Selected Refereed Publications
Ø Publications in international scientific journals
§ DRINIA, H., ANASTASAKIS G., (in press). Benthic foraminiferal palaeoecology of the Late Quaternary continental outer shelf of a landlocked marine basin in central Aegean Sea. Quaternary International
§ DRINIA, H., ANTONARAKOU, A., (in press). Palaeoceanography of the early late Miocene deposits of the Pre-Apulian zone, western Greece, as recorded by foraminifer and stable isotope records. International Journal of Earth Sciences
§ DRINIA, H., DERMITZAKIS, M.D., 2010. The response of benthic foraminifera to palaeoenvironmental distrurbance: A quantitative approach in turbidite – like successions. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Palaontologie, 258/3, 325-338 (http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_previews/75467.pdf)
Abstract: Benthic foraminifera were collected from a number of samples of a turbidite-like succession, and quantitatively investigated with the aim to describe and interpret their distributional pattern prior, during and after the turbidite events. The foraminiferal assemblages contain indigenous benthic taxa that represent combined bottom-water and bottom-sediment controlled benthic environments and allochthonous benthic shelf taxa that are transported downslope into deeper-water biotopes. Considerable differences in diversity, community organization, feeding and habitat preferences are detected among benthic foraminiferal assemblages below, across and above the turbiditic episodes. Prior to the deposition of the turbiditic sands, the benthic foraminiferal assemblage is indicative of a strong preference of environments with highly elevated food supply, but sheltered from direct disturbance. This stability was disrupted by the recurrent deposition of turbiditic sands. In the lower part of the turbiditic sequence, some specialized endobenthic forms, such as Valvulineria complanata and Nonion spp. could keep pace with high sedimentation reflecting enhanced supply of organic matter by transport. In the upper part of the turbiditic sequence, an opportunistic fauna (Bolivina spathulata assemblage), entirely composed of infaunal elements, is observed, indicating a nutrient-rich substrate. The reduction in the dominance of Bolivina spp. and the reappearance of both infaunal and epifaunal taxa reflects the recovery of the benthic ecosystem.
§ DRINIA, H., 2009. Foraminiferal biofacies and paleoenvironmental implications of the Early Tortonian deposits of Gavdos Island (Eastern Mediterranean). Revue de Micropaleontologie, 52, 15-29 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0035159807000608) .
Abstract: In this paper two adjacent (Bo and Potamos) sections from the Early Tortonian of the island of Gavdos, Eastern Mediterranean, are extensively studied and compared as for their lithology and micropaleontological content with final aim their paleoecological and paleoenvironmental interpretation. These two sections are composed of clayey sediments and reefal limestones and of marls and sands of turbiditic origin, respectively. The qualitative and quantitative micropaleontological analyses that were realised in the contained benthic microfauna showed that the two sections are characterized by a shallowing upwards-general trend. However, the combined lithological and micropaleontological data suggest that, although adjacent, the two sections underwent different paleoenvironmental evolutions during the early Late Miocene: on the one hand, reef growth at the Bo shelf is suggestive of a current, providing warm, clear and low-nutrient waters to the shelf, and on the other hand, benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Potamos shelf indicate cooler and eutrophic conditions, induced by enhanced river runoff and upwelling, impeding reefal promotion. This difference may be due to the separation of Bo and Potamos shelf by an island acting as a local oceanographic and biogeographic barrier.
§ DRINIA, H. ,2009. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Oligocene Afales Basin, Ithaki Island, western Greece. Central European Journal of Geosciences, 1, 1-18
(http://www.springerlink.com/content/g30p5g2173188t36/).
Abstract: Assemblages of benthic foraminifera from one clastic succession in the Afales Basin (Ithaki Island, western Greece) were investigated to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions during the Oligocene. The section consists of alternating hemipelagic marls and detrital deposits, designated as flysch-like beds, attributed to biostratigraphic Zones P20 and P21. Planktic percentages are mostly high (66–80%). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages comprise calcareous and agglutinated taxa (up to 15%). The prevalence of epifaunal foraminifera indicates good ventilation of the bottom water resulting from basin morphology, which enabled the undisturbed flow of water throughout the basin. Palaeodepth estimates imply bathyal deposition, from about 800 to 1200 m deep. The benthic foraminiferal fauna is of high diversity along the section, as is expected in deep marine environments. The abundances of the most common foraminiferal taxa (Cibicidoidesspp.,Oridorsalis umbonatus, Gyroidinoidesspp., Stilostomellaspp., Nodosariidae, Nuttallides umbonifera) are quite variable and imply generally oligotrophic to mesotrophic environmental conditions with variable organic flux.
