Research paper
Benthic foraminifera and environmental changes in the Quaternary of the western Mediterranean coast: the core of Xeraco, Valencia, Spain
JUAN USERA
Departamento de Geología. Universidad de Valencia. Dr. Moliner, 50. 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, España. Juan.usera@uv.es
Corresponding author
JORDI GUILLEM
Departamento de Geología. Universidad de Valencia. Dr. Moliner, 50. 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, España. Jorge.Guillem@uv.es
CARMEN ALBEROLA
Departamento de Geología. Universidad de Valencia. Dr. Moliner, 50. 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, España. carmenalberola12@gmail.com
IGNACIO GARCÍA
Departamento de Geología. Universidad de Valencia. Dr. Moliner, 50. 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, España. igarsanz@alumni.uv.es
ABSTRACT
The evolution of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages from a 60 m core drilled in the Quaternary lagoon of Xeraco (Valencia, Spain) is studied. Two moments of warm climate, high sea-level and maximal marine influence in the lagoon have been identified. The first one at the base of the core, punctuated by highly frequent changes during the Upper Pleistocene, and the other one in the upper end of the series during the Holocene. The presence of a middle core section with low diversity and a nearly total absence of marine foraminifers is interpreted as a regressive interval of cold climate conditions linked to a glacial stage.
Key words: Foraminifera, Quaternary, palaeoenvironments, Xeraco, Valencia.
How to cite: Usera, J., Guillem, J., Alberola, C. & García, I. 2017. Benthic foraminifera and environmental changes in the Quaternary of the western Mediterranean coast: the core of Xeraco, Valencia, Spain. Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 32 (1), 79-94.
Received 27 May 2016, Accepted 24 January 2017, Published 30 June 2017
https://doi.org/10.7203/sjp.32.1.17032
