Meriadzek Terrace Research Articles

Terrigenous fluxes at the Celtic margin during the last glacial cycle

The sedimentary sections of three cores from the Celtic margin provide high-resolution records of the terrigenous fluxes during the last glacial cycle. A total of 21 14C AMS dates allow us to define age models with a resolution better than 100 yr during critical periods such as Heinrich events 1 and 2. Maximum sedimentary fluxes occurred at the Meriadzek Terrace site during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Detailed X-ray imagery of core MD95-2002 from the Meriadzek Terrace shows no sedimentary structures suggestive of either deposition from high-density turbidity currents or significant erosion. Two paroxysmal terrigenous flux episodes have been identified. The first occurred after the deposition of Heinrich event 2 Canadian ice-rafted debris (IRD) and includes IRD from European sources. We suggest that the second represents an episode of deposition from turbid plumes, which precedes IRD deposition associated with Heinrich event 1. At the end of marine isotopic stage 2 (MIS 2) and the beginning of MIS 1 the highest fluxes are recorded on the Whittard Ridge where they correspond to deposition from turbidity current overflows. Canadian icebergs have rafted debris at the Celtic margin during Heinrich events 1, 2, 4 and 5. The high-resolution records of Heinrich events 1 and 2 show that in both cases the arrival of the Canadian icebergs was preceded by a European ice rafting precursor event, which took place about 1–1.5 kyr before. Two rafting episodes of European IRD also occurred immediately after Heinrich event 2 and just before Heinrich event 1. The terrigenous fluxes recorded in core MD95-2002 during the LGM are the highest reported at hemipelagic sites from the northwestern European margin. The magnitude of the Canadian IRD fluxes at Meriadzek Terrace is similar to those from oceanic sites.

Initiation of the European deglaciation as recorded in the northwestern Bay of Biscay slope environments (Meriadzek Terrace and Trevelyan Escarpment): a multi-proxy approach

Three cores retrieved on the northwestern slope of the Bay of Biscay are described and discussed in the light of the European last deglaciation history. This integrated sedimentological and micropalaeontological study provides a detailed evolution scheme for the deep and sea-surface conditions of the Bay during the final deglacial step, with a direct link with the continental palaeoenvironments. As early as 15 ka 14C-BP, a European precursor melting event is recorded as a purge of the Channel and Irish Sea palaeoriver systems. ‘Pleni–Heinrich event conditions’ occurred in the Bay of Biscay between 14.4 and 13 ka 14C-BP with a typical Canadian signature only recorded at 14 ka 14C-BP, namely 1 ka later than the first evidence of melting of the British Ice-sheet. Our data demonstrate that, following Heinrich event 2, the Last Glacial Maximum was characterised by a gradual warming accompanied by, at least, two pulses of the North Atlantic Drift. These North Atlantic Drift/heat northward penetrations are supposed to have primarily forced the Heinrich event 1 collapse.

Benthic dynamics and carbon fluxes on the NW European continental margin

Across the Goban Spur on the NW European continental margin, laterally directed, intermittent, off-slope transport of particulate matter takes place by intermediate and bottom nepheloid layers (BNLs). These are generated by semidiurnal tidal currents, which on the upper slope reach maximum near-bed speeds of up to 20 cm s−1, and which are directed predominantly off-slope (during 15–20% of the tidal cycle). BNLs are semi-permanently present, increasing in thickness above the seabed in downslope direction but decreasing in particle density. Near-bed currents measured on the upper slope are stronger in autumn than during summer, and both long- and short-term records suggest interannual variability. Aggregate formation in the benthic boundary layer (BBL) is considered the dominant process controlling particle accumulation. The organic fraction has low settling velocities and high residence times within the BBL. The flux of lithogenic material into the sediment on Goban Spur decreases from >44 g m−2 a−1 on the shelf edge to 6.9 and 4.9 g m−2 a−1 on the upper slope, then increases to a maximum of 19.1 g m−2 a−1 on the continental rise. CaCO3 flux increases with depth from about 13 g m−2 a−1 on the shelf edge to a maximum of 30.7 g m−2 a−1 on the continental rise, with minima on the upper slope. Flux values at comparable depths on Meriadzek Terrace are considerably higher. Mineralization of organic carbon on Goban Spur, representing more than 97.7% of the deposition flux, decreases with depth from 19.13 g C m−2 a−1 on the shelf edge, to 4.39 g C m−2 a−1 on the continental rise, and 1.10 g C m−2 a−1 on Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Organic carbon burial fluxes range between 0.05 and >0.16 gC m−2 a−1 on Goban Spur, and up to 0.41 gC m−2 a−1 on Meriadzek Terrace. Over 90% of the organic carbon mineralization at the sediment–water interface and directly below the seabed is driven by oxygen, as shown by pore water modelling and in situ oxygen measurements. Denitrification is of only minor (<5%) importance for the organic carbon mineralization; anoxic mineralization plays a (minor) role on shallow stations. Inventories and fluxes of 210Pbxs in surface sediments on Goban Spur indicate that the slope below 1500 m receives only about half of the amount of relatively young sedimentary material compared to the upper slope and shelf. Yet total sediment fluxes increase from the upper slope downward, indicating a significant contribution of reworked sediment in lower-slope sediments. 210Pb-derived mixing coefficients correlate with macro- and meiofaunal density and biomass, decreasing with increasing depth downslope. Fluxes of lithogenic material, CaCO3 and 210Pbxs on the lower slope agree reasonably well with fluxes recorded in deep-water sediment traps, suggesting that the bulk of the sediment may be supplied via vertical settling through midwater depth. Benthic fluxes of organic carbon, however, are three times higher than deep-water trap fluxes, emphasizing the importance of lateral transport of organic matter over the slope. At present, the NW European continental margin at Goban Spur is not a major carbon depocenter.

