Transgressive Events Research Articles

The Role of Clay Minerals in the Petrophysical Properties of Carbonate Rocks from the Cotinguiba Formation (Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Brazil)

The Cotinguiba Formation, of Cretaceous age, located in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Brazilian Northeastern coast, comprises carbonate breccias and carbonate shales interlayered with fine to coarse clastic sediments (mudstones, marls), deposited in the maximum sea level episode during the Cenomanian-Coniacian transgressive event. Core sections were selected from the formation materials, from which 20 plugs were obtained, representing the main carbonate horizons present in Cotinguiba Formation. The selected samples were analyzed with petrophysical and physical methods (air porosimetry, mercury injection, and acoustic wave velocity) and mineralogical methods (optical microscopic analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Results showed that the clay minerals’ content in the carbonates varies from 2% to 20%, with illites/micas and interstratified illite/smectite as the most abundant clay minerals, containing also traces of chlorite and kaolinite, and presence of palygorskite varying from trace to 8%. According to the percentages of calcite, dolomite, and siliciclastic + clay minerals obtained in the XRD analysis, the carbonates were lithologically identified as limestone, impure limestone, dolomitic limestone, impure dolomitic limestone, impure calcitic dolostone, and impure dolostone. The rocks have a good porosity, varying from 6% to 20% in the carbonates, predominantly related to microporosity. Clay minerals’ content influenced the grain density and acoustic properties, albeit not having the same role with porosity and permeability. SEM images, though, show that they have an important role in microporosity. Grain density variation related to phyllosilicate content was observed more significantly in impure limestones with a clay content higher than 8%, and a more pronounced decrease was observed in samples with palygorskite. Microporosity is the main factor for reducing Vp and Vs velocities in those carbonates, with values not exceeding 5341 m/s for Vp and 3026 m/s for Vs but, when clay content is higher than 4%, the Vp and Vs wave velocities do not exceed 4100 m/s and 2480 m/s, respectively. Therefore, the research allowed evaluating the influence of mineralogical and textural properties in the petrophysical properties of Cotinguiba Formation.

The first Late Permian fish fossils from Leszczyna quarry in South-West Poland

ABSTRACTPermian fishes and their isolated microremains are known from many localities in the Zechstein Basin. However, up to date the vertebrates have never been revealed in the southeasternmost part of this ancient sea. The new material consists of euselachian-type dermal denticles,?Listracanthus sp. dermal denticle,?Omanoselache sp. tooth, actinopterygian scales and actinopterygian teeth. Here, the detailed study of euselachian and actinopterygian remains, their stratigraphic distribution and geographical contexts is presented. Based on the qualitative analysis of teeth shapes several ecomorphotypes were described as well as the probable dietary preferences of fishes were reconstructed. These finds confirmed existence of small predators who fed on soft bodied prey as well as durophagous forms which were feeding on small shelly crustaceans or molluscs. The analysis of stratigraphic distribution of microremains, and their comparison with neighbouring sections revealed a spatially correlatable trend in increasing abundance of fishes in the more clayey parts of sections, interpreted to be positively associated with a sea level transgression event.

Biostratigraphy of the Late Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Duwi Basin, Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract During the Late Campanian, sea-level fluctuation occurred in the form of two chert bands and the topmost conglomeratic phosphate beds (CF8a zone). A great transgression event occurred associated with the global warming (CF8b zone) trend indicated by large double-keeled foraminifera as Globotruncana aegyptiaca Nakkady of oligotrophic conditions. Through the event of CF6/CF5 zones, a gradual increase in the relative abundance of Gublerina rajagopalani Govindan and Planoheterohelix planata (Cushman) and other heterohelicids have been shown to tolerate and thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions as in high-stress environments. Sea-level fall at the CF6 zone and the overlying CF5 boundary marked a warming climate for the Middle Maastrichtian Event. In the latest CF4 records, the beginning of the decrease in planktic/benthic ratio, globotruncanids, rugoglobigerinids, and heterohelicids indicating a fall in sea level coincided with the CF4/CF3 and the development of dark grey shales in a regressive regime. The observed low abundance of planktic specimens may be due to the presence of pyrite with black shale interval suggesting low oxygen condition. The latest zones CF3, CF2, and CF1 are generally characterized by heterohelicids blooms specially Planoheterohelix globulosa (Ehrenberg), and a gradual decrease in diversity associated with the warming phase before the K/Pg boundary event, implying high biotic stress to even absent of Guembelitria cretacea species through CF3–CF1 zones. Pseudotextularia elegans (Rzehak) occurs in the zones CF4 and CF2 warming of phases 1 and 2 of Deccan Trap Volcanic. The absence of P. elegans (Rzehak) in the zone (CF3) is postulated due to a tectonic cause (maximum cooling of Deccan Trap Volcanic) whereas its absence in the zone (CF1) was due to regression of phase 2.

