Cold-water coral mounds in the western Mediterranean Sea: New insights into their initiation and development since the Mid-Pleistocene in response to changes of African hydroclimate

This study presents sediment cores up to 70 m long collected by the sea floor drill rig MARUM-MeBo70 from cold-water coral mounds in western Mediterranean Sea. From these cores, an unprecedented data set of 200 Th/U ages has been obtained, greatly expanding our knowledge evolution mounds. The records provided new insights into initiation as base a 60-m-high mound was penetrated and dated Mid-Pleistocene (?390 ka). We also found that non-synchronous larger possibly initiated already during Transition. During last 480 kyr, development occurred short intense pulses (duration: ?10–30 kyr; aggradation rates: 20–275 cm kyr ?1 ), which could not be assigned ice age-paced oscillations, but showed remarkably coherent pattern with precession-driven changes African hydroclimate. Increased dust supply, related desertification Sahara northern Africa, appears have boosted enhancing productivity conditions (to promote growth) supply aggradation). In addition, is closely linked well-ventilated nutrient-rich Levantine Intermediate Water internal wave activity associated this water mass turbulent enhanced lateral delivery food sediments. humid periods, increased freshwater input impaired formation Water, most likely resulted low-energy oxygen-depleted living for communities. shows importance consider past continental hydroclimate their implications on oceanic processes fully understand complex environmental controls development. Sea, such land-atmosphere-ocean feedback are especially amplified due its latitudinal placement between two climate regimes, making basin deep-sea ecosystems vulnerable future change. • Non-synchronous Mid-Pleistocene. W-Mediterranean kyr. Intense North Mediterranean. Past intensity flow depth LIW impacted proliferation.