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We present a new 87Sr/86Sr curve for the time interval between 6.5 and 5.5 Ma of the Ain El Beida section (AEB, Atlantic side of Morocco). The location and the precessional-scale resolution of our curve allow to investigate the possible relationships between global paleoclimatic and palaeoceanographic trends and the high-amplitude hydrological changes of the Mediterranean during the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC). The values, obtained from planktic foraminifers, plot in the upper portion of the global ocean curve and show long- (at eccentricity scale) and short-term (precessional scale) oscillations; the latter are more evident during the maximum of eccentricity for both the 100 and 400 ka components, between 6.00 and 5.85 Ma. Negative 87Sr/86Sr anomalies are observed at insolation minima in phase with δ18O maxima, marking the glacial stages from TG34 to TG26. It is unclear whether these oscillations originated from local (river runoff) or global (glacial/interglacial) climatic forcing. Conversely, the evaporites of the coeval Primary Lower Gypsum (5.97–5.62 Ma) accumulated in the Mediterranean at insolation minima show positive anomalies at glacial stages TG32, 30, 28, and 26. Such an opposite trend is possibly related to the greater sensitivity of the Mediterranean Sea to river runoff during insolation maxima compared to the global ocean, as recorded at the Moroccan Atlantic margin. These observations and the deviation toward lower values of the Mediterranean Sr isotope curve starting at around 6.5 Ma, support the hypothesis of a progressive restriction of the Atlantic connections since the early Messinian, leading to the MSC.
Vinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri. A New Messinian 87 Sr/ 86 Sr Curve for the Ain El Beida Section (Morocco): An Atlantic Perspective of the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 2021, 36, 1 .
AMA StyleVinicio Manzi, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Matteo Reghizzi, Marco Roveri. A New Messinian 87 Sr/ 86 Sr Curve for the Ain El Beida Section (Morocco): An Atlantic Perspective of the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology. 2021; 36 (7):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri. 2021. "A New Messinian 87 Sr/ 86 Sr Curve for the Ain El Beida Section (Morocco): An Atlantic Perspective of the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis." Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 36, no. 7: 1.
Recent studies on the genesis of sedimentary native sulfur deposits indicate diagenetic mid‐low temperature Bacterial Sulfate Reduction (BSR) as the main process, involving organic compounds (kerogen/hydrocarbons), bacterial colonies and gypsiferous rocks. In the peri‐Mediterranean area (Southern Spain, Sicily, Northern Apennines, Israel), the main sulfur accumulations are always associated with late Miocene sulfates and organic‐rich successions encompassing the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC). In particular, the Messinian successions of the Apennine‐Adriatic foreland basin system, due to a large amount of high‐resolution stratigraphic data, represent a perfect case study for understanding the diagenetic conditions controlling the development of the BSR process during sedimentary basin evolution. In this work, thermal models performed in three sub‐basins in a sector of the Northern Apennines comprised of the Sillaro and Marecchia rivers (Italy), calibrated by means of organic and inorganic geothermometers, indicate a general thermal immaturity of the studied successions attained as a result of a constant heat flow similar to the present day one (ca. 40 mW/m2) since Late Tortonian and lithostatic loads between 615 and 1,710 m depending on different sub‐basins. These results suggest that the MSC deposits experienced maximum temperatures between about 39°C and 65°C. Temperatures derived from thermal models have been used to constraint occurrence of the diagenetic BSR associated with evaporitic deposits providing thermal constraints in sulfur genesis as well as new useful thermal‐constraints for basin analysis studies.
Francesco Paolo Rossi; Andrea Schito; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Sveva Corrado; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi. Paleo‐thermal constraints on the origin of native diagenetic sulfur in the Messinian evaporites: The Northern Apennines foreland basin case study (Italy). Basin Research 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Paolo Rossi, Andrea Schito, Vinicio Manzi, Marco Roveri, Sveva Corrado, Stefano Lugli, Matteo Reghizzi. Paleo‐thermal constraints on the origin of native diagenetic sulfur in the Messinian evaporites: The Northern Apennines foreland basin case study (Italy). Basin Research. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Paolo Rossi; Andrea Schito; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Sveva Corrado; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi. 2021. "Paleo‐thermal constraints on the origin of native diagenetic sulfur in the Messinian evaporites: The Northern Apennines foreland basin case study (Italy)." Basin Research , no. : 1.
The Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) is an extreme event in Earth history during which a salt giant (>1×106 km3) accumulated on the Mediterranean seafloor within ~640 kyrs. The Messinian salt giant was formed about 6 million years ago when the restriction of water exchanges between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea turned the Mediterranean into an enormous saline basin. After more than 40 years of research, the timing and the depositional environments of shallow (<200 m) and intermediate (200-1000 m) water-depth Messinian basins are known quite well from onshore outcrops. But what happened in the deepest portions of the Mediterranean Sea is still unclear, because the information about offshore successions is mainly based on geophysical data with no rock samples that can be dated.
The Levant Basin is the only deep Mediterranean basin where the entire Messinian section has been penetrated by wells tied to high resolution 3D seismic surveys. Here we present two studies challenging the desiccation paradigm dominating the MSC scientific literature for more than 40 years.
