Late Holocene evolution of the southwestern Doñana National Park (Guadalquivir Estuary, SW Spain): A multivariate approach

Four phases are distinguished in the Late Holocene evolution of the southwestern Doñana National Park (SW Spain), based on a multidisciplinary analysis of the sediments present in drill cores. In the oldest phase (>2400-2500 cal. yr BP), a coastal lagoon (the Roman Lacus Ligustinus) was recognized in the central part of this area, partly closed by the Doñana spit and limited by fluvial levees. The following phase (∼2400-2200 cal. yr BP) is characterized by high-energy events, which caused the breakthrough of the Doñana spit and the creation of new littoral strands in the inner areas. In the third phase (∼2200-2050 cal. yr BP), this new outlet was closed, coinciding with the progradation of the Doñana spit. The last phase (∼2050 cal. yr BP-Recent) comprises three periods: (a) an unstable period (∼2050-1950 cal. yr BP), with the deposit of cheniers over the previous levees; (b) an infilling period, with a diminution of the marine influence; and (c) the appearance of temporary ponds between the emerged levees and cheniers.