic cover

AbstractThe distribution and structure of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic cover within the central part of the North Iberian Margin (Bay of Biscay) is analysed based on a dense set of 2D seismic reflection lines and logs. The integration of well data allows the recognition of seven seismostratigraphic units and the construction of a surface that illustrates the 3D morphology of this area at the time of the Jurassic rifting. The study zone comprises what is known as Le Danois Bank, a basement high, and the Asturian Basin, one of the sedimentary basins originated during the Iberian rifting at the end of the Paleozoic. Its development continued with the oceanisation of the Bay of Biscay as a failed arm of the Atlantic rift; later, during the Cenozoic, a drastic change in tectonic regime induced the partial closure of Biscay and building up the Cantabrian−Pyrenean chain along the northern border of Iberia. This compressional period left its imprint in the Asturian Basin sediments in the form of a mild inversion and general uplift. The geometry of the basin bottom appears as an asymmetric bowl thinning out towards the edges, with a main E‐W depocenter, separated by E‐W striking faults from a secondary one. Those bounding faults show twisted trends in the north, interpreted as a consequence of the compressional period, when a transfer zone in a N‐S direction formed between the two E‐W striking deformation fronts in Biscay. This study shows that the transfer zone extends further to the west, reaching the longitude of Le Danois Bank. The maximum thickness of the filling within the Asturian Basin is estimated in more than 10 km, deeper than assessed in previous studies. The recognition of frequent halokynetic structures at this longitude is another observation worth to remark. Based on this study, it is suggested that the basin formed on top of a distal basement block of stretched crust limiting with the hyperextended rifted domain of Biscay. This location largely conditioned its deformation during the late compression.

Geomorphology and Neogene tectonic evolution of the Palomares continental margin (Western Mediterranean)

The Palomares continental margin is located in the southeastern part of Spain. The margin main structure was formed during Miocene times, and it is currently part of the wide deformation zone characterizing the region between the Iberian and African plates, where no well-defined plate boundary occurs. The convergence between these two plates is here accommodated by several structures, including the left lateral strike–slip Palomares Fault. The region is characterized by sparse, low to moderate magnitude (Mw <5.2) shallow instrumental earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. To understand the recent tectonic history of the margin we analyze new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and re-processed three multichannel seismic reflection profiles crossing the main structures. The analysis of seafloor morphology and associated subsurface structure provides new insights of the active tectonic features of the area. In contrast to other segments of the southeastern Iberian margin, the Palomares margin contains numerous large and comparatively closely spaced canyons with heads that reach near the coast. The margin relief is also characterized by the presence of three prominent igneous submarine ridges that include the Aguilas, Abubacer and Maimonides highs. Erosive processes evidenced by a number of scars, slope failures, gullies and canyon incisions shape the present-day relief of the Palomares margin. Seismic images reveal the deep structure distinguishing between Miocene structures related to the formation of the margin and currently active features, some of which may reactivate inherited structures. The structure of the margin started with an extensional phase accompanied by volcanic accretion during the Serravallian, followed by a compressional pulse that started during the Latemost Tortonian. Nowadays, tectonic activity offshore is subdued and limited to few, minor faults, in comparison with the activity recorded onshore. The deep Algero-Balearic Basin is affected by surficial processes, associated to halokinesis of Messinian evaporites.

Provenance of Holocene beach sand in the Western Iberian margin: the use of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for the deciphering of sediment recycling in a modern coastal system

AbstractDetrital zircons from Holocene beach sand and igneous zircons from the Cretaceous syenite forming Cape Sines (Western Iberian margin) were dated using laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry. The U–Pb ages obtained were used for comparison with previous radiometric data from Carboniferous greywacke, Pliocene–Pleistocene sand and Cretaceous syenite forming the sea cliff at Cape Sines and the contiguous coast. New U–Pb dating of igneous morphologically simple and complex zircons from the syenite of the Sines pluton suggests that the history of zircon crystallization was more extensive (ca 87 to 74 Ma), in contrast to the findings of previous geochronology studies (ca 76 to 74 Ma). The U–Pb ages obtained in Holocene sand revealed a wide interval, ranging from the Cretaceous to the Archean, with predominance of Cretaceous (37%), Palaeozoic (35%) and Neoproterozoic (19%) detrital‐zircon ages. The paucity of round to sub‐rounded grains seems to indicate a short transportation history for most of the Cretaceous zircons (ca 95 to 73 Ma) which are more abundant in the beach sand that was sampled south of Cape Sines. Comparative analysis using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical method, analysing sub‐populations separately, suggests that the zircon populations of the Carboniferous and Cretaceous rocks forming the sea cliff were reproduced faithfully in Quaternary sand, indicating sediment recycling. The similarity of the pre‐Cretaceous ages (&gt;ca 280 Ma) of detrital zircons found in Holocene sand, as compared with Carboniferous greywacke and Pliocene–Pleistocene sand, provides support for the hypothesis that detritus was reworked into the beach from older sedimentary rocks exposed along the sea cliff. The largest percentage of Cretaceous zircons (&lt;ca 95 Ma) found in Holocene sand, as compared with Pliocene–Pleistocene sand (secondary recycled source), suggests that the Sines pluton was the one of the primary sources that became progressively more exposed to erosion during Quaternary uplift. This work highlights the application of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov method in comparison of zircon age populations used to identify provenance and sediment recycling in modern and ancient detrital sedimentary sequences.

