Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35

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Quaternary Research
j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s e v i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / y q r e s

The application of foraminifera to reconstruct the rate of 20th century sea level rise,
Morbihan Golfe, Brittany, France
Veronica Rossi a,⁎, Benjamin P. Horton b, D. Reide Corbett c,d, Eduardo Leorri c,
Lucia Perez-Belmonte e, Bruce C. Douglas f
a
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geologico-Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, Italy
b
Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
c
Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
d
Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
e
Université de Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France
f
International Hurricane Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Foraminiferal assemblages preserved within salt-marsh sediment can provide an accurate and precise means to
Received 23 December 2009 reconstruct relative sea level due to a strong relationship with elevation, which can be quantified using a transfer
Available online 12 October 2010 function. We collected a set of surface samples from two salt marshes in the Morbihan Golfe, France to determine
foraminiferal distribution patterns. Dominant taxa included Jadammina macrescens, Trochammina inflata,
Keywords:
Haplophragmoides spp. and Miliammina fusca. We developed a foraminifera-based transfer function using a
Foraminifera
Transfer function
modern training set of 36 samples and 23 species. The strong relationship between observed and predicted values
Sea level (r2jack = 0.7) indicated that foraminiferal distribution is primarily controlled by elevation with respect to the tidal
Salt marshes frame and precise reconstructions of former sea level are possible (RMSEPjack = 0.07 m). The application of the
transfer function to a short salt-marsh core (0.32 m) allowed the reconstruction of former sea levels, which were
placed in a chronological framework using short-lived radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs). The agreement between
the foraminifera-based sea level curve and the Brest tide-gauge record confirms the reliability of transfer function
estimates and the validity of this methodology to extend sea level reconstructions back into the pre-instrumental
period. Both instrumental and microfossil records suggest an acceleration of sea level rise during the 20th century.
© 2010 University of Washington. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction With recent advances in sea level research, instrumental records

Accurate estimates of sea level rise in the pre-satellite era are
needed in order to provide a context for the 21st century-estimates
and calibrate climate models (Douglas, 2008). Good quality tide-
gauge data provide direct evidence for sea level accelerations and
decelerations (e.g., Douglas, 1991, 1997; Peltier, 2001; Church and
White, 2006; Jevrejeva et al., 2008; Woodworth et al., 2008). During
the 20th century the global rate of sea level rise recorded by tide-
gauges was 1.7 to 1.8 mm/yr (Douglas, 1991, 1997; Peltier, 2001;
Church and White, 2006), which is much greater than the long-term
rate of rise that has been inferred from late Holocene (last 4000 years)
geological records (Peltier, 1996; Shennan and Horton, 2002;
Donnelly et al., 2004; Engelhart et al., 2009). However, the limited
number, distribution and duration of tide-gauges precludes efforts to
robustly test climate vs. sea level hypotheses and establish the driving
mechanisms responsible for such changes (Woodworth et al., 2008).
⁎ Corresponding author. Fax: + 39 051 2094522.
E-mail address: veronica.rossi4@unibo.it (V. Rossi).
can be augmented with high-resolution relative sea level (RSL)
records derived from salt-marsh sedimentary sequences. Indeed, salt-
marsh studies in North America (Gehrels et al., 2002, 2005; van de
Plassche et al., 2003; Donnelly et al., 2004; Edwards et al., 2004; Kemp
et al., 2009b), Europe (Gehrels et al., 2006; Leorri et al., 2008b; Vicente
et al., 2008) and elsewhere (Gehrels et al., 2008) support the inference
that modern rates of relative sea level rise (last 100 years) may be
more rapid than the long-term rate of rise (between 800 and
1000 years ago), and that the timing of the 20th century acceleration
may be indicative of a link with human-induced climate change.
This paper aims to reconstruct RSL from the salt marshes of the
Morbihan Golfe, Brittany, France and to validate these reconstructions
using the nearby long tide-gauge record from Brest. High-resolution
reconstructions of RSL may be developed using transfer functions,
which quantify the relationship between salt-marsh microfossils and
tide level (e.g., Horton et al., 1999; Gehrels et al., 2001; Horton and
Edwards, 2006; Leorri et al., 2008a,b; Woodroffe, 2009; Hawkes et al.,
2010). The most precise sea level reconstructions are those derived from
microfossils occupying the uppermost part of the intertidal zone
(Gehrels, 2007; Kemp et al., 2009b). We first describe the modern

