This work presents the methodological framework developed within the BERMS project, designed to integrate sedimentological, geomorphological, geophysical, compositional, and ecological approaches for assessing beach dynamics and erosion susceptibility. The primary aim is to establish a standardized, transferable protocol for monitoring wave-dominated sandy beaches in Mediterranean settings affected by increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate-driven changes. Field activities focus on three sites in Southern Italy-Torre Guaceto (Adriatic Sea) and Porto Cesareo (Ionian sea) located in Apulia, and Sibari by the Ionian sea in Calabria-each characterized by distinct sediment dynamics, geomorphological features, and ecological sensitivities. The study combines high-resolution topographic surveys with subsurface imaging techniques (Sub Bottom Profilers, Ground Penetrating Radar, resistivity models), supported by numerical simulations using Delft3D. The key innovation of the project is the methodological framework based upon monitoring techniques. By combining traditional field-based approaches with advanced modelling and ecological indicators, BERMS aims to balance environmental conservation with socio-economic development needs. Special attention is also given to identifying primary sediment sources and understanding sediment-ecosystem interactions, which are essential for sustainable coastal management. The resulting methodology provides scalable tools and protocols for long-term beach monitoring across the Mediterranean, contributing to more informed decision-making processes in coastal planning and climate resilience strategies.

Coastal transitional ecosystems across the Mediterranean Region are increasingly threatened by the combined impacts of climate change, land-use intensification, and legacy pollution. This study presents a high-resolution, interdisciplinary reconstruction of ecosystem changes over the last 600 years (ca. 1400–2022 CE) from the Mar Piccolo basin (Taranto, Southern Italy), a representative semi-enclosed coastal system under long-term cumulative stress. Through multiproxy analyses of a dated sediment core (S05B) and modern environmental archives (surface sediments and moss samples), we integrate palynological indicators (pollen plus dinocysts and other non-pollen palynomorphs) with historical and ecological records. This unique integration of proxy and documentary/archival evidence enables an exceptional comparison of natural and anthropogenic dynamics across centuries. Results reveal a progressive and marked decline in ecosystem integrity, reflected in the sharp reduction of native thermophilous forest taxa (e.g., deciduous Quercus), an increase in anthropogenic (e.g., Olea) and ruderal (e.g., Plantago lanceolata-type) taxa, along with a rise in eutrophication-related dinocysts (e.g., Lingulodinium machaerophorum) since the early fifteenth century. The Little Ice Age intensified environmental and socio-economic stress, accelerating transformations in both terrestrial and marine domains. In recent decades, warming trends, altered hydrology, and landscape fragility have further reduced system resilience, as evidenced by persistent records of parasite eggs (e.g., Ascaris) indicating long-term wastewater contamination and potential health risks. This case study demonstrates how coupled human–environment systems in semi-enclosed Mediterranean basins respond to prolonged and interacting pressures. The multiproxy approach offers a transferable framework for detecting ecological tipping points and supporting evidence-based restoration and adaptive management strategies.

Coastal environments in the Mediterranean are currently facing significant challenges due to the impact of Global Warming, largely attributed to human activities. The Mar Piccolo stands out as one of the Mediterranean's most polluted semi-enclosed marine basins. To delve into its environmental changes, a sediment core (S05B) and eight surface sediment samples underwent extensive analysis, encompassing sedimentological and palynological organic matter assessments. The main objective was to uncover the principal morpho-sedimentary processes from latest Pleistocene to Holocene, resulting in the identification of five distinct landscape scenarios. Initially, during a period of arid climate, the area transitioned from fluvial incision to the formation of brackish ponds. As the Holocene brought about improved climatic conditions, the Mar Piccolo underwent further transformations, changing into a paralic environment where freshwater and salt marshes coexisted. The saltmarshes were sustained by sporadic marine spillovers, as indicated by foraminiferal organic linings. At 10.3 cal ka BP, a marine ingression took place marked by dinocysts, aligning with the Mediterranean sea level curve. This led to the establishment of a low hydrodynamic semi-enclosed marine basin, although changes in bottom oxygenation occurred over time. Anoxic events were identified during the Sapropel 1 deposition and the 4.2 ka BP megadrought event. After the 4.2 ka BP event, evidence of human impact emerges as indicated by the occurrence of human intestinal parasites resting eggs along with a shift in phytoclasts assemblages towards a dominance of cuticles suggesting intensified agricultural activities around the basin. Furthermore, analyses of palynological organic matter in surface sediments provide evidence of significant impacts from current human activities. Consequently, evaluating both past and ongoing anthropogenic influences through palynological organic matter analysis represents a crucial application in this research area.