New invertebrate sites and marine ingressions in the Romualdo Formation, Aptian-Albian, Araripe sedimentary basin, NE Brazil

Fossil invertebrates are relevant to the understanding of past environmental phenomena due to their sensitivity to abiotic conditions. This work identified fossiliferous associations in four localities of the Romualdo Formation, seeking to better characterize the depositional paleoenvironment of the unit during the Aptian-Albian, in the south-central portion of the Araripe Basin, NE Brazil. All the stratigraphic sections analyzed are located in mines in the Pernambuco state: Vale do Silício and Gregório (municipality of Araripina), VMB and Serrolândia (municipality of Ipubi). In total, 69 samples were collected, 2156 invertebrate specimens were analyzed, and 13 taxa were identified (Shrimp: Paleomattea deliciosa, Kellnerius jamacaruensis; Spinicaudata: Cyzicus brauni, Cyzicus pricei, Martinestheria codoensis, Estheriina costai; Gastropoda: Tylostoma ranchariensis, Paraglaugonia sp., Pseudomesalia (‘Pseudomesalia’) santanensis, indeterminate cassiopids, cerithids and naticids; and Bivalvia: Brachidontes araripensis). Using PAST v 4.04 software the specimens were clustered, based on taxa diversity and abundance, into three fossil associations (Cyzicus sp., Paleomattea deliciosa and Cassiopidae) whose paleoecological characteristics suggest a transitional paleoenvironment affected by transgressive events (marine incursion I and II). Spinicaudata characterize a transitional environment. The isolated presence of the decapods, in turn, reflects the first marine ingression. Finally, the Cassipiodae association, present in shell bed deposits, represents the second ingression. It can be noted that the invertebrate fauna presents variation in terms of temporal distribution along the analyzed sections, reflecting environmental instability in the paleoenvironment. The taphonomic characteristics are consistent with a shallow marine sedimentation environment, occasionally subject to storm action. The tethyan affinity of part of the fossils during the Aptian-Aptian, points to a marine ingression through the Parnaíba.

Haplotype Network and Molecular Evolution of Clarias batrachus in Sumatera Based COI Gene.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i> Clarias batrachus</i> is native to Asia, Sumatra was one of the islands that were divided due to the division of Sundaland because of a transgression event. The Bukit Barisan Mountains divide Sumatra into two parts: West and East. Therefore, it is important to research <i>C. batrachus</i> phylogeography. One of the mtDNA genes that can be used for phylogeographic is the CO1 gene. This study examined the association between geographic isolation in Sumatra's Eastern and Western watersheds and the phylogenetic relationships between <i>C. batrachus</i> populations in Sumatra and other Southeast Asia using the CO1 gene. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> <i>Clarias batrachus</i> samples were collected from five populations 7 (Mungo River, Sinamar River, Agam River, Anai River and Lubuak Paraku River) from West Sumatra. The method of this research used the molecular method. The DNA isolation based on the COI gene follows the Invitrogen PureLink<sup>TM</sup> Genomic DNA Mini Kit protocol. Haplotype network using software Popart v.1.7 and molecular evolution analysis using software MEGA. <b>Results:</b> Based on a total of 28 sequences (including comparisons and outgroups) with 504 base pairs of the CO1 gene from <i>C. batrachus</i>, three haplogroups and 19 haplotypes were identified using the haplotype analysis. Speciation events between haplogroup 1 estimates are 0.41 Mya haplogroup 2 estimates are 0.50 Mya. <b>Conclusion:</b> The separation of Sundaland and the separation in Sumatra's Eastern and Western watersheds affects the kinship relationship of these populations with variations in subspecies level.

