Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The significance of high-boreal to subarctic maerl deposits in northern Norway to reconstruct holocene climatic changes and sea level oscillations

Die Bedeutung hochborealer bis subarktischer Maerlablagerungen Nordnorwegens für die Rekonstruktion holozäner Klimaschwankungen und Meeresspiegelfluktuationen

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This paper describes (i) the Recent distribution pattern of various types of carbonate sediments in Troms county (northern Norway), and (ii) the onset of carbonate sedimentation after the final deglaciation of the Fennoscandian ice-shield. The distribution of major facies belts is strongly dependent on hydrographic and topographic constraints. The main bulk of carbonate deposits is derived from maerl-producing coralline algal biotopes that are restricted to the photic zone of waveprotected areas and influenced by tidal currents. Furthermore, extended mollusc and echinoderm-rich arenites are present in the area investigated. In deeper subtidal areas, terrigenous sediments of Late Weichselian to Early Holocene age are preserved. However, these are strongly influenced by later winnowing processes, generating a coquina lag deposit that serves as a secondary hardground for a diverse fouling community. The Holocene facies successions can be seen in several raised outcrops, containing the transition from glacigenic to Recent non-glacigenic depositional conditions. Autochthonous radiocarbon dated rhodolith banks, which mark the onset of carbonate sedimentation, yielded surprisingly young ages of 5,500 YBP. Around 5,500 YBP, present-day oceanographic and climatic conditions had already been firmly established. This time-lag can be explained with the behaviour of postglacial sea level fluctuations in the area. From 10,000 their cooperation in this project. We address our sincere thanks specifically to Prof. T.O. Vorren, Dr. M. Hald, Dr. B. Gulliksen, Dr. J. Hansen, Dr. J.J. Møller, Dr. E. Thomsen, and Dr. G. Corner for their dedicate help in organizing our field trips in Troms and for extensive scientific discussions. Special thanks to capitain K. Bendiksen for his patience and professional skill while operating the vessel ‘OTTAR’ in the skerry area even under bad weather conditions. S. Rasmussen and G. Ellingsen assisted during the cruises and very kindly introduced us to the Norwegian way of life. Special thanks to the two reviewers (Prof. Dr. W.-Ch. Dullo and anonymus) for their critical but constructive remarks. J. Welling and Dr. M. Kaminski improved the language of the final version of the manuscript. This project is part of the German Science Foundation’s main research program ‘Globale und regionale Steuerungsprozesse biogener Sedimentation”. Financial support was kindly provided by the Deutsche Forschungs-gemeinschaft (He 1671/1-1, 2).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adey, W.H. (1970): The effects of light and temperature on growth rates in boreal-subarctic crustose corallines.—J. Phycol.,6, 269–276, 7 Figs., 1 Tab., Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1971): The sublittoral distribution of crustose corallines on the Norwegian coast.—Sarsia,46, 41–58, 21 Figs., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1976): Crustose coralline algae as microenvironmental indicators for the Tertiary.—In:Gray, J. &Boucot, A.J.: Historical biogeography, plate tectonics, and the changing environment.—459–464, 2 Figs., 1 Tab., Corvallis (Oregon State University Press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. &Adey, P.J. (1973): Studies on the biosystematics and ecology of the epilithic crustose corallinaceae of the British Isles.—Br. phycol. J.,8, 343–407, 71 Figs., London

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. &Macintyre, I.G. (1973): Crustose coralline algae: A re-evaluation in the geological sciences.—Geol. Soc. Am. Bull.,84, 883–904, 31 Figs., 6 Tabs., Boulder

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. &McKibbin, D.L. (1970): Studies on the maerl speciesPhymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) nov. comb. andLithothamnium corallioidesCrouan in the Ria de Vigo.—Bot. Mar.,8, 100–106, 16 Figs., Washington

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akpan, E.B. &Farrow, G.E. (1985): Shell bioerosion in highlatitude low energy environments: Firths of Clyde and Lorne, Scotland.—Marine Geology,67, 139–150, 8 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, B.G. (1968): Glacial geology of western Troms, north Norway.—Norges Geol. Undersøk.,256, 1–160, 3 Pls., 29 Figs., 7 Tabs., Olso