Littoral environments represent the main entry point for pollutants into the sea. Microplastics (MPs) are a growing concern, especially for the Mediterranean basin characterized by densely populated coasts and a semi-enclosed morphology. This article targets MPs associated with a unique coastal habitat - the largest bioconstruction in the Mediterranean (Torre Mileto, Southern Adriatic Sea) built by the reef-building polychaete Sabellaria spinulosa (anellida). We assessed MPs abundance in samples from both bioconstruction and surrounding sediments using stereomicroscopy with UV light and micro-Raman spectroscopy. MPs distribution was analyzed according to substrate (reef vs. sediment), longshore drift (west vs. east side), and reef morphology (hummock vs. platform). Results showed a significantly higher MPs abundance in samples from the western side of the site, potentially related to a longshore drift influence on pollutant distribution. By contrast, no significant differences in MPs abundances were observed in substrates (reefs vs. surrounding sediments) and in reef morphologies (hummock vs. platform), which suggest no direct control of reef-building activity in accumulating MPs. The passive accumulation of MPs, primarily driven by wave action, is likely the main factor explaining the MPs distribution. Micro-Raman Spectroscopy analysis revealed polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer, and fibers as the most abundant morphology; prevalent MPs colors were colorless and black. Data provided here indicate that polychaete reefs temporarily trap MPs, retaining such pollutant in the littoral environment. The mechanism of MPs passive accumulation observed in this study raises questions about the growing risk for this bio-engineered benthic habitats.

1. Rhodoliths, formed by free-living coralline algae, are distributed worldwide, and the rhodolith beds (RBs) that they form are recognized as structurally complex habitats. In the Mediterranean, they are generally distributed in the mesophotic zone, at depths of 30-100 m; so far, only a few shallow RBs (<2 m) have been reported (e.g. & Icirc;les Kuriat, Tunisia, and Stagnone Marsala, Italy).2. Here a shallow-water RB located in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (south-eastern Italy, Mediterranean Sea) is described. The diversity of associated invertebrates, the rhodolith-forming algal species, the type of sediments, and the bed extent are characterized.3. The RB investigated extends over 5 ha at depths of 0.5-1.5 m. The rhodoliths vary in shape and size, from pralines to large spherical structures, and are formed by a single species, Neogoniolithon brassica-florida, growing around nuclei of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The associated fauna consisted of 158 taxa, 79 (50%) of which were new basin records. The associated diversity was approximately twice that of the underlying and nearby sediments.4. The structural complexity of the RBs promotes biodiversity and provides shelter, food, and a breeding ground for numerous species, including seahorses, which are a conservation priority in this basin.

Sabellaria spinulosa (Leukhart, 1849) is a suspension feeding polychaeta that lives in tubes consisting of terrigenous particles captured by the worm itself. They form impressive reefs containing millions of worm tubes. In temperate marine areas, under optimal environmental conditions, these structures can become natural breakwaters and can play an active role in sandy beaches’ defense. In this work, we report procedures aimed to analyze the growth of S. spinulosa bioconstructions in laboratory. By collecting biological replicas from a wild reef, this study aimed to identify sedimentological characteristics of sands that induce faster tube growth. During the tank experiments, the grain size and mineralogy of the sand were modified. By employing thin sections and X-ray microtomography analyses, the structures observed and measured during and after the tests were analogous to those naturally formed. The fastest growth was recorded in the presence of bioclastic sands with a grain size between 125 and 350 μm. Defining the physical conditions that induce faster growth is fundamental for the defense of these vulnerable habitats but also the surrounding marine environment. This study also lays the foundations for coastal protection interventions in which bioconstructions grown in the tank could be directly implanted on submerged natural and artificial substrates that are already present in situ.

