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Abstract: We present a new marine palynological record from the temperate North-eastern Atlantic (core MD03-2692, Celtic–Armorican margin) in the area of influence of the ‘Fleuve Manche’ paleoriver during glacial times. The runoff of this paleoriver was connected to the glacial history of European ice sheets (including the British Irish Ice Sheet—BIIS). Our study conducted on dinoflagellate cysts assemblages over the last 200ka, associated with quantification of palynological remains reflecting continental influence (pre-Quaternary dinocysts and micro-algae Pediastrum spp. coenobia), yields detailed insights into the sea-surface paleoenvironments of this sector. More specifically, mechanisms responsible for the origin of unusual deposits of laminated sequences found at the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 and within mid-MIS 6 are here constrained. We provide evidence of genetic similarities between fluvial discharges occurring before and during times of deposition of the laminated deposits. Our study clarifies the causes of the collapse of European glaciated systems. At the end of MIS 2, prior to the deposition of the laminated deposits, pleni-oceanic influence characterized by high concentrations of Quaternary dinocysts prevailed, and a dinocyst species tracing the penetration of the warm North Atlantic Drift into the Bay of Biscay is recorded. However, this scenario did not recur prior to the deposition of laminated sediments of mid-MIS 6. In addition, contrary to the laminated deposits found at the end of MIS 2 and directly associated with Termination I, MIS 6 laminae appeared 20ka earlier than Termination II. Our work shows that, during the penultimate glacial stage, the collapse of mid-latitudes ice sheets around 170kaB.P. may have immediately followed the MIS 6.5 warming phase. Then, the most important melting event around 150kaB.P. may be linked to a peak in insolation at 65°N, though less important than those during MIS 6.5 and Termination II. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The correlation of continental sedimentary records with the marine isotope stratigraphy is a challenge of central importance in Quaternary stratigraphy, particularly in Western Europe where long records of glaciation on land areas are particularly rare. Here we demonstrate for the first time the interrelationship of events during the last 1.2Ma in an ocean-sediment core from the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic), SW of the Channel. The identification of discharge variations from tributary river systems to the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver during glacio-eustatic sea-level lowstands demonstrates the correlation of the marine sediment stratigraphy to the expansion and recession of the European ice-sheets. The amplitude and chronology of European ice-sheet oscillations since the late Early Pleistocene is discussed and our results demonstrate that the first coalescence of the Fennoscandian and British ice-sheets in the North Sea basin ca 450ka ago caused a profound change in lowstand European drainage alignment. This change caused a rerouting of Fennoscandian and eastern British ice-sheets-derived meltwaters from northwards into the Nordic Seas to southwards into the eastern North Atlantic thereafter. Besides allowing a thorough synchronisation of the European ice-sheet palaeogeography with the well-dated records of palaeoceanographical changes, our results improve the stratigraphy of the English Channel palaeovalleys and will provide important constraints on paleoclimatic scenarios considering the impact that such rerouting and meltwater surges might have on the stability of the oceanic conveyor belt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Continuous high-resolution mass accumulation rates (MAR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements from marine sediment records in the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic) have allowed the determination of the timing and the amplitude of the ‘Fleuve Manche’ (Channel River) discharges during glacial stages MIS 10, MIS 8, MIS 6 and MIS 4–2. These results have yielded detailed insight into the Middle and Late Pleistocene glaciations in Europe and the drainage network of the western and central European rivers over the last 350kyr. This study provides clear evidence that the ‘Fleuve Manche’ connected the southern North Sea basin with the Bay of Biscay during each glacial period and reveals that ‘Fleuve Manche’ activity during the glaciations MIS 10 and MIS 8 was significantly less than during MIS 6 and MIS 2. We correlate the significant ‘Fleuve Manche’ activity, detected during MIS 6 and MIS 2, with the extensive Saalian (Drenthe Substage) and the Weichselian glaciations, respectively, confirming that the major Elsterian glaciation precedes the glacial MIS 10. In detail, massive ‘Fleuve Manche’ discharges occurred at ca 155ka (mid-MIS 6) and during Termination I, while no significant discharges are found during Termination II. It is assumed that a substantial retreat of the European ice sheet at ca 155kyr, followed by the formation of ice-free conditions between the British Isles and Scandinavia until Termination II, allowed meltwater to flow northwards through the North Sea basin during the second part of the MIS 6. We assume that this glacial pattern corresponds to the Warthe Substage glacial maximum, therefore indicating that the data presented here equates to the Drenthe and the Warthe glacial advances at ca 175–160ka and ca 150–140ka, respectively. Finally, the correlation of our records with ODP site 980 reveals that massive ‘Fleuve Manche’ discharges, related to partial or complete melting of the European ice masses, were synchronous with strong decreases in both the rate of deep-water formation and the strength of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation. ‘Fleuve Manche’ discharges over the last 350kyr probably participated, with other meltwater sources, in the collapse of the thermohaline circulation by freshening the northern Atlantic surface water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]