The first study focuses on the nearly flat top erosion surface (TES) that truncates a basinward-tilted Messinian evaporitic succession. This truncation is commonly interpreted to be the result of subaerial erosion at the end of the MSC. However, based on high resolution seismic surveys and wireline logs, we show that (1) the TES is actually an intra-Messinian truncation surface (IMTS) located ~100 m below the Messinian-Zanclean boundary; (2) the topmost, post-truncation, Messinian unit is very different from the underlying salt deposits and consists mostly of shale, sand, and anhydrite showing typical 87Sr/86Sr values and fauna assemblages from stage 3; and (3) the flat IMTS is a dissolution surface related to significant dilution and stratification of the water column during the transition from stage 2 to stage 3. We suggest that dissolution occurred upslope where salt rocks at the seabed were exposed to the upper diluted brine, while downslope the salt rocks were preserved because submerged in the deeper halite-saturated layer. The model, which requires a stratified water column, is inconsistent with a complete desiccation of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The second study focuses on the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the deep Eastern Mediterranean basin. Biostratigraphy and astronomical tuning of the Messinian pre-salt succession in the Levant Basin allows for the first time the reconstruction of a detailed chronology of the MSC events in deep setting and their correlation with marginal records that supports the CIESM (2008) 3-stage model. Our main conclusions are (1) MSC events were synchronous across marginal and deep basins, (2) MSC onset in deep basins occurred at 5.97 Ma, (3) only foraminifera-barren, evaporite-free shales accumulated in deep settings between 5.97 and 5.60 Ma, (4) deep evaporites (sulfate and halite) deposition started later, at 5.60 Ma. The wide synchrony of events implies inter-sub-basin connection during the whole salinity crisis and is not compatible with large sea-level fall that would have separated the eastern and western basins producing diachronic processes.
Zohar Gvirtzman; Vinicio Manzi; Ran Calvo; Ittai Gavrieli; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; Davide Persico; B. Charlotte Schreiber. Levant Basin as a key for Understanding the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Challenging the Desiccation Paradigm. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleZohar Gvirtzman, Vinicio Manzi, Ran Calvo, Ittai Gavrieli, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Matteo Reghizzi, Davide Persico, B. Charlotte Schreiber. Levant Basin as a key for Understanding the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Challenging the Desiccation Paradigm. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZohar Gvirtzman; Vinicio Manzi; Ran Calvo; Ittai Gavrieli; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; Davide Persico; B. Charlotte Schreiber. 2020. "Levant Basin as a key for Understanding the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Challenging the Desiccation Paradigm." , no. : 1.
The recent release of a large number of subsurface geological data by the Italian Minister of Economic Development, including boreholes and seismic profiles, provided the occasion for a new assessment of the deposits associated with the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) in the Adriatic foreland basin system and a new integration with the outcropping successions of the Apennines. In particular, the study of the Messinian evaporites allowed to reconstruct a new detailed palaeogeographic and palaeobathymetric framework for all the stages of the crisis. We identified the largest evaporitic marginal basin ever described for the Mediterranean hosting the precipitation of the primary shallow-water gypsum deposits (PLG, Primary Lower Gypsum) during the first stage of the crisis. During the second and third stages of the crisis, the PLG basin underwent uplift and erosion and the evaporite accumulation moved to the deeper part of the basin and was characterized by the deposition of the Resedimented Lower Gypsum unit including clastic evaporites, recycling the PLG ones, primary halite and terrigenous deposits. The distribution of the different evaporitic facies, was the basis for an improved reconstruction of the upper Miocene tectonic evolution of the Apennines thrust belt. Our results show a clear separation between shallower depocenters, located in the wedge-top and in the Adriatic foreland basins and characterized by MSC stage 1 PLG deposition, and deeper-water ones, located in the Adriatic foredeep and close to the Calabrian Arc, where MSC stage 2 terrigenous and gypsum-bearing clastic deposits and primary halite accumulated.
Vinicio Manzi; Andrea Argnani; Alessandro Corcagnani; Stefano Lugli; Marco Roveri. The Messinian salinity crisis in the Adriatic foredeep: Evolution of the largest evaporitic marginal basin in the Mediterranean. Marine and Petroleum Geology 2020, 115, 104288 .
AMA StyleVinicio Manzi, Andrea Argnani, Alessandro Corcagnani, Stefano Lugli, Marco Roveri. The Messinian salinity crisis in the Adriatic foredeep: Evolution of the largest evaporitic marginal basin in the Mediterranean. Marine and Petroleum Geology. 2020; 115 ():104288.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVinicio Manzi; Andrea Argnani; Alessandro Corcagnani; Stefano Lugli; Marco Roveri. 2020. "The Messinian salinity crisis in the Adriatic foredeep: Evolution of the largest evaporitic marginal basin in the Mediterranean." Marine and Petroleum Geology 115, no. : 104288.
The onshore‐offshore correlation of sedimentary successions is a common problem in basin analysis, but it becomes critical for the full understanding of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC), a complex array of palaeoenvironmental events which affected the Mediterranean basin at the end of the Miocene. The outcrop records show that the Messinian stratigraphic architectures may be highly complex as the deposits of the different MSC evolutionary stages can be lithologically similar and separated by erosional surfaces and/or morphostructural highs. The correct definition of the nature and stratigraphic position of Messinian deposits in offshore areas through seismic data may be almost impossible, especially where core data are sparse. To bridge the gap between onshore and offshore records, we have built synthetic seismic sections from well‐constrained outcrop successions. Our results provide useful insights and warnings for the interpretation of offshore data, pointing out that MSC units having different age, nature and depositional settings, may show similar seismic facies and geometries. Conversely, the same deposit may result in different seismic facies, either with parallel and high‐amplitude reflections or even transparent or chaotic due to interference patterns of seismic reflections related to dominant frequency. It follows that a correct interpretation of the nature and age of deep‐seated Messinian deposits can only be obtained through the integration of seismic and core data, and considering the onshore record. The application of our approach to the Balearic Promontory results in an alternative interpretation with respect to previous models. We show that this offshore area has good analogues in the onshore of the Betic Cordillera and includes both shallow and intermediate depth sub‐basins that underwent a strong post‐Messinian subsidence. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
M. Roveri; R. Gennari; M. Ligi; S. Lugli; V. Manzi; M. Reghizzi. The synthetic seismic expression of the Messinian salinity crisis from onshore records: Implications for shallow‐ to deep‐water correlations. Basin Research 2019, 31, 1121 -1152.