0033-5894/$ – see front matter © 2010 University of Washington. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2010.07.017
 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
distribution of salt-marsh foraminifera from two salt marshes and
subsequently employ the relationship between foraminifera and
elevation to reconstruct RSL from fossil assemblages preserved within
a 20th-century salt-marsh sedimentary sequence.
Study area
The Morbihan Golfe is a natural harbor in Northwest France
(southern Brittany), sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Biscay)
by the peninsula of Rhuys, Belle Ile Island and the structural arc
formed by peninsula of Quiberon, Houat and Hoedic islands (Fig. 1). It
is a shallow basin (ca. 11,500 ha) with a maximum water depth value
of 30 m and is connected to the sea by a 900 m wide and 30 m deep
tidal inlet (Fig. 1). Across this entrance strong tidal currents affect the
basin with water speeds that can reach 4.6 m s− 1 at spring tides
(Marcos et al., 1995; Henocque, 2003). Morbihan Golfe has a semi-
diurnal tidal regime (tidal range ca. 3 m at spring tide) with
freshwater input from the Auray, Vincin and Noyalo rivers.
Since the mid Holocene, the Morbihan area has experienced strong
human influence. There is an extraordinary range of megalithic
monuments preserved around the Golfe, the oldest of which is ca.
3300 years BC, suggesting that the first stable human settlements date
back to the Neolithic. Extensive reclamation for agricultural use began
during the middle ages and continued until the 19th century (e.g.,
Billaud, 1984; Astill and Langdon, 1997). Thereafter, much of the
reclaimed salt marshes were abandoned and subsequently returned
to intertidal environments (e.g., Brigand et al., 1992).
We selected three modern salt-marsh sites (Kréagan, St. Goustan and
Sins marshes) that lie on the east side of Auray and Noyalo estuarine
system (Fig. 1). The sites lie in proximity of minor tidal channels and are
located near to a local tide gauge to provide information regarding tidal
datums. Kréagan Marsh (Fig. 1a) lies in the upper-middle part of Auray
River Estuary, which is the largest river entering the Morbihan Golfe. The
marsh vegetation consists of halophytic plants such as Phragmites spp.
(common reed) and Juncus geradi (saltmeadow rush), which dominate
the high marsh. Spartina spp. (saltmarsh cordgrass) is dominant in middle
and low-marsh environments with the notable presence of Salicornia
Figure 1. Location map of Morbihan Golfe (Brittany, France), showing the three marsh sites reported in the text. Two salt marshes were sampled along modern transects (black lines)
at Kréagan (a) and Sins (b) sites. A 0.32 m long-core (STG6) was extruded from St Goustan marsh (b).
25
ramosissima (purple glasswort). Algal mats characterize the tidal flat
located close to the Kréagan creek. St. Goustan marsh (Fig. 1b) is located
close to the apex of Noyalo River Estuary. The floral species of St. Goustan
are very similar to Kréagan Marsh. The extensive high marsh is dominated
by Phragmites spp. and Juncus geradi, with a small low marsh that has a
notable presence of Spartina spp. Sins Marsh (Fig. 1b) is located about
1 km to the south of St. Goustan Marsh. Sins Marsh consists of an extensive
high-marsh area covered by Juncus geradi with freshwater shrubs at the
landward boundary. A middle marsh of Spartina spp.-dominated
vegetation is present. A bank is present at the seaward edge of Sins
Marsh, which precludes the collection of data from a low-marsh or tidal-
flat environment.
Materials and methods
We selected Kréagan and Sins marshes to produce a modern training
set of salt-marsh foraminiferal data. The sampling stations were placed
at uniform elevation intervals. At Kréagan Marsh we collected 21 surface
samples along a 50 m transect that was orientated perpendicular to the
tidal channel across the intertidal zone from the tidal flat to the
Phragmites spp. and Juncus spp. high marsh. At Sins Marsh we collected
21 samples from two salt-marsh transects (81 m long transect I and
32 m long transect II), which included high marsh/upland boundary.
The elevation of each modern sample was determined using a total
station, referenced to the local tide gauge of the Auray and Noyalo
rivers, and expressed relative to the local ordnance datum (IGM69). We
selected the St. Goustan marsh for stratigraphical analysis to retrieve a
core (STG6) to reconstruct former sea level after investigations of
satellite imagery, air photographs, archaeological and topographical
maps. The stratigraphy suggested that the sediments of the St Goustan
were from a high salt-marsh depositional environment.
Foraminiferal data
Foraminifera samples of approximately 10 cm3 were collected by
pressing down a hard plastic ring into the surface layer (Scott et al.,
2001). The top 1 cm of sediment was preserved in ethanol and stained
26 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
with rose Bengal to differentiate specimens that were living at the
time of collection (Walton, 1952; Murray and Bowser, 2000).
Several authors (Edwards et al., 2004; Horton and Edwards, 2006;
Leorri et al., 2008a,b; Kemp et al., 2009b) suggest that dead assemblages
are a better analogue for paleoenvironmental reconstruction compared
to total or living assemblages, because they are less sensitive to seasonal
(Murray, 1991) or post-depositional (Horton and Edwards, 2006)
changes. Thus, we assume that dead, surficial (0–1 cm) assemblages are
representative of the modern distribution of foraminifera and represent
an appropriate model for RSL reconstructions. We assume the influence
of infaunal foraminifera (e.g., Goldstein and Harben, 1993; Hippensteel
et al., 2000) in the minerogenic marshes of Brittany is negligible.
Although infaunal distributions have been reported from the French
Atlantic coast (Duchemin et al., 2005), analyses from the United
Kingdom (Horton and Edwards, 2006) and Plentzia (Southern Bay of
Biscay) and Tagus (Portugal) estuaries (unpublished data) suggest that
infaunal populations do not significantly enrich downcore populations.
Samples were wet-sieved through sieves of 500 μm and 63 μm to
remove plant macrofossils and fine-grained material, respectively.
The residual fraction was split into eight subsamples that were
observed under a stereoscopic binocular microscope using reflected
light. Identifications of foraminifera were confirmed by comparison
with type and figured specimens lodged at the Smithsonian
Institution, Washington, D.C. Where possible, a minimum amount of
250 dead specimens were picked for each modern sample. Species
relative abundances are presented in Appendix A.
