Calcareous nannofossil assemblages around the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary in the reference section of Peniche (Portugal)

The Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary (Lower Jurassic) is well represented in the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal), mainly in the Peniche area, recorded by a marl/limestone series. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages are described herein, with the aim to contribute to the Toarcian GSSP definition. Marly samples were collected 3 m below and 7 m above this boundary and analysed for calcareous nannofossils. The main nannofossils observed were Biscutum finchii, B. grande, Calcivascularis jansae, Crepidolithus crassus, C. granulatus, C. impontus, Lotharingius hauffii, L. sigillatus, L. aff. L. velatus, Schizosphaerella spp. and Tubirhabdus patulus. This assemblage indicates that the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary in Peniche lies in the upper part of the NJ5b Subzone. Schizosphaerella and Lotharingius dominate the assemblage. The abundant occurrence of C. jansae and the common occurrence of B. grande indicate a strong Tethyan influence.

Calcareous nannofossil assemblages across the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary at the Peniche section (Ponta do Trovão, Lusitanian Basin)

The Peniche section has revealed moderately-to-well preserved calcareous nannofossil assemblages across the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary. This good record has allowed the proposition of a refined biostratigraphic scheme. The stage boundary, as defined by ammonites, is comprised within the NJ5b C. impontus (NW Europe; BOWN & COOPER, 1998) or the NJT5b L. sigillatus (Mediterranean Tethys; MATTIOLI & ERBA, 1999) nannofossil subzones. Since in the Lusitanian Basin a mixing of N- and S-Tethyan taxa is observed, both biozonation schemes can be applied. Some nannofossil events (mainly first occurrences) are observed earlier in Portugal than in other Tethyan settings. It is still unclear if these events are real first occurrences. A diversification phase occurred across the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary. This phase is well recorded at Peniche, where a change is observed passing from the Pliensbachian, when assemblages are dominated by muroliths, to the Toarcian showing assemblages where placoliths are abundant. A quantification of nannofossils per gram of rock shows that absolute abundances are the highest across the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary. Indeed, Peniche exhibits nannofossil abundances very high with respect to correlative levels in other Tethyan settings. The pelagic carbonate fraction (produced by nannofossils) is important in the marly hemi-couplets of Peniche. In some levels, nannofossils account for more than 50% of the total carbonate fraction.

Contribution à l’étude du nannoplacton du leg 12, «sites» 118-119 (Ocean Atlantique)

This paper reports a Scanning Electron Microscopy study of some samples from the leg 12, Deep Sea Drilling Project, sites 118 and 119. The chronostratigraphic distribution, the frequency of the species identified and the datation of the samples studied are presented. In accordance with the calcareous nannofossil zonation proposed by E. MARTINI (1971) the samples from site 118 are ascribed to the Upper Miocene while the samples from site 119 are located between the Lower (NN1) and the Upper Miocene (NN10).

Faciès, biostratigraphie et paléogéographie du Jurassique portugais

The facies distribution along the Jurassic stages in an already well established stratigraphic frame is defined for the three portuguese basins: North of Tagus, Santiago de Cacém and Algarve. The deposits are organized in two sedimentary cycles. The first one from the Liassic to Calovian shows, in the Tagus Basin, a transgression from NW which did not surpass the Meseta present limits. The iniatilly brackish deposits only changed to marine by the end of Lotharingian. The sedimentation, mainly marly during the Liassic became more calcareous since the Aalenian. During the Dogger the basin differentiated into platform deposits towards East and South and open sea zone towards West. This zone underwent a progressive reduction and, during the Callovian, two small basins were individualized: Cabo Mondego basin in the North and Serra de El-Rei-Montejunto in the South. It is from the latter that the second sedimentary cycle (Middle Oxfordian-Portlandian) developed with open sea deposits along the Sintra–Torres Vedras axis surrounded by platform and litoral brackish formations. During the first sedimentary cycle only litoral platform deposits are known in Santiago de Cacém and Algarve basins. During the second sedimentary cycle temporary sea open deposits are known in Santiago de Cacém and Central Algarve.

Contribution à l’étude du nannoplacton du leg 12, «sites» 118-119 (Ocean Atlantique)

This paper reports a Scanning Electron Microscopy study of some samples from the leg 12, Deep Sea Drilling Project, sites 118 and 119. The chronostratigraphic distribution, the frequency of the species identified and the datation of the samples studied are presented. In accordance with the calcareous nannofossil zonation proposed by E. MARTINI (1971) the samples from site 118 are ascribed to the Upper Miocene while the samples from site 119 are located between the Lower (NN1) and the Upper Miocene (NN10).