AMA StyleM. Roveri, R. Gennari, M. Ligi, S. Lugli, V. Manzi, M. Reghizzi. The synthetic seismic expression of the Messinian salinity crisis from onshore records: Implications for shallow‐ to deep‐water correlations. Basin Research. 2019; 31 (6):1121-1152.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Roveri; R. Gennari; M. Ligi; S. Lugli; V. Manzi; M. Reghizzi. 2019. "The synthetic seismic expression of the Messinian salinity crisis from onshore records: Implications for shallow‐ to deep‐water correlations." Basin Research 31, no. 6: 1121-1152.
The biogeochemistry of hypersaline environments is strongly influenced by changes in biological processes and physicochemical parameters. Although massive evaporation events have occurred repeatedly throughout Earth history, their biogeochemical cycles and global impact remain poorly understood. Here, we provide the first nitrogen isotopic data for nutrients and chloropigments from modern shallow hypersaline environments (solar salterns, Trapani, Italy) and apply the obtained insights to δ15N signatures of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) in the late Miocene. Concentrations and δ15N of chlorophyll a, bacteriochlorophyll a, nitrate, and ammonium in benthic microbial mats indicate that inhibition of nitrification suppresses denitrification and anammox, resulting in efficient ammonium recycling within the mats and high primary productivity. We also suggest that the release of 15N-depleted NH3(gas) with increasing salinity enriches ammonium 15N in surface brine (≈34.0‰). Such elevated δ15N is also recorded in geoporphyrins isolated from sediments of the MSC peak (≈20‰), reflecting ammonium supply sufficient for sustaining phototrophic primary production. We propose that efficient nutrient supply combined with frequent bottom-water anoxia and capping of organic-rich sediments by evaporites of the Mediterranean MSC could have contributed to atmospheric CO2 reduction during the late Miocene.
Y. Isaji; H. Kawahata; N. O. Ogawa; J. Kuroda; T. Yoshimura; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; A. Makabe; T. Shibuya; S. Lugli; A. Santulli; V. Manzi; M. Roveri; N. Ohkouchi. Efficient recycling of nutrients in modern and past hypersaline environments. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 3718 .
AMA StyleY. Isaji, H. Kawahata, N. O. Ogawa, J. Kuroda, T. Yoshimura, Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo, A. Makabe, T. Shibuya, S. Lugli, A. Santulli, V. Manzi, M. Roveri, N. Ohkouchi. Efficient recycling of nutrients in modern and past hypersaline environments. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):3718.
Chicago/Turabian StyleY. Isaji; H. Kawahata; N. O. Ogawa; J. Kuroda; T. Yoshimura; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; A. Makabe; T. Shibuya; S. Lugli; A. Santulli; V. Manzi; M. Roveri; N. Ohkouchi. 2019. "Efficient recycling of nutrients in modern and past hypersaline environments." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 3718.
The 87Sr/86Sr ratio is a proxy of the hydrologic structure of marginal basins characterized by the mixing between marine and continental waters. This reliable paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic tool is considered a key to the reconstruction of high‐amplitude hydrologic changes that governed the evolution of the Mediterranean region during the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC), when reduced connections with the global ocean resulted in the deposition of the most studied Earth‐s salt giant. Paleohydrological dynamics leading to the deposition of the Primary Lower Gypsum (PLG) during the first stage of the MSC were revealed by the study of the 87Sr/86Sr composition of 114 samples from the Vena del Gesso basin (VdG; Northern Apennines, Italy). The analysis of seven high‐resolution 87Sr/86Sr profiles from individual gypsum beds suggests a climatic influence of precessional‐scale orbital parameters during evaporite deposition. The variations of Sr isotope ratios over time indicate that gypsum precipitation started from a seawater body dominated by continental contributions, followed by a relative increase of marine input. The overall results show a gradual upward detachment from the global ocean 87Sr/86Sr curve, with crucial steps corresponding to the most extreme eccentricity minima, suggesting an orbital influence on the hydrological balance of the basin. Given the sedimentological and geochemical analogies shared by the Mediterranean marginal basins that hosted the PLG deposition, the 87Sr/86Sr evolution of the VdG basin may be considered as indicative of Mediterranean‐scale hydrologic dynamics, driven by gradual reduction of exchanges with the Atlantic and variable freshwater input.
Matteo Reghizzi; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Francesco Paolo Rossi; Marco Roveri. Orbitally Forced Hydrological Balance During the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Insights From Strontium Isotopes ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) in the Vena del Gesso Basin (Northern Apennines, Italy). Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 2018, 33, 716 -731.
AMA StyleMatteo Reghizzi, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Francesco Paolo Rossi, Marco Roveri. Orbitally Forced Hydrological Balance During the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Insights From Strontium Isotopes ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) in the Vena del Gesso Basin (Northern Apennines, Italy). Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology. 2018; 33 (7):716-731.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Reghizzi; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Francesco Paolo Rossi; Marco Roveri. 2018. "Orbitally Forced Hydrological Balance During the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Insights From Strontium Isotopes ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) in the Vena del Gesso Basin (Northern Apennines, Italy)." Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 33, no. 7: 716-731.
New palaeontologic, sedimentologic, and Sr isotope data allow to reconstruct a high‐resolution chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework of the continental‐marine transition at the Miocene–Pliocene boundary in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, South‐eastern Spain). The presence of Reticulofenestra zancleana, Ceratolithus acutus, and R. pseudoumbilicus in a marine horizon sharply overlying the continental deposits of the Zorreras Member indicates that the Messinian salinity crisis ended in the Sorbas Basin synchronously with the other Mediterranean basins at the base of the Zanclean, within the MNN12a biozone. Our results suggest that the Zanclean flooding turned the Sorbas Basin into a shallow bay with limited exchange with the main Mediterranean basin, probably through narrow seaways connecting also the Almeria, Nijar, and Vera basins. Our results do not confirm previous hypotheses envisaging an older age for the return to fully marine conditions in the Sorbas Basin and is in a good agreement with the reconstructions suggesting that the Zorreras Mb. continental deposits are the local time‐equivalent of the latest Messinian Lago‐Mare phase during the last stage of the salinity crisis.
