@article {MilHomens2017473,
	title = {Insights of Pb isotopic signature into the historical evolution and sources of Pb contamination in a sediment core of the southwestern Iberian Atlantic shelf},
	journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
	volume = {586},
	year = {2017},
	pages = {473 - 484},
	abstract = {Abstract Stable Pb isotopic ratios and concentrations of Al, Cu and Pb were measured in a 5 m long sediment core (VC2B) retrieved at 96 m water depth in the southwestern Iberian Atlantic shelf. Five phases during the last 9.5 kyrs were identified, two of them (Roman Period and modern mining) marked by a decrease of 206Pb/207Pb ratios reflecting additional inputs of Pb derived from mining activities. The Roman Period was also characterized by high 208Pb/206Pb ratios suggesting the exploitation of the outcropping portion of the orebody intensely weathered when compared with the other formations later mined. The shift of 208Pb/206Pb ratios towards linearity took approximately 1.0 kyrs, which may mirror the time of environmental recovery from the impact of Roman mining activities. The application of a mixing model allowed the quantification of the contribution associated with anthropogenic mining activities to the shelf sediments. The maximum values of Pb contamination occurred in the 20th century. This study gives direct evidence of Pb and Cu exploitation over the last 2000 years. The stable Pb isotopic signatures point to legacy of mining activities that are still the prevailing metal source recorded in the southwestern Iberian Atlantic shelf sediments.},
	keywords = {Environment recovery},
	issn = {0048-9697},
	doi = {http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.204},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969717302218},
	author = {M{\'a}rio Mil-Homens and Carlos Vale and Pedro Brito and Filipa Naughton and Teresa Drago and Joana Raimundo and B{\'a}rbara Anes and Sabine Schmidt and Miguel Caetano}
}
@article {Quintela2016123,
	title = {The AD 1755 tsunami deposits onshore and offshore of Algarve (south Portugal): Sediment transport interpretations based on the study of Foraminifera assemblages},
	journal = {Quaternary International},
	volume = {408, Part A},
	year = {2016},
	note = {QuicklakeH Special Issue: Rapidly changing large lakes and human response},
	pages = {123 - 138},
	abstract = {Abstract Tsunamis are amongst the most catastrophic natural hazards affecting worldwide coastal areas. Their impacts are recorded in the geological archives and its study provides crucial insights into the dynamics and intensity of these events. The accurate establishment of return periods can also be derived using sedimentological data. Onshore tsunami deposits have been extensively described over recent years through the application of a wide range of sedimentological proxies, including micropalaeontological analysis. In this work, the identification of palaeotsunami evidence, in both the onshore and offshore sedimentary record of south Portugal, was performed, relying mostly on the study of Foraminifera assemblages. Three onshore trenches and one offshore core were analyzed and imprints of the \{AD\} 1755 tsunami were observed based in the identification of allochthonous foraminiferal species, increase in the number of broken/abraded tests and its correlation with coarser mean grain size. This was possible after micropalaeontological environmental characterization of both low-energy onshore and offshore present-day sedimentation regimes. In the onshore record, three distinct sediment transport phases were differentiated within the tsunamigenic unit. The basal phase portraying the initial inundation represented by the dominance of marine Foraminifera species in a highly diverse assemblage. The higher energetic character of this phase was also reflected in the identification of the highest number of broken/abraded tests. The intermediate phase reflects an unspecified number of inundation and backwash pulses that were recognized based in the well-balanced presence of estuarine (brackish) and marine species, the sharp decrease in the diversity index and in the number of broken/abraded tests. The final phase recorded in the tsunamigenic unit registers the imprint of the last relevant backwash which was identified based on the dominance of estuarine (brackish) fauna. The overlying unit is dominated by tidal marsh species, demonstrating the start of the coastal system recovery phase. In the offshore record, it was possible to identify 2 distinct historical tsunami events (AD 1755 and \{AD\} 1969). This was achieved through the identification of significant increases in coastal Foraminifera species coupled with the presence of coarser layers. This interpretation was sustained by indirect age-estimation methods (radiocarbon and 210Pb) that ascribed compatible ages to the historical tsunami events. The results obtained in this study stress the relevance and innovative character of this onshore and offshore multiproxy approach in the recognition and understanding of tsunami events.},
	keywords = {Portugal},
	issn = {1040-6182},
	doi = {http://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.12.029},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040618215014159},
	author = {Maria Quintela and Pedro J.M. Costa and Francisco Fatela and Teresa Drago and Natalia Hoska and C{\'e}sar Andrade and Maria C. Freitas}
}
@article {MilHomens20161211,
	title = {Footprint of roman and modern mining activities in a sediment core from the southwestern Iberian Atlantic shelf},
	journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
	volume = {571},
	year = {2016},
	pages = {1211 - 1221},
	abstract = {Abstract A 5-m long sediment core (VC2B), retrieved in the Southwestern Iberian Atlantic shelf, at 96 m water depth, was used to assess major changes in climate and human activities during the last 9.7 kyrs. Analytical measurements included sedimentological (mean grain size, and the contents of sand, silt and clay), geochemical (major, minor, trace and rare earth elements; REEs) and chronological (210Pb and 14C) parameters. Two episodes of increment of fine-grained particles, occurring at 3050 \{BCE\} and 1350 CE, suggest the retreat of the coast line to the present level and the beginning of a wetter phase associated with the {\textquotedblleft}Little Ice Age{\textquotedblright}. The North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized REE-pattern detected in the shelf is similar to that found in the Guadiana estuarine sediments. The possibility of this estuary as a contributor to the sediment load deposited in the adjacent coastal zone was indicated. Trace elements were significantly correlated with Al until 1850 CE, pointing that grain-size rules its distribution in sediments. The depth variation of As, Cu and Pb enrichment factors relative to background values shows two periods of intense human activity that can be mainly linked to mining: (i) across the Roman Period, marked by low enrichments; and (ii) starting on the second half of the 19th century until nowadays with significantly increased enrichments, especially of Pb and Cu. In addition to As, Cu and Pb, this period is also marked by high enrichments of Hg and Zn. Despite the decrease/closure of sulphide massive deposits mining exploitation (e.g., S{\~a}o Domingos, Las Herrerias) during the second half of the 20th century, results showed ongoing input of Pb, Cu, As, Hg and Zn to coastal sediments. Thus, the legacy of contamination by these elements, mainly from leaching of slags and tailings, and remobilization/reworking of contaminated estuarine sediments, is still recorded in marine sediments.},
	keywords = {mining activities, Rare earth elements},
	issn = {0048-9697},
	doi = {http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.143},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969716315959},
	author = {M{\'a}rio Mil-Homens and Carlos Vale and Filipa Naughton and Pedro Brito and Teresa Drago and B{\'a}rbara Anes and Joana Raimundo and Sabine Schmidt and Miguel Caetano}
}