Forecasting Impacts on Vulnerable Shorelines: Vulnerability Assessment along the Coastal Zone of Messolonghi Area—Western Greece

The coastal areas of the Mediterranean have been extensively affected by the transgressive event that followed the Last Glacial Maximum, with many studies conducted regarding the stratigraphic configuration of coastal sediments around the Mediterranean. The coastal zone of the Messolonghi area, western Greece, consists of low-relief beaches, containing low cliffs and eroded dunes, a fact that, in combination with the rising sea levels and tectonic subsidence of the area, has led to substantial coastal erosion. Coastal vulnerability assessment is a useful means of identifying areas of coastline that are vulnerable to impacts of climate change and coastal processes, highlighting potential problem areas. Commonly, coastal vulnerability assessment takes the form of an “index” that quantifies the relative vulnerability along a coastline. Here, the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) methodology by Thieler and Hammar-Klose was employed, by considering geological features, coastal slope, relative sea-level change, shoreline erosion/accretion rates, and mean significant wave height as well as mean tide range, to assess the present-day vulnerability of the coastal zone of the Messolonghi area. In light of this, an impact assessment is performed under three different sea-level-rise scenarios. This study contributes toward coastal zone management practices in low-lying coastal areas that have little data information, assisting decision-makers in adopting best adaptation options to overcome the impact of sea-level rise on vulnerable areas, similar to the coastal zone of Messolonghi.

Temporally varied coastal uplift rates north of the Littoral Fault Zone since the late Quaternary in the northern South China Sea: Insights from the wave-cut platform and cosmogenic exposure dating

While understanding the long-term slip rate of active normal faults is essential for the comprehensive assessment of seismic activity, it is difficult due to the absence of age control in the erosional bedrock region. The preserved sequence of wave-cut platforms in granite allows exploration of the long-term slip rate in the footwall of some normal faults. We investigated wave-cut platforms in the southern Pearl River Delta (PRD), a coastal delta transected by the seismically active Littoral Fault Zone (LFZ) in the northern South China Sea, to derive slip rates and their impacts on the seismic hazard potential. We mapped a flight of four wave-cut platforms (T1–T4), dated the T2 and T4 platforms by 10Be cosmogenic nuclide dating, and used the absolute age to correlate the un-dated platform to global sea-level highstands. Our results allocate the ages of 128 ka, 197 ka, and 239 ka to the upper three wave-cut platforms and yield temporally various uplift rates ranging from 0.30 to 0.38 mm/a during 239–128 ka to 0.09 mm/a since 128 ka. A decrease in the uplift rate, which coincided with a decreased subsidence rate within the PRD in previous work, implied a weakened differential uplift onshore of the LFZ system. Our findings infer that the transgression event occurred as early as marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 in the PRD, consistent with the view that Pleistocene sedimentation began in MIS 5 or earlier in the PRD.

Viewing cute pictures can influence judgment of moral transgressions

Previous studies have shown exposure to something cute affects moral tendencies and prosocial behaviors, but how it affects people's moral judgment is still unknown. This study examines the effect of cuteness exposure on the judgment of morally transgressive events and explores the moderating effect of the moral transgressor's socioeconomic status. In Experiment 1, we find that individuals judged moral transgression incidents more harshly after viewing cute images. Experiment 2 examined whether the socioeconomic status of moral transgressors moderates the effect. The results revealed that when cuteness was primed, individuals were more tolerant of the advantaged than the disadvantaged, and made harsher moral judgments about the disadvantaged. In summary, the findings suggest that exposure to cute stimuli can enhance individuals’ moral sense and thus lead to harsher moral judgments. This effect is more pronounced when transgressors have low socioeconomic status.

