Geomorphological evolution of the River Loukkos estuary around the Phoenician city of Lixus on the Atlantic Littoral of Morocco
The ancient city of Lixus, today situated on a hill on the right bank of the River Loukkos, 4km from the coast, was founded on the shore of a brackish lagoon that was sheltered from Atlantic storms. This geographical context provided the city with one of the best Phoenician harbors and abundant fishing resources, and allowed access to the Gharb cattle farming resources and cereal production systems. In this study, the historical evolution of the Loukkos estuarine environment is reconstructed through geomorphological and sedimentological analyses, combined with cartographic, archaeological, and geographical data. The outcomes reveal the progressive infilling of the estuarine lagoon of Lixus …
Environmental evolution and mid–late Holocene climate events in the Valencia lagoon (Mediterranean coast of Spain)
Integration of geomorphological, stratigraphic, malacological, sedimentological and micropalaeontological techniques and14C dating allows us to characterise the processes and evolution of the coastal barrier–lagoon system of Valencia (Spain), from the middle Holocene to the historical epoch, as well as the responses to global climate events. Four stages are recognised. Phase 1: around 8240 ± 80 cal. yr BP, a brackish lagoon of moderate energy and in restricted environment was formed, with an energy peak that could correspond to the maximum Holocene marine transgression. Dating (8240 ± 80 cal. yr BP) carried out in peat corresponds to a cold cycle and low water levels in inland lakes of the …
Estudio sedimentológico de los depósitos de inundación en la Ribera del Xúqer (Valencia), en octubre de1982
As a result of the sedimentological study of a series of deposits corresponding to the exceptional flood in the Xuquer River in October 1982, we analyze the behaviour of fluvial dynamics. The sedimentary response enables us lo perceive certain differences between the deposits analyzed, bUI these do not completely adjust to the genetic patterns considered in the classic Geomorphology as the producers ofthe traits ofvertical growth generated during floods.
Dynamiques géomorphologiques et typologie géoarcheologique des ports antiques en contextes lagunaires
En domaine littoral, dans un contexte de stabilisation plurimillenaire de la montee du niveau de la mer, une question qui se pose est celle de l’impact des conditions environnementales sur les choix d’implantation des communautes humaines qui s’installent autour des lagunes. L’historiographie a developpe des modeles plus ou moins deterministes mais survivent-ils a la confrontation avec les donnees environnementales recemment acquises? Quels ont ete les effets de ces occupations sur l’evolution du littoral et reciproquement, comment les societes anciennes ont utilise, contourne, surmonte ou pas les potentialites et contraintes environnementales specifiques liees a l’occupation des milieux la…
Multi proxy analysis for reconstructing the late Holocene evolution of a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon: Environmental variables within foraminiferal assemblages
Abstract This study reconstructs the evolution of foraminiferal assemblages and the environmental variables (type of substrate, content in calcium carbonate and content in organic matter) in the Valencia lagoon (western Mediterranean) in response to changes in the late Holocene. In this area of low tidal range, several multiproxy analyses were carried out to determine which environmental variables influence the distribution of the fossil assemblage, and its association with global, regional or local climatic phenomena. The statistical results show that in environments with higher exposure to marine conditions, the calcium carbonate content is the dominant factor, whereas in more restricted …
Geoarchaeological study of the Phoenician cemetery of Tyre-Al Bass (Lebanon) and geomorphological evolution of a tombolo
The geoarchaeological record of the Phoenician necropolis of Al Bass (Lebanon) provides information concerning the geomorphological evolution of a late Holocene tombolo. Physical and chemical analysis of sediments indicates that the cemetery (9th century B.C.) was located near a littoral lagoon, between the dunes of a cuspate spit pointing toward the island of Tyre. From the sea apex of this spit, the moles mentioned in historical chronicles were constructed. Once mainland and island were connected, at the northern coast (where the port of Sidon was located), a sediment trap was formed, which quickly filled with silt. Afterwards, an extensive field of sand dunes buried all the archaeologica…
Turia river delta and coastal barrier-lagoon of Valencia (Mediterranean coast of Spain): Geomorphological processes and global climate fluctuations since Iberian-Roman times
Abstract Extensive drillings and 31 new C-14 datings were used to establish the geomorphological evolution of the Turia river delta and coastal barrier-lagoon system of Valencia (Spain) over the last three millennia. Integration of geomorphological, stratigraphic, malacological, sedimentological and geoarchaeological data enables us to relate river Turia avulsions and alluvial episodes to the development of coastal spits and barriers. Geomorphological changes in the study area may also be associated with global climate events, sea-level fluctuations or anthropogenic periods in the Turia catchment. Six phases may be differentiated: (1) a major early alluviation phase during the Iberian perio…
Homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome in a Mediterranean population: A case-control study
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, whether there is a link between MS or its components and homocysteine levels in a population without cardiovascular disease is not well established. We conducted a case-control study in 61 MS patients (41 males, 20 females, aged 51 ± 11 years) and in 98 controls without MS (59 males, 39 females, aged 50 ± 10 years) to ascertain the association between MS and HH, and with inflammatory markers. MS was classified according to the updated ATPIII criteria [17]. No differences in homocysteine levels were observed when comparing MS patients and controls (12.0 ± 3.18 μM vs. 11.9 ± 3.5 μ…