Relative sea-level curve during the Holocene in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil: A review of the indicators - RSL, altimetric and geochronological data

A review of relative sea-level (RSL) oscillations during the Holocene in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, is presented based on new data. This new data encompasses analytical techniques, altimetric corrections and age recalibrations, using the marine local radiocarbon reservoir correction of 96 ± 48 yrs. The effectiveness of geological and biological RSL indicators was tested, aiming to provide consistent information for future researches on the east coast of South America. Results confirm that RSL during Late Pleistocene - Holocene transition (11,970–11,122 cal yrs BP) was 4.5 m below Mean Sea-level (MSL). After that transition, a relatively rapid rise began. At approximately 7948–7598 cal yrs BP, the MSL was 0.5 m below the current marine level. Present-day, “zero”, was reached for the first time in the Holocene, at approximately 7686–7269 cal yrs BP. The maximum level of the Holocene marine transgression occurred around 4787 - 4104 cal yrs BP with a height of 3.0 m above MSL. At the point of maximum transgression, the sea-level began a general behavior of lowering. However, between 3981 and 3345 to 1852 - 1413 cal yrs BP, evidence from vermetids suggests several alternating periods of slow and rapid sea-level, identified by four oscillations. New records, between 1220 - 780 and 1055 - 665 cal yrs BP, have indicated a continue lowering trend of RSL.