Holocene vs Anthropocene sedimentary records in a human-altered estuary: The Pasaia case (northern Spain)

Irabién, María Jesús; Cearreta, Alejandro; Gómez-Arozamena, José; García-Artola, Ane

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106292

Cited by 19 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Note that the paleopollution records related to paleomining activities described in core KSGX24 (composed of marine sediments; Fig. 9) are also recorded in other transitional systems (e.g., Irabien et al 2012Irabien et al , 2020 and in peat bogs from N Spain (Kylander et al 2005;López-Merino et al 2014;Martínez-Cortizas et al 1997a, 2012Olid et al 2010Olid et al , 2013Pontevedra-Pombal et al 2013), as mentioned above. The work performed in peat cores revealed that the paleopollution recorded in bogs resulted from pollution through the atmosphere with isotopic signatures similar to lithologies present in Northern Iberia.…”

Section: Final Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Factors driving sediment compositional change in the distal area of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): oceanographic processes vs. paleopollution

Martins

Cazelli

Yhasnara

et al. 2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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We analyze potential Late Holocene metal contamination along a sediment core collected in the distal zone of Ria de Vigo (North Spain). Statistical treatment of the dataset based on a multiproxy approach enabled us to identify and disentangle factors influencing the depositional processes and the preservation of the records of this activity in the area over the last ≈3000 years bp. Some layers of the analyzed core have significant enrichment in Cu and a moderate enrichment in Ag, Mo, As, Sb, S, Zn, Ni, Sn, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, and Li. The enrichment of these elements in some layers of this core may be related to mining activities that have taken place since classical times in the region. Successive phases of pollution were identified along the core KSGX24 related to the Late Bronze Age (≈3000-2450 years bp), Iron Age (≈2450-1850 years bp), Roman times (≈1850-1550 years bp), Middle Ages (≈1250-500 years bp), and industrial and modern (≈250-0 years bp) anthropic activities. The protection of the Cies Islands, the erosive and transport capacity of the rivers in the region, oscillations of the oceanographic and climatic regime, atmospheric contamination, and diagenetic sedimentary processes might have contributed to the accumulation and preservation of this record in the distal region of the Ria de Vigo. The studied core shows that the industrial and preindustrial anthropic impacts caused an environmental liability and contributed to the presence of moderate to heavy pollution of various metals in surface and subsurface sediment layers in the distal sector of the Ria de Vigo, which could be a hazard to biota.

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Section: Final Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Factors driving sediment compositional change in the distal area of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): oceanographic processes vs. paleopollution

Martins

Cazelli

Yhasnara

et al. 2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Industrial-scale production of the first solid glass microspheres started in 1914, while hollow glass microsphere production began in the 1950s (Gałuszka & Migaszewski, 2017;. They are now widely used as fillers in composite polymer materials and as additives in paints and coatings, especially on roads from which microspheres are commonly washed into river sediments via storm-water runoff (Gałuszka & Migaszewski, 2017;Irabien et al, 2020). Although glass microspheres provide excellent potential as a persistent marker in Anthropocene sediments, no work has detailed the stratigraphic profiling of this marker in sedimentary successions.…”

Section: Glass Microspheresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Part 1: Anthropocene Series/Epoch: stratigraphic context and justification of rank The Anthropocene Epoch and Crawfordian Age: proposals by the Anthropocene Working Group

