We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Sediment distribution and accumulation in lagoons of the Southern Mediterranean Region (the MELMARINA Project) with special reference to environmental change and aquatic ecosystems.
- Authors
Flower, R.; Appleby, P.; Thompson, J.; Ahmed, M.; Ramdani, M.; Chouba, L.; Rose, N.; Rochester, R.; Ayache, F.; Kraiem, M.; Elkhiati, N.; El Kafrawy, S.; Yang, H.; Rasmussen, E.
- Abstract
Surface sediments and sediment cores were collected from coastal lagoons and lakes located in the Southern Mediterranean Region (SMR) as part of the MELMARINA Project which involved integrated eco-hydrological monitoring and modelling. This study uses surface sediments and sediment cores to infer spatial characteristics and temporal changes at the MELMARINA primary sites, Merja Zerga in Morocco, Ghar El Melh in Tunisia and Lake Manzala in Egypt. In addition, surface sediment sampling was undertaken at Egyptian Lake Bardawil and sediment cores were collected from the Lagune de Nador (Morocco). Sediment distribution patterns are investigated using GIS with georeferenced sample locations to facilitate display and resurvey. Major variations in sedimentary organic matter and, particularly, carbonate content, occur within and between sites. Local landscapes combined with hydrological and biogeochemical processes influence the distributions of sediment bulk components (carbonates, organic material and clastic matter) and molluscan shells and shell debris are an important source of sedimentary carbonate at all three primary sites. Sediment cores were dated using natural (210Pb) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides, and sediment accumulation rate changes indicate that sources of sediment supply varied markedly through the twentieth century but have generally diminished after the mid-1960s. Sedimentary siliceous microfossils (diatoms) were generally poorly preserved, but mollusc shell remains were well represented. Sediment chronologies and sediment bulk composition allow discussion of some recent changes in bulk, minerogenic and biogenic sediment accumulation patterns in the SMR lagoons. Sediment accumulation rates also varied between sites and multiple cores from Lake Manzala indicated that rates showed considerable spatial variability. Low-level sediment contamination by fossil fuel combustion particulates and trace metals was demonstrated for...
- Subjects
NORTH Africa; SEDIMENT transport; SEDIMENTATION &; deposition; LAGOONS; AQUATIC habitats; ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring; HYDROLOGIC models; SEASONAL variations in biogeochemical cycles; SPATIO-temporal variation; MARINE sediment sampling; DRILL core analysis; RESEARCH methodology
- Publication
Hydrobiologia, 2009, Vol 622, Issue 1, p85
- ISSN
0018-8158
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10750-008-9677-5