Marco Roveri; Rocco Gennari; Davide Persico; Francesco Paolo Rossi; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Taviani. A new chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework for the end of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain). Geological Journal 2018, 54, 1617 -1637.
AMA StyleMarco Roveri, Rocco Gennari, Davide Persico, Francesco Paolo Rossi, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Matteo Reghizzi, Marco Taviani. A new chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework for the end of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain). Geological Journal. 2018; 54 (3):1617-1637.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Roveri; Rocco Gennari; Davide Persico; Francesco Paolo Rossi; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Taviani. 2018. "A new chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework for the end of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)." Geological Journal 54, no. 3: 1617-1637.
Astronomical tuning of the Messinian pre-salt succession in the Levant Basin allows for the first time the reconstruction of a detailed chronology of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) events in deep setting and their correlation with marginal records that supports the CIESM (2008) 3-stages model. Our main conclusions are: i)MSC events were synchronous across marginal and deep basins; i)MSC onset in deep basins occurred at 5.97 Ma; ii)only foraminifera-barren, evaporite-free shales accumulated in deep settings between 5.97 and 5.60 Ma; iii)deep evaporites (anhydrite and halite) deposition started later, at 5.60 Ma; iv)new and published 87Sr/86Sr data, indicate that during all stages, evaporites precipitated from the same water-body in all the Mediterranean sub-basins; The wide synchrony of events and 87Sr/86Sr homogeneity implies inter-sub-basin connection during the whole MSC and is not compatible with large sea-level fall and desiccation of the Mediterranean. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Vinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Davide Persico; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber; Rani Calvo; Ittai Gavrieli; Zohar Gvirtzman. The onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the deep Eastern Mediterranean basin. Terra Nova 2018, 30, 189 -198.
AMA StyleVinicio Manzi, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Davide Persico, Matteo Reghizzi, Marco Roveri, B. Charlotte Schreiber, Rani Calvo, Ittai Gavrieli, Zohar Gvirtzman. The onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the deep Eastern Mediterranean basin. Terra Nova. 2018; 30 (3):189-198.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Davide Persico; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber; Rani Calvo; Ittai Gavrieli; Zohar Gvirtzman. 2018. "The onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the deep Eastern Mediterranean basin." Terra Nova 30, no. 3: 189-198.
An integrated micropaleontologic, magnetostratigraphic and cyclostratigraphic investigation of the Tokhni composite section (Southern Cyprus Island, Eastern Mediterranean) refines the previously published age model and paleoenvironmental interpretation particularly concerning its uppermost pre-Messinian Salinity Crisis interval (pre-MSC), between 6.46 and 5.97 Ma. This section is characterized by a precessionpaced alternation of red shales and limestones, which correlate with insolation maxima and minima on the basis of their δ18O signatures and calcareous nannofossil assemblages. The planktonic foraminifer and magnetostratigraphic events permit the tuning of the sedimentary cycles to the 65° N summer insolation curve and to the Mediterranean pre-evaporitic reference sections. The upper bathyal sedimentary succession of the Tokhni composite section records paleoceanographic changes at 6.4 and 6.1 Ma, indicating increasingly stressed conditions both at the sea floor and in the water column. Compared to the Western Mediterranean pre-MSC successions, we observe less severe sea floor anoxic conditions at times of insolation maxima and higher salinity surface and bottom waters at times of insolation minima. Moreover, from 6.1 Ma to the MSC onset we observe a progressively increase of continental-derived waters, which was likely caused by a tectonic pulse. The MSC onset at 5.97 Ma is marked by the deposition of clastic carbonates rather than primary evaporitic facies and is approximated by the last recovery of foraminifera, the abundance peaks of Helicosphaera carteri and Umbilicosphaera rotula and the decrease of the 87/86Sr. The MSC onset is recorded two cycles below the Messinian erosional surface (MES, 5.60 Ma) and the overlying clastic evaporites, suggestinga hiatus of approximately 350 kyr.
Rocco Gennari; Francesca Lozar; Elena Turco; Francesco Dela Pierre; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Marcello Natalicchio; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber; Marco Taviani. Integrated stratigraphy and paleoceanographic evolution of the pre-evaporitic phase of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean as recorded in the Tokhni section (Cyprus island). Newsletters on Stratigraphy 2018, 51, 33 -55.
AMA StyleRocco Gennari, Francesca Lozar, Elena Turco, Francesco Dela Pierre, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Marcello Natalicchio, Marco Roveri, B. Charlotte Schreiber, Marco Taviani. Integrated stratigraphy and paleoceanographic evolution of the pre-evaporitic phase of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean as recorded in the Tokhni section (Cyprus island). Newsletters on Stratigraphy. 2018; 51 (1):33-55.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRocco Gennari; Francesca Lozar; Elena Turco; Francesco Dela Pierre; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Marcello Natalicchio; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber; Marco Taviani. 2018. "Integrated stratigraphy and paleoceanographic evolution of the pre-evaporitic phase of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean as recorded in the Tokhni section (Cyprus island)." Newsletters on Stratigraphy 51, no. 1: 33-55.
The Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) is an extreme event in Earth history during which a salt giant (>1 × 106 km3) accumulated on the Mediterranean seafloor within ∼640 k.y. Erosional unconformities extending from the continental margins into the deep basins are key features for reconstructing the MSC; however, the nature of the erosional processes and their subaerial versus subaqueous origin are highly controversial. This study focuses on the top erosion surface (TES) in the deep Levant Basin, which is notably flat, truncating a basinward-tilted Messinian evaporitic succession. Based on high-resolution seismic surveys and wireline logs, we show that (1) the TES is actually an intra-Messinian truncation surface (IMTS) located ∼100 m below the Messinian-Zanclean boundary; (2) the topmost, post-truncation Messinian unit is very different from the underlying salt deposits and consists mostly of shale, sand, and anhydrite; and (3) the flat IMTS is a dissolution surface related to significant dilution and stratification of the water column during the transition from stage 2 to stage 3 of the MSC. Dissolution occurred upslope where salt rocks at the seabed were exposed to the upper diluted brine, while downslope, submerged in the deeper halite-saturated layer, the salt rocks were preserved. The model, which requires a stratified water column, is inconsistent with a complete desiccation of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Zohar Gvirtzman; Vinicio Manzi; Ran Calvo; I. Gavrieli; R. Gennari; S. Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; M. Roveri. Intra-Messinian truncation surface in the Levant Basin explained by subaqueous dissolution. Geology 2017, 45, 915 -918.