Sequence stratigraphic framework of the Rumaila and Mishrif Formations, onshore Kuwait

High-resolution biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental investigations have been integrated with sedimentology and wireline log data to establish a biostratigraphically constrained depositional sequence stratigraphic framework. The Rumaila and Mishrif formations are early to middle Cenomanian to early Turonian in age. The Rumaila Formation was deposited in distal inner ramp to outer ramp settings. The Mishrif Formation was deposited in inner to middle ramp settings comprising transitional, tidal flats, lagoonal, shoal, backshoal and foreshoal sub-settings. The two formations are coincident with 3rd order depositional sequences K130 and K140. The K130 sequence boundary lies on the contact between the lagoonal, non-calcareous shale of the upper Ahmadi Formation and the carbonates and highly calcareous shale of the Rumaila Formation. The K130 transgressive systems tract is composed of a highly calcareous marine shale at the base of Rumaila Formation, which contains abundant to common nannofossils, common to rare foraminifera and ostracods. The K130 MFS is characterized by occurrence of abundant foraminifera and ostracods. The K130 highstand systems tract is comprised of interbeded mudstones, wackestones, packstones and dolomitic mudstone. The early highstand is fossiliferous, becoming progressively less fossiliferous in the late highstand. The K140 sequence boundary coincides with the Rumaila and Mishrif formational contact. The incremental increase in the abundance of deeper marine foraminiferal assemblages within the mudstone and wackestone interbeds overlying this contact indicates initiation of a marine transgressive event. A thin, regionally extensive, dark-grey, non-calcareous shale which is largely barren of microfossils and high gamma ray is considered a proxy of the global OAE 2 anoxic event of late Cenomanian to earliest Turonian age. The early highstand of K140 is composed of middle ramp mudstone to wackestone interbeds enriched in open marine planktonic and benthic foraminifera. The late highstand is represented by shoal, proximal shoal deposits enriched in coralline and rudist wackestone and packstone overlain by miliolid lagoonal wackestones underneath the K150 sequence boundary, known as pre-Aruma unconformity.

Early to mid-Holocene sedimentary environmental evolution in the palaeo-Ningbo Bay, East China and its implications for Neolithic coastal settlement

The Ningbo Plain on the East China coast is an important center of Neolithic culture, and associated settlements were influenced by changing sea levels and the geomorphological and hydrological environments of the palaeo-Ningbo Bay, the details of which are still subject to debate. This study is based on two well-dated sediment cores obtained from the Ningbo Plain, and here we report analyses of their sedimentology and foraminifera to reveal the infilling history of the palaeo-Ningbo Bay and its association with Neolithic occupation. The lithology of the largely muddy sediments and the dominance of euryhaline and brackish water foraminiferal species are indicative of an intertidal to a subtidal environment in the palaeo-bay during the early to mid-Holocene. Abrupt coarsening of sediment grain size and a corresponding increase in the abundance of foraminiferal species of inner and middle shelf environments occurred at ca. 8.8 cal. kyr BP and 7.6 cal. kyr BP, reflecting two major events of strengthened marine transgression that correspond to the rapid global sea-level rise events of Meltwater pulses (MWPs) 1C and 1D, respectively. A marked increase in the relative abundance of Ammonia annectens and Ammonia compressiuscula during ca. 7.5–7.1 cal. kyr BP further indicates frequent storm surges at that time. Between the two rapid transgression events, aggradation of tidal flats prevailed after ca. 8.0 cal. kyr BP, which provided a suitable setting for Neolithic settlements, as indicated by the recently discovered Jingtoushan site. However, the transgression sequence associated with the latter, the MWP-1D event, caused a regional cultural interruption at ca. 7.6 cal. kyr BP. Infilling and coastal marsh development in the palaeo-Ningbo Bay occurred progressively after ca. 7.0 cal. kyr BP and are associated with the emergence of the Hemudu culture.

