Modern and late Holocene foraminiferal record of restricted environmental conditions in the Albufeira Lagoon, SW Portugal

Benthic foraminifera from twenty stations sampled twice were analyzed in order to examine the environmental conditions of the Albufeira coastal lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages show an increase in the abundance, species diversity and allochthonous content seaward. Three zones have been defined: the inner and more restricted area of the lagoon where the main species are the euryhaline Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica; these two species together with Bulimina gibba and Brizalina britannica dominated the middle area; and, finally, in the mouth and marine- influenced back-barrier area the assemblages are made up of brackish and marine species such as A. tepida, Cribroelphidium williamsoni, Cibicides lobatulus and H. germanica. Additionally, samples from three cores were also examined. Sedimentological and micropalaeontological contents represent the last 2500 years of environmental evolution of the lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages are not very abundant and they are dominated by H. germanica, A. tepida and Jadammina macrescens indicating very restricted conditions through time. In a regional context, and during the Late Holocene, after the development of a detrital barrier circa 5.5 cal yr BP, eustasy is considered to be a minor environmental control of the barrier-lagoonal system dynamics. Instead, environmental conditions were forced by local factors, such as frequency and duration of lagoon-ocean water exchanges, induced by both natural and artificial changes in the permeability of the sand-barrier

Recent transformation of intertidal environments under a sea-level rise scenario: Examples from northern Spain

The transformation of two intertidal environments from northern Spain during the last 150 years shows an evolution from a tidal flat into a salt marsh environment, with an intermediate transitional stage. The environment of deposition was reconstructed based on benthic foraminifera and sand content. Sediments were put into a temporal framework using short-lived radioisotope activities and heavy metal concentrations. The observed natural evolution responds to the availability of abundant sediment and the current sea-level rise scenario, where intertidal environments are trying to adapt to increasing flooding periods by accreting sediment rapidly. © 2019 Sociedad Geologica de Espana. All rights reserved.This research was funded by the Mi nistry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (CGL2013-41083-P), the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (UFI11/09), and the Basque Government (IT976-16). Ane García-Artola was funded by the Basque Government (BFI08.180). Miriam Torrontegui Aguado carried out the micropalaeontological analysis of the PR core and Eduardo Leorri (East Carolina University, USA) helped in the field. We thank Juan Usera (Universitat de Valèn-cia), an anonymous reviewer, and Manuel Díaz Azpiroz (Assistant Editor) for their valuable comments. This work represents contribution #29 of the Geo-Q Zentroa Research Unit (Joaquín Gómez de Llarena Laboratory)

Modern and late Holocene foraminiferal record of restricted environmental conditions in the Albufeira Lagoon, SW Portugal

Benthic foraminifera from twenty stations sampled twice were analyzed in order to examine the environmental conditions of the Albufeira coastal lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages show an increase in the abundance, species diversity and allochthonous content seaward. Three zones have been defined: the inner and more restricted area of the lagoon where the main species are the euryhaline Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica; these two species together with Bulimina gibba and Brizalina britannica dominated the middle area; and, finally, in the mouth and marine- influenced back-barrier area the assemblages are made up of brackish and marine species such as A. tepida, Cribroelphidium williamsoni, Cibicides lobatulus and H. germanica. Additionally, samples from three cores were also examined. Sedimentological and micropalaeontological contents represent the last 2500 years of environmental evolution of the lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages are not very abundant and they are dominated by H. germanica, A. tepida and Jadammina macrescens indicating very restricted conditions through time. In a regional context, and during the Late Holocene, after the development of a detrital barrier circa 5.5 cal yr BP, eustasy is considered to be a minor environmental control of the barrier-lagoonal system dynamics. Instead, environmental conditions were forced by local factors, such as frequency and duration of lagoon-ocean water exchanges, induced by both natural and artificial changes in the permeability of the sand-barrier

Modern conditions and recent environmental development of the Muskiz estuary: historical disturbance by the largest oil refinery of Spain