Bioconstructions or biogenic reefs are more or less cohesive sedimentary bodies. They can consist of a large number of species of organisms capable of directly forming a rigid structure through the production of calcium carbonate or the aggregation of hard parts of benthic organisms. One of the main bioconstructions characterizing the Apulian seafloor is the Coralligenous assemblages, a typical bioconstruction of the Mediterranean Sea formed by the concretion of coralline algae. In coralligenous habitats, the interaction between physical and biological processes determines the evolution of the system. This works aims to describe growth models to understand the structural and morphological variations of the coralligenous assemblages in different areas of the Apulian shelf, through a multidisciplinary approach. Analyzing present-day systems allows us to understand how coralligenous assemblages have evolved in the past. In addition, the proposed method can be applied to other areas in the Mediterranean basin to compare other coralligenous assemblages.

Contaminated marine and coastal sediments represent the main source of secondary pollution for the aquatic environment and marine fauna, affecting, directly and indirectly, ecosystems and human health. The assessment of the distribution of chemical pollutants in marine sediments can therefore be considered a preliminary step for understanding the possible circulation of pollutants in the marine environment and planning any targeted and efficient reclamation activity. This study provides new insights on the environmental status of Bay I of Mar Piccolo basin (Southern Italy) by proposing an integrated investigation approach to define the distribution of trace metals and evaluate the thickness of the sediments potentially affected by pollution. To this aim, the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn are estimated for sediment samples collected from 19 cores, and specific environmental indices are calculated. Due to its remarkable environmental and economic relevance, the area of Taranto has been selected as a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method in supporting the identification of hotspot areas for which priority remediation activities are needed.

We provide improved constraints on the timing, geometry and kinematics of the fault that may control the northern submerged morpho-structural relief termed Monte Giove, offshore from the town of Polignano a Mare. We have integrated onshore and offshore data, and interpreted seismic profiles from the ViDEPI project pertaining to the offshore Adriatic Sea of the Murge area, and made field observations north of Polignano a Mare. The fault has been surveyed onshore and mainly offshore along a distance of ~25 km. Generally striking E–W, it dips at high angle to the NNE in the west and to the N in the east. Active since at least the Cretaceous, this was reactivated after the Early Pleistocene with dextral oblique-slip kinematics. It borders the Monte Giove submerged relief/structural high, and continues eastwards in the Adriatic Sea into the Northern Deformation Zone/”Murge basse” graben, that in turn affected the onshore Murge area. Fault reactivation may have been related to a strain field in the outer part of the gentle buckle fold that involved the continental lithosphere of the Apulian Foreland (i.e., the areas of the Murge onshore and the Adriatic Sea offshore) since the Middle Pleistocene, as roll-back of the subducting lithosphere halted. Besides its tectonic reactivation, this fault has important implications as regards local seismic hazard, as well as the morphology influencing the present-day bioherm.

Asbestos cement materials (ACMs) are widespread in coastal environments as result of illegal dumping activities. This study focuses on the Taranto area (Italy) in the Mar Grande basin within the northern sector of the Ionian Sea. The complex history of dumping building materials containing high amounts of ACM into the coastal zone, and the erosion, transport and deposition in Marechiaro Bay is a serious environmental hazard. An interdisciplinary research methodology defines the temporal dumping succession, and the erosional processes and phases, the diffusion of ACM, the mineralogical characteristics, and existing physical status of the ACM. A multiscale investigation was conducted. Results show that from 1992 to 2000 a significant increment of dumping operations have occurred. The current cliff has been subject to erosion and redeposition phases, developing a new beach composed of these polluted man-made sediments. The findings persuade the local authorities to close the beach requiring remediation interventions.