Early Miocene Sr-geochronology of Patagoniense marine units from southern Argentina: Implications for molluscan assemblages and interbasinal correlation

Early geological investigations in southern South America addressed the Oligocene-Miocene Patagoniense deposits, a fossiliferous marine succession distributed in several basins that had been flooded by three different transgressive events. Chronological calibration and correlation of these transgressive events, lithological units and fossil assemblages through the Patagonian basins still need further definitions in some areas. To tackle this problem, new Sr-isotope ages of pectinid shells from four early Miocene key sections located at the coastal sector of Patagonia, were obtained to improve correlations among the Magallanes-Austral (MAB), San Jorge (SJB) and Mazarredo (MB) basins. A bed in the middle part of the Punta Guanacos section (MAB) was dated in a mean age of 19.8 Ma allowing its correlation with the lower section of the Monte Leon Formation. In the SJB, the lowermost bed of the Chenque Formation at Punta Borja has an age of 19.6 Ma, while lower bed of Sequence 2 of this unit has an age of 17.7 Ma at Punta Delgada. Patagoniense deposits exposed along the cliffs of the southern San Jorge Gulf (MB), and overlying the continental Sarmiento Formation, are recognized herein as the Mazarredo Formation with a mean age of 20.9 Ma at Canadón El Lobo. It is younger than the San Julián Formation and correlates with the lower part of the Monte León Formation at Playa La Mina (MAB). The radiometric age of the Mazarredo Formation is of outstanding importance because the Mazarredo area constitutes a geographic link between the MAB and SJB and precludes the presence of the “Juliense” transgression in central Patagonia as had been proposed, supporting the early Miocene age previously provided by the authors for the Jorgechlamys centralis –Reticulochlamys borjasiensis Molluscan Assemblage. This assemblage is recorded in the Mazarredo Formation and in the lower section of the Chenque Formation (SJB). Moreover, faunal similarity with the Monte León Formation allows the identification of the Reticulochlamys zinsmeisteri - Struthiolarella patagoniensis - Pleuromeris cruzensis Assemblage at Punta Guanacos in the northeastern sector of the MAB.

Facies architecture and paleogeography evolution of regressive wave-dominated shorelines transitioning into tide-dominated estuaries: Early Devonian Subbat Member, Jauf Formation, Saudi Arabia

AbstractThe Paleozoic succession on the northern Arabian Plate was deposited during several regressive and transgressive events. The Early Devonian Subbat Member of the Jauf Formation comprises several smaller-scale intervals of the Paleozoic succession that were interpreted based on large-scale observations from outcrop and subsurface data. This study utilizes process-based sedimentology and investigates facies stacking, lateral continuity of sand bodies, and ichnofacies to interpret an open marine wave-dominated forced regressive system, that is followed by transgressive shorelines.This study integrates a total of 417 meters of the Devonian stratigraphy from four outcrops and two shallow cores. This dataset records a third-order sequence which developed through an extensive intra-plate siliciclastic influx in between two carbonate units during the deposition of the Subbat Member. This study illustrates the evolution of a falling-stage systems tract that is characterized by shoreface sand bodies and an erosional-based delta front in the lower Subbat Member. These sediments overlie a regressive surface of marine erosion (RSME), extending for hundreds of kilometers and transitioning to an overall transgression in the upper parts of the Subbat Member.This study interprets a total of seven facies associations (FAs): i) offshore, ii) wave-dominated delta, iii) shoreface to offshore transition, iv) fluvial channels, v) crevasse splays, vi) paleosol, and vii) estuarine facies associations. In the lower part of the Subbat Member, the wave-dominated delta and shoreface to offshore transitional FAs overlie the marine shelf strata of the offshore FA and develop a RSME. Fluvial channels and crevasse splays FAs are interpreted.Unique assemblages of trace fossils, in terms of intensity and diversity, ranging from the Nereites Ichnofacies to Skolithos Ichnofacies, play a major role in the understanding of the overall water depth and depositional setting. Distinctive terrestrial Prototaxites fossils are present in sheet-like bodies and are interpreted as part of extensive crevasse splays that formed during major river flooding events. This study provides a unique integrated approach using ichnology, sedimentology, and sequence stratigraphy to better understand the spatial and temporal facies distribution of a forced regressive sequence and refine the paleogeography of northern Arabia during Early Devonian time.

