Objectives

INQUA project 1204P aims to provide better tools to “read” and “distribute” the Quaternary Contourite Log-book. Both scientifically as well as regarding outreach, we aim to better understand and demonstrate the powerful ability of contourite as deep-water record(er)s of variability in paleoclimate, paleoceanography and deep-water ecosystems. The complexity of such an objective calls for an inter- and multidisciplinary approach, calling upon many marine expertises suchs as geophysics, sedimentology, paleontology, (bio)geochemistry, physical oceanography, marine biology and geotechnics. This proposal will focus on 4 major themes and several over-arching objectives:

Themes

  1. Sediment processes and budget for drifts: Establishing depositional models involving their initiation, processes, sediment facies, seismic facies and architectural elements, as well as establishing the gross sedimentary budgets. Understanding how the driving physical processes may lead to specific contourite facies, sequences and structures (refining facies models).
  2. Contourite cyclicity: Detailed deconvolution of the climate, sea-level, sediment supply signatures in correspondence with contourite cycles, through various methodologies, at different scales, aiming to elucidate how contourites fit in a sequence stratigraphic framework.
  3. Water mass variability: Exploring the ocean-climate nexus applying improved research methodologies, involving tracers for water mass identification, computer modelling of circulation and sediment accumulation, new proxies for bottom current velocity.
  4. Deep-water ecosystem: Investigating the influence of climatic variability in deep-water circulation on the ecological health status of deep-water ecosystems (cold-water corals).

Over-arching objectives

  • To increase scientific visibility for contourites by stimulating the use and development of new technologies and methodologies and fostering the publication of books and special issues in peer reviewed journals.
  • To promote cooperation, discussion and exchange between the many diverse efforts that are ongoing in different institutes, and to facilitate the ease of that exchange process.
  • To engage a broader community of scientists in contourite and related studies, including those from developing countries and young scientists from across the world.
  • To advocate the significance and societal relevance of bottom currents, water masses and contourite deposits along continental margins, in particular with respect to paleoceanography and paleoclimate, and deepwater ecosystems.
  • To stimulate outreach and public awareness in geoscience education, and thereby promoting global geoscience visibility. This element will be built in to all of our planned activities as and where appropriate, and show-cased in accessible form on our project website. Knowledge transfer is inherent in our wide international participation and research cooperation.