In 1970 the largest oil refinery in Spain was built on the Muskiz estuary and occupies most of its original surface. An integrated high-resolution microfaunal-geochemical study has revealed the evolution and environmental development of this estuary during the last 120 years, mainly by the identification and assessment of natural processes versus anthropogenic impacts. Benthic foraminifera, trace elements and PAHs data from surface sediment samples and sediment cores from the meagre remaining intertidal flat and marsh areas together with short-life radiometric isotope determinations provide a chronology for environmental changes in this estuary. Concentrations of organic and inorganic pollutant, both in modern and recent materials, are generally low and show no significative variations in space or time, except those associated to sedimentological changes in the core records. Natural processes in the middle estuary indicate the change from previous sandy, normal-salinity conditions to a muddy brackish environment around 1914. Anthropogenic impacts are not related to persistent historical pollution on this estuary but merely to the occupation of the estuary and the elimination of its different original ecosystems, so causing a general impoverishment of its environmental quality.En 1970 se construyó en la Ría de Muskiz la mayor refinería de petróleo de España ocupando la mayor parte de los dominios estuarinos originales. Este trabajo utiliza un enfoque integrado geoquímico-micropaleontológico de alta resolución con el fin de examinar la evolución estuarina y el desarrollo ambiental de esta zona costera durante los últimos 120 años, distinguiendo particularmente entre los procesos naturales e impactos antrópicos. Se analizaron foraminíferos bentónicos, elementos traza e hidrocarburo

Sequential determination of uranium and plutonium in soil and sediment samples by borate salts fusion