Nouvelles données sur la datation des dépôts miocènes de l’Algarve (Portugal), et l’évolution géologique regionale

This paper presents a resume of the results achieved by researchers of the Centro de Estratigrafia e Paleobiologia da U. N. L. on the Neogene of Algarve, since 1977. The detailed study of several profiles as well as that af calcareous nannoplanton, planktonic foraminifera, ostracoda, fishes and mammals allowed to obtain data and correlation elements leading to a new interpretation of the Miocene of Algarve. It was possible to date and to characterize the following units: a) Carbonate formation of Lagos-Portimão, of marine facies, ascribed to the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian? and mainly Burdigalian), possibly attaining the Lower Langhian. b) Essentially arenaceous series of continental facies with a marine intercalation of Arrifão, Olhos de Água and Auramar Hotel beach, middle Miocene (Langhian-Serravallian) in age. c) Marine (tripoli, conglomerates, sands and limestones) deposits of Tunes-Mem Moniz, Ponte das Lavadeiras (Faro), Arroteia (Fuzeta) and Luz de Tavira, corresponding, at least partially, to the first part of the upper Miocene (Lower Tortonian). d) Cacela formation with three members: The lower member (conglomerates and sands), the middle (yellow silts) and the upper ones (gray silts), uppermost Tortonian and mainly Messinian in age. An interpretation of the tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the portuguese littoral during the Miocene is also presented considering its insertion in the meridional part of the Peninsula (Guadalquivir depression, Betic massif basins and in the spanish Levant in general). Comparisons among the Neogene vulcanism of this region and similar manifestations documented in Algarve (basanite of Figueira-Portimão, etc) are established.

Exemplo de vulcanismo tardio em Portugal- rocha ígnea post-Miocénico inferior (Figueira-Algarve)

A small outcrop of an igneous rock (basanite) was observed in 1971 at Figueira-Mexilhoeira Grande-Algarve, enclosed by Miocene limestone and showing clear evidente of low grade thermal effects along the contact with the igneous mass. This is in agreement with F. L. Pereira Sousa who was the first geologist to admit (1917) the existence of Miocene igneous rocks in Algarve although subsequently they were not possible to localize. This work reports studies on petrography and chemical composition of this basanite and describes the evidence of the thermal effects upon the surrounding calcareous rocks. This well localized small outcrop represents an igneous rock more modern than the basaltic complex of Lisbon, hitherto assigned to the Eocene in age and recently ascribed to the Upper Cretaceous and until now considered the most recent manifestation of volcanic activity in Portugal. However this does not exclude the possibility of existence of even more modem igneous rocks in Algarve region.

The marine Neogene of Eastern Venezuela : a preliminary report

Proceedings of tile 1" R.C.A.N.S. Congress, Lisboa, October 1992

Palaeontological data about the climatic trends from Chattian to present along the Northeastern Atlantic frontage

Climatic changes that affected the Northeastern Atlantic frontage are analyzed on the basis of the evolution of faunas and floras from the late Oligocene onwards. The study deals with calcareous nannoplankton, marine micro- and macrofaunas, some terrestrial vertebrates and vegetal assemblages. The climate, first tropical, underwent a progressive cooling (North-South thermic gradient). Notable climatic deteriorations (withdrawal towards the South or disappearance of taxa indicative of warm climate and appearance of "cold" taxa) are evidenced mainly during the Middle Miocene and the late Pliocene. Faunas and floras of modern pattern have regained, after the Pleistocene glaciations, a new climatic ranging of a temperate type in the northern part.

Paleoalterações e cimentações nos depósitos continentais terciários de Portugal central: importância na interpretação de processos antigos

This paper describes the palaeoweathering, cementation, clay minerals association and other closely related characteristics of central Portugal allostratigraphic Tertiary units (SLD's), that can be used for palaeoclimatic interpretation and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Lateral and vertical changes in palaeosols are of value for improving our understanding of the autocyclic and allocyclic controls on sediment acumulation in an alluvial basin, but they can also have stratigraphic importance. In some cases it is concluded that the geomorphological setting may have been more decisive than climatic conditions to the production of the palaeoweathering. During late Palaeogene (SLD7-8), surface and near-surface silicification were developed on tectonically stable land surfaces of minimal local relief under a semi-arid climate; groundwater flow was responsible for some eodiagenesis calcareous accumulations, with the neoformation of palygorskite. Conditions during the Miocene (SLD9-11) were favourable for the smectization of the metamorphic basement and arenization of granites. Intense rubefaction associated with basement conversion into clay (illite and kaolinite), is ascribed to internal drainage during late Messinian-Zanclean (SLD12). During Piacenzian (SLD13) intense kaolinization and hydromorphism are typical, reflecting a more humid and hot temperate climate and important Atlantic fluvial drainage. Later on (Gelasian-early Pleistocene ?; SLD14). more cold and dry conditicns are interpreted, at the beginning of the fluvial incision sage. Silica cementation is identified in the upper Eocence-Oligocene ? (SLD18; the major period of silicification), middle to upper Miocene (SLD10)and upper Tortonian-Messinian (SLD11); these occurrences are compatible with either arid or semi-arid conditions and the establishment of a flat landscape upon which a silcrete was developed.

