Title: A Holocene marine pollen record from the northern Yenisei Estuary (southeastern Kara Sea, Siberia)
Abstract:A 780 cm long sediment core from the northern Yenisei Estuary (southeastern Kara Sea) was analysed for pollen to reconstruct the Holocene vegetation and climate history of the coastal area of the Kara...A 780 cm long sediment core from the northern Yenisei Estuary (southeastern Kara Sea) was analysed for pollen to reconstruct the Holocene vegetation and climate history of the coastal area of the Kara Sea region. The core shows a high and continuous deposition of sediments from 8900 yrs BP (9400 cal. BP) to ca. 600 yrs BP. A pronounced change of the lithology and the occurrence of marine to brackish water dinoflagellate cysts and molluscs indicate that the core location was reached by sea water at 8600 yrs BP (9200 cal. BP) when the global sea-level was approximately 30m below the present level. The depositional environment changed gradually from fluvial to estuarine conditions. Favourable climatic conditions with higher mean temperature than at present and a widespread occurrence of spruce in boreal forests in the hinterland prevailed between 8900 and 7400 yrs BP (9400 to 8300 cal. BP). Between 7400 and 5000 yrs BP (8300 to 5700 cal. BP), relatively stable warm climatic conditions were established. Sedges dominated fens and peat bogs were widespread in the coastal lowlands indicating high water saturation and moist climate conditions. Since 5000 yrs BP (5700 cal. BP), and more pronounced since 3800 yrs BP (4200 cal. BP), long-distance transported pollen (mainly pollen of Pinus sylvestris) increased gradually and Picea pollen decreased reflecting the onset of climate cooling and the movement of the arctic tundra vegetation zone southward. A short-term warming event occurred between 4200 and 3800 yrs BP (4750 to 4200 cal. BP). The most pronounced change occurred at ca. 2200 yrs BP, when Picea pollen decreased notably indicating the retreat of the spruce tree line. Additionally, the simultaneous increase of pollen taxa such as Salix, Artemisia, Ranunculaceae, and Thalictrum suggests a colder climate.Read More
Publication Year: 2003
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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