This work deals with the microfaunal (benthic foraminifera) and geochemical (trace metals, ¹⁴C, ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, and ^239/240Pu) study of two boreholes (1200 and 1400 cm length) and three subtidal sediment cores (38–58 cm length) collected in the Pasaia estuary (northern Spain). Foraminiferal assemblages in the Holocene deposits depend on the paleogeographic setting, while different species appear in the Anthropocene sediments as a consequence of the physical transformation of the estuary into an estuarine port. Regarding the geochemical composition, the impact of ancient mining activities (probably of Roman age) can be recognized in the form of peaked values of Pb and Zn. However, older sediments exhibit relatively low contents of trace metals which are conditioned by hydrodynamic patterns and lithogenic inputs. In the Anthropocene record, the influence of these factors is displaced by the decisive role of human activities, as evidenced by the enhanced concentrations of trace metals and the occurrence of artificial radioisotopes and glass microspheres. Additionally, this work provides information about trace metal contamination that may be of interest to corresponding authorities in order to set priorities of action and to take specific measures to prevent further degradation.

这项工作涉及微动物（底栖有孔虫）和地球化学（痕量金属，¹⁴ C，²¹⁰ Pb，¹³⁷ Cs和^239/240）Pu）研究了在Pasaia河口（西班牙北部）收集的两个钻孔（长度分别为1200和1400 cm）和三个潮下沉积物核心（长度为38-58 cm）。全新世沉积物中的有孔虫组合取决于古地理环境，而由于河口向河口的物理转化，人类世沉积物中会出现不同的物种。关于地球化学组成，古代采矿活动（可能是罗马时代）的影响可以通过Pb和Zn峰值的形式来识别。但是，较老的沉积物表现出的痕量金属含量相对较低，而痕量金属的含量受流体动力学模式和成岩作用的影响。在人类世记录中，这些因素的影响被人类活动的决定性作用所取代，痕量金属的浓度增加以及人造放射性同位素和玻璃微球的出现证明了这一点。此外，这项工作还提供了有关痕量金属污染的信息，有关当局可能会对这些信息感兴趣，以便确定行动的优先级并采取具体措施防止进一步的退化。