Holocene hydrological changes in the Rhône River (NW Mediterranean) asrecorded in the marine mud belt

摘要: Abstract. Expanded marine Holocene archives are relatively scarce in the Mediterranean Sea because most of sediments were trapped catchment areas during this period. Mud belts suitable targets to access expanded records. These sedimentary bodies represent excellent for study sea–land interactions and notably impact hydrological activity on sediment accumulation. We retrieved a 7.2 m long core from Rhone mud belt Gulf Lions an area where average accumulation rate is ca. 0.70 m 1000 yr−1. This thus provides continuous high-resolution record last 10 ka cal BP. A multiproxy dataset (XRF scan, 14C dates, grain size organic-matter analysis) combined with seismic stratigraphic analysis was used document decadal centennial changes activity. Our results show that (1) the early characterized by high delivery likely indicative local intense (but short-duration) rainfall events, (2) important around 7 ka cal BP presumably related increased river flux, (3) a progressive increase continental/marine input mid-Holocene despite distance outlets due sea-level rise possibly higher atmospheric humidity caused southward migration storm tracks North Atlantic, (4) multidecadal humid events took place late Holocene. Some these correspond cold periods identified Atlantic (Little Ice Age, LIA; Dark Ages Cold Period) also coincide time intervals major floods northern Alps. Other observed warm (Roman Humid Period Medieval Climate Anomaly).