Recent sediments, sediment accumulation and carbon burial at Goban Spur, N.W. European Continental Margin (47–50°N)

To quantify recent sediment accumulation, carbon fluxes and cycling, three N.W. European Continental Margin transects on Goban Spur and Meriadzek Terrace were extensively studied by repeated box- and multicore sampling of bottom sediments. The recent sediment distribution and characteristics appear directly related to the near-bed hydrodynamic regime on the margin, which at the upper slope break on the Goban Spur results in along-slope and periodic off-slope directed transport of particles, possibly by entrainment of particles in a detached bottom or intermediate nepheloid layer. From the shelf to the abyssal plain the surface sediments on the Goban Spur change from terrigenous sandy shelf sediments into clayey silts. 210Pb activity decreases exponentially down core, reaching a stable background value at 10 cm (shallower stations) to 5 cm (deeper stations) sediment depth. 210Pb profiles of repeatedly sampled stations indicate negligible annual variability of mixing and flux. The 210Pb xs flux to the sediment shows a decreasing trend with increasing water depth. Below about 2000 m the average 210Pb xs flux is about 0.3 dpm cm −2 y −1, a third of the fluxes measured on the shelf and upper slope stations. Sediment mixing rates (D b) correlate with macro- and meiofaunal density changes and are within the normal oceanic ranges. Lower mixing rates on the lower slope likely reflect lower organic carbon fluxes there. Mass accumulation rates on Meriadzek Terrace are at maximum 80 g m −2 y −1, almost twice as high as at Goban Spur stations of comparable depth. A minimum accumulation rate of 16.6 g m −2 y −1 is found at the Goban Spur upper slope break. Organic carbon burial rates are low compared to other margins and range from a lowest value of 0.05 g m −2 y −1 at the upper slope break to 0.11 g m −2 y −1 downslope. A maximum organic carbon burial rate of 0.41 g m −2 y −1 is found on Meriadzek Terrace. Carbonate burial rates increase along the northern transect from the shelf (13 g m −2 y −1) via a low (9.3 g m −2 y −1) on the upper slope break to the deep sea (30.7 g m −2 y −1). Carbonate burial is highest on Meriadzek Terrace (44.5 g m −2 y −1). The N.W. European Margin at Goban Spur and Meriadzek Terrace cannot be considered a major carbon depocenter.

Factors governing abundance of hydrolyzable amino acids in the sediments from the N.W. European Continental Margin (47–50°N)

Fifty-six samples representing 6 sediment cores taken along the N.W. European Continental Margin from the shelf, slope and abyssal plain of the Goban Spur and Meriadzek Terrace were quantitatively analysed for total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) and clay minerals. In descending order, the five most abundant amino acids making up more than 70% of the total were: aspartic acid, glycine, serine, alanine and glutamic acid. Clay mineral proportions were typical for the N.E. Atlantic, in order of descending abundance: illite, kaolinite, chlorite, smectite and mixed layers. The Meriadzek Terrace area is characterised by fine grain suspension sedimentation with a low pelagic carbonate input and the lowest content of THAA. In contrast, the Goban Spur transect is characterised by much higher carbonate inputs and more vigorous hydrodynamics as judged from granulometry and the high abundance of minerals of shelf and continental origin and a generally higher THAA content. The pelagic portion of THAA deposited at the sea floor is more readily mineralised during early diagenesis than the more `refractory', clay mineral-associated continental portion. Along this margin the average mineralization of THAA down to 25 cm in the sediment is about 54%. There is a significant affinity between chlorites and amino acids which we suggest may involve the formation of ionic bonds between the octahedral layers of the clay and the amino acids.