[EN] This study describes a rapid method for sequential determination of uranium and plutonium isotopes in soil and sediment samples and its application to the study of Anthropocene sedimentary records. Different pretreatment methods have been tested (open-vessel digestion, borate salts fusion and NaOH salt fusion) achieving the complete dissolution of the sample in case of fusion methods. LiBO2 and Li2B4O7 (80/20) flux was finally selected because a higher amount of sample can be analyzed (up to 5 g). Moreover, separation steps with extraction chromatographic resin UTEVA were optimized. Average recoveries obtained for uranium and plutonium were acceptable, 59% and 72% respectively, and relative bias were below +/- 15%. The time to complete the separation is approximately 11 h without ashing the samples and, consequently, it can be used in emergencies.The authors are grateful to the Universitat Politècnica de València for finantial support under the "Programa propio para la Formación de Personal Investigador (FPI) de la Universitat Politècnica de València - Subprograma 1". We also thank the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency and the Generalitat Valenciana for their support in the "Convenio de colaboración entre la Agencia Valenciana de Seguridad y Respuesta a las Emergencias y la Universitat Politècnica de València para el Desarrollo del Plan de Vigilancia Radiológica en Emergencias". The research was also funded by the ANTROPICOSTA-2: Anthropocene sedimentary record of the coastal and marine areas of Northern Atlantic Iberia (RTI2018-095678-B-C21, MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) and HAREA-Coastal Geology Research Group (Basque Government, IT976-16) projects.Sáez-Muñoz, M.; Ortiz Moragón, J.; Martorell Alsina, SS.; Gómez-Arozamena, J.; Cearreta, A. (2020). Sequential determination of uranium and plutonium in soil and sediment samples by borate salts fusion. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 323(3):1167-1177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07028-5S116711773233Soppera N, Bossant M, Dupont E (2014) JANIS 4: an improved version of the NEA Java-based nuclear data information system. Nucl Data Sheets 120:294–296UNSCEAR (2010) Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. Volume I: sources: report to the general assembly, scientific annexes A and B. UNSCEAR 2008 report. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. United Nations sales publication E.10.XI.3. United Nations, New YorkWaters CN, Syvitski JPM, Gałuszka A, Hancock GJ, Zalasiewicz J, Cearreta A, Grinevald J, Jeandel C, McNeill JR, Summerhayes C, Barnosky A (2015) Can nuclear weapons fallout mark the beginning of the Anthropocene Epoch? Bull Atom Sci 71:46–57IAEA (2015) The Fukushima Daiichi accident, technical radiological consequences, vol 4. International Atomic Energy Agency, ViennaEPA (2012) EPA 402-R-12-006, radiological laboratory sample analysis guide for incident response—radionuclides in soil. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MontgomeryMietelski JW, Wojtycza J, Zalewski M, Kapała J, Tomankiewicz E, Gaca P (2018) Plutonium and thorium isotopes in the bottom sediments of some Mazurian Lakes (Poland). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 318:2389–2399Corcho-Alvarado JA, Diaz-Asencio M, Froidevaux P, Bochud F, Alonso-Hernández CM, Sanchez-Cabeza JA (2014) Dating young Holocene coastal sediments in tropical regions: use of fallout 239,240Pu as alternative chronostratigraphic marker. Quat Geochronol 22:1–10Waters CN, Zalasiewicz J, Summerhayes C, Barnosky AD, Poirier C, Gałuszka A, Cearreta A, Edgeworth M, Ellis EC, Ellis M, Jeandel C, Leinfelder R, McNeill JR, Richter DDB, Steffen W, Syvitski J, Vidas D, Wagreich M, Williams M, Zhisheng A, Grinevald J, Odada E, Oreskes N, Wolfe AP (2016) The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene. Science 351(6269):aad2622Zalasiewicz J, Waters CN, Summerhayes C, Wolfe AP, Barnosky AD, Cearreta A, Crutzen P, Ellis E, Fairchild IJ, Gałuszka A, Haff P, Hajdas I, Head MJ, Ivar do Sul JA, Jeandel C, Leinfelder R, McNeill JR, Neal C, Odada E, Oreskes N, Steffen W, Syvitski J, Vidas D, Wagreich M, Williams M (2017) The Working Group on the Anthropocene: summary of evidence and interim recommendations. Anthropocene 19:55–60Qiao J, Hou X, Miró M, Roos P (2009) Determination of plutonium isotopes in waters and environmental solids: a review. Anal Chim Acta 652:66–84Croudace I, Warwick P, Reading D, Russell B (2016) Recent contributions to the rapid screening of radionuclides in emergency responses and nuclear forensics. Trends Anal Chem 85:120–129Casacuberta N, Lehritani M, Mantero J, Masqué P, Garcia-Orellana J, Garcia-Tenorio R (2012) Determination of U and Th α-emitters in NORM samples through extraction chromatography by using new and recycled UTEVA resins. Appl Radiat Isot 70:568–573Lozano JC, Herranz M, Mosqueda F, Manjón G, Idoeta R, Quintana B, García-Tenorio R, Bolívar JP (2017) Low-level determination of Th-isotopes by alpha spectrometry. Part 2: evaluation of methods for dissolution of samples and for test sample preparation. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314:2519–2529Jurečič S, Benedik L, Planinšek P, Nečemer M, Kump P, Pihlar B (2014) Analysis of uranium in the insoluble residues after decomposition of soil samples by various techniques. Appl Radiat Isot 87:61–65Luo M, Xing S, Yang Y, Song L, Ma Y, Wang Y, Dai X, Happel S (2018) Sequential analyses of actinides in large-size soil and sediment samples with total sample dissolution. J Environ Radioact 187:73–80Sahli H, Röllin S, Putyrskaya V, Klemt E, Balsiger B, Burger M, Corcho Alvarado JA (2017) A procedure for the sequential determination of radionuclides in soil and sediment samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314:2209–2218Reading D, Croudace I, Warwick P, Britton R (2015) A rapid dissolution procedure to aid initial nuclear forensics investigations of chemically refractory compounds and particles prior to gamma spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 900:1–9IAEA (2009) IAEA/AQ/11A, procedure for the rapid determination of Pu isotopes and Am-241 in soil and sediment samples by alpha spectrometry, IAEA analytical quality in nuclear applications series no. 11. International Atomic Energy Agency, ViennaCroudace I, Warwick P, Taylor R, Dee S (1998) Rapid procedure for plutonium and uranium determination in soils using a borate fusion followed by ion-exchange and extraction chromatography. Anal Chim Acta 371:217–225Maxwell S, Culligan B, Hutchison J, McAlister D (2015) Rapid fusion method for the determination of Pu, Np, and Am in large soil samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 305:599–608EPA (2014) EPA 402-R-14-004, rapid method for sodium hydroxide fusion of concrete and brick matrices prior to americium, plutonium, strontium, radium, and uranium analyses for environmental remediation following radiological incidents. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MontgomeryMaxwell S, Culligan B, Noyes G (2010) Rapid separation method for actinides in emergency soil samples. Radiochim Acta 98:793–800Galindo C, Mougin L, Nourreddine A (2007) An improved radiochemical separation of uranium and thorium in environmental samples involving peroxide fusion. Appl Radiat Isot 65:9–16EPA (2012) Rapid method for fusion of soil and soil-related matrices prior to americium, plutonium, and uranium analyses for environmental remediation following radiological incidents. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MontgomeryMantero J, Lehritane M, Hurtado S, García-Tenorio R (2010) Radioanalytical determination of actinoids in refractory matrices by alkali fusion. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 286:557–563Braysher E, Russell B, Woods S, García-Miranda M, Ivanov P, Bouchard B, Read D (2019) Complete dissolution of solid matrices using automated borate fusion in support of nuclear decommissioning and production of reference materials. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 321:183–196Wang H, Ni Y, Zheng J, Huang Z, Xiao D, Aono T (2019) Low-temperature fusion using NH4HSO4 and NH4HF2 for rapid determination of Pu in soil and sediment samples. Anal Chim Acta 1050:71–79Leorri E, Cearreta A, García-Artola A, Irabien MJ, Blake WH (2013) Relative sea-level rise in the Basque coast (N Spain): different environmental consequences on the coastal area. Ocean Coast Manag 77:3–13Absi A (2005) Evolución del impacto radiactivo ambiental en la ría de Huelva tras el cambio en la gestión de los residuos de las industrias de producción deácido fosfórico. Doctoral thesis, Seville UniversityMARLAP (2004) Part II: chapter 13. Sample dissolution, (volume II), EPA 402-B-04-001B. In: Multi-agency radiological laboratory analytical protocols manualHallstadius L (1984) A method for the electrodeposition of actinides. Nucl Instrum Methods 223:266–267Currie LA (1968) Limits for qualitative detection and quantitative determination. Application to radiochemistry. Anal Chem 40(3):586–59

