Glacial-aged development of the Tunisian Coral Mound Province controlled by glacio-eustatic oscillations and changes in surface productivity

Cold-water corals are key species of benthic ecosystems, sensitive to changes in climate and capable recording them the chemical composition their skeletons. The study cold-water coral mound development relation palaeoceanographic variations during Pleistocene Holocene stages Mediterranean Sea has mainly been focussed Alboran (Western Mediterranean). present describes deposits corresponding ages 3 gravity cores, acquired from newly discovered Tunisian Coral Mound Province (Central Mediterranean), which comprises several ridge-like mounds. All cores displayed dense deposits, dominated by Desmophyllum pertusum fragments embedded within a muddy sediment matrix. Overall, 64 samples have dated with UTh laser ablation MC-ICP-MS method, revealing mostly age ranging ~MIS 11 8.4 ka BP. Although formation was reduced for most last 400 kyr, main stage pronounced occurred glacial period, contrasts findings previously published mounds other regions Sea. likely associated colder seawater temperature than one observed present-day, an increased surface productivity appropriate depth interface between Atlantic Waters Levantine Intermediate Waters. combination data here that previous studies also suggests located at greater depths develop slower rates those found shallower settings.