We followed the same procedure described for the modern
environment samples to prepare and analyze fossil samples (2 cm3 of
sediment for each sample) collected at 1 cm intervals from the 0.32 m
long core STG6. More than 6000 foraminifers were counted from these
samples and their relative abundances are reported in Appendix B.
Foraminifera-based transfer function
We developed a transfer function using the modern training dataset
from Kréagan and Sins marshes to quantify the relationship between
salt-marsh foraminiferal assemblages and tidal elevation in the
Morbihan Golfe. Only samples with counts exceeding 250 individuals/
10 cm3 were included for statistical analyses (Patterson and Fishbein,
1989; Fatela and Taborda, 2002). To improve the predictive capability of
a transfer function which will be calibrated to fossil foraminiferal
assemblages within salt-marsh sediments of core STG6 we excluded
tidal flat samples (e.g. Gehrels et al., 2005). To account for variations in
tidal range between the two modern marshes and the fossil study site,
sample elevations were converted into Standardized Water Level Index
(SWLI), following Horton and Edwards (2006):
SWLIn = 1004 ðEn −MLLW Þ = ðMHHW−MLLW Þ ð1Þ
where SWLIn is the standardized water level index for sample n, En
represents the elevation of sample n (m IGM69), MLLW is the mean
low low-water elevation (m IGM69) and MHHW is the mean higher
high-water elevation (m IGM69).
We performed detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA)
to determine the most appropriate response model (unimodal or linear)
for a foraminifera-based transfer function for the training set of Kréagan
and Sins marshes (CANOCO; ter Braak and Šmilauer, 2002). A gradient
length of 0.67 SD units suggested that the ecological behavior of
foraminifera is linear with respect to elevation (Birks, 1995). We
developed a partial least squares (PLS) transfer function using the
computer program C2 (version 1.4.3., Juggins, 2006). PLS is a linear-based
technique widely used for paleoenvironmental reconstructions, which
maximizes the covariance with the response variable and gives a lower
prediction error than other linear regressive methods (Stone and Brooks,
1990). The performance of the transfer function was assessed by the
statistical measures, Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) and
the coefficient of determination (r2). These statistical coefficients are
representative of the predictive abilities of the function (RMSEP) and the
strength of the relationship between observed and inferred values (r2).
Both parameters were estimated through cross-validation (“jack-knifing”;
RMSEPjack and r2jack). Jack-knifing measures are reliable indicators of the
true predictive ability of the transfer functions as they are less biased by
sample re-substitution (Dixon, 1993). During the calibration process to
the fossil core a statistical evaluation of the sample-specific error of
prediction was quantified (10,000 cycles; Birks, 1995).
A firm understanding of the ecology and taphonomy of salt-marsh
foraminifera must remain central to the development and application of
the transfer functions (Horton and Edwards, 2006). However, we also
employed the modern analogue technique (MAT) to test the reliability
of paleo-marsh elevations obtained through the calibration of the
transfer function. Using the chi-square distance dissimilarity coefficient,
we evaluated the level of analogy between core foraminiferal
assemblages and the foraminiferal associations recorded within the
modern samples. The largest minimum dissimilarity coefficient
(MinDc) of the modern training set was used as a threshold to identify
core samples with a good modern analogue (Woodroffe, 2009).
Chronology
A chronology was developed for the 0.32 m long core (STG6) extruded
from the St Goustan marsh based upon sedimentation rates estimated by
210
Pb (t1/2 =22.3 years) and 137Cs (t1/2 =30.2 years). Samples were
analyzed for 137Cs activity by direct gamma counting on a low-
background, high-efficiency Germanium detector coupled with a multi-
channel analyzer. Samples were packed into standardized vessels and
were counted for approximately 24 h. Detectors were calibrated using
natural matrix standards (IAEA-300, 312, 314) at the energy of interest
(661 keV) in the standard counting geometry for the associated detector.
Total 210Pb was measured by alpha spectroscopy following the
methodology of Nittrouer et al. (1979). Approximately 1.5 g of sediment
was spiked with 209Po, as a yield determinant, and then was partially
digested with 8 N nitric acid (HNO3) by microwave heating. Polonium-
209 and 210Po in solution was then electroplated onto nickel planchets
in a dilute acid solution (modified from Flynn, 1968). Excess 210Pb was
determined by subtracting the 210Pb activity supported by 226Ra from
the total 210Pb activity, where the supported 210Pb activity for a given
core was assumed to be equal to the uniform background activity found
at depth (Nittrouer et al., 1979). A sediment accumulation rate was
calculated using the constant flux–constant sedimentation (CF–CS)
model (Appleby and Oldfield, 1992). Downcore 137Cs activities were
used to substantiate the 210Pb-determined accumulation rates.
Results
Modern foraminiferal distribution of Morbihan marshes
We identified 23 dead foraminifera from 42 samples of Kréagan
and Sins marshes (Appendix A). The average concentration was 4511
individuals/10 cm3.
Kréagan Marsh was dominated by agglutinated foraminiferal
species, which represent more than 70% of the entire assemblage
(Fig. 2a). In the high marsh (2.45–2.20 m IGM69) Jadammina macrescens
(21–65%) and Trochammina inflata (7–39%) are the main species in
association with Arenoparella mexicana, Miliammina fusca and Haplo-
phragmoides spp. There is also a notable occurrence of Quinqueloculina in
one station (Station 5; 34%). The change in elevation across the intertidal
zone into the middle (2.32–2.11 m IGM69) and low marsh (2.23–2.12 m
IGM69) corresponds to a decrease in abundance of J. macrescens and T.
inflata to be replaced by M. fusca and calcareous species such as
Elphidium williamsoni. The tidal flat (2.05–1.52 m IGM69) environment
is further dominated by Elphidium and Quinqueloculina genera, although
there is still a notable agglutinated occurrence.
 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
Figure 2. Relative dead abundances of the most common benthic foraminifera taxa from the modern samples collected along the Kréagan (a) and Sins (b) transects. MLHW: mean lower high water; MHHW: mean higher high water. Elevation
along the transects is also reported (m IGM69).

