Modern and ancient tidal sedimentary systems in the era of energy transition: Introduction to the special volume of The Depositional Record

This volume explores various aspects of tidal sedimentary systems, encompassing 11 articles that span from classical sedimentological investigations on ancient tidalites to technological innovations applied to the study of modern tide-dominated and tide-influenced environments as well as resulting implications for human management. Some of these articles are the extended version of talks presented during the 10th International Congress of Tidal Sedimentology, held in Matera, Italy, 3–5 May 2022 (Tidalites 2022), others showcase studies deriving from sedimentological investigations presented elsewhere. The volume also represents part of the activity of the Tidalites Scientific Group, which has been only recently formalised but has been active for more than 50 years thanks to the contribution of a number of researchers with a focus on tidal sedimentary systems, their dynamics, processes and products. Tidal sedimentary systems, or tidalites, hold an essential place in both ancient and modern Sedimentology. They provide critical insights into past environmental conditions, help forecast future coastal and estuarine behaviours, and, crucially, play a pivotal role in the energy sector—both in traditional hydrocarbon reservoirs and in evolving renewable energy sources. Although this introduction is not intended to be a reference article for researchers with interests in the field of Tidal Sedimentology, it offers a brief overview on the terminology ‘tidalites’, their formation processes, their role in human activity and their emerging relevance in the era of energy transition.