AMA StyleZohar Gvirtzman, Vinicio Manzi, Ran Calvo, I. Gavrieli, R. Gennari, S. Lugli, Matteo Reghizzi, M. Roveri. Intra-Messinian truncation surface in the Levant Basin explained by subaqueous dissolution. Geology. 2017; 45 (10):915-918.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZohar Gvirtzman; Vinicio Manzi; Ran Calvo; I. Gavrieli; R. Gennari; S. Lugli; Matteo Reghizzi; M. Roveri. 2017. "Intra-Messinian truncation surface in the Levant Basin explained by subaqueous dissolution." Geology 45, no. 10: 915-918.
E investigated changes in the chemical characteristics of evaporating seawater under the influence of microbial activity by\ud conducting geochemical analyses of the brines and evaporite sediments collected from solar salterns in Trapani, Italy. The\ud microbial activity had a substantial effect on the carbonate system parameters. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was substantially\ud removed from the brine during the course of evaporation from the seawater to the point where calcium carbonate\ud precipitates, with an accompanying decrease in its carbon isotopic composition (d13CDIC) to as low as 10.6‰. Although the\ud removal of DIC was due to calcium carbonate precipitation, photosynthesis, and the degassing of CO2(aq) induced by evaporation,\ud the presence of 13C-depleted d13CDIC in ponds where calcium carbonate precipitates can be attributed to the dissolution\ud of atmospheric CO2 because of intensive CO2(aq) uptake by photosynthesis, and/or mineralization of organic matter\ud by sulfate reduction. In contrast, d13CDIC increased up to 7.2‰ in the salinity range where halite precipitates, which can be\ud ascribed to the domination of the effect of degassing of CO2(aq) under conditions with reduced microbial activity. A gradual\ud decrease in microbial activity was also reflected in compound-specific d13C of photosynthetic pigments; isotopic fractionation\ud associated with DIC assimilation increased linearly as the evaporation proceeded, indicating DIC-limited conditions within the microbial mats and gypsum crusts because of restricted DIC diffusion from the overlying brine and/or suppression of primary\ud production at higher salinity
Yuta Isaji; Hodaka Kawahata; Junichiro Kuroda; Toshihiro Yoshimura; Nanako O. Ogawa; Atsushi Suzuki; Takazo Shibuya; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; Stefano Lugli; Andrea Santulli; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Naohiko Ohkouchi. Biological and physical modification of carbonate system parameters along the salinity gradient in shallow hypersaline solar salterns in Trapani, Italy. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 2017, 208, 354 -367.
AMA StyleYuta Isaji, Hodaka Kawahata, Junichiro Kuroda, Toshihiro Yoshimura, Nanako O. Ogawa, Atsushi Suzuki, Takazo Shibuya, Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo, Stefano Lugli, Andrea Santulli, Vinicio Manzi, Marco Roveri, Naohiko Ohkouchi. Biological and physical modification of carbonate system parameters along the salinity gradient in shallow hypersaline solar salterns in Trapani, Italy. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2017; 208 ():354-367.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuta Isaji; Hodaka Kawahata; Junichiro Kuroda; Toshihiro Yoshimura; Nanako O. Ogawa; Atsushi Suzuki; Takazo Shibuya; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; Stefano Lugli; Andrea Santulli; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Naohiko Ohkouchi. 2017. "Biological and physical modification of carbonate system parameters along the salinity gradient in shallow hypersaline solar salterns in Trapani, Italy." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 208, no. : 354-367.
The Messinian salinity crisis (MSC; 5.97–5.33 Ma) is an enigmatic episode of paleoceanographic change, when kilometers-thick evaporite units were deposited in the Mediterranean basin. It is generally accepted that during the MSC interval there was a dry climate in the Mediterranean region. It is difficult to assess how dry the climate was during the MSC because a modern analogue, in size and duration, is absent. Here we reconstruct hydrological changes in the Mediterranean basin during the three main MSC stages using excellently preserved biomarkers. We used the hydrogen isotopic composition of the long chain n-alkanes (δDn-alkanes) to reconstruct the hydrological changes on the land adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, the δD of long-chain alkenones (δDalkenones) is used to observe changes in the Mediterranean Sea water source. The δDn-alkanes recorded during the deposition of Primary Lower Gypsum (stage 1) in Monte Tondo indicate a δD of the precipitation comparable to the present-day Mediterranean implying a similar hydrologic regime (indicated by experiments modelling the Miocene-Pliocene transition). Elevated δDalkenones values from halite unit (stage 2) of the Realmonte mine are associated with kainite and giant polygons, consistent with presumably high evaporative conditions during halite deposition. The δDn-alkanes recorded during the deposition of Upper Gypsum (stage 3) in Eraclea Minoa indicate a δDprecipitation typical for much drier settings, similar to the Red Sea region. The relative contribution of the different alkenones from Eraclea Minoa is similar to the one observed in present-day marine settings suggesting that, during stage 3, connections to the open Ocean were likely maintained. However, the δDalkenones records during deposition of the evaporites in Eraclea Minoa are similar to those synchronously registered in the Black Sea implying that a similar hydrologic regime, characterized by extended drought, covered large areas of southeastern Europe. Based on the δDalkenones similarity and the Paratethys type of ´Lago Mare´ fauna in the Mediterranean we speculate that the surface water during stage 3 was, at times, derived from the Black Sea
Iuliana Vasiliev; Eveline Mezger; Stefano Lugli; Gert-Jan Reichart; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri. How dry was the Mediterranean during the Messinian salinity crisis? Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2017, 471, 120 -133.
