Sedimentology and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the late Pleistocene deposits along the Bizerte Coast, N-E Tunisia

Abstract

The N–E Tunisian coast (Bizerte region) shows several Quaternary sedimentary archives of middle to late Pleistocene age. Sedimentological analyses carried out (grain size, morphoscopy, exoscopy, petrography, mineralogy, and fossil content) on 12 sections reveal a succession that begins with infratidal deposits attributed to the last Interglacial period, followed by intertidal, continental (palaeosol) and/or aeolian deposits (aeolianites). The arrangement of these deposits, their lithological characteristics and their faunal contents are the basis for a palaeoenvironment reconstruction and estimation of palaeoclimatic conditions. A warmer climate and a high sea level characterize the beginning of this interval, followed by a sea level fall accompanied by an alternation of humid and arid climate. This alternation is reflected by intercalations of the palaeosol levels between the aeolian deposits.