This study focuses on the analysis of sandy beaches by integrating sedimentological, geomorphological, and geophysical investigations. The beach represents an extremely variable environment where different natural processes act simultaneously with human activities, leading to the gathering of different methodologies of the Earth Sciences to study its evolution in space and time. The aim of this research is to propose a potential procedure for monitoring the morpho-sedimentary processes of sandy beaches by analyzing the textural and compositional characteristics of the sands and quantifying the volumes involved in the coastal dynamics. The study area includes two Apulian sandy beaches (Torre Guaceto and Le Dune beach) that are representative of the coastal dynamics of a large sector of the central/northern Mediterranean Sea involving the southern Adriatic Sea and the northern Ionian Sea. Sedimentological and ecological investigations allowed to describe the textural and compositional characteristics of the beach sands by interpreting their sand provenance and the physical/biological interactions within the beach. The topographic surveys carried out with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner and an Optical Total Station, aimed to quantify the variations of sediment volume over time, whereas the Delft3d software was applied to analyze the effects of the dominant wave motion on the sedimentary dynamics. Lastly, the geophysical techniques which included Sub Bottom Profiler procedures, Ground Penetrating Radar investigation, and resistivity models enabled us to calculate the sand sediment thickness above the bedrock.

This study focuses on the analysis of a carbonate bioclastic pocket beach located along a coastal sector of the Apulia Ionian Sea,Le Dune beach,South Italy.The beach develops for about 800 m and it is exposed to the south-westerly and southerly seas.Coastal sediments range from very coarse to medium-fine sands and they are mainly composed of bioclasts(more than 90％)which include molluscs,foraminifers,echinoderms,algae branched,bryozoans,spicules of sponges and arthropods.The study area is one part of a marine protected reserve characterised by 15 different habitats of the typical Mediterranean submerged populations and the presence of Posidonia oceanica meadows.The aim of our research is to highlight the correlation between physical and biological processes influencing Le Dune beach dynamics and its sediment provenance by analysing the textural and compositional characteristics of beach sands,which is fundamental for pocket beach conservation.The beach sand analysis,deriving from textural,compositional and bioclast investigations,underlines that one of the main indicators of the beach dynamics is the bioclast component,which provides relevant information about sand provenance and sediment transport.The beach constitutes a semi-close system only nourished by the shells of organisms and by the erosion of headlands and dunes without important sediment interchange with adjacent littoral sectors.

Sandy beaches are the result of a dynamic interaction among physical conditions, biological processes and the anthropic impact (essentially linked to the natural resource direct or indirect exploitation). Monitoring the health state of coastal areas is a fundamental tool for land-use management. Moreover, integrated sedimentological studies with multidisciplinary methodologies are increasingly needed. This study aims to monitor the evolution of Torre Guaceto beach (Brindisi) over different seasons. The study area is part of a protected marine reserve characterised by a relatively slight human impact and a significant availability of previous data that allows us to observe the natural dynamic effects on the health state of the beach. The research was developed by adopting different techniques in order to investigate the foreshore and the shoreface sector of the beach. The geomorphological investigation, carried out with the terrestrial laser scanner and the optical total station, aimed to quantify the variations of sediment volume of the beach, while the sedimentological and petrographical analyses were conducted to define the sand textural and compositional characteristics throughout different sampling seasons; finally, Delft3d software was applied to analyse the effects of the dominant wave motion on the sedimentary dynamics.