27
28 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
The high (2.02–1.86 m IGM69) and middle (1.92–1.76 m IGM69)
marsh floral environments of Sins Marsh (Fig. 2b) are characterized by
agglutinated species; no calcareous species were found in any
samples. J. macrescens (N40% in all samples, with the exception of
sample S.II 8 where the abundance of J. macrescens is 30%) in asso-
ciation with subordinate T. inflata, Haplophragmoides spp. and M. fusca
dominate the assemblages. Further, monospecific assemblages with
low abundance (b120 individuals/10 cm3) of J. macrescens are found
at the high marsh/upland boundaries of both transects.
Development of a foraminifera-based transfer function
We have developed a Morbihan Golfe foraminifera-based transfer
function from a screened training set of 36 salt-marsh samples and 23
species of Kréagan and Sins transects. In addition to the removal samples
from tidal-flat environments and samples with low abundance (e.g.
monospecific assemblage of J. macrescens at the landward edge of Sins
transects I and II), allothonous species (high abundance of Quinquelo-
culina genera in high marsh of Kréagan) were excluded.
The PLS transfer function produced results for five components,
the choice of component is based upon the prediction statistics and
the principle of parsimony (the lowest component that gives an
acceptable model is usually chosen). Thus, we have chosen compo-
nent two of the transfer function because it performs significantly
better than component one when jack-knifed errors are considered:
prediction errors (RMSEPjack = 0.07 m) were lower and squared
correlations (r2jack = 0.7) were higher (Table 1). Despite the small
gradient length of the training set (Woodroffe, 2009), the transfer
function shows a strong performance between observed and
predicted SWLIs (Fig. 3), although the residuals do suggest structure
with the model under predicting elevations from the landward limit
of the transects.
Core foraminiferal assemblages and calibration of the transfer function
The STG6 core is 0.32 m long and consists of a brown silty peat with
abundant macrofossils (Fig. 4). No evidence of bioturbation was found in
core succession. The surface altitude of the core was 2.03 m IGM69. Nine
agglutinated species of benthic foraminifers were found within core
STG6, analogous to the modern foraminiferal assemblages of the
Morbihan Golfe, indicating a salt-marsh depositional environment
(Appendix B). The assemblages were dominated by Haplophragmoides
spp., J. macrescens and M. fusca. From the base of the core to 15 cm core
depth, Haplophragmoides spp. (22–72%) and J. macrescens (usually
N20%) are the dominant taxa with variable amounts of M. fusca (0–42%)
and T. inflata (0–26%). Very high abundances of J. macrescens (33–51%)
and considerable percentages of Miliammina fusca (13–27%) and
Haplophragmoides spp. (19–35%) characterize the interval between
15–9 cm core depth, where relatively low amounts of T. inflata are
found. From 9 to 0 cm core depth there was an increase of
Haplophragmoides spp., which becomes the dominant taxa (33–55%)
along with J. macrescens (20–40%), paralleled by a decrease of
Miliammina fusca (usually b10%). Allochthonous foraminiferal content
is almost null throughout the core succession.
Table 1
Statistics of PLS transfer functions developed using the modern database from two
salt marshes of the Morbihan Golfe. The shaded row corresponds to component 2,
selected for calibration purposes.
We applied the transfer function to the 33 foraminiferal samples from
the core to estimate paleo-marsh elevation (with respect to IGM69) with
sample-specific errors ranging from 0.08 m to 0.09 m (Fig. 4 and Table 2).
The paleo-marsh elevations throughout the core are approximate to local
mean high high water at St. Goustan (1.98 m IGM69) and are consistent
with the lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic features of the fossil
succession. The highest paleo-marsh elevation (2.06 ± 0.08 m above
IGM69) occurs at 30 cm core depth, where high abundances of high to
middle marsh taxa such as J. macrescens (40%), T. inflata (26%) and H.
manilianensis (22%) are dominant. The lowest elevation (1.83 ±0.08 m
above IGM69) is found at 20 cm core depth where the maximum
abundance of the low-marsh taxa M. fusca (41%) is recorded.
The reliability of these paleo-marsh elevation estimates is supported
by the strong similarity existing between the fossil assemblages and the
foraminiferal content of the modern training set. Indeed, MAT analysis
shows that 31 of 33 core samples have a good modern analogue
(Table 2). The exceptions are samples collected at 27 cm and 29 cm core
depth, characterized by very high percentages of H. manilaensis (ca. 70%,
see Appendix B and Fig. 4). In the modern training set the maximum
abundance of H. manilaensis is much lower (about 12%, see Appendix A).
Thus, the paleo-marsh elevations derived from these samples should be
treated with caution.
Discussion
Intertidal foraminiferal distribution along the European Atlantic coast
The foraminiferal analysis performed on the Kréagan and Sins
marshes has provided useful information about the spatial distribution
patterns of modern intertidal foraminifera in the Morbihan Golfe. We
have identified three main foraminiferal assemblages along the modern
transects on the basis of the relative species abundances (Figs. 2a–b). The
high and middle marsh assemblages were dominated by two aggluti-
nated species, J. macrescens and T. inflata, with the secondary occurrence
of Haplophragmoides spp., M. fusca and A. mexicana. A similar assemblage
has been found within the high marsh of Plougoumelen (Duchemin et
al., 2005), located in the western part of the Morbihan Golfe close to the
Kréagan site (see Fig. 1), where a noticeable presence of Quinqueloculina
spp. was also encountered. Jadammina macrescens and T. inflata also co-
dominated the high and middle marsh environments of the Basque
intertidal zones from the southern Bay of Biscay (Cearreta et al., 2002;
Leorri et al., 2008a,b). A similar high-marsh faunal zone has been
identified in eastern England (Coles, 1977; Coles and Funnell, 1981;
Funnell and Boomer, 1998; Gehrels et al., 2001; Horton and Edwards,
2006). Murray (1991) distinguished J. macrescens and T. inflata
associations in high marsh environments of Europe based on the work
of Le Campion (1970), Phleger (1970) and Pujos (1976). Further, Sins
Marsh exhibits a monospecific assemblage of J. macrescens at the
landward limit of the high marsh. Similar monospecific faunal
assemblages have been documented in the United Kingdom (Horton
and Edwards, 2006) and are characteristic of marshes of northeastern
North America (Scott and Medioli, 1978; Gehrels, 1994; Edwards et al.,
2004; Kemp et al., 2009a).
