This study presents novel findings on the drivers of the calcitic planktonic foraminiferal and aragonitic pteropod Holocene assemblages of the North Aegean Trough (northeastern Mediterranean), an area recording the interaction between dynamic water masses as they exchange between the northern and southern Mediterranean sub-basins. Both of these groups of microorganisms are the major producers of calcium carbonate in the ocean, and are particularly sensitive to climate and oceanographic changes over the late Quaternary. Downcore micropaleontological data from the gravity core AEX-15, supplemented with multivariate statistical Q-mode cluster and principal component analyses (PCA) results, provide significant insights on the water column dynamics during the Holocene. Focusing on the last ~10 calibrated thousands of years before the present day (ka cal BP), our integrated study reveals that primary productivity is the dominant factor controlling the planktonic foraminifera distribution in the North Aegean Sea, whereas water column stratification, and particularly the intensity of the oxygen minimum zone, seems to be the major driver on the pteropod distribution. Besides productivity and thermal stratification, which show the highest explanatory power for planktonic foraminifera and pteropod communities, respectively, though they affect both groups to a different extent, upwelling seems to further affect both faunal groups. Overall, our findings are consistent with those derived by published late Quaternary eastern Mediterranean records, highlighting in parallel a useful additional dimension on planktonic foraminiferal and pteropod ecology, which is inextricably linked with the factors of primary productivity and vertical stratification of the warm Holocene water column.

Fossils constitute a significant part of Earth's biodiversity, holding considerable heritage value. With an aim of improving and enhancing dissemination of knowledge and by integrating augmented reality technologies, this paper presents an AR application to identify fossils in two fossil sites, that of Agia Marina (Aegina Island) and Rafina (Attiki peninsula). An application compatible to mobile devices that enables the user to identify the fossils in situ, promoting learning through interactive experiences. It offers virtual tours that transport users back in time to the paleo environments where these fossils were originally found. This application seeks to make science, and especially paleontology, accessible and engaging to a wide range of people. To achieve this, we employed advanced photogrammetry techniques. By utilizing these methods, we were able to create detailed and accurate 3D models of marine fossils and environments. This approach not only enhances the visual representation of these paleo-environments but also provides precise data for scientific analysis and educational purposes. The AFT project allows us to capture the intricacies of invertebrate species and their habitats, ensuring that their importance within the marine ecosystem is effectively communicated and appreciated by a wider audience.