SummaryThe aim of this work was a chemical and biological characterisation of Fagiolina del Trasimeno (Italian cowpea landrace) in its coloured and white variants. After opening the package (T0), samples were addressed to a set of chemical and biological assays. Analyses were also conducted on cooked, 6‐month‐stored (T1) and commercial products. Chemical composition was comparatively analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the proton. At both T0 and T1, raw coloured Fagiolina del Trasimeno showed statistically higher values in terms of phenolic content (T0: 11.51 mg GAE/g, T1: 9.34 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (DPPH T0: 27.40 μmol TE/g, T1: 20.15 μmol TE/g; ABTS T0: 37.98 μmol CE/g, T1: 27.24 μmol CE/g) when compared with white/commercial variants. Globally, boiling, pressure‐cooking, and storage led to a loss in phenolic content and antioxidant activity. However, values in coloured samples generally remained higher than those observed in the other products. Finally, Fagiolina del Trasimeno extracts were shown to inhibit cyclooxygenase activity in HepG2 cells (up to −41.96%). In summary, these results highlighted interesting chemical and biological features of this product, showing the impact of routine procedures, as well.

A widespread and diversified mesophotic system of carbonate bioconstructions along the Southern Adriatic and Ionian Italian coasts is described, providing new data on the distribution, structure and associated megabenthic assemblages of mesophotic Mediterranean bioconstructions. The bioconstructions were detected at six different sites off the coasts of Apulia, in presence of marked morphological escarpments, developing on a basal substrate consisting of meso-Cenozoic carbonate rocks. Two biogenic structure types were observed, one mainly built by the nonsymbiotic scleractinians Phyllangia americana mouchezii and Polycyathus muellerae, at depths between approximately 35 and 55 m, and the other by the oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, at depths from approximately 40 to 70 m. A total of 52 taxa of megabenthic invertebrates, belonging to 6 phyla, were found on the surface of the mesophotic bioconstructions, thus confirming the role of biodiversity hotspots of these carbonate structures. Megabenthic assemblages showed a remarkable heterogeneity both in pattern of species and abundance, probably depending on both the morphological differences of the seabed and the life traits of the single species. Primary bioconstructors seemed to influence the associated community pattern. This peculiar system deserves sound conservation measures in the light of the holistic ecosystem approach for the management of coastal marine areas.

In this work, we reconstruct a change in the wind regime and sea level pressure pattern during marine isotope stage (MIS) 5.5.To obtain these results, we studied two elements of the landscape south of the city of Gallipoli (Apulia region, southern Italy), namely, the Carmine-Li Foggi palaeo-littoral ridge (CLlr) and a field of domal-longitudinal fossil dunes present in the Il Campo locality, both dating back to MIS 5.5, through the use of geological and geomorphological surveys together with geochronological analyses by Uranium series and amino acid racemi-zation/epimerization. A detailed study was carried out on the aeolian units within CLlr (AU1 and AU2) and the fossil dunes of the Il Campo locality (AU3) to reconstruct the palaeo-directions of the winds and, possibly, the sea level pressure patterns. AU1 was the first aeolian unit to settle. The accumulation of AU1 at the northern and southern edges of CLlr and its internal structure indicate effective aeolian transport both towards the N and S. Based on the principle of actualism,the AU1 unit allows us to recognise a "first aeolian phase" characterised by the alternation of winds from the S and NW. It involves an autumn-winter pressure pattern characterised by an Atlantic footprint similar to the current pattern: the Atlantic depressions entering the Mediterranean caused, as occurs today over Apulia, the alternation of winds from the S and NW before and after the passage of the low-pressure minima, respectively. In spring-summer, the pressure fields were likely very similar to the current pressure fields, with the Azores high dominating the central-western Mediterranean and the low pressure dominating the eastern Mediterranean, with winds not able to significantly impact sand transport, just as occurs today; this summer regime left the prevailing imprint of the Atlantic winter regime and therefore NW-S bimodality.AU2 and AU3 settled later than AU1 in a "second aeolian phase" of MIS 5.5. AU2 is characterised by south-eastward-dipping foresets. AU3 consists of domal and linear dunes oriented in the NW-SE direction. We inter-pret AU2 and AU3 as coastal dunes originating in a prevailing NW wind regime.Based on the principle of actualism and on literature data, we conclude that AU2 and AU3 settled under a pressure pattern which in fall-winter was similar to the current pattern, that is, characterised by Atlantic cy-clones transiting over the Mediterranean, and the consequent NW-S bimodality of the winds. In the spring --summer, instead, the pattern was characterised by a pressure gradient from west (high) to east (low) higher than the current pressure gradient; this gradient caused stronger NW winds compared to today over the Apulia, according to a similar (but increased) mechanism which today, on the Aegean Sea, causes the development of the Etesio-Meltemi summer winds.Such strong summer winds from the NW, which were effective for sand transport, coupled with the NW-S bimodality in fall-winter, caused the overall prevalence of NW winds during the "second aeolian phase". This summer pressure gradient over the Mediterranean from west (high) to east (low) greater than today was caused by a summer strengthening of the east Mediterranean low-pressure branch, in turn caused by the northward shift