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthois, L. &Guilcher, A. (1959): Les bancs de Saint Marc et du Moulin Blanc (Rade de Brest) etremarques sur la sedimentation du Maerl (Lithothamnion calcareum).—Cahiers Océanographiques,11, 13–23, 4 Pls., Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1977): Ecological studies on two carbonate sediment-producing algae.—In:Flügel, E. (Ed.): Fossil Algae. —270–278, 1 Pl., 4 Figs, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1979): Live and dead faunas from coralline algal gravels, Co. Galway.—Palaeontology,22/2 449–478, 2 Pls., 5 Figs., 7 Tabs., London

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1980): Sedimentary facies, production rates and facies models for recent coralline algal gravels, Co. Galway, Ireland.—Geol. J.,15, 91–111, 1 Pl., 7 Figs., 4 Tabs., Liverpool

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • — (1983a): Description and classification of rhodoliths (rhodoids, rhodolites).—In:Peryt, T. (Ed.): Coated Grains.—217–224, 4 Figs., 1 Tab., Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1983b): The occurrence and ecology of recent rhodoliths—A review.—In:Peryt, T. (Ed.): Coated Grains.—225–242, 5 Figs., 1 Tab., Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabioch, J. (1966): Contribution à l’Étude morphologique, anatomique et systématique de deux MélobésiéesLithothamnium calcareum(Pallas) Areschoug etLithothamnium corallioidesCrouan.—Bot. Mar.,9, 33–53, 4 Pls., 4 Figs., Hamburg

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chave, K.E. (1967): Recent carbonate sediments-anunconventional view.—J. Geol. Educat.,15/5, 200–204, 3 Figs., 2 Tabs., Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Corner, G.D. (1980): Preboreal deglaciation chronology and marine limits of the Lyngen-Storfjord area, Troms, North Norway.— Boreas,9, 239–249, 8 Figs., 1 Tab., Oslo

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekko, T. &Rokoengen, K. (1980): Submerged beaches off Troms, north Norway.—Inst. Kontinentalsokkelundersøk.,101, 5–34, 15 Figs., Trondheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Dullo, W.-C., Moussavian, E. &Brachert, T.C. (1990): The foralgal crust facies of the deeper fore reefs in the Red Sea: A deep diving survey by submersible.—Geobios,23/3., 261–281, 4 Pls., 3 Figs., Lyon

    Google Scholar 

  • Edyvean, R.G.J. &Ford, H. (1987): Growth rates ofLithophyllum incrustans (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from South West Wales. —Br. phycol. J.,22, 139–146, 5 Figs., 1 Tab., London

    Google Scholar 

  • Eide, L.I. (1978): Ocean currents on the Halten and Malangsgrunnen banks.—Inst. Kontinentalsokkelundersøk.,97, 1–302, 132 Figs., Trondheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Eilertsen, H.C., Falk-Petersen, S., Hopkins, C.C.E. &Tande, K. (1981): Ecological investigations on the plankton community of Balsfjorden, northern Norway.—Sarsia,66, 25–34, 11 Figs., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Evers, W. (1962): The problem of coastal genesis, with special reference to the ‘strandflat’, the ‘banks’, or ‘grounds’, and ‘deep channels’ of the Norwegian and Greenland coasts.—J. Geol.,70, 621–630, 8 Figs., Chicago

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrow, G.E., Cucci, M. &Scoffin, T.P. (1978): Calcareous sediments on the nearshore continental shelf of western Scotland.—Proc. R. Soc. Edinburgh,76B, 55–75, 5Pls., 8 Figs., 7 Tabs., Edinburgh

    Google Scholar 

  • Feyling-Hanssen, R.W. (1955): Stratigraphy of the marine Late Pleistocene of Billefjorden, Vestspitsbergen.—Norsk Polarinst. Skr.,107, 1–226, 27 Pls., 57 Figs., 3 Tabs., Olso

    Google Scholar 

  • Foslie, M. (1895): The Norwegian forms ofLithothamnion.—Kong. norske Vidensk. Selsk. Skrifter1894, 29–209, 23 Pls., Trondheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Gärtner, H.R.v. (1958): Vorkommen von Serpelriffen nördlich des Polarkreises an der norwegischen Küste.—Geol. Rundsch.,47, 72–73, 1 Fig., Stuttgart

