BIOINDICATORS OF SEA-LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL: NEW DATA AND METHODOLOGICAL REVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe vermetidae fossils of Petaloconchus varians, formed by calcium carbonate, associated with their radiocarbon ages, are the most accurate indicators of paleo sea level due to their restricted occupation in the intertidal zone in the rocky shore. However, the recrystallization of minerals can affect these age calculations and, consequently, the interpretation of the data. The aim of this study is to present new indicators of paleo sea-level changes in Southeast Brazil for the last 6000 years contributing to fill the data gap for the late Holocene. The influence of the recrystallization process was successfully resolved using the CarDS protocol, enabling the separation of the original aragonite fraction by density, prior to radiocarbon dating. This avoids the rejuvenation of ages and ensures greater efficiency for data interpretation. Paleo sea-level indicators were able to show a progressive increase in sea level up to the transgressive maximum of 4.15 m in 3700 BP years, followed by a regression to the current zero. This regression seems to have in addition, here we reinforce the reliability of the use of fossil vermetids as indicators of sea-level fluctuations.