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Holocene tidal levels and sedimentation rates using a diatom-based palaeoenvironmental reconstruction: the Tees estuary, northeastern England

Department of Geography, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

B. P. Horton

Environmental Research Centre, Department of Geography, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK

E. Y. Haworth

Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere Laboratory, The Ferry House, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, UK

P. G. Appleby

Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

Y. Zong

Environmental Research Centre, Department of Geography, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK

M. R. Wright

Department of Geography, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

M. M. Rutherford

Environmental Research Centre, Department of Geography, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK

An established diatom-based tidal level transfer function is used in combination with the present day relationship between sedimentation rate and altitude to reconstruct Holocene tidal sediment accretion for the Tees estuary, northeastern England. The results from five cores reveal two periods of enhanced sedimen tation, the earlier of which (8000–6000 cal. BP) is related to relatively rapid sea-level rise and increasing tidal range. The later phase of increased tidal sedimentation also reflects an enhanced marine influence after c. 3000 cal. BP, but may also be attributed to climate and human-induced changes in terrestrial sediment flux to the coastal zone. Comparison of the reconstructed sediment accretion rates with actual rates calculated from radi ocarbon and luminescence dated sedimentary horizons reveals that this diatom-based approach overestimates sediment accretion by a factor of three. This overestimation is considered to be due to the contemporary sediment flux being an inappropriate analogue for the mid to late Holocene rather than to any significant methodological flaws in the approach.

Key Words: Holocene • Tees estuary • transfer function • diatoms • radionuclides • tidal sedimentation • sediment • flux • sea-level change

The Holocene, Vol. 10, No. 4, 441-452 (2000)
DOI: 10.1191/095968300673546360


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