Relative sea-level trends along the coast of Maine during the past 5,000 [sup 14]C years
- Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME (United States). Dept. of Geological Sciences
- Maine Geological Survey, Augusta, ME (United States)
- Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
Holocene differential crustal movements in coastal regions are best inferred by comparing slopes of relative sea-level curves from different coastal localities. Sea-level indicators must have a narrow vertical range that is precisely established in the modern environment. Their age must be determined with the highest degree of certainty; Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) [sup 14]C dating of very small samples minimizes the changes of mixing older and younger materials. Finally, when indicators not related to Mean Tide Level are used, a correction should be applied to account for changes in paleotidal range. This study reports on sea-level chronologies from three salt marshes along the coast of Maine: Well(43[degree]17 minutes N, 70[degree]34 minutes W), Phippsburg (43[degree]45 minutes N, 69[degree]49 minutes W), and Machiasport (44[degree]41 minutes N, 67[degree]24 minutes W). Radiocarbon dates number 44 for Wells (23 new: 7 conventional basal, 2 AMS basal), 21 for Phippsburg (11 new: 5 conventional basal, 3 AMS basal), and 11 for Machiasport (all new: 7 conventional basal, 4 AMS basal). All newly collected [sup 14]C samples were analyzed for associated foraminiferal assemblages. These fossil assemblages were then compared with the modern vertical zonation of salt marsh foraminifera that was established along transects in each marsh. In agreement with earlier studies from Nova Scotia marshes, a 100% Trochammina macrescens zone occurs within a narrow (20 cm) vertical range along the edge of the marshes in Maine (level of Highest High Water). In addition, Tiphotrocha comprimata is abundantly observed in a 30 cm vertical zone between Mean High Water (MHW) and Mean Higher High Water. After elevations of sea-level indicators were adjusted to a common datum (MHW), a final correction was applied to account for changes in tidal range using a numerical tidal model for the Gulf of Maine.
- OSTI ID:
- 5879553
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9303211--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
580000* -- Geosciences
AGE ESTIMATION
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARBON ISOTOPES
COASTAL REGIONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOSYSTEMS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC MODELS
ISOTOPE DATING
ISOTOPES
LEVELS
MAINE
MARSHES
NORTH AMERICA
SEA LEVEL
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TECTONICS
USA
VARIATIONS
WETLANDS