Marine inundation: Effects on archaeological features, materials, sediments and soils

Macphail, Richard I.; Allen, Michael J.; Crowther, John; Cruise, G.M.; Whittaker, John E.

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2009.10.020

Cited by 37 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Dewatering and organic matter mineralization lead to increases in bulk density and decreases in porosity (Boorman et al ., ); and when Ca‐poor clays, such as those in SE England, are drained, the clays disperse, causing sediment fabric to collapse (Crooks and Pye, ; Crooks et al ., ). These changes are not reversed once the land is de‐embanked and flooded with saline water, and inundation could result in further downwash of fine particles into the subsurface soil (MacPhail et al ., ), further reducing porosity. These changes to sediment structure are confirmed by the significantly higher bulk density, lower moisture content and lower organic content values in the DE salt marsh and are in agreement with data collected in both an earlier study at this site (Spencer et al ., ) and other de‐embanked and recreated salt marshes (Crooks and Pye, ; Hazelden and Boorman, ; Burden et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modified sediments and subsurface hydrology in natural and recreated salt marshes and implications for delivery of ecosystem services

2014

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Abstract:Recreation or restoration of salt marsh through the deliberate removal of flood defences (managed realignment or deembankment) is a common practice across Europe and the USA, with potential to enhance delivery of ecosystem services. However, recent research suggests that physical, chemical and ecological processes may be impaired in recreated sites as a result of the modified morphology, sediment structure and hydrology associated with both the restoration process and historic land use. This paper compares physical sediment properties and subsurface water levels recorded in paired natural and de-embanked (recreated) salt marshes in SE England. Using a combination of statistical and time-series modelling, significant differences between the natural and recreated marshes are identified. Sediment properties (bulk density, moisture content and organic content) within each marsh were statistically different and imply that de-embanked sediments are compacted, which may affect subsurface water movement. Analysis of hydrological time series reveals that the de-embanked salt marsh is characterized by a damped response to tidal flooding with elevated and less variable water levels. This, combined with analysis of hydrographs and hysteresis patterns over individual tidal cycles, suggests that fast, horizontal near-surface flows enhanced by the relict land surface may play a greater role in drainage of the de-embanked salt marsh. The importance of hydrological functioning in governing many important physical and biogeochemical processes in salt marshes suggests any modifications would have significant implications for the delivery of ecosystem services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modified sediments and subsurface hydrology in natural and recreated salt marshes and implications for delivery of ecosystem services

2014

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“…It is argued that the grey mud unit was produced from the hydromorphic reorganization and reworking of the mottled mud unit in conjunction with sediment inputs coming from the continental shelf; the latter process becoming more important over time. The association of charcoal, sesquioxide nodules and complex, rhythmic void coatings have previously been documented for marine-inundated Holocene archaeological sites in the United Kingdom (Allen et al, 2002;Goldberg and Macphail, 2006;Macphail et al, 2010). Furthermore, these features are commonly associated with wetland soil formation processes (Stoops and Eswaran, 1985).…”

Section: Stage Iideposition and Formation Of The Grey Mud Unitmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The association of charcoal, sesquioxide nodules and complex, rhythmic void coatings have previously been documented for marine-inundated Holocene archaeological sites in the United Kingdom (Allen et al, 2002;Goldberg and Macphail, 2006;Macphail et al, 2010). The association of charcoal, sesquioxide nodules and complex, rhythmic void coatings have previously been documented for marine-inundated Holocene archaeological sites in the United Kingdom (Allen et al, 2002;Goldberg and Macphail, 2006;Macphail et al, 2010).…”

Section: Stage Iideposition and Formation Of The Grey Mud Unitmentioning

confidence: 94%

Optical dating and soil micromorphology at MacCauley's Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Jankowski

Jacobs

Goldberg

2014

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The ability to position landscapes in a context of time and space is a particular goal of Quaternary science research. The lack of context for dating samples published previously for MacCauley's Beach, an important site for the reconstruction of Australian sea levels, warranted a re‐evaluation of both the site stratigraphy and chronology. In this study, we combined optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sedimentary quartz grains and soil micromorphology of the same samples to improve our understanding of the depositional history and chronology of the sediments. This combination allowed the contextualization of samples not only in time and space, but also in terms of their depositional histories. The latter is important in OSL dating, where pre‐, syn‐ and post‐depositional processes can all influence the accuracy and precision of the final age estimates. The sediment profile at MacCauley's Beach is made up of three major units. The basal mottled mud layer has undergone extensive pedogenesis since deposition, and only a minimum age of 14.7 ± 2.7 ka could be calculated. The overlying grey mud, with OSL ages from the bottom and top of the unit of 10.0 ± 0.7 and 7.7 ± 0.5 ka, respectively, shows evidence of soil structure collapse. This unit correspond to the onset of the mid‐Holocene sea‐level high stand for this region. The overlying sand layer was first deposited at 7.5 ± 0.4 ka, with deposition continuing beyond 6.6 ± 0.4 ka. Not only does the chronology presented constrain the timing of deposition (and the extent of post‐depositional processes) at MacCauley's Beach, but the methodological approach used here can be applied to any site to aid in the interpretation of formation processes and assess their influence on OSL age determination. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…There is no other evidence of conflagration, despite the reddening observed on loam layers. Nevertheless, such events are difficult to detect, since burning residues like charcoal and ash are quickly removed by flooding (Canti, 2003;Macphail, Allen, Crowther, Cruise, & Whittaker, 2010). U14 shows a heavy lake transgression with lake marl across the entirety of the analysed area.…”

Section: Environmental Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do still waters run deep? Formation processes of natural and anthropogenic deposits in the Neolithic wetland site Zug‐Riedmatt (Switzerland)

2020

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Micromorphological analysis is used to improve our understanding of wetland site taphonomy and stratigraphy. Twelve profile columns from the Neolithic lakeshore site of Zug-Riedmatt are macroscopically described here, microscopic analyses are applied to sediment facies, defining 14 sedimentary units (U): The natural basal sediment (U1) is carbonate-rich, U2 a transition phase to the anthropogenic units U3 to U12. Uppermost are the natural carbonate-rich U13 and U14. The creation of a micromorphological database and the application of 27 defined indices allow a better understanding of the natural, anthropogenic and taphonomic processes taking place at the site. Natural sediment input originated from Lake Zug, the nearby river Lorze with its delta, and a local marshy waterbody. Organic rich accumulations and calcitic ash played a major role in pH changes, leading to carbonate and silica dissolution, alongside bone alteration. Signs of degradation processes under aerobic and anaerobic conditions within a single layer points to complex, multiphase processes under changing water levels, a milieu belonging to both land and water, an amphibious environment. Finally, good layer preservation seemingly correlates to low aquatic reworking in a stable depositional context linked to the marshy area.

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Marine inundation: Effects on archaeological features, materials, sediments and soils

Cited by 37 publications

References 17 publications

Modified sediments and subsurface hydrology in natural and recreated salt marshes and implications for delivery of ecosystem services

Modified sediments and subsurface hydrology in natural and recreated salt marshes and implications for delivery of ecosystem services

Optical dating and soil micromorphology at MacCauley's Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Do still waters run deep? Formation processes of natural and anthropogenic deposits in the Neolithic wetland site Zug‐Riedmatt (Switzerland)

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