Modern and late Holocene foraminiferal record of restricted environmental conditions in the Albufeira Lagoon, SW Portugal

Benthic foraminifera from twenty stations sampled twice were analyzed in order to examine the environmental conditions of the Albufeira coastal lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages show an increase in the abundance, species diversity and allochthonous content seaward. Three zones have been defined: the inner and more restricted area of the lagoon where the main species are the euryhaline Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica; these two species together with Bulimina gibba and Brizalina britannica dominated the middle area; and, finally, in the mouth and marine- influenced back-barrier area the assemblages are made up of brackish and marine species such as A. tepida, Cribroelphidium williamsoni, Cibicides lobatulus and H. germanica. Additionally, samples from three cores were also examined. Sedimentological and micropalaeontological contents represent the last 2500 years of environmental evolution of the lagoon. Foraminiferal assemblages are not very abundant and they are dominated by H. germanica, A. tepida and Jadammina macrescens indicating very restricted conditions through time. In a regional context, and during the Late Holocene, after the development of a detrital barrier circa 5.5 cal yr BP, eustasy is considered to be a minor environmental control of the barrier-lagoonal system dynamics. Instead, environmental conditions were forced by local factors, such as frequency and duration of lagoon-ocean water exchanges, induced by both natural and artificial changes in the permeability of the sand-barrier

The Great Acceleration is real and provides a quantitative basis for the proposed Anthropocene Series/Epoch

The Anthropocene was conceptualized in 2000 to reflect the extensive impact of human activities on our planet, and subsequent detailed analyses have revealed a substantial Earth System response to these impacts beginning in the mid-20th century. Key to this understanding was the discovery of a sharp upturn in a multitude of global socio-economic indicators and Earth System trends at that time; a phenomenon termed the ‘Great Acceleration’. It coincides with massive increases in global human-consumed energy and shows the Earth System now on a trajectory far exceeding the earlier variability of the Holocene Epoch, and in some respects the entire Quaternary Period. The evaluation of geological signals similarly shows the mid-20th century as representing the most appropriate inception for the Anthropocene. A recent mathematical analysis has nonetheless challenged the significance of the original Great Acceleration data. We examine this analytical approach and reiterate the robustness of the original data in supporting the Great Acceleration, while emphasizing that intervals of rapid growth are inevitably time-limited, as recognised at the outset. Moreover, the exceptional magnitude of this growth remains undeniable, reaffirming the centrality of the Great Acceleration in justifying a formal chronostratigraphic Anthropocene at the rank of series/epoch

Extraordinary human energy consumption and resultant geological impacts beginning around 1950 CE initiated the proposed Anthropocene Epoch

Growth in fundamental drivers—energy use, economic productivity and population—can provide quantitative indications of the proposed boundary between the Holocene Epoch and the Anthropocene. Human energy expenditure in the Anthropocene, ~22 zetajoules (ZJ), exceeds that across the prior 11,700 years of the Holocene (~14.6 ZJ), largely through combustion of fossil fuels. The global warming effect during the Anthropocene is more than an order of magnitude greater still. Global human population, their productivity and energy consumption, and most changes impacting the global environment, are highly correlated. This extraordinary outburst of consumption and productivity demonstrates how the Earth System has departed from its Holocene state since ~1950 CE, forcing abrupt physical, chemical and biological changes to the Earth’s stratigraphic record that can be used to justify the proposal for naming a new epoch—the Anthropocene