This study is aimed at defining the environmental status of the Mar Piccolo and Mar Grande basins, in the Taranto coastal area (Ionian Sea, Taranto Gulf, southern Italy), through the application of a multidisciplinary approach. The investigated coastal system was affected by intensive environmental changes due to the strong industrialization that has taken place since the second half of the XIX century. In addition, the area is characterized by intense human pressure (in terms of high-density urbanization and the presence of military harbor activities, industries, and aquaculture plants), which contributes to its environmental degradation. The area of Taranto is nowadays one of the most polluted sites in Italy and for this reason, it is included in the perimeter of the Site of National Interest “Taranto” (established by the National Law 426/1998 and delimited by the Ministerial Decree of 10/01/2000) for which urgent environmental remediation is required. The study is based on the integration of geophysical and chemical data acquired in the framework of the interdisciplinary activities funded by the “Special Commissioner for urgent measures of reclamation, environmental improvements, and redevelopment of Taranto” in 2015 and 2017. In this research, we proposed a methodological approach for the assessment of the spatial distribution of direct and indirect anthropogenic impact on the sea-floor, in terms of both presence of macro-litter (elements and/or traces) and chemical pollutants. Specifically, the results derived from the interpretation of the acoustic data (multibeam echosounder - MBES and Side Scan Sonar - SSS) acquired in both basins and chemical analysis, with particular reference to inorganic compounds, performed on the sediment samples of 19 continuous cores collected in the Mar Piccolo, were combined. Following the analytical procedure proposed in previous studies, seafloor morphologies were detected by interpreting the digital elevation model obtained by MBES and integrated by the interpretations of the SSS backscatter mosaic data while the distribution of toxic heavy metals in marine sediments has been explored by using different pollution indicators, generally considered as a useful tool for evaluating the degree of anthropogenic contamination. The integrated results obtained by the multiproxy analysis have allowed us to define the overall distribution of the anthropogenic impact along the Mar Piccolo and Mar Grande basins and to identify hotspot areas for which urgent remediation and management actions should be implemented.

Despite its remarkable geomorphological, ecological, and touristic value, the coastal sector of the Apulia region (Southern Italy) hosts three of the main contaminated Italian sites (Sites of National Interest, or SINs), for which urgent environmental remediation and reclamation actions are required. These sites are affected by intense coastal modification and diffuse environmental pollution due to the strong industrialisation and urbanisation processes that have been taking place since the second half of the XIX century. The Apulian coastal SINs, established by the National Law 426/1998 and delimited by the Ministerial Decree of 10 January 2000, include large coastal sectors and marine areas, which have been deeply investigated by the National Institution for the Environmental Research and Protection (ISPRA) and the Regional Agency for the Prevention and Protection of the Environment (ARPA) with the aim of obtaining a deep environmental characterisation of the marine matrices (sediments, water, and biota). More recently, high-resolution and multidisciplinary investigations focused on the geo-environmental characterisation of the coastal basins in the SIN Taranto site have been funded by the “Special Commissioner for the urgent measures of reclamation, environmental improvements, and redevelopment of Taranto”. In this review, we propose an overview of the investigations carried out in the Apulian SINs for the environmental characterisation of the marine matrices, with special reference to the sea bottom and sediments. Based on the experience gained in the previous characterisation activities, further research is aimed at defying a specific protocol of analysis for supporting the identification of priority actions for an effective and efficient geo-morphodynamic and environmental characterisation of the contaminated coastal areas, with special reference to geomorphological, sedimentological, and geo-dynamic features for which innovative and high-resolution investigations are required.