§ DERMITZAKIS, M.D., RADWANSKA, U., RADWANSKI, A., DRINIA, H., 2009. Lower Pliocene (Zanclean) regressive sequence of Refina near Pikermi in Attica, Greece: A spectacular locality of mass-aggregated giant balanid cirripedes. Hellenic Journal of Geosciences, 44, 9 – 19 (http://hellenjgeosci.geol.uoa.gr/44/GEOL%2044%209-20.pdf).
Abstract: Sedimentological and eco-taphonomic attributes of the Lower Pliocene (Zanclean) regressive sequence exposed at Rafina Cliff near Pikermi in Attica, Greece, are analyzed in terms of their bearing on environmental conditions under which the large- to giant-sized balanid cirripedes Concavus (Concavus) concavus (DARWIN, 1854) [non BRONN, 1831] have profusely lived and become buried either scatterly through the sequence, or mass-aggregated in one, spectacularly structured bed of the Fossillagerstätte type. All balanids, regardless of their solitary or clustered lifestyle, are post-mortem transported, abraded and/or bioeroded, and deposited in offshore tempestites during high-stand pulses. The burrows of the callianassid shrimp Upogebia, and of the ghost crab Ocypode, indicate short-termed, extremely shallow sub- to intertidal low-stand pulses. The whole sequence, being the uppermost part of the ‘post-Pikermian’, Lower Pliocene (Zanclean) marine overflood, is composed of three, successively thinning, shallowing-up cyclothems, topped by sub- to intertidal and/or emersive episodes, the last of which is featured by beachrock horizons that terminate the regressive events preceding an encroachment of the potamogenic (fluvial and/or deltaic) regime.
§ DRINIA, H., ANTONARAKOU, A., KONTAKIOTIS, G., 2008. On the occurrence of Early Pliocene marine deposits in Ierapetra Basin, E. Crete. Bulletin of Geosciences, 83, 63-78 (http://www.geology.cz/bulletin/fulltext/bullgeosci200801063.pdf).
Abstract: A marine sedimentary sequence of the Pakhiammos section that crops out in the Ierapetra Basin (eastern Crete, Greece) is described here in detail for the first time. Diverse and abundant foraminifera have been recovered from the Pakhiammos section. Planktonic species indicate that sediments span the interval from Zone MPL1 to above the MPL1/MPL2 boundary (Zanclean, early Pliocene). R-mode cluster analysis identified three benthic foraminiferal assemblages named by their dominant taxa: Bolivina spathulata, Cibicidoides pseudoungerianus, and Siphonina reticulata assemblages respectively. Palaeoenvironmental implications of each assemblage and their stratigraphic distribution allow the recognition of two fossil associations: a well-diversified Association A, representative of a stable marine ecosystem, and a less diversified Association B, representative of a sapropel-like event. The deposition of the sapropel-like interval suggests that sapropels resulted from the interaction between sea surface temperature variations, productivity increases and reduced bottom water ventilation. This study represents the first report of early Pliocene marine sediments in the Ierapetra Basin and contributes to the understanding of the evolution of the Neogene basins in eastern Crete.
§ DRINIA, H., ANTONARAKOU, A., TSAPARAS, N., DERMITZAKIS, M.D., 2007. Foraminiferal stratigraphy and palaeoecological implications in turbidite-like deposits from the Early Tortonian (Late Miocene) of Greece. Journal of Micropaleontology, 26, 145-158 (http://jm.lyellcollection.org/content/26/2/145.full.pdf+html).
Abstract: The Lower Tortonian Ag. Giannis section, in Gavdos Island, Greece, consists of an outer neritic to upper bathyal, marly hemipelagic sequence which is interrupted by thick turbidite-like sandy deposits. During deposition of the marly intervals, reworking was considerably reduced.