AMA StyleIuliana Vasiliev, Eveline Mezger, Stefano Lugli, Gert-Jan Reichart, Vinicio Manzi, Marco Roveri. How dry was the Mediterranean during the Messinian salinity crisis? Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 2017; 471 ():120-133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIuliana Vasiliev; Eveline Mezger; Stefano Lugli; Gert-Jan Reichart; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri. 2017. "How dry was the Mediterranean during the Messinian salinity crisis?" Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 471, no. : 120-133.
Matteo Reghizzi; Rocco Gennari; Eric Douville; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Paolo Montagna; Marco Roveri; Francisco Sierro; Marco Taviani. Isotope stratigraphy (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C) of the Sorbas basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain): Paleoceanographic evolution across the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2017, 469, 60 -73.
AMA StyleMatteo Reghizzi, Rocco Gennari, Eric Douville, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Paolo Montagna, Marco Roveri, Francisco Sierro, Marco Taviani. Isotope stratigraphy (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C) of the Sorbas basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain): Paleoceanographic evolution across the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 2017; 469 ():60-73.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Reghizzi; Rocco Gennari; Eric Douville; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Paolo Montagna; Marco Roveri; Francisco Sierro; Marco Taviani. 2017. "Isotope stratigraphy (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C) of the Sorbas basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain): Paleoceanographic evolution across the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 469, no. : 60-73.
Detailed mapping of the Neogene deposits on Zakynthos Island shows that the Messinian primary evaporite basins, formed over Ionian basement, are delimited by the westernmost outcrop of the Triassic evaporitic diapirs, located west of the Kalamaki-Argasi Messinian gypsum unit. The post-Miocene external Ionian thrust is emplaced west of the Triassic diapirs. Planktonic foraminifera biostratigraphy indicates that primary evaporite accumulation took place probably during the first stage of the Messinian salinity crisis (5.96-5.60 Ma), in shallower parts of a foreland basin, formed over the Pre-Apulian and the Ionian zone basement. Establishment of these depositional environments, before the Ionian thrust emplacement, was probably due to the particularities of the foreland basin, which extended from the external Ionian to the internal Pre-Apulian zone. Field observations, borehole data and an onshore seismic profile show that the Neogene sediments over the Pre-Apulian basement correspond to the foredeep through forebulge domain of the foreland basin, as it is documented from their spatial thickness distribution. In contrast, the Neogene sediments over the Ionian basement correspond to the wedge top of the foreland basin, which was less subsiding, as it is deduced by their reduced thickness. This lower subsidence rate was the result of the concurrent diapiric movements of the Ionian Triassic evaporites. In Agios Sostis area, located over Pre-Apulian basement, the Neogene sequence is intercalated by decametre-thick resedimented blocks consisting of shallow water selenite. To the southeast, this mass-wasting Messinian gypsum passes to mainly gypsum turbidite. In Kalamaki-Argasi area, located over Ionian basement, the shallow water environment led to the deposition of the observed primary gypsum. Erosion of the primary gypsum of both forebulge and wedge top supplied the foreland basin’s depocenter with gypsum turbidites.
V. Karakitsios; M. Roveri; S. Lugli; V. Manzi; R. Gennari; A. Antonarakou; M. Triantaphyllou; Konstantina Agiadi; G. Kontakiotis. Remarks on the Messinian evaporites of Zakynthos Island (Io- nian Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece 2016, 47, 146 .
AMA StyleV. Karakitsios, M. Roveri, S. Lugli, V. Manzi, R. Gennari, A. Antonarakou, M. Triantaphyllou, Konstantina Agiadi, G. Kontakiotis. Remarks on the Messinian evaporites of Zakynthos Island (Io- nian Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece. 2016; 47 (1):146.
Chicago/Turabian StyleV. Karakitsios; M. Roveri; S. Lugli; V. Manzi; R. Gennari; A. Antonarakou; M. Triantaphyllou; Konstantina Agiadi; G. Kontakiotis. 2016. "Remarks on the Messinian evaporites of Zakynthos Island (Io- nian Sea, Eastern Mediterranean)." Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece 47, no. 1: 146.
Highlights•In this study we challenge the conclusions of the paper by Caruso et al. (2015).•We rule out the elements supporting a diachronous MSC onset.•The base of the Calcare di Base of Sicily is a regional scale unconformity.•Basinward this unconformity passes to its correlative conformity.•We clarify the stratigraphic relationships among the different MSC units of Sicily. AbstractA recent paper by Caruso et al. (2015) dealing with the Calcare di Base of Sicily and Calabria reintroduced an earlier idea that onset on the Messinian salinity crisis is diachronous. The paper provided a stratigraphic correlation of five sections together with the reference section of Falconara and Gibliscemi (Sicily) in order to establish the diachronous nature of restricted saline conditions. In our opinion their conclusions are not supported by the data, and the paper contains some stratigraphic errors that depend on a flawed presentation of the main stratigraphic concepts provided over the past few years covering the deposits of the Messinian salinity crisis in Sicily.In this discussion we challenge the stratigraphic conclusion of Caruso et al. (2015) holding that: a) they did not fully consider the different types of deposits included in the Calcare di Base unit and consequently did not recognize the large scale unconformity at the base of the brecciated limestone (Calcare di Base type 3); b) they did not provide univocal criteria for the definition of the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis; c) they hold the idea that the onset of the salinity crisis must be coincident with the onset of the evaporites, concept which is not necessarily true; d) they arbitrarily correlated different evaporitic deposits formed during different stages of the MSC; e) they provided a stratigraphic correlation of the study sections and their tuning with the insolation curve that lacks of reliable stratigraphic constraints.Consequently, they have presented an unreliable schematic evolution of the Caltanissetta basin.
Vinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Nicola Minelli; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber. Comment on “Carbonate deposition and diagenesis in evaporitic environments: The evaporative and sulphur-bearing limestones during the settlement of the Messinian Salinity Crisis in Sicily and Calabria” by Caruso et al., 2015. Palaeo3, 429, 136–162. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2016, 459, 585 -596.
AMA StyleVinicio Manzi, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Nicola Minelli, Matteo Reghizzi, Marco Roveri, B. Charlotte Schreiber. Comment on “Carbonate deposition and diagenesis in evaporitic environments: The evaporative and sulphur-bearing limestones during the settlement of the Messinian Salinity Crisis in Sicily and Calabria” by Caruso et al., 2015. Palaeo3, 429, 136–162. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 2016; 459 ():585-596.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Nicola Minelli; Matteo Reghizzi; Marco Roveri; B. Charlotte Schreiber. 2016. "Comment on “Carbonate deposition and diagenesis in evaporitic environments: The evaporative and sulphur-bearing limestones during the settlement of the Messinian Salinity Crisis in Sicily and Calabria” by Caruso et al., 2015. Palaeo3, 429, 136–162." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 459, no. : 585-596.
A general agreement on what actually happened during the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) has been reached in the\ud minds of most geologists but, in the deepest settings of the Mediterranean Basin, the picture is still far from being finalized and\ud several different scenarios for the crisis have been proposed, with different significant implications for hydrocarbon\ud exploration. The currently accepted MSC paradigm of the ‘shallow-water deep-basin’ model, which implies high-amplitude\ud sea-level oscillations (> 1500 m) of the Mediterranean up to its desiccation, is usually considered as fact. As a consequence, it is\ud on this model that the implications of the MSC events on the Mediterranean petroleum systems are commonly based.\ud In fact, an alternative, deep-water, non-desiccated scenario of the MSC is possible: it (i) implies the permanence of a large\ud water body in the Mediterranean throughout the entire Messinian salinity crisis, but with strongly reduced Atlantic connections;\ud and (ii) envisages a genetic link between Messinian erosion of the Mediterranean margins and deep brine development.\ud In this work, we focus on the strong implications of an assessment of the petroleum systems of the Mediterranean and\ud adjoining areas (e.g. the Black Sea Basin) that can be based on such a non-desiccated MSC scenario. In particular, the near-full\ud basin model delivers a more realistic definition of Messinian source-rock generation and distribution, as well as of the\ud magnitude of water-unloading processes and their effects on hydrocarbon accumulation
Marco Roveri; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Nicola Minelli; Matteo Reghizzi; Angelo Riva; Massimo E. Rossi; B. Charlotte Schreiber. The Messinian salinity crisis: open problems and possible implications for Mediterranean petroleum systems. Petroleum Geoscience 2016, 22, 283 -290.
AMA StyleMarco Roveri, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Nicola Minelli, Matteo Reghizzi, Angelo Riva, Massimo E. Rossi, B. Charlotte Schreiber. The Messinian salinity crisis: open problems and possible implications for Mediterranean petroleum systems. Petroleum Geoscience. 2016; 22 (4):283-290.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Roveri; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Nicola Minelli; Matteo Reghizzi; Angelo Riva; Massimo E. Rossi; B. Charlotte Schreiber. 2016. "The Messinian salinity crisis: open problems and possible implications for Mediterranean petroleum systems." Petroleum Geoscience 22, no. 4: 283-290.
The Messinian salinity crisis is a dramatic hydrological and biological crisis that occurred in the Mediterranean basin at 5.97-5.33 Ma. The interpretation of the facies and stratigraphic associations of the Messinian salt deposits is still the object of active research because of the absence of modern depositional analogues of comparable scale. In this study, the spatial distributions of Na, Mg, S, O, Si, and Al in a potassic–magnesian salt and a halite layers of Messinian evaporites from the Realmonte mine on Sicily were determined using synchrotron based micro-X-ray fluorescence. The dominant molecular host site of Mg and S obtained by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) is applied to specify the hydrochemistry of hypersaline brines and the presence of diagenetic minerals, thus shedding light on evaporative concentration processes in the Caltanissetta Basin of Sicily. Mg and S K-edge XANES spectra revealed the presence of highly soluble Mg-bearing sulfates. The massive halite layer “unit C”, contains less soluble minerals, thus did not exceed the stage of halite crystallization. We infer that as evaporative concentration increased, the density of the brine at the shallow margin of the basin increased as salinity increased to concentrations over 70 times the starting values, creating brines that were oversaturated with Mg-sulfate. Density stratification of the deep basin caused heavy brines to sink to the bottom and become overlain by more dilute brines. We propose lateral advection of dense Mg-sulfate brines that certainly affected marine biota. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Toshihiro Yoshimura; Junichiro Kuroda; Stefano Lugli; Yusuke Tamenori; Nanako O. Ogawa; Francisco J. Jiménez‐Espejo; Yuta Isaji; Marco Roveri; Vinicio Manzi; Hodaka Kawahata; Naohiko Ohkouchi. An X-ray spectroscopic perspective on Messinian evaporite from Sicily: Sedimentary fabrics, element distributions, and chemical environments of S and Mg. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 2016, 17, 1383 -1400.
AMA StyleToshihiro Yoshimura, Junichiro Kuroda, Stefano Lugli, Yusuke Tamenori, Nanako O. Ogawa, Francisco J. Jiménez‐Espejo, Yuta Isaji, Marco Roveri, Vinicio Manzi, Hodaka Kawahata, Naohiko Ohkouchi. An X-ray spectroscopic perspective on Messinian evaporite from Sicily: Sedimentary fabrics, element distributions, and chemical environments of S and Mg. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 2016; 17 (4):1383-1400.