The Kréagan low-marsh assemblages are characterized by relatively
high percentages of M. fusca. Notable counts of Quinqueloculina and
Elphidium species are also reported from the Kréagan site. Leorri et al.
(2008a,b) similarly found an increase in the abundances of M. fusca and
hyaline foraminifers at the transition to the low-marsh environment. In
the United Kingdom a middle to low-marsh zone around or below mean
high-water spring tide dominated by M. fusca in association with low
frequencies of calcareous species has been identified (Coles, 1977; Coles
and Funnell, 1981; Horton, 1999; Horton and Edwards, 2006).
Finally, we identified a relatively high-diversity foraminiferal fauna
within the tidal flat of the Kréagan transect, consisting of J. macrescens,
Ammotium salsum and calcareous species (Quinqueloculina spp. and
Haynesina germanica). Similar intertidal studies from Europe also
 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
Figure 3. Performance of the foraminifera-based transfer function derived from Kréagan and Sins modern database. The relationship between observed and estimated elevation
(SWLI) and residuals versus observed elevation (SWLI) are shown.
identified tidal flat faunal zones with a notable presence of calcareous
species (Phleger, 1970; Pujos, 1976; Coles, 1977; Coles and Funnell,
1981; Murray, 1991; Boomer, 1998; Funnell and Boomer, 1998; Horton
and Edwards, 2006). An assemblage dominated by H. germanica and
Ammonia tepida occurred within the surficial samples collected from six
different estuaries in the southern Bay of Biscay (Redois and Debenay,
1996; Leorri and Cearreta, 2009).
Establishing a geochronology
The CF:CS modeled downcore 210Pb activity and 137Cs peak provided
an age–depth model for the STG6 core (Fig. 4). There has been recent
debate about the validity of salt-marsh chronologies derived solely from
210
Pb dating (e.g., Yang et al., 2001) and the use of independent
chronological markers such as pollen chrono-horizons, bomb spike 14C
and spheroid carbonaceous particles as a means to corroborate age–depth
relationships inferred from 210Pb dating has been widely suggested. We
used a peak in 137Cs activity (related to the global fallout dated AD 1963)
as an independent time-stratigraphic marker to develop our age–depth
model (Robbins and Edgington, 1975; Ritchie and McHenry, 1990).
Reconstruction of former sea levels in the Morbihan Golfe by the application
of foraminifera-based transfer function
We applied the transfer function to the STG6 fossil sequence to
reconstruct the paleo-marsh surface elevation with an associated error.
We obtain an estimate of former sea levels by subtracting the paleo-
marsh elevation of each sample from its present elevation using:
RSLi = Ei −PMEi
where RSLi is the relative sea level for sample i, Ei and PMEi are the
elevation and the paleo-marsh elevation value expressed in m IGM69
for sample i.
Whilst paleo-marsh elevations are dependent on the accumulation
history at the borehole location, RSL estimates should be spatially
representative in the absence of complicating factors such as differential
sediment autocompaction and depositional hiatuses. We believe core
STG6 is of compaction-free because bulk density down downcore remains
relatively consistent (Fig. 4; Gehrels et al., 2008). Similarly, no evidences
of depositional hiatuses are recorded within the fossil succession.
Combining the sample-specific error for RSL estimates with the
age uncertainties introduced by the core age model, we reconstruct
29
the relative sea level trend of the Morbihan Golfe region during the
past ~ 150 years (Fig. 5).
To test the reliability and the spatial representativity of foraminifera-
based RSL reconstructions, we choose to compare the salt-marsh records
against the Brest tide-gauge data obtained from the Permanent Service for
Mean Sea Level. The Brest tide gauge has been shown to be representative
of the Bay of Biscay region (Leorri et al., 2010). Further, the Brest tide-
gauge data have been included in most sea level rise studies (e.g., Douglas,
2001; Church and White, 2006; Jevrejeva et al., 2008; Leorri et al., 2008b;
Grinsted et al., 2009) due to its completeness and accuracy since AD 1807
(Wöppelmann et al., 2006). Wöppelmann et al. (2006) distinguished
linear trends of +1.3±0.15 mm yr− 1 (between AD 1890 and AD 1980)
and +3.0±0.5 mm yr− 1 (between AD 1980 and AD 2004). Using the
regression analysis, the Morbihan Golfe salt-marsh derived data we obtain
comparable values of +1.6±0. 5 mm yr− 1 from AD 1890 to AD 1980 and
an increase in the rate of rise to +4.7±1.6 mm yr− 1 from AD 1980 to AD
2004. The general agreement between the records of RSL change confirms
the validity of this methodology and its potential to extend RSL estimates
back into the pre-instrumental period. Comparable acceleration in sea
level rise between the 19th and 20th century has been suggested from
other salt-marsh proxy record located along the Atlantic Coasts of North
America (Gehrels et al., 2005; Kemp et al., 2009a) and Northwestern
Europe (Leorri et al., 2008b).
However, it is clear from the Morbihan Golfe that the reconstruction
of recent RSL in this region remains a work in progress. Ample scope
exists for improving the reliability, accuracy and precision of the transfer
function reconstructions through the expansion of the modern salt-
marsh dataset. Further, considerable temporal errors influence the
earlier period of the RSL record, reducing the accuracy of past sea level
ð2Þ estimates from AD 1860 to AD 1950. Developments in transfer functions
will need to be supported by improvements in the dating of sediments
and the methods used to interpolate between dated horizons (van de
Plassche et al., 2001; Edwards, 2004; Gehrels et al., 2008; Kemp et al.,
2009b) and the collection of multiple salt-marsh cores to assess the
reproducibility of the sea level reconstructions (Kemp et al., 2009b).
Conclusions
We developed a foraminifera-based transfer function using a
modern training set of 36 samples and 23 species from two salt
marshes of the Morbihan Golfe area, Brittany, France, to reconstruct
former sea levels during the 20th century.
 30
V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35
Figure 4. Lithology, chronostratigraphy and foraminiferal assemblages of STG6 core. Paleo-marsh elevation estimates produced by foraminifera-based transfer function are also presented with associated errors (estimates from core samples
without a modern analogue are shown by dashed lines). The main benthic foraminifera taxa found within the core samples are reported as relative abundances. The age–depth model developed for the STG6 core was based on the 210Pb and
137
Cs activities. The errors associated with the age–depth model are also indicated.
 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35 31