The Neogene of Algarve (Portugal)

A synthesis about the Neogene and Quaternary of Algarve (Southern Portugal) is presented. New isotopic 87Sr/86Sr ages as well as biostratigraphic data about the Miocene deposits allow to present a new stratigraphic frame for the previously characterized units. The Lagos-Portimão Formation corresponds to deposits of temperate carbonate platform sedimentological type, developed during a long time span (Lower Burdigalian to Upper Serravallian). A major change in sedimentation conditions (carbonate to siliciclastic environments) occurred in the Lower Tortonian with the deposition of yellowish sands. Spongoliths rich in microfossils are represented in Algarve inland. Their age is not well established; calcareous nannofossils indicate the CN5a zone (Upper Serravallian) while foraminifera point out at least Nl6 zone (Lower Tortonian). In the Upper Tortonian, the sedimentation is widespread in Eastern Algarve, related with the Guadalquivir Basin infill. The deposits begin with detrital limestones, locally very rich in Heterostegina, passing to fossiliferous conglomerates and siltstones (Cacela Formation). Coarse-grained conglomerates at Galvana (Faro) pose some age problems. K/Ar age on glauconite indicates 6.72±0.17 Ma. However, glauconites may be reworked from older deposits (Cacela Formation). The Galvana Conglomerate could be related to Pliocene deposits are not well characterized. Olhos de Água sands, with a thin marine intercalation rich in marine vertebrates (fishes, a crocodile, cetaceans, sirenians), may be Upper Pliocene; however, the vertebrates point out to a Serravallian to Tortonian age. 87Sr/86Sr ages on oysters from above the level with vertebrates point out to 3.0(+2.5-1.0) Ma. Similar sand deposits occur at Morgadinho (Luz de Tavira). These sands are overlain by marls, lignite clays, lacustrine limestones and a silty calcareous crust. A small mammals association indicate an age span between Upper Pliocene and Lower Middle Pleistocene (MN17-MN20). A Biharian mammal fauna (Lower Pleistocene) was collected at Algoz in similar deposits. In the present state of knowledge, Morgadinho and Algoz deposits may be correlative.

Sondagem de Belverde (Cenozóico, Península de Setúbal, Portugal). Diagrafias

In the aim of the project "Recognition of the Miocene of the distal region of the Lower Tagus Basin through a borehole with continuous sampling", Temperature, Natural Gamma Ray, Neutron (almost in all the borehole), Sonic, SP and SPR (in two small sections in upper and lower parts of the Miocene Series) geophysical logs were carried on. Interpretation of those logs and comparison with chronological, lithostratigraphical, micropaleontological and clay mineraIs data; helped in the definition of depositional sequences and to obtain paleoenvironmental reconstructions that could lead to a better understanding of the evolution of the Setúbal Península and Lisboa regions Miocene gulf. Log data agree with the lithologic succession observed in the Belverde borehole, essentially silty sandstones/sandy siltstones (with variable clay content) to clays, often with marly intercalations. Sonic logs (and Neutron logs, in general) reflect the sediments porosity. The higher acoustic velocities are often related to compact/massive layers as claystones and/or limestones and rather fossiliferous marly layers. Lower values are obtained for porous, silty sandstones (fossiliferous and with scarce clay content) and bio-calcareous sandstones. As indicative, we obtained the mean values of 2500-3000m/s for the higher velocities and 1300-1600m/s for the lowest ones. ln Natural Gamma Ray log, the radiation peaks can be correlated to often fossiliferous marly micaceous layers. Radioactive micas are present. It seems that the gamma peaks and the depositional sequences previously defined for the Lower Tagus Basin (see Antunes et al., 1999, 2000; Pais et al., 2002) can be correlated, taking also into account the whole available micropaleontological, palynological and isotopic evidence.

Natural hydraulic lime mortars: influence of the aggregates

3rd Historic Mortars Conference, 11-14 September 2013, Glasgow, Scotland

Evaluation of mechanical soft-abrasive blasting and chemical cleaning methods on alkyd-paint graffiti made on carbonate stones

In the context of this dissertation several studies were developed resulting in submission and publication “Evaluation of mechanical soft-abrasive blasting and chemical cleaning methods on alkyd-paint graffiti made on calcareous stones” to Journal of Cultural Heritage. (http://dx.doi.org/10.101 /j.culher.2014.10.004)