Late Quaternary sedimentation patterns on the Meriadzek Terrace, Bay of Biscay (ESSCAMP 02 core: 47°N 9°W)

Foraminiferal assemblage changes, size and mineralogy of lithic grains, oxygen isotopes, CaCO 3, and dolomite content were studied along a 9-m-long core from the Meriadzek Terrace to gain insight into climate, productivity, and sediment source changes at this part of the Northeast Atlantic margin during the late Quaternary. An age model has been generated on the basis of radiocarbon dating, downcore foraminiferal assemblages, and δ 18O values. High sedimentation rates at this site allow very detailed records for the last glacial period down to late isotopic stage 3. Sea surface temperature (SST) inferred from the foraminiferal assemblages, δ 18O curve, and the temperature estimation by the SIMMAX analog technique reveal three distinctive periods during isotopic stage 2, with late stage 2 (15.3–13.4 ka) being the coldest period of the last 26 ka. A northward retreat of the polar front at 13.4 ka based on the SST record coincides with the strongest peak of primary productivity as indicated by the foraminiferal fluxes. Levels rich in large lithic grains (LLG) interpreted as ice-rafted debris (IRD) correspond to periods of low SST and are coeval with Heinrich layers 1, 2 and 3. However, the hematite-stained quartz found in the detrital fraction and the scarce dolomite and detrital carbonate content in our core point to an Iceland and/or Fenno-Scandian rather than a Laurentian or Greenland origin of this material.

Plate reconstruction of the Bay of Biscay

A plate reconstruction of the Bay of Biscay to a predrift stage is proposed on the basis of (1) an Aptian-Albian tectonic pattern of the Basque-Cantabrian region in northern Spain, which suggests major left-lateral strike-slip movements, and (2) a continental margin that matches predrift stages. Plate reconstruction results from the juxtaposition of the two continental margins of the Bay of Biscay, so that the eastern North Spanish margin lies laterally adjacent to the southwest French margin (Landes Plateau) and the western North Spanish margin borders the eastern part of the Meriadzek Terrace in the Armorican margin. The restoration obtained is supported by both the implied amount of clockwise rotation of Iberia (37°, very close to the 35° suggested by paleomagnetism) and the positive matching of north-south-oriented transform structures from the South Biscay margin with northeast-southwest-oriented transform structures from the North Biscay margin.

Trophic strategies in carnivorous fishes: their significance in energy transfer in the deep-sea benthic ecosystem (Meriadzek Terrace — Bay of Biscay)

Trophic relationships between fish species have been analyzed as a contribution to the construction of an energy transfer model between various groups in the benthic ecosystem of Meriadzek Terrace, located at 170 miles off the west French coast at a depth of 2100m. Attention was given to the carnivorous megafaunal compartment. The importance of the carnivore megafaunal biomass and its part in energy transfer is still unresolved. On the Meriadzek Terrace, numerous Chondrichthyes (sharks and chimeroids) were frequently observed from the manned submersible Cyana or by baited camera; their biomass appears to be exceptionally large. Results of a photographic survey conducted using the unmanned free vehicle Epaulard have given estimates of 22 per 10 4m 2 of teleost fishes (belonging to 8 different families and one suborder) but included no Chondrichthyes (except one specimen of Rajidae). From baited camera observations, however, we conclude that carcasses falling to the bottom on the Terrace are exploited only by selacians as the bait was never seen to be eaten by macrourids, morids or synaphobranchids although they always attended the baits before the arrival of large scavengers. Trophic specialization strategies occur in this deep-sea ecosystem and our further studies on the energy transfer model for the Meriadzek Terrace will differentiate between strategies exploiting two sources of organic input to the bottom environment: organic particles and large carcasses. In one case, carbon transfer is via the whole benthic food web in which each link is specified by size and trophic behaviour. This pathway ends in the carnivorous megafaunal compartment, which includes benthic fishes, consumers of the local epibenthic and sometimes inbenthic, macro- and megafauna. The second pathway originates with carcass falls, and carbon transfer is direct to the benthopelagic scavengers observed frequently at the Meriadzek Terrace.

