The Early Khvalynian stage of the Caspian Sea evolution: palynoflora and climatic-phytocoenotic reconstructions
Abstract
In addressing the controversial issues of the Late Pleistocene paleogeography of the Caspian Sea basin, the results of spore-pollen analysis are of particular importance, as well as the following reconstructions of climate and vegetation changes of the Northern Caspian region during the Early Khvalynian transgression.
The paper presents the main results of the palynological study of deposits (chocolate clays and overlying and underlying layers from the Srednyay Akhtuba section) of the maximum stage of Early Khvalynian transgression. The materials are illustrated by pollen diagram with the data of spore-pollen analysis and the detailed list of palynoflora, and complemented with photographs of pollen belonging to the principal autochtonous taxa and, for comparison, to some redeposited Quaternary palynomorphs. Palynological materials indicate subaqual (brackish marine and freshwater) sedimentation of studied deposits in periglacial landscapes and, for the most part, under very harsh climatic conditions. The performed climate-stratigraphic reconstructions are in line with the data of absolute dating, i.e. the accumulation of the studied deposits during the Late Valdai (Ostashkov) Late Glacial period. During the time interval plant communities of glacial climate - tundra-steppe, periglacial forest-steppe, periglacial steppe, periglacial parklands and forests - were developed within the study area. Widespread occurrence of microthermal willow formations ofBetula nana and shrub communities of Betula fruticosa, B. nana, Alnaster fruticosus, Juniperus, etc. in the composition of periglacial vegetation cover of the studied region suggests the severe climatic conditions and, possibly, the existence of sporadic permafrost during the cold stages (stadials) of the Ostashkov Late Glacial period.
Supporting agencies: Field studies were financially supported by the Russian Science Foyndation (project № 16-17-10103). Analytical work was partly financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project РФФИ-КОМФИ 18-00-00470) and partly accomplished under the state-guaranteed program «Paleoclimates, evolution of the natural environment and the long-term forecast of its changes». The authors are grateful to G.N. Aleksandrova, PhD. in Geology and Mineralogy, for her assistance in the identification of dinocysts
About the Authors
N. S. Bolikhovskaya
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Faculty of Geography, Research Laboratory of Recent Sediments and Pleistocene Paleogeography, Leading Research Scientist, D.Sc. in Geography
R. R. Makshaev
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Faculty of Geography, Research Laboratory of Recent Sediments and Pleistocene Paleogeography, Research Scientist
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Review
For citations:
Bolikhovskaya N.S., Makshaev R.R. The Early Khvalynian stage of the Caspian Sea evolution: palynoflora and climatic-phytocoenotic reconstructions. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 5, Geografiya. 2019;(3):57-71. (In Russ.)
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