Rising and falling diapirs, shifting depocenters, and flap overturning in the Cretaceous Sopeira and Sant Gervàs subbasins (Ribagorça Basin, southern Pyrenees)

AbstractThe halokinetic structure of inverted salt‐related continental margins is frequently obliterated by compressional overprinting. The Cretaceous Sopeira and Sant Gervàs subbasins of the Ribagorça Basin (south central Pyrenees) show evidence of salt‐related extensional tectonics and diapiric growth along the Iberian Margin of the Mesozoic Pyrenean rift. We present an integrated field‐based tectonic‐sedimentary study to reconstruct the evolution of the Ribagorça Basin system previous to, and in the early stages of, the Pyrenean orogeny. The ~4 km thick Albian‐Cenomanian Sopeira minibasin infill thins toward the basin borders, especially toward the eastern, N‐S trending, Llastarri salt weld. The 90° tilt to the south of the Sopeira basin bottom records the growth of the buried north dipping Sopeira listric fault from Albian to Santonian times, when it evolved as an extensional rollover associated with the Aulet salt roller. The ~3 km thick Cenomanian‐Campanian succession filling the Sant Gervàs flap displays 130° bed fanning attitude from overturned Cenomanian carbonate platform strata to upright Campanian turbidite beds. The Sant Gervàs flap development since Cenomanian times was related to the fall of a large salt pillow after the main Soperia minibasin stage. Jurassic‐Campanian diachronous subsidence is also observed in the adjacent Montiberri, Faiada, and Tamurcia depocenters. Correlation with the Pedraforca, Cotiella, and Basque‐Cantabrian Basins along the southern Pyrenees suggests that a significant segment of the Iberian side of the Pyrenean rift experienced a gravity‐driven extension from Albian to late Santonian. The Ribagorça Basin provides an excellent field analogue for presently buried salt‐related structures of extended passive margins.

The crustal evolution of the west-central Pyrenees revisited: Inferences from a new kinematic scenario

New evolutionary models for the Pyrenean orogeny must consider feedbacks between the Mid-Cretaceous hyperextension postulated recently and the Pyrenean inversion. We present a new crustal section of the Pyrenees through the Jaca Basin, the western Axial Zone and the Chaînons Béarnais, which allows identifying the ancient continental margins of the Iberian and European plates and a suture. A sequential restoration allows a reassessment of the style of convergence through time. Restoration leads to a progressively thinned crust in narrow continental margins separated by a domain of exhumed mantle peridotite and overlain by a detached sedimentary lid. Early convergence during the Late Cretaceous and the Earliest Paleogene was accommodated by subduction of the peridotite domain. This was followed in the Eocene by initial collision involving overriding of the Iberian margin onto the European margin along the deep ramp of the North-Pyrenean Frontal thrust, which defines the suture. Subsequent full collision and strong relief generation from the late-Mid or Late Eocene to the Early Miocene were associated with thrust accretion of the Iberian plate, underlain by wedging and northward subduction of the decoupled Iberian lower crust.

Seismostratigraphy and tectonic architecture of the Carboneras Fault offshore based on multiscale seismic imaging: Implications for the Neogene evolution of the NE Alboran Sea

In the SE Iberian Margin, which hosts the convergent boundary between the European and African Plates, Quaternary faulting activity is dominated by a large left-lateral strike–slip system referred to as the Eastern Betic Shear Zone. This active fault system runs along more than 450km and it is characterised by low to moderate magnitude shallow earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. The Carboneras Fault is the longest structure of the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, and its southern termination extends further into the Alboran Sea. Previously acquired high-resolution data (i.e. swath-bathymetry, TOBI sidescan sonar and sub-bottom profiler) show that the offshore Carboneras Fault is a NE–SW-trending upwarped zone of deformation with a length of 90km long and a width of 0.5 to 2km, which shows geomorphic features typically found in subaerial strike–slip faults, such as deflected drainage, pressure ridges and “en echelon” folds. However, the neotectonic, depth architecture, and Neogene evolution of Carboneras Fault offshore are still poorly known. In this work we present a multiscale seismic imaging of the Carboneras Fault (i.e. TOPAS, high-resolution multichannel-seismic reflection, and deep penetration multichannel-seismic reflection) carried out during three successive marine cruises, from 2006 to 2010. The new dataset allowed us to define a total of seven seismostratigraphic units (from Tortonian to Late Quaternary) above the basement, to characterise the tectonic architecture and structural segmentation of the Carboneras Fault, and to estimate its maximum seismic potential. We finally discuss the role of the basement in the present-day tectonic evolution of the Carboneras Fault, and explore the northern and southern terminations of the fault and how the strain is transferred to nearby structures.