This paper contributes to knowledge concerning benthic foraminiferal response to dynamic sedimentary environments. Important palaeoecological information for benthic foraminiferal assemblages was gathered and analyzed in order to create a regionally consistent picture of the palaeoenvironment. Samples were analyzed statistically in order to identify the different palaeoenvironmental settings during turbiditic sedimentation. Undisturbed basal marls of the section are characterized by the predominance of a diversifiedUvigerina striatissimaassemblage typified by a broad variety of morphotypes with different inferred habitat preferences and feeding strategies, indicating rather well-oxygenated bottom waters. This environmental stability was subsequently disrupted by recurrent deposition of turbidite-like sands. A low-diversityValvulineria complanata-Globobuliminasp. assemblage is dominant in this part of the succession, as these specialized endobenthic species could keep pace with high-energy sedimentary settings. Just above the turbidites, a “recolonization” fauna (Bolivina alataassemblage), composed entirely of infaunal elements is observed, indicating a nutrient-rich substrate. This oligotypic fauna is later replaced by a more diversified microfauna capable of occupying a wider range of ecological niches.
§ DRINIA, H., ANTONARAKOU, A., TSAPARAS, N., KONTAKIOTIS, G., 2007. Paleoenvironmental conditions preceding the Messinian Salinity Crisis: A case study from Gavdos Island. Geobios, 40, 251-265 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016699507000290).
Abstract: The Messinian pre-evaporitic sedimentary succession of Gavdos Island (Metochia section) is a nearly uninterrupted succession of marine sediments, dominated by finely laminated diatomaceous marls, which are cyclically alternating with clayey diatomites and white diatomites. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the planktonic foraminiferal fauna allowed the recognition of nine bioevents, which have been astronomically dated for the Mediterranean. The base of the diatomitic succession in Gavdos Island is dated at 6.722Ma and the top at 6.015Ma. The studied section contains benthic foraminiferal genera characteristic of an outer shelf to slope environment. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of this microfauna revealed three benthic foraminiferal fossil assemblages and the occurrence of allochthonous species transported into the bathyal environment by current activity. The cyclical pattern of the benthic foraminifera assemblages indicates that the studied sediments have been affected by repeated episodes of basin restriction characterized by low diversity benthic foraminifera populations, and a limited planktonic foraminifer association typified by shallow, surface-dwelling forms. This restriction was partly due to Antarctic cooling, which produced palaeo-Mediterranean sea-level oscillations during the Early Messinian, as a prelude to closure of the Atlantic connections. The relative impact of climatic versus tectonic control on sedimentation patterns within this basin is discussed.
§ ANTONARAKOU, A., DRINIA, H., TSAPARAS, N. & DERMITZAKIS, M.D., 2007. Micropaleontological parameters as proxies of Late Miocene surface water properties and paleoclimate, in Gavdos island, eastern Mediterranean. Geodiversitas, 29, 379-399 (http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/publication/11272_g07n3a3.pdf).
Abstract: The present study describes the early late Miocene paleoenvironmental evolution and the main paleoclimatic trends of Gavdos Island (eastern Mediterranean) reconstructed using planktonic foraminifera. The three stratigraphic sections studied in this area are characterized by whitish to greyish marls and sands (Potamos and Ag. Giannis sections) and by grey-bluish marls and reefal limestones (Bo Section). Based on the distributional pattern of neogloboquadrinids in the three sections, we attribute a lower Tortonian age to studied sediments, corresponding to the interval ranging between 11.21 to 10.01 Ma. Four distinct assemblages of planktonic foraminifera were identified by Q-mode cluster analysis. The succession of assemblages allows dividing each section into four paleoceanographic stages: 1) a warm-oligotrophic stage characterized by the prevalence of Globigerinoides obliquus-Globoturborotalita apertura; 2) a cool eutrophic stage characterized by Neogloboquadrina acostaensis; 3) upwelling conditions dominated by Globigerina bulloides; and 4) a relatively warm with seasonal high productivity stage characterized by the N. acostaensis and Globigerinoides trilobus. On the basis of planktonic foraminifera paleoclimatic indices, paleoclimatic curves were constructed for each section. Our data suggest that, although adjacent, the areas where the three sections are located underwent different paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental evolution during early late Miocene: Bo shelf is characterized by warmer, nearly oligotrophic conditions compared to cooler and eutrophic conditions on the adjacent Potamos and Ag. Giannis shelves. This difference is probably related to the presence of an island between Bo shelf and the open sea which acted as a local oceanographicand biogeographic barrier.