The Upper Messinian Abu Madi Formation of the Nile Delta constitutes sediments deposited during the final stage of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC). Several levels of soft‐sediment deformation structures (SSDS) were observed in the transgressive heterolithic fluvial facies deposited adjacent to the deep‐seated faults. The most common deformation features include diapiric structures, intraformational lithoclastic breccia, small‐scale normal faults, slump folds, and liquefied beds. Such association of SSDS typically resembles those described elsewhere as generated by a complex interplay of gravity‐driven and seismically induced liquefaction processes. The pore pressure measurements revealed high pore fluid density ~ 9.1 ppg equivalent density values which reflect a mild pressure disequilibrium in Abu Madi sediments. Pressure disequilibration is observed all over the studied section of the Abu Madi Formation and is not only restricted to the fluvial channel sandstones deposited during rapid loading. Therefore, allogenic seismic activity has been proposed as the main trigger for pressure disequilibrium and the development of SSDS in the Abu Madi Formation. The heterolithic nature of the Abu Madi sediments as well as the scarcity of bioturbation provides the favourable conditions for the preservation of the seismically induced deformation. The lateral variation in thickness suggests deposition of the Abu Madi Formation during periods of active subsidence which promotes the generation of the SSDS. Late MSC tectonism likely controlled the evolution and sedimentary facies variability of the Abu Madi canyon‐infill system, and therefore the distribution of Abu Madi facies varies significantly over very short distances. Abu Madi SSDS follows the spatial distribution observed in other “lago‐mare” deposits (e.g., Foes Formation and SE Spain), characterized by spatial variability and vertical rhythmic alternation between deformed and non‐deformed layers. Accordingly, regional tectonic instability in the circum‐Mediterranean margins during the late stage of the MSC is proposed.

This paper regards the lower Pleistocene temperate-water carbonate deposits disconformably overlying an escarpment made up of faulted Cretaceous to Miocene limestones of the Apulia Foreland (southern Italy). Study deposits discontinuously crop out along the present-day eastern Salento sea cliff, and form isolated fan-shaped bodies, up to 1 km wide and up to 40 to 50 m thick, each of them covering an area of a few square kilometres. The internal arrangement of beds is represented by up to 25 degrees to 30 degrees lobate, seaward dipping clinobeds thinning and onlapping onto a rocky foreslope in the proximal sector and passing to gently inclined to sub-horizontal strata in the distal sector. Seven facies were distinguished, mainly composed of coarse-grained skeletal carbonates made up of a heterozoan association including coralline algae, large and small benthic foraminifera, echinoids, molluscs, bryozoans and serpulids. Since clinobeds were formed thanks to hyperconcentrated density flows (grain flows) bypassing the upper part of the inherited escarpment, these skeletal grains represent ex situ deposits whose shallow-marine factory was located upward (landward) with respect to the bypassed zone, likely in the almost flat area on top of the Salento Peninsula. Clinobeds are often affected by tens of metres wide and long channel-like structures interpreted as landslide scars. Inside these gullies, contorted beds (slumps) or matrix-supported intra-bioclastic floatstone/rudstone (massive deposits) are present. The occurrence of supercritical-flow structures (for example, backset-bedded beds) indicates the development of hydraulic jumps along the steep slope of gullies. Since these clinostratified, fan-shaped carbonate bodies represent carbonate slopes, and that the latter are known as aprons, normally related to linear sourced sediments, an acceptable oxymoron for studied fan-shaped carbonate bodies is suggested: 'isolated base-of-slope aprons'.