Publicação

19th -century environmental transformation of an industrialized estuary: the Avilés sedimentary record (Asturias, N Spain)

Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:	ABSTRACT: The Avilés estuary is one of the most important industrial ports in northern Spain, whose natural characteristics have been largely altered since the 1830s. Here, the environmental transformation of this estuary during the 19th century is explored using a multi-proxy approach including benthic foraminiferal content, sedimentology (grain-size), trace metals and short-lived radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs) analysed from a 50-cm-long sediment core and a surface sample collected from the middle part of the estuary in the Pedro Menéndez Channel. The obtained results provide evidence that indicate an evolution from a naturally-driven environment with high a marine influence towards a more restricted setting under brackish conditions. The observed environmental change is interpreted as being mostly derived from physical modifications linked to the marsh reclamation and channelling starting in 1833 and intensified since 1860. This study provides a preindustrial environmental reference framework for future studies in coastal areas of the NW Atlantic Iberian margin.
Autores principais:	Gardoki, Jon
Outros Autores:	Cearreta, Alejandro; García-Artola, Ane; Irabien, María Jesús; Gomez-Arozamena, Jose; Villasante-Marcos, Víctor; Quijada, I. Emma
Assunto:	Foraminifera Sedimentology Geochemistry Reclamation Channeling Foraminíferos Sedimentologia Geoquímica Recuperação Canalização
Ano:	2021
País:	Portugal
Tipo de documento:	artigo
Tipo de acesso:	acesso aberto
Instituição associada:	Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P.
Idioma:	inglês
Origem:	Repositório do LNEG

Descrição
Resumo:	ABSTRACT: The Avilés estuary is one of the most important industrial ports in northern Spain, whose natural characteristics have been largely altered since the 1830s. Here, the environmental transformation of this estuary during the 19th century is explored using a multi-proxy approach including benthic foraminiferal content, sedimentology (grain-size), trace metals and short-lived radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs) analysed from a 50-cm-long sediment core and a surface sample collected from the middle part of the estuary in the Pedro Menéndez Channel. The obtained results provide evidence that indicate an evolution from a naturally-driven environment with high a marine influence towards a more restricted setting under brackish conditions. The observed environmental change is interpreted as being mostly derived from physical modifications linked to the marsh reclamation and channelling starting in 1833 and intensified since 1860. This study provides a preindustrial environmental reference framework for future studies in coastal areas of the NW Atlantic Iberian margin.