Post-LGM multi-proxy sedimentary record of bottom-current variability and downslope sedimentary processes in a contourite drift of the Gela Basin (Strait of Sicily)

Gauchery, Tugdual; Rovere, Marzia; Pellegrini, Claudio; Asioli, Alessandra; Tesi, Tommaso; Cattaneo, Antonio; Trincardi, Fabio

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106564

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…These clinothems reflect the influence of coalescing Alpine and Apennine rivers and prograde on the continental shelf (Fig. 1; Cattaneo et al, 2003;Harris et al, 2008;Palinkas, 2009;Traykovski et al, 2007;Pellegrini et al, 2015Pellegrini et al, , 2021.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…2). Human-influenced deforestation within watersheds in response to this cold period might have enhanced sediment yields (Oldfield et al, 2003;Giosan et al, 2012; & Trincardi, 2013;Renaud et al, 2013;Fig. 2), thus affecting deltaic architecture (Fanget et al, 2014;Pellegrini et al, 2021).…”

Section: Background the Little Ice Agementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies of marine mudstones (Schieber et al, 2007;Macquaker et al, 2010;Schieber, 2011Schieber, , 2016Laycock et al, 2017;Li & Schieber, 2018;Li et al, 2021) show that these rocks may consist of coarse silt to sand-sized, mud-dominated composite particles (composed of multiple clay or silt-size mineral grains). Thus, transport and deposition of muds is likely to be subject to more complex processes than commonly appreciated (Palinkas & Nittrouer, 2006;Wheatcroft et al, 2006;Goni et al, 2008;Bhattacharya & MacEachern, 2009;Macquaker et al, 2010;Bohacs et al, 2014;Plint, 2014;Walsh et al, 2014;Wilson & Schieber, 2014;Li et al, 2015;Pellegrini et al, 2015Pellegrini et al, , 2021Lazar et al, 2015b;Bao et al, 2016;Schieber, 2016;Birgenheier et al, 2017;Collins et al, 2017;Laycock et al, 2017;Boulesteix et al, 2019;Schieber et al, 2019;Bhattacharya et al, 2020;Paz et al, 2022). Because fine-grained sediments preserve information about past conditions, mud and mudstones are key archives that need to be interpreted accurately, taking into consideration the variability of sediment supply and the suite of post-depositional processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At first glance, mudstones appear quite homogenous (Schieber, 1999;Bhattacharya & MacEachern, 2009;Plint, 2014), because in outcrop they show: (i) a high degree of weathering that can preclude detailed analysis; and (ii) uncertainties regarding the linkage between sedimentary fabrics and flow characteristics of primary formative processes (i.e. surge-type turbidity currents, hyperpycnal flows, storm surges, bottom current transport of flocculated muds), as well as potential interactions between turbidity currents and other types of bottom currents (Mulder et al, 2008;Fonnesu & Felletti, 2019;Miramontes et al, 2020;Pellegrini et al, 2021). One added challenge in the analysis of modern muds is their typically high initial water content, which requires time-consuming techniques to turn 'soup' and 'toothpaste' into something that can be put under the microscope (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One added challenge in the analysis of modern muds is their typically high initial water content, which requires time-consuming techniques to turn 'soup' and 'toothpaste' into something that can be put under the microscope (e.g. Walsh & Nittrouer, 2009;Schieber, 2011;Potter et al, 2012;Denommee et al, 2018;Pellegrini et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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On depositional processes governing along‐strike facies variations of fine‐grained deposits: Unlocking the Little Ice Age subaqueous clinothems on the Adriatic shelf

Pellegrini,

Sammartino,

Schieber

et al. 2023

Sedimentology

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Depositional processes recorded by shelf deposits may vary widely along‐strike, depending largely on the mode of delivery and deposition of sediments to the basin. In fine‐grained systems in particular, depositional processes are difficult to reconstruct with standard facies analysis of sediment cores due to the ostensibly featureless and homogenous appearance of muds. In this study, sedimentological, palaeontological, geochemical and oceanographic data were combined in a detailed characterization of depositional conditions via sedimentary structures, type of organic matter, trace‐metal geochemistry and benthic fauna assemblages (foraminifera and ostracods) along the 600 km long shelf delta clinothems of the West Adriatic shelf (Italy). Processes inferred from sedimentary facies and micro‐structures were then considered in the context of the modern Adriatic oceanographic regime. Specific attention was given to the Little Ice Age stratigraphic unit (1500–1850 CE), which contains a continuum of genetically related fine‐grained strata. The Little Ice Age deposit offers the opportunity to examine a source‐to‐sink system with the high resolution typical of modernanalogues, at a time interval when Apennine rivers were not yet hydraulically engineered with man‐made sediment traps along their trunks. Individual beds within the Little Ice Age muddy prodelta form hectometre to kilometre‐wide bedsets that reflect the interplay between energetic meteo‐ocean conditions (storm‐dominated beds), flood supply (river‐dominated beds or hyperpycnites) and along‐shelf bottom‐current dispersion (drift‐dominated beds). The multidisciplinary approach applied at different scales of observations helped in understanding sediment provenance and the relative timing of sediment transport before final burial that strongly promoted organic matter oxygen exposure and the loss of carbon by microbial degradation. Overall, the distinctive depositional processes that acted in concert along the prodelta slope produced a subtle lateral heterogeneity of preserved sedimentary structures, faunal associations and organic matter composition in a laterally‐continuous lithostratigraphic unit deposited at centennial scale. These findings have implications on the forcing conditions that ultimately control the location and nature of fine‐grained beds in both modern and ancient, mud‐dominated depositional systems.

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