In the framework of the Italian multidisciplinary research project “Mud volcanoes Ecosystem study - Sicily Channel” cores MV02_GC01 and MV03_GC02 were recovered from a tabular relief at 140 m water depth, to investigate the nature of such uncommon shallow seep-related morphology trough micro- and macro-paleontological, mineralogical, sedimentological and geochronological analyses. Both cores record muddy surficial sedimentation, hosting a strictly circalittoral molluskan death assemblage typical of mobile substrate, coherent with the present-day seafloor depth and environment. The core bottom recovered a biogenic framework, in which the molluskan fossil assemblage is characteristic of shallow-water, possibly infralittoral, representing a past sea level low stand. The biogenic framework shows structure and composition that are similar to present day algal reefs indicated as coralligenous build-ups. Both cores recorded the Holocene transgression. Core MV02_GC01 is longer and its basal section records cobbles and pebbles of both terrigenous and biogenic origin partially covered by a dark patina, and finely preserved Halimeda sp. fragments. The dark patina reveals a fibrous nature, often containing framboid pyrite crystals, ankerite, but no organic matter. We interpret the dark patina level as the last lowstand, possible forming in a lagoon-like paleoenvironment. Below such level, another coralligenous build-up occurs, U/Th dated to MIS 6, in agreement with the available seismic interpretation. The tabular relief lays up to 10 m above the surrounding seafloor and reveals a complex inner architecture, in which at least two generations of coralligenous build-ups shaped its geomorphological development, and the local tectonic activity contributed to its uplift.

Bracchi, V., Basso, D., Savini, A., Corselli, C. (2019). Algal reefs (Coralligenous) from glacial stages: Origin and nature of a submerged tabular relief (Hyblean Plateau, Italy). MARINE GEOLOGY, 411, 119-132 [10.1016/j.margeo.2019.02.008].

Algal reefs (Coralligenous) from glacial stages: Origin and nature of a submerged tabular relief (Hyblean Plateau, Italy)

Bracchi, VA
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Basso, D
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Savini, A
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Corselli, C
Membro del Collaboration Group
2019

Abstract

In the framework of the Italian multidisciplinary research project “Mud volcanoes Ecosystem study - Sicily Channel” cores MV02_GC01 and MV03_GC02 were recovered from a tabular relief at 140 m water depth, to investigate the nature of such uncommon shallow seep-related morphology trough micro- and macro-paleontological, mineralogical, sedimentological and geochronological analyses. Both cores record muddy surficial sedimentation, hosting a strictly circalittoral molluskan death assemblage typical of mobile substrate, coherent with the present-day seafloor depth and environment. The core bottom recovered a biogenic framework, in which the molluskan fossil assemblage is characteristic of shallow-water, possibly infralittoral, representing a past sea level low stand. The biogenic framework shows structure and composition that are similar to present day algal reefs indicated as coralligenous build-ups. Both cores recorded the Holocene transgression. Core MV02_GC01 is longer and its basal section records cobbles and pebbles of both terrigenous and biogenic origin partially covered by a dark patina, and finely preserved Halimeda sp. fragments. The dark patina reveals a fibrous nature, often containing framboid pyrite crystals, ankerite, but no organic matter. We interpret the dark patina level as the last lowstand, possible forming in a lagoon-like paleoenvironment. Below such level, another coralligenous build-up occurs, U/Th dated to MIS 6, in agreement with the available seismic interpretation. The tabular relief lays up to 10 m above the surrounding seafloor and reveals a complex inner architecture, in which at least two generations of coralligenous build-ups shaped its geomorphological development, and the local tectonic activity contributed to its uplift.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Algal reef; Fossil benthic association; Mediterranean; MIS 6; Poliphasic architecture; Sicily Channel;
Mediterranean; Sicily Channel; MIS 6; Poliphasic architecture; Algal reef; Fossil benthic association
English
2019
411
119
132
open
Bracchi, V., Basso, D., Savini, A., Corselli, C. (2019). Algal reefs (Coralligenous) from glacial stages: Origin and nature of a submerged tabular relief (Hyblean Plateau, Italy). MARINE GEOLOGY, 411, 119-132 [10.1016/j.margeo.2019.02.008].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/222530
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