Near-bottom particle concentration and flux: Temporal variations observed with sediment traps and nepholometer on the Meriadzek Terrace, Bay of Biscay

The Meriadzek Terrace (a 2100m deep plateau on the North-East Atlantic continental slope) was chosen as the experimental site for a multidisciplinary programme to observe the parameters needed for a better understanding of biological processes in the benthic environment. Two approaches were used to study the input of particulate matter to the bathyal seabed: sediment traps and indirect particle concentration measurements with nephelometry. These two technologies do not measure particles of the same size range, but as we are interested in the fluctuations of the particle supply, their results are complementary. Vertical profiles of nephelometry show that over the Meriadzek Terrace there is 125m thick nepheloid layer immediately above the bottom. The dynamics in the deep layer has been determined by measurements made with a Module Autonome Pluridisciplinaire (MAP), an in situ monitoring device developed at IFREMER which measures currents, nephelometry, temperature vertical profile near the bottom. Throughout six months of measurements in 1984, the currents at 0.5m and 120m above the bottom were subject to semi-diurnal tidal oscillations. The intensity of light scattering recorded with the nephelometer on the MAP was highly correlated with current velocities especially with semidiurnal tidal oscillations which seem to induce local resuspension. There are also longer term fluctuations, notably a very strong event which lasted several days during August. This event lagged behind a period of high intensity of internal waves correlated with a reversal in current direction. The sediment trap (Pièges à Particules “PAP”) observations showed that the particle fluxes on the Meriadzek Terrace have a cycle of variation similar to primary production which is characterized by a maximum in May during the phytoplankton bloom and a minimum during January. There was also interannual fluctuation. These two kinds of results point out the different time scales (from some hours to several months) of the large temporal fluctuations which affect the near-bottom particle behaviour.

Sedimentary succession and tectonic history of a marginal plateau (Goban Spur, southwest of Ireland)

Goban Spur lies on the continental margin of northwest Europe, southwest of Ireland. It is a marginal plateau underlain by Hercynian granites and Palaeozoic sediments, which form large horsts, grabens and tilted fault blocks with a trend that is approximately parallel to the main Celtic/Armorican Shelf edge. The spur is thought to be a westward continuation of the buoyant Cornubian Ridge, and is bounded to the north and south by large fault lines which probably represent reactivation of Hercynian structural trends. The continental basement is further divided longitudinally into a low-lying outer zone (Intermediate Zone) and a high inner region (Goban Spur proper). The ocean/continent boundary is thought to lie at the outer edge of the Intermediate Zone, Sea-floor spreading anomalies immediately west of the Intermediate Zone suggest that the adjacent ocean crust was created prior to anomaly 33 (say at ca. 90 m.y. B.P.). The sedimentary sequence on Goban Spur can be subdivided into four layers which can be tentatively correlated with the stratigraphic succession on the Meriadzek Terrace (IPOD sites). Such a correlation suggests that the lowermost sediment layer (?Jurassic-Albian) represents a tectono-sedimentary rift infill, and that Layers 2–4 (Upper Cretaceous to Quaternary) were deposited during slow epeirogenic downwarping of the plateau and that the sedimentary processes involved both draping and strong current moulding. The relatively buoyant nature of Inner Goban Spur has inhibited the accumulation of a thick post-rifting sedimentary sequence (700–1000 m), and has shielded the Intermediate Zone from downslope mass movements of material. This has resulted in the accumulation of an anomalously thin post-rift stage outer margin sediment prism (ca. 1000 m) compared to most continent rises (up to 10 km).

The Meriadzek Terrace: A marginal plateau

The Meriadzek Terrace forms part of the continental margin in the Bay of Biscay at a depth between that of the Continental shelf and the abyssal plain. Reflection profiles show that it is bounded on either side by basement ridges with a sediment infill between the ridges. It was probably formed by downfaulting of the continental shelf, possibly connected with the opening of the Bay of Biscay.

The continental margin between Brittany and Ireland

The continental slope between Brittany and Ireland is steep and cut by many canyons, with the exception of the central region which forms a broad smooth spur. Scarps up to 110 miles in length are associated with the continental margin, and these, together with the steep areas of the slope proper are considered very probably to have been developed by faulting. Cores and bottom samples from the area are shown mainly to represent Recent and Pleistocene deposits, with the exception of three which represent Tertiary and possibly Cretaceous strata. New names applied to topographic features in the area are: Meriadzek Terrace, Goban Spur, and Pendragon Scarp.