Chicago/Turabian StyleToshihiro Yoshimura; Junichiro Kuroda; Stefano Lugli; Yusuke Tamenori; Nanako O. Ogawa; Francisco J. Jiménez‐Espejo; Yuta Isaji; Marco Roveri; Vinicio Manzi; Hodaka Kawahata; Naohiko Ohkouchi. 2016. "An X-ray spectroscopic perspective on Messinian evaporite from Sicily: Sedimentary fabrics, element distributions, and chemical environments of S and Mg." Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 17, no. 4: 1383-1400.
In the late Miocene the Mediterranean Sea experienced a salinity crisis and thick sequences of evaporites precipitated across the deep and marginal basins. In this study we report Os isotopic records from DSDP and ODP cores in the Mediterranean: the Balearic Sea (Site 372), the Tyrrhenian Sea (Site 654), the Ionian Basin (Site 374) and the Florence Rise (Sites 375–376), as well as IODP Site U1387 in Gulf of Cadiz, North Atlantic. Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments at all sites show 187Os/188Os values close to that of the coeval ocean water, indicating that the Mediterranean was connected to the North Atlantic. Evaporitic sediments deposited during the late Miocene however, have 187Os/188Os values significantly lower than coeval ocean water values. The offset of the Mediterranean evaporite 187Os/188Os is attributed to limited exchange with the North Atlantic during the Messinian salinity crisis. The source of unradiogenic Os is likely to be weathering of ultramafic rocks (ophiolites) cropping out in the Mediterranean's drainage basins. Based on a box model we estimated the amount of unradiogenic Os and the Atlantic-Mediterranean exchange rate to explain this offset. Os isotopic ratios of the pre-evaporite sediments in the western Mediterranean are almost identical to that of the coeval ocean water. In contrast, equivalent sediments from the Florence Rise have significantly lower 187Os/188Os values. The offset in the Os isotopic ratio on the Florence Rise is attributed either to limited water exchange between eastern and western Mediterranean, or to local effects associated with exhumation of the Troodos ophiolites (Cyprus).
Junichiro Kuroda; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; Tatsuo Nozaki; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Rachel Flecker; Francisco Sierro; Toshihiro Yoshimura; Katsuhiko Suzuki; Naohiko Ohkouchi. Miocene to Pleistocene osmium isotopic records of the Mediterranean sediments. Paleoceanography 2016, 31, 148 -166.
AMA StyleJunichiro Kuroda, Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo, Tatsuo Nozaki, Rocco Gennari, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Marco Roveri, Rachel Flecker, Francisco Sierro, Toshihiro Yoshimura, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Naohiko Ohkouchi. Miocene to Pleistocene osmium isotopic records of the Mediterranean sediments. Paleoceanography. 2016; 31 (1):148-166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJunichiro Kuroda; Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo; Tatsuo Nozaki; Rocco Gennari; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Marco Roveri; Rachel Flecker; Francisco Sierro; Toshihiro Yoshimura; Katsuhiko Suzuki; Naohiko Ohkouchi. 2016. "Miocene to Pleistocene osmium isotopic records of the Mediterranean sediments." Paleoceanography 31, no. 1: 148-166.
This integrated study (field observations, micropaleontology, magnetostratigraphy, geochemistry, borehole data, and seismic profiles) of the Messinian-Zanclean deposits on Zakynthos Island (Ionian Sea) focuses on the sedimentary succession recording the preevaporitic phase of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) through the re-establishment of the marine conditions in a transitional area between the eastern and the western Mediterranean. Two intervals are distinguished through the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the preevaporitic Messinian in Kalamaki: a) 6.45-6.122 Ma and b) 6.122-5.97 Ma. Both the planktonic foraminifer and the fish assemblages indicate a cooling phase punctuated by hypersalinity episodes at around 6.05 Ma. Two evaporite units are recognized and associated with the tectonic evolution of the Kalamaki-Argassi area. The Primary Lower Gypsum (PLG) unit was deposited during the first MSC stage (5.971-5.60 Ma) in late-Messinian marginal basins within the Pre-Apulian foreland basin and in the wedge-top (<300 m) developed over the Ionian zone. During the second MSC stage (5.60-5.55 Ma), the PLG evaporites were deeply eroded in the forebulge-backbulge and the wedge-top areas, and supplied the foreland basin's depocenter with gypsum turbidites assigned to the Resedimented Lower Gypsum (RLG) unit. In this study, we propose a simple model for the Neogene-Pliocene continental foreland-directed migration of the Hellenide thrusting, which explains the paleogeography of the Zakynthos basin. The diapiric movements of the Ionian Triassic evaporites regulated the configuration and the overall subsidence of the foreland basin and, therefore, the MSC expression in this area. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Vasileios Karakitsios; Marco Roveri; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Assimina Antonarakou; Maria Triantaphyllou; Konstantina Agiadi; George Kontakiotis; Nefeli Kafousia; Marc de Rafelis. A record of the Messinian salinity crisis in the eastern Ionian tectonically active domain (Greece, eastern Mediterranean). Basin Research 2016, 29, 203 -233.
AMA StyleVasileios Karakitsios, Marco Roveri, Stefano Lugli, Vinicio Manzi, Rocco Gennari, Assimina Antonarakou, Maria Triantaphyllou, Konstantina Agiadi, George Kontakiotis, Nefeli Kafousia, Marc de Rafelis. A record of the Messinian salinity crisis in the eastern Ionian tectonically active domain (Greece, eastern Mediterranean). Basin Research. 2016; 29 (2):203-233.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVasileios Karakitsios; Marco Roveri; Stefano Lugli; Vinicio Manzi; Rocco Gennari; Assimina Antonarakou; Maria Triantaphyllou; Konstantina Agiadi; George Kontakiotis; Nefeli Kafousia; Marc de Rafelis. 2016. "A record of the Messinian salinity crisis in the eastern Ionian tectonically active domain (Greece, eastern Mediterranean)." Basin Research 29, no. 2: 203-233.