IN-PHASE INTER-HEMISPHERIC CHANGES IN TWO UPWELLING REGIONS: THE SOUTHEAST BRAZILIAN AND NW IBERIAN MARGINS

Two high-resolution multi-proxy records from cores collected in the upwelling regions off Cabo Frio (Brazil, core 7620) and Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula, core KSGX40) were used to evaluate environmental changes during the Holocene. Core 7620 is a muddy sequence that exhibits gradual coarsening upward and covers a time period of approximately 9400 yr cal BP. Core KSGX40 records the last 4800 yr cal BP and consists of a sedimentary sequence exhibiting gradual fining upward in grain size. Results from core 7620 indicate that important changes occurred at 7000, 5800 and 3000 yr cal BP. Micropaleontological proxies indicate an increase in organic carbon supply towards the bottom, due to higher oceanic productivity, in the last 2500 yr cal BP. This increment in oceanic productivity is likely related to stronger upwelling events in the Cabo Frio region in that period. Core KSGX40 also indicates an increment in upwelling events in the Galicia region in the last 2500 yr cal BP. In both systems, the upwelling is linked to the intensification of NE winds and the prevalence of relatively drier climatic conditions. The Holocene upwelling changes in the Cabo Frio region were previously attributed to deviations in the position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), whereas in the Galician area this phenomenon was attributed to alterations in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The multi-millennial variability recorded in both cores suggests the occurrence of Holocene in-phase climatic changes both in Southern Hemisphere at the latitudes of the SW coast of Brazil (Cabo Frio region) and in the Northern Hemisphere, at the latitude of Galicia (NW Iberian Margin). These coupled climatic alterations were probably related to changes in the oceanic-atmospheric climatic systems, coupled with and amplified by solar forcing effects. doi: 10.12957/jse.2016.21463

Phosphorites, Co‐rich Mn nodules, and Fe‐Mn crusts from Galicia Bank, NE Atlantic: Reflections of Cenozoic tectonics and paleoceanography

AbstractA wide variety of marine mineral deposits were recovered from 750 to 1400 m water depths on Galicia Bank, Iberian margin. Mineral deposits include: (1) carbonate fluorapatite phosphorite slabs and nodules that replaced limestone and preserved original protolith fabric. (2) Ferromanganese vernadite crusts with high Mn and Fe (Mn/Fe = 1) contents, and thick stratabound layers consisting mainly of Mn (up to 27% MnO) and Fe (15% Fe2O3), which impregnated and replaced the phosphorite. (3) Co‐rich Mn nodules are composed of romanechite and todorokite laminae. Mn‐rich layers (up to 58% MnO) contain up to 1.8% Co. (4) Goethite nodules with Fe up to 67% Fe2O3 have low Mn and trace metals. We interpret this mineralization paragenesis to be related to major changes in oceanographic and tectonic regimes. Three phosphatization generations formed hardgrounds dated by 87Sr/86Sr isotopes as late Oligocene, early Miocene, and latest early Miocene. During the latest early Miocene, the hardground was fractured and breached due to regional intraplate tectonism, which was coeval with a widespread regional erosional unconformity. The stratabound layers and Co‐rich manganese nodules were derived from low‐temperature geothermally driven hydrothermal fluids, with fluid conduits along reactivated faults. During middle and late Miocene, the introduction of vigorous deep water flow from the Arctic generated growth of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts. Finally, growth of diagenetic Fe‐rich nodules (late Pliocene) was promoted by the introduction of hypersaline Mediterranean Outflow Water into the Atlantic Ocean.

Sea surface temperature reconstructions over the last 70 kyr off Portugal: Biomarker data and regional modeling

This study aims at providing robust temperature reconstructions for a key oceanographic setting in the North Atlantic and at understanding the nature of the temperature signal recorded by the two biomarkers U-37(k) and TEX86, considering season and depth of production. To do so, high-resolution signals of U-37(k) and TEX86 are determined for the last 70kyr for core MD95-2042, located off Portugal. Signals of U-37(k) and TEX86 present a tight correlation, demonstrating a dominant temperature effect. U-37(k) signals correspond well to the annual mean sea surface temperature (SST), whereas TEX86H-derived temperatures are 5.6 degrees C higher, which is unrealistically warm for this area. Unsuitable TEX86 global linear calibrations on the Iberian Margin may suggest a possible occurrence of archaeal communities with specific temperature response. To assess the impact of different season or depth of production of the biomarkers on the recorded temperature in the sediment, modeled temperature proxies (Tproxies) are introduced in a Regional Oceanic Modeling System and tested for different seasons (annual/summer/winter) and depths (surface and 0-200m) of production for three climate modes (Present Day (PD), Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Heinrich Stadials (HS)). Similar temperature amplitudes between climate modes are found at MD95-2042 core site for observations, for both biomarkers, and for modeled annual surface production Tproxy: 5.5-7 degrees C for T(PD-LGM) and 3-4 degrees C for T(LGM-HS). Therefore, we propose a new TEX86H regional calibration to reconstruct present and past annual mean SSTs on the Iberian Margin.