§ DRINIA, H., KOSKERIDOU, E., ANTONARAKOU, A., 2006. Benthic foraminifera assemblages from the Late Pliocene Iraklion Basin in Central Crete, Greece. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Palaontologie Abh., 239(3), 341-366.
§ GAUNDANT, J., TSAPARAS, N., ANTONARAKOU, A., DRINIA, H., SAINT-MARTIN, S. & M.D. DERMITZAKIS, 2006. A new marine fish fauna from the pre-evaporitic Messinian of Gavdos island (Greece). Comptes Rendus Palevol., 5, 795-802 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631068306000339).
Abstract: The occurrence of fossil fishes in the Messinian diatomites of Gavdos Island (Greece) was recently observed. This fish fauna is dominated by the Myctophids, which constitute more than two thirds of the collected material. Among them, Myctophum (s. l.) licatae (Sauvage) is by far the most abundant, with more than 50% of the specimens. Although the mesopelagic components are overwhelmingly dominant, epipelagic fishes, like Syngnathus cf. albyi Sauvage, are also present. The composition of this fish fauna is indicative of a sedimentation influenced by the action of upwelling currents, an interpretation that is also suggested by the composition of the diatom flora.
§ GAUNDANT, J., TSAPARAS, N., ANTONARAKOU, A., DRINIA, H., & M.D. DERMITZAKIS, 2005. The Tortonian Fish fauna of Gavdos Island, Greece. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 4, 687-695 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631068305000862).
Abstract: Although the occurrence of fossil fishes is known since more than one century in the Neogene of Gavdos Island (Greece), its composition remained hitherto unknown. The present study demonstrates that, in the Tortonian of Gavdos, the most abundant species is Bregmaceros albyi (Sauvage), which constitutes two thirds of the collected material. This fish fauna is indicative of an environment of moderate depth, probably corresponding to the external edge of the neritic zone, or possibly to the upper part of the continental slope.
§ DRINIA, H., KOSKERIDOU, E. & A. ANTONARAKOU, 2005. Late Pliocene benthic foraminifera and mollusks from the Atsipades section, central Crete; paleoecological distribution and use in paleoenvironmental assessment. Geobios, 38(3), 315-324 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016699505000495).
Abstract: Changes in benthic foraminiferal and mollusk assemblages from the lower part of the Upper Pliocene of the Atsipades Section (Iraklion Basin, central Crete) were studied. The Atsipades Section represents a shallowing-upward sequence from outer shelf blue–gray clays at the bottom of the sequence, deposited below the storm wave base, to shallow inner shelf deposits affected by storm waves at the top. The foraminiferal assemblage at the bottom of the sequence is dominated by Bolivina spathulata, Bolivina dilatata and Uvigerinidae, a microfossil assemblage corresponding to the deepest deposits formed under dysoxic sea-floor conditions. Foraminiferal assemblages of the middle part of the section are highly diversified, predominantly Haynesina depressula, Cassidulina carinataandReusella spinulosa. The top of the section is mainly characterised byAsterigerinata planorbis,Bolivina pseudoplicata,Cibicides lobatulus and Elphidium sp., a typically epiphytic foraminiferal assemblage which can be correlated with the presence of an algal covered sea-bottom. Within this general environmental trend, a minor shallowing cycle can be differentiated. The boundaries of this cycle can be inferred, based on a substantial microfossil assemblage change and on the coincidence of species diversity maximum and a planktonic/benthic (P/P + B) ratio peak. Nonetheless, upwelling currents and/or over-abundance of nutrients due to continental outflow could also contribute to increased diversity and P/P + B ratio. The character of the mollusk assemblages is in accordance with these trends. Moreover, the increase in diversity and in sculpture constitutes a clear indication of an increase in hydrodynamic energy related to a shallowing-upward trend.