Orbital-scale cyclicity and organic matter production in a Permian shallow mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system: Paraná Basin, Brazil

Mixed deposition in shallow seas is highly sensitive to climate variations and sea-level changes, which are the primary controls of high-frequency cycles in the stratigraphic record. The widespread Lower Permian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession of the Paraná Basin is composed of rhythmic organic-rich shale interbedded with dolostone. The strata are organized into several orders of magnitude of superimposed asymmetrical and symmetrical facies stacking patterns that developed in a broad epeiric sea, which extended over 106 km2 of Permian Gondwanan land. Detailed sedimentological and stratal stacking analysis allow the hierarchical organization to be identified in large-scale, medium-scale, small-scale, and elementary stacking patterns. The high-frequency depositional cycles compose four 3rd-order sequences. They comprise gray to black shale, marls, and peloidal to micritic dolostone. Due to the shallow water setting, the minimal available accommodation is responsible for the reduced cycle thickness and the overall mixed succession. The rhythmic deposits host highly productive hydrocarbon source rocks. Two widespread, thicker intervals of bituminous shale that develop during 3rd-order sequence transgression events are highly organic-rich oil shale (27 wt%). In addition, thin black shale laminae, which are interbedded with dolostone in high-frequency stacking patterns, are also rich in organic carbon (2–8 wt%). The alternation of high carbonate content and organic matter production was controlled by wet‒dry seasons and was related to total solar radiation maxima and minima. The total solar radiation maxima are translated into elevated carbonate precipitation due to shallower and hypersaline conditions. Total solar radiation minima induce freshwater discharge in shallow and hypersaline environments during wet stages, resulting in water column stratification. The occurrence of kerogen types III and IV, a high gammacerane index, variable Pr/Ph ratios, and C35 homohopane indices indicate this condition. In addition, the input of nutrient-rich terrigenous sediments favor algal blooms, enhancing anoxia in the bottom water, which is responsible for the organic-rich shale facies, as indicated by kerogen types I and II, high hydrogen index values, high C27/C29 sterane ratios, and higher β-carotane values. Based on the hierarchical organization and previous U–Pb SHRIMP zircon ages of volcanic ash layers, it is possible to correlate the observed succession with the global sea-level curve. A time span of 8.0 Ma is assessed for the Irati Sea, with an average of 2.7 Ma for the large-scale cycles. Furthermore, the high-frequency patterns that are compatible with the precession and eccentricity of the short (±100 ka) and major (±400 ka) periodicities of the Earth's orbit are estimated to be 26.6 ka, 135.5 ka, and 400 ka. The high-frequency cycles of organic-rich shales and carbonate that are deposited over thousands of years under long-term sea-level changes and are correlated along the basin suggest climatic control driven by the Earth's orbital perturbation, which is possible in the Milankovitch frequency band.

ANNULAR CHAMBERS IN CRETACEOUS ORBITOLINIDAE (LARGER BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA): AN OVERVIEW

Annular chambers, if present, are usually confined to ultimate chambers within some Orbitolinidae, and were therefore regarded of subordinate importance not being included in the family diagnosis. However, this peculiar chamber type in some agglutinated conical foraminifera forms almost the entire post-embryonic part of the test. This may either be due to the general plan of test construction (e.g., in genus Coskinolinella Delmas & Deloffre, species Pseudorbitolina schroederi Luger) or represent a special test adaptation to changing environmental conditions during transgressive events (e.g., in genus Palorbitolinoides Cherchi & Schroeder). An emendation of the diagnosis of the family Orbitolinidae is here proposed to include tests that may consist completely or almost exclusively of post-embryonic annular chambers. As a result, the genus Coskinolinella Delmas & Deloffre, up to now treated as a genus of uncertain status or deleted in foraminiferal classifications, is now included in the family Orbitolinidae. Uniserial chambers with distinct concave apertural faces (appearing as stacked-cones) have erroneously been interpreted as annular chambers in the case of the late Albian-early Cenomanian Heterocoskinolina bariensis Luperto Sinni & Reina and therefore misassigned to Coskinolinella. Besides the different chamber arrangement, such an assignment would also contradict the established latest Aptian–early late Albian Coskinolinella lineage (C. daguini-C. santanderensis-C. navarrensis), and its palaeogeographically restricted occurrence.