Table 2
Downcore paleo-marsh elevations with associated bootstrapped error obtained by the application of foraminifera-based transfer function to 33 core samples. Fossil dissimilarity
coefficient (MinDC) is also reported for each sample. Core samples without a good modern analogue are highlighted. The critical threshold used to distinguish samples without a
good modern analogue is the largest dissimilarity coefficient (62.06) obtained from the modern training set.

The spatial distribution pattern of benthic foraminifers from
Morbihan salt-marsh environments is mainly controlled by the
elevation with respect to the tidal frame. This inference is supported
by the strong relationship between observed and predicted values
obtained from the transfer function (r2jack = 0.7). Moreover, the transfer
function suggests that precise reconstructions of former sea level are
possible (RMSEPjack = 0.07 m). In order to reconstruct former sea levels
we applied the transfer function to a short salt-marsh core (0.32 m) and
placed RSL estimates in a chronological framework using two short-
lived radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs). The resulting Morbihan sea level
trend is in general agreement with the Brest tide-gauge record, showing
a rate of rise of +1.6 ± 0. 5 mm yr− 1 from AD 1890 to AD 1980 and an
increase to +4.7 ± 1.6 mm yr− 1 from AD 1980 to AD 2004. These data
suggest acceleration in sea level rise during the 20th century, already
observed in observational and other salt-marsh proxy records located
along the Atlantic Coasts of North America and Northwestern Europe.
Thus, our data confirm that salt-marsh foraminifera can be used to
develop reliable estimates of former sea levels.