Recent sediments dating using short-lived radionuclides

[ES] Se presentan las características principales del método de datación de sedimentos recientes mediante el radioisótopo natural 210Pb y su validación utilizando radionucleidos artificiales tales como 137Cs y 239,240Pu. Se hace una revisión de los principios generales de esta metodología, se aportan recomendaciones prácticas para la recogida de testigos sedimentarios en el campo y su posterior procesamiento en el laboratorio, se describen diferentes técnicas analíticas utilizadas en la determinación de sus concentraciones y se explican brevemente varios modelos para la interpretación de los perfiles obtenidos. Por último, se incluyen ejemplos prácticos de su aplicación en secuencias sedimentarias procedentes de distintos ambientes marinos (estuario, bahía y plataforma continental) en el norte de la Península Ibérica.[EN] The main characteristics of the dating method of recent sediments using the natural radioisotope 210Pb and its validation with artificial radionuclides such as 137Cs and 239,240Pu are presented. A review of the general principles of this methodology is made, practical recommendations for the collection of sedimentary cores in the field and their subsequent processing in the laboratory are provided, several analytical techniques used to measure their concentrations are described and several models for the interpretation of the profiles are briefly explained. Finally, practical examples of its application in sedimentary sequences from different marine environments (estuary, bay and continental shelf) in the northern Iberian Peninsula are also included.Este artículo se ha inspirado en el manual de referencia publicado por Sanchez-Cabeza, J.A., Díaz-Asencio, M., Ruiz-Fernández, A.C., eds. (2012). Radiocronología de sedimentos costeros utilizando 210Pb: Modelos, Validación y Aplicaciones. Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica, Viena, 105 pp., donde se profundizan diferentes aspectos tratados aquí. Trabajo financiado por los proyectos RTI2018-095678-B-C21, MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE (MINECO) e IT976-16 (EJ/GV). Dos revisoras/es anónimas/os mejoraron el manuscrito original con sus comentarios y sugerencias. Contribución nº 56 de la Unidad de Investigación Geo-Q Zentroa (Laboratorio Joaquín Gómez de Llarena).Cearreta, A.; Gómez-Arozamena, J.; Irabien, M.; Ruiz-Fernández, A.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J.; Ortiz Moragón, J.; Sáez-Muñoz, M. (2022). Datación de sedimentos recientes utilizando radionucleidos de vida corta. Cuaternario y Geomorfología. 36(3-4):87-104. https://doi.org/10.17735/cyg.v36i3-4.9350487104363-

Recent sediments dating using short-lived radionuclides

Se presentan las características principales del método de datación de sedimentos recientes mediante el radioisótopo natural ²¹⁰Pb y su validación utilizando radionucleidos artificiales tales como ¹³⁷Cs y ²³⁹,²⁴⁰Pu. Se hace una revisión de los principios generales de esta metodología, se aportan recomendaciones prácticas para la recogida de testigos sedimentarios en el campo y su posterior procesamiento en el laboratorio, se describen diferentes técnicas analíticas utilizadas en la determinación de sus concentraciones y se explican brevemente varios modelos para la interpretación de los perfiles obtenidos. Por último, se incluyen ejemplos prácticos de su aplicación en secuencias sedimentarias procedentes de distintos ambientes marinos (estuario, bahía y plataforma continental) en el norte de la Península Ibérica.The main characteristics of the dating method of recent sediments using the natural radioisotope ²¹⁰Pb and its validation with artificial radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ²³⁹,²⁴⁰Pu are presented. A review of the general principles of this methodology is made, practical recommendations for the collection of sedimentary cores in the field and their subsequent processing in the laboratory are provided, several analytical techniques used to measure their concentrations are described and several models for the interpretation of the profiles are briefly explained. Finally, practical examples of its application in sedimentary sequences from different marine environments (estuary, bay and continental shelf) in the northern Iberian Peninsula are also included.Agradecimientos: Este artículo se ha inspirado en el manual de referencia publicado por Sanchez-Cabeza, J.A., Díaz-Asencio, M., Ruiz-Fernández, A.C., eds. (2012). Radiocronología de sedimentos costeros utilizando 210Pb: Modelos, Validación y Aplicaciones. Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica, Viena, 105 pp., donde se profundizan diferentes aspectos tratados aquí. Trabajo financiado por los proyectos RTI2018-095678-B-C21, MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE (MINECO) e IT976-16 (EJ/GV). Dos revisoras/es anónimas/os mejoraron el manuscrito original con sus comentarios y sugerencias. Contribución nº 56 de la Unidad de Investigación Geo-Q Zentroa (Laboratorio Joaquín Gómez de Llarena)