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The application of geoconservation concepts and methodologies to the Azores archipelago led to the implementation of the Geopark Azores, recognized as such by the European and Global Geoparks Network. The current work re-evaluates and stresses the scientific and touristic value of the palaeontological sites of Santa Maria Island. Two new geosites (the Ponta do Castelo tempestite deposit and the Pedra-que-pica coquina) are proposed for classification as 'Regional Natural Monuments' by the Regional Government of the Azores, due to their international relevance. The tempestite deposit of Ponta do Castelo was overlain by a contemporary coastal lava delta, which enables the inference of the precise water depth of the geosite at the time of deposition, a very rare condition worldwide; and Pedra-que-pica is the most extensive multispecific fossiliferous coquina ever reported in the literature from the shelf of any of the ∼20,000 known volcanic oceanic islands in the world. Relevant geosites reported for this island are increased from 15 to 26. Additional palaeontological heritage contributions to the sustainable tourism of Santa Maria are suggested, with a focus on two recent projects: the 'Fossil Trail' and the future 'PalaeoPark Santa Maria'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The inner Tagus estuary is essentially a sedimentation basin that receives cohesive sediment from terrestrial, marine, biological and anthropogenic sources. Three short cores from one site in a marsh area of this estuary (Seixal Bay) were analysed for sedimentary, geochemical and micropalaeontological contents (benthic foraminifera and nannoplankton). The length of the cores represents about half a millennium of sedimentation. Textural analysis suggests a highly uniform mud sedimentation for most of the cores but geochemical, mineralogical and micropaleontological results indicate climatic and environmental changes and anthropogenic disturbance. Three Foraminifera zones were identified. The lower part of the lower zone indicates sedimentation in an open channel or a lower domain of an exposed high-energy sandflat. Sediments of the upper part of the lower zone and of the middle zone were deposited in a lower-energy environment, probably associated with a sheltered, vertically aggrading mudflat located within the Seixal Bay. Biological and mineralogical indicators suggest that periods of total or partial closure of this bay occurred. Clay minerals indicate that drier and colder conditions prevailed in the lower half of this zone evolving gradually to a wetter and warmer environment towards the top. The upper zone indicates persistence of low-energy sedimentation and evolution towards the present salt-marsh conditions. Anthropogenic pollution is clear in geochemical proxies at the top of the sedimentary column and was used for dating purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]