Figure 5. Relative sea level curve for the Morbihan Golfe area derived by the integration of elevation estimates produced by foraminifera-based transfer function with the STG6 core
age–depth model. Core samples without modern analogue are plotted as filled symbols. Brest tide-gauge sea level curve is also shown for comparison.
 32
Appendix A
Relative dead abundances of foraminifera taxa found within the modern samples collected from Kréagan-K. (one transect) and Sins-S.I and S.II (two transects) marshes. The elevation (expressed in m IGM69) of each sample is also reported.

Transect sample K. 1 K. 2 K. 3 K. 4 K. 5 K. 6 K. 7 K. 8 K. 9 K. 10 K. 11 K. 12 K. 13 K. 14 K. 15

TF sample 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Elevation (m IGM69) 2.45 2.35 2.27 2.28 2.20 2.33 2.35 2.35 2.38 2.37 2.32 2.22 2.18 2.11 2.23
Ammobaculites crassus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammobaculites sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammutium salsum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Arenoparella mexicana 18.73 17.82 17.24 10.55 8.87 4.76 9.25 5.13 6.64 5.20 5.43 7.06 8.19 9.57 8.49
Haplophragmoides canariensis 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haplophragmoides manilaensis 6.65 7.92 3.88 5.50 3.94 12.30 8.81 8.12 4.27 6.00 1.36 0.39 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haplophragmoides wilberti 2.42 0.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.95 0.40 0.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haplophragmoides sp. 1 1.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina fusca 9.06 13.37 12.93 20.64 2.96 5.95 3.96 5.13 4.74 6.00 5.88 7.84 6.47 13.88 14.62
Miliammina petila 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina subrotunda 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Tiphotrocha comprimata 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.83 0.49 0.79 0.88 0.00 2.37 1.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Trochammina inflata 38.97 27.72 15.52 12.39 7.39 10.32 10.13 17.52 28.91 34.80 25.79 27.84 13.36 13.40 23.58
Jadammina macrescens 21.45 29.21 46.98 46.79 41.87 64.68 61.67 55.56 43.13 46.00 57.01 48.63 43.53 44.98 48.11
Reophax sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cornuspira involvens 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.78 1.29 0.00 0.00

V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35

Quinqueloculina agglutinans 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Quinqueloculina sp. 0.00 2.97 3.02 1.83 34.48 0.79 4.41 8.12 8.53 0.00 2.71 7.45 25.43 14.83 3.77
Ammonia sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.72 2.39 0.47
Elphidium incertum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.00
Elphidium excavatum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium williamsoni 0.00 0.00 0.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.94
Haynesina germanica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Forams counted per 10cc 15888 6464 14848 10464 6496 16128 10896 14976 5064 12000 7072 8160 2784 3344 3392

Appendix A
Relative dead
Appendix abundances of foraminifera taxa found within the modern samples collected from Kréagan-K. (one transect) and Sins-S.I and S.II (two transects) marshes. The elevation (expressed in m IGM69) of each sample is also reported.
A (continued)

Transect sample K. 16 K. 17 K. 18 K. 19 K. 20 K. 21 S.II 1 S.II 2 S.II 3 S.II 4 S.II 5 S.II 6 S.II 7 S.II 8 S.II 9

TF sample 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Elevation (m IGM69) 2.13 2.12 2.16 2.05 1.92 1.52 2.02 1.89 1.98 1.94 1.86 1.86 1.87 1.90 1.92
Ammobaculites crassus 0.00 0.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammobaculites sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.63 1.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammutium salsum 0.00 1.92 0.00 0.00 3.80 6.21 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Arenoparella mexicana 5.71 0.48 4.09 1.29 1.90 4.52 0.00 0.79 0.00 0.00 0.46 2.23 0.00 2.13 0.76
Haplophragmoides canariensis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haplophragmoides manilaensis 1.90 2.40 0.45 2.59 0.00 1.13 3.33 0.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.13 9.09
Haplophragmoides wilberti 0.48 0.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.00 1.18 0.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.27
Haplophragmoides sp. 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina fusca 33.33 8.65 1.82 6.47 1.90 1.69 0.00 0.39 0.00 0.00 3.23 1.86 4.63 5.11 9.85
Miliammina petila 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina subrotunda 0.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Tiphotrocha comprimata 0.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Trochammina inflata 8.10 12.50 33.18 28.88 12.66 1.69 0.00 2.36 15.33 1.34 14.29 44.98 36.11 60.43 27.27
Jadammina macrescens 36.67 22.60 59.55 28.02 22.15 26.55 96.67 94.88 83.91 98.66 82.03 50.93 59.26 30.21 50.76
Reophax sp. 0.00 0.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cornuspira involvens 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Quinqueloculina agglutinans 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Quinqueloculina sp. 4.76 0.00 0.91 25.86 28.48 25.42 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammonia sp. 0.00 1.92 0.00 1.72 0.00 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium incertum 1.90 10.10 0.00 0.86 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium excavatum 0.00 0.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium williamsoni 6.19 36.54 0.00 0.43 28.48 25.42 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haynesina germanica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.86 0.00 3.95 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Forams counted per 10cc 1440 289 2347 1237 68 139 120 1016 2088 1015 1488 1076 1728 3760 12672
Appendix A
Relative
Appendixdead abundances of foraminifera taxa found within the modern samples collected from Kréagan-K. (one transect) and Sins-S.I and S.II (two transects) marshes. The elevation (expressed in m IGM69) of each sample is also reported.
A (continued)

