Postglacial floodings of the Marmara Sea: molluscs and sediments tell the story

摘要: The early Holocene marine flooding of the Black Sea has been subject intense scientific debate since “Noah’s Flood” hypothesis was proposed in late 1990s. chronology is not straightforward because connection between and Mediterranean involves intermediate Marmara Basin via two sills (Dardanelles Bosphorus). This study explores Pleistocene–Holocene by examining sedimentary facies molluscs from 24 gravity cores spanning shelf to slope settings southern Basin. A Pleistocene Ponto-Caspian (Neoeuxinian) mollusc association found 12 cores, comprising 14 species dominated brackish (oligohaline–lower mesohaline) endemic taxa (dreissenids, hydrobiids). Neoeuxinian replaced a Turritella–Corbula at onset Holocene. latter species, several which are known thrive under dysoxic conditions muddy bottoms. common intervals as well sapropel younger strata. It an indicator low-salinity outflows into that drive stratification. (87 species) represents both soft bottom hard substrate faunas lived well-ventilated upper mesohaline–polyhaline salinities (ca. 25 psu). Shallower areas were occupied phytopdetritic communities, whereas deeper had faunas. middle part northern Gemlik Gulf with irregular discontinuous structures admixed worn euryhaline These represent reworking events (slumping) likely related seismic activity rooted North Anatolian Fault system. core data indicate oscillating postglacial sea-level rise phases increased/decreased ventilation during Holocene, palaeobiogeographic reorganisations water bodies latest (<30 ka). findings contribute arguments against single catastrophic about 7.5 ka (Noah’s Flood).