New insights on the stratigraphy of Tobruq-Burdi area- Marmarica, NE Libya

The stratigraphy of the Marmarica region in the eastern region of Libya (called Tobruq-Burdi), the nomenclature contradiction in stratigraphy has been reviewed. Three surface exposures, Wadi al Hash, Wadi al Shaigh at Tobruq area and Wadi al Rahibat Burdi area have been measured, sampled and analyzed using both the lithology and the fossil assemblages. Previous works in the area have been revised to sort out the contradiction on the stratigraphy. A disconformity surface with different time interval have been documented at two localities. The first location is a well-known transgressive event (i.e. glauconitic bed) which was recognized at the basal part of the Oligo-Miocene Al Faidiyah Formation delineating the disconformity surface separating the Oligo-Miocene Al Faidiyah Formation from the underlying Middle Eocene Darnah Formation at Wadi al Hash and Wadi Al Shaigh sections. However, the second location exhibits an angular unconformity surface separating the Lower Oligocene algal limestone of Al Bayda Formation from the underneath Campanian Al Majahir Formation at Wadi al Rahib section in Burdi area.
 Meanwhile, the upper two formations the Oligo-Miocene Al Faidiyah Formation and the overlying Middle Miocene Al Gaghbub Formation in the study area are separated from each other by disconformity of short interval time. The area was tectonically stable with extensive spatial distribution with some thickness variation in response to the paleorelief of the area of study. On the basis of foraminiferal assemblages, the Darnah Formation is Middle Eocene, Al Faidiyah Formation is Late Oligocene, Al Gaghbub Formation is Middle Miocene at Tobruq and Burdi area. The term Al Khowaymat Formation is replaced by Darnah Formation for (the Lower Member of the so-called Al Kowaymat) and Al Faidiyah Formation for (the Upper Member of the so-called Al Kowaymat) at the studied sections in Tobruq area. Similarly, the term Lower Member of Al Khowaymat Formation is replaced by Al Majahir Formation at Wadi al Rahib section in the Burdi area.

Meghalayan environmental evolution of the Thapsus coast (Tunisia) as inferred from sedimentological and micropaleontological proxies

Abstract. Thapsus was one of the Roman Empire's largest harbors and is situated next to an easily defended promontory on Tunisia's coast in northern Africa. It was provided with a huge stone and cement breakwater mole that extended almost 1 km into the sea. We examined sedimentological and micropaleontological proxies from 14C-dated core material and shifts in microfauna and macrofauna community structure to infer patterns of sediment dynamics and the chronology of events that shaped the coastal evolution in the Dzira Lagoon at Thapsus over the past 4000 years. The sedimentological and faunal record of environmental changes reflect a sequence of events that display a transition from an open to a semi-closed lagoon environment. At around 4070 cal yr BP and again between 2079 and 1280 cal yr BP, the data reveal two transgressive events and a deposition of sandy sediments in a largely open marine lagoon environment. The transgressive sands overlay marine carbonate sandstones that are upper Pleistocene in age. A gradual closure of the lagoon from 1280 cal yr BP until today is indicated by decreasing species richness values, lower abundances of typical marine taxa, and increasing percent abundances of fine-grained sediments. The environmental transition from an open to a closed lagoon setting was also favored by the construction of an extensive harbor breakwater mole, changes in longshore current drift patterns, and the formation of an extensive sand spit.

Comment on Souza and Perez Filho (2019) “Late Holocene coastal dynamics, climate pulses and low terraces in the coast of the state of São Paulo, southeast Brazil”

Souza and Perez Filho (2019) inferred two transgressive events in the Late Holocene record of lower Ribeira de Iguape River and Ilha Comprida barrier, Southeastern Brazil, based on luminescence ages and paleoenvironmental interpretation of four columnar sections. In the present paper, we discuss inconsistencies on the methods applied and sample design adopted by those authors, which lead to an incorrect model of coastline evolution for the region over the time period covered by the dates obtained. The dataset presented by Souza and Perez Filho (2019) allows the reinterpretation of the deposits studied as regressive and fits into previous models of regional coastal evolution.