Transect sample S.I 1 S.I 2 S.I 3 S.I 4 S.I 5 S.I 6 S.I 7 S.I 8 S.I 9 S.I 10 S.I 11 S.I 12

TF sample 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Elevation (m IGM69) 2.00 1.96 1.97 1.97 1.94 1.93 1.95 1.86 1.89 1.82 1.88 1.76
Ammobaculites crassus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammobaculites sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.49
Ammutium salsum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.98
Arenoparella mexicana 0.00 0.00 3.95 5.33 6.63 8.24 1.91 4.96 0.84 1.53 3.35 3.92
Haplophragmoides canariensis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haplophragmoides manilaensis 0.00 10.29 0.00 1.78 0.60 1.96 0.96 0.00 0.00 0.76 2.09 4.41
Haplophragmoides wilberti 0.00 19.12 0.00 3.11 0.60 3.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.49
Haplophragmoides sp. 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina fusca 0.00 7.35 17.98 15.11 27.11 9.41 4.31 6.61 8.79 26.34 1.26 6.86
Miliammina petila 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina subrotunda 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Tiphotrocha comprimata 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.43
Trochammina inflata 0.00 17.65 32.89 28.44 24.10 24.71 19.62 42.98 1.26 22.14 5.86 13.24
Jadammina macrescens 100.00 45.59 44.74 46.22 40.96 52.16 73.21 45.45 89.12 48.85 87.45 66.18
Reophax sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cornuspira involvens 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35

Quinqueloculina agglutinans 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Quinqueloculina sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ammonia sp. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium incertum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium excavatum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Elphidium williamsoni 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haynesina germanica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Forams counted per 10cc 20 136 995 1800 5312 2720 2508 2151 1093 1143 1912 1224

Appendix B
Relative abundances of foraminifera taxa found within the samples collected from the STG6 core. The elevation (expressed in m IGM69) of each core sample is also reported.

Core depth (cm) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Elevation core sample (m IGM69) 2.03 2.02 2.01 2.00 1.99 1.98 1.97 1.96 1.95 1.94 1.93 1.92 1.91 1.90 1.89 1.88 1.87
Arenoparella mexicana 11.59 13.17 7.89 7.19 3.05 4.15 7.64 7.77 2.15 2.24 1.23 2.06 1.64 0.45 0.00 0.00 0.42
Haplophragmoides manilaensis 52.17 32.93 28.95 41.32 37.20 40.41 31.85 35.23 37.34 32.84 25.31 16.05 19.67 18.47 25.97 55.74 43.64
Haplophragmoides wilberti 1.45 5.99 7.02 5.99 4.88 5.18 1.27 0.52 3.86 1.49 0.00 0.41 1.64 0.90 4.87 0.55 1.69
Haplophragmoides sp. 1 1.45 0.00 2.63 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Miliammina fusca 7.25 10.78 5.26 5.99 5.49 9.33 5.10 10.88 10.30 13.06 24.07 21.40 22.95 24.77 26.62 7.10 4.66
Miliammina subrotunda 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Tiphotrocha comprimata 0.00 1.20 0.88 1.80 1.22 1.55 5.10 6.22 15.02 10.82 6.17 0.82 0.00 0.45 1.95 1.09 13.14
Trochammina inflata 5.80 8.98 11.40 9.58 7.93 10.88 7.64 8.29 7.30 6.72 2.47 12.76 3.28 4.95 2.94 7.65 8.90
Jadammina macrescens 20.29 26.95 35.96 28.14 40.24 28.50 41.40 31.09 24.03 32.84 40.74 46.50 50.82 50.00 37.65 27.87 27.54
Total count 69 167 114 167 164 193 157 193 204 268 162 243 61 222 308 183 236

33
34 V. Rossi et al. / Quaternary Research 75 (2011) 24–35

Acknowledgments

34.78

17.39

34.78
1.71
4.35

0.00
0.00

0.00
8.70
0.00
32

46
We thank the National Science Foundation award SGER 0713332.
This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 588, “Preparing for Coastal

1.72
2.82

0.00
0.00

0.00
0.00
25.35

21.13

18.31
32.39
Change” and INQUA 1001: “Quaternary Coastal Change and Records of
31

71
Extreme Marine Inundation on Coastal Environments.”

22.26

25.81
40.00
1.73
5.16

0.65
0.00
4.84
0.00
1.29

310
30

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1.84
4.76

4.08
0.00

2.04
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7.48
25.85

29.93

21.09

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19

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7.29

3.13
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8.85
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44.00

10.50

28.50
1.86
4.00

3.00
0.00

0.50
2.00
7.50

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Tiphotrocha comprimata
Miliammina subrotunda
Haplophragmoides sp. 1

Jadammina macrescens
Arenoparella mexicana

approach. Journal of Quaternary Science 16, 201–220.

B (continued)

Trochammina inflata

Gehrels, W.R., Belknap, D.F., Black, S., Newnham, R.M., 2002. Rapid sea level rise in the
Relative abundances

Miliammina fusca
Core depth (cm)

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Gehrels, W.R., Kirby, J.R., Prokoph, A., Newnham, R.M., Achterberg, E.P., Evans, E.H.,
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