Multidisciplinary study of the quaternary deposits of the Vila Nova de Gaia, NW Portugal, and its climate significance

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Ribeiro, H (Author) FCUP; A. Pinto de Jesus (Author) FCUP; Sanjurjo, J (Author) Other; Abreu, I (Author) FCUP; Vidal Romani, JRV (Author) Other; Noronha, F (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal Of Iberian Geology

Vol. 45

Pages: 553-563

ISSN: 1698-6180

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-QPN

DOI: 10.1007/s41513-019-00109-9

Abstract (EN): Palynological, geochronological, and sedimentological analyses were conducted on samples from different depositional units of well-preserved marine, fluvial and palustrine sedimentary deposits from Vila Nova de Gaia located at the northwestern Portuguese coast. The studied deposits occur on two terraces: Terrace A-Lavadores (18 m to 33 m) and Terrace B-Canidelo (50 m). Chronological and sedimentological features allowed to date the deposits to the Upper Pleistocene until the last glacial period, being observed an evolution from a depositional setting in a marine intertidal zone, passing to a fluvial environment and ending in a palustrine/lagunar environment with possible periglacial influence. Pollen assemblages collected in the fluvial sedimentary horizons also suggested changes in the environmental conditions. A pollen content with good representation of arboreal species (Quercus, Pinus, Castanea, Fraxinus, Salix, Betula and Corylus), changed to a vegetation environment dominated by non-arboreal species, such as Poaceae, Plantago and Asteraceae. The top horizons, corresponding to a palustrine/lagunar environment, presented a pollen profile completely dominated by non-arboreal species, with minimal tree representation (Prunus, Quercus, Pinus and Castanea) which, combined with sedimentological characteristics may point to a more dry and cold climate than nowadays.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11