Chronology of Last Glacial Maximum sediments in the coast of Fujian, South China

The coast in South China is an important area for the coupling of terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric processes. Widespread loose sediments in the area likely recorded regional climatic and geomorphic processes since the Late Pleistocene, and these that can be deciphered through geochronology. In the present study, eighteen samples prepared from the FN1 core retrieved from the Funing Bay in the coast of Fujian were used for OSL dating. The single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) approach was employed for dating using three grain-size fractions of quartz, while coarse-grained K-feldspars were used for post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) dating of the core. Seven samples were also dated using the AMS 14C dating technique to establish the reliable chronology. The results reveal the following: 1) Minerals and grain size variations directly affect the accuracy of the luminescence dating. The present study demonstrates that cross-validation of the OSL dating data is an effective way to enhance their reliability. 2) Dating results from the three grain-size fractions of quartz in the upper section of the core are consistent within the error range, and these agree with ages from the AMS 14C method for the corresponding horizon. However, the OSL ages based on the three grain-size fractions of quartz and the coarse-grain K-feldspar differed for the lower section of the core (10.6–14.7 m). 3) Samples produced ages ranging from 25.4 to 0.8 ka based on the OSL dating method. According to a chronological framework starting from the Last Glacial Maximum and a palaeoenvironmental index, the sedimentation rate is partitioned into three main periods. Sedimentation rates during the periods between 25 and 21 ka and < 7 ka are higher than those for the period between 21 and 7 ka. These results suggest that the sedimentation rate was probably linked to the regional transgression events.

Transgressive Behavior in Dutch Youth Sport

The current article reports on the second large-scale prevalence study on transgressive behavior in sport in the Netherlands, and is a follow up of an earlier, comparable prevalence study in 2015. Using a dedicated and customized online questionnaire, approximately 4000 adults who met the inclusion criteria (18 to 50 years old and have played sports in an organized context during childhood in the Netherlands) were surveyed with respect to their experiences of childhood psychological, physical, and sexual transgressive behavior while playing sports. The survey showed that 71.7% experienced some form of transgressive behavior as a child, in which 48.6% of these events also made an impact (in other words, was significant at the time it took place). The degree of impact the event made is also related to the severity of the event. Severe emotional transgression events occurred in 22% of the youth athletes, severe physical assault events in 12.7%, and severe sexual assault events occurred in 6.9% of the youth athletes. Disabled athletes, and those competing at national and international levels, report more experiences of transgressive behavior in sport. The results are consistent with former research and indicate the need for structural attention to create a safe sports climate.

Palynological and microfossil-based environmental reconstruction at 7,147–6,435 cal yr BP of the Lagoa Comprida coastal lagoon in the restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The restinga vegetation and environment dynamics during the Mid-Holocene have been reconstructed through microfossil analysis of a 153 cm-long core from the Lagoa Comprida coastal lagoon of the Parque Nacional Restinga de Jurubatiba (Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park), in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The analysis was supported by core stratigraphy, 14C dating, and evaluation of microfossil frequency and concentration. Core sediments were dated from ∼7,147 to 6,435 cal yr BP. Four zones of environmental changes were characterized. A high concentration of marine diatoms was recorded in the basal portion of the core, suggesting possible sea-water influence, corroborating a Holocene Marine Transgression event. The marine diatoms disappeared from the record before ∼7,005 cal yr BP when a major inflow of freshwater began. Palynoforaminifers remained until ca. 6,470 cal yr BP, revealing a mixohaline environment. The restinga vegetation was present in the surroundings from the beginning of the record. The open-scrub plant community was predominant, mainly characterized by Solanum, Borreria, Euphorbia, Pteridium, Garcinia, Guapira and Protium. This plant formation is the most representative vegetation physiognomy in the area nowadays. Clusia lanceolata was well established during the period studied but has since changed its distribution limit to being dominant further south, in the municipality of Maricá.