Waters,

Turner,

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) has concluded that the Anthropocene represents geological reality and should be linked with the plethora of stratigraphic proxies that initiate or show marked perturbations at around the 1950s, and should be defined using a Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). We propose formalizing the Anthropocene as series/epoch, terminating the Holocene Series/Epoch with a single Crawfordian stage/age. The GSSP should be located at the level where the primary marker shows a rapid increase in 239+240Pu concentrations (coinciding with a globally recognisable, isochronous signal of the first above-ground thermonuclear tests). The stratigraphic signature of the Anthropocene comprises: a) lithostratigraphic signals, including many new proxies, such as synthetic inorganic crystalline mineral-like compounds, microplastics, fly ash and black carbon, in addition to direct modification through human terraforming of landscape and indirect influences on sedimentary facies through drivers such as climate change; b) chemostratigraphic signals including inorganic and organic contaminants and isotopic shifts of carbon and nitrogen; c) fallout from above-ground nuclear weapons testing; d) stratigraphic effects of climate warming, sea-level rise and ocean acidification; and e) biostratigraphic signals, especially range and abundance changes characterised by unprecedented rates and extents of non-native species introductions, increased population and species extinction and extirpation rates. These correlative markers are present in many kinds of geological deposits around the world. This ubiquity of signals verifies that the Anthropocene can be widely delineated as a sharply distinctive chronostratigraphic unit in diverse terrestrial and marine depositional environments, and reflects a major Earth System change that will have geologically lasting consequences. As background, the Anthropocene was suggested as a new epoch by Paul Crutzen in 2000. The AWG was established in 2009 by the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy to examine the evidence for the potential inclusion of the Anthropocene in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (ICC) and, if warranted, to formulate a definition and proposal. Various suggested start dates were considered, and the mid-20th century was found to be the only one associated with an extensive array of effectively globally isochronous geological markers reflecting the ‘Great Acceleration’ of population, industrialization and globalization. Alternative interpretations of the Anthropocene, including as an informal ‘event’, were considered in detail by the AWG and found to be inconsistent with the stratigraphic evidence.

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“…The international and national relevance of the geosites has been proposed because of the existence of bibliographic references and research projects. The sites include: Miera glacier valley [17,27,35,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]; iron mineralisation in Peña Cabarga Paleokarst (included in the Global Geosites Project); the Matienzo polje [32,[45][46][47]; the Mortillano hydrogeological system [18,22,[48][49][50][51][52]; the Liendo diapir [31,32]; the Sonabia dunes [26,32,42,53,54]; the Asón estuary [24,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64], and the Covalanas cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 [64][65][66].…”

Section: Geositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suitability of Valleys of Cantabria Area for a UGGp Proposal

Bonachea,

González-Díez,

Hernández-Blanco

et al. 2023

Land

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UNESCO-designated geoparks, intended for conservation, seek to drive economic development via geological heritage education and tourism. Since 2018, within the framework of the European project Atlantic Geoparks (Interreg Atlantic area program), the Valleys of Cantabria project has been promoted to declare a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) in the Cantabria region (northern Spain). The Valles de Cantabria proposal, aligning with UNESCO objectives, evaluates the region’s geopark potential, emphasizing sustainable development and societal education. Covering 600 km2 in eastern Cantabria, the territory involves 19 municipalities and has a population of 60,600. The geological context, ranging from the Triassic to the Quaternary periods, reflects the complex evolution of this territory, which has been influenced by tectonic forces, geomorphological processes, and sea-level changes. Detailed reviews and fieldwork performed by experts, including university researchers, have identified 66 sites of geological interest (SGI). The geosites, which have different geological–geomorphological significances, have been assessed according to their scientific value (including educational importance), potential of use (mainly geotouristic use), and vulnerability or risk of degradation. The geological heritage is directly related to the high biodiversity of the area. The challenges of this territory, such as depopulation and the low income of the inhabitants, can be improved with the declaration of a geopark, which would help to create new job opportunities related to geotourism and sustainable development. UNESCO recognition could catalyse scientific research, address socioeconomic challenges, and foster rural revitalization, strengthening the symbiotic relationship between geoconservation and local economic growth. Collaboration with other Atlantic geoparks has enabled the exchange of experiences that will hopefully deepen in the future. Consequently, the aim of this work is to explore the potential of this territory in terms of high-quality geological features and biological and cultural heritage, as well as to evaluate the socioeconomic context that makes the territory potentially suitable for promoting a UGGp.

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Holocene vs Anthropocene sedimentary records in a human-altered estuary: The Pasaia case (northern Spain)

Cited by 19 publications

References 79 publications

Factors driving sediment compositional change in the distal area of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): oceanographic processes vs. paleopollution

Factors driving sediment compositional change in the distal area of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): oceanographic processes vs. paleopollution

Part 1: Anthropocene Series/Epoch: stratigraphic context and justification of rank The Anthropocene Epoch and Crawfordian Age: proposals by the Anthropocene Working Group

Suitability of Valleys of Cantabria Area for a UGGp Proposal

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