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, R. (1984): The movement of gravel by the algaFucus vesicolosus (L.) on an Arctic intertidal flat.—J. Sed. Petrol.,54/2, 463–468, 5 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunatilaka, A. (1977): Recent carbonate sedimentation in Connemara, Western Ireland.—Estuarine Coast. Mar. Sci.,5, 609–631, 6 Figs., 2 Tabs., London

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, N.T. (1983): Destructive grazing of kelp beds by sea urchins in Vestfjord, northern Norway.—Sarsia,68, 177–190, 7 Figs., 2 Tabs., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Hald, M. &Vorren, T.O. (1983): A shore displacement curve from the Tromsø district, North Norway.—Norsk Geol. Tidsskr.,63, 103–110, 6 Figs., Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, R. (1989): Glacial/Interglacial cycles in the Norwegian Sea: Sedimentology, paleoceanography, and evolution of Late Pliocene to Quaternary northern hemisphere climate.—In:Eldholm, O. et al.: Proc. of the Ocean Drilling Program.— Scientific Results,104, 189–232, 3 Pls., 24 Figs., 5 Tabs., Washington

  • — (1990): Cycles, rhythms, and events in Quaternary Arctic and Antarctic glaciomarine deposits.—In:Bleil, U. &Thede, J. (Eds.): Geological history of the Polar Oceans: Arctic versus Antarctic.—213–244, 16 Figs., Kluwer Acad. Press, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Hessland, I. (1942): Über subfossile Massenvorkommen vonCorallina officinalisLinné—Senckenbergiana leth.,25, 19–40, 14 Figs., 4 Tabs., Frakfurt

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1943): Marine Schalenablagerungen Nord-Bohusläns.—Bull. Geol. Inst. Uppsala,31, 1–346, 4 Pls., 115 Figs., Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtedahl, H. (1962): The problem of coastal genesis, with special reference to the ‘strandflat’, the ‘banks’, or ‘grounds’, and ‘deep channels’ of the Norwegian and Greenland coasts: a discussion.—J. Geol.,70, 631–633, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J.H. (1962): The algal genusLithothamnium and its fossil representatives.—Quart Colorado School of Mines,57/1, 1–111, 13 Pls., 14 Tabs., Golden

    Google Scholar 

  • Kjellmann, F.R. (1883): The algae of the Arctic—Kongl. Svenska Vetensk. Akad. Handling.,20/5, 1–350, 31 Pls., Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Kudrass, H.-R. (1974): Experimental study of nearshore transportation of pebbles with attached algae.—Marine Geology,16, M9-M12, 2 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A. &Buller, A.T. (1972): Modern temperature-water and warm-water shelf carbonate sediments contrasted.—Marine Geology,13, M67-M73, 3 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A., Buller, A.T. &Scott, J. (1969): Marine carbonate sedimentation processes, Connemara, Ireland.—Reading Univ. Geol. Repts.,2, 1–63, 6 Pls., 39 Figs., Dublin

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangerud, J. &Gulliksen, S. (1975): Apparent radiocarbon ages of recent marine shells from Norway, Spitsbergen, and Arctic Canada.—Quart. Res.,5, 263–273, 4 Figs., 1 Tab., Washington

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marthinussen, M. (1962): C14-datings referring to shore lines, transgressions, and glacial substages in Northern Norway.— Norges. Geol. Undersøg. Årbog,215, 37–67, 2 Pls., 1 Tab., Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  • Mörner, N.-A. (1979): The Fennoscandian uplift and Late Cenozoic geodynamics:Geological evidence.—Geo Journal,3/3, 287–318, 33 Figs., 3 Tabs., Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1981): Crustal movements and geodynamics in Fennoscandia. —Tectonophysics,71, 241–251, 4 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moussavian, E. (1989): Über die systematische Stellung und die Bestimmungskriterien der Solenoporaceen (Rhodophyceae).— Cour. Forsch. Inst. Senck.,109, 51–91, Frankfurt

    Google Scholar 

  • Møller, J.J. (1986): Holocene transgression maximum about 6000 years BP at Ramså, Vesterålen, North Norway.—Norsk geogr. Tidsskr.,40, 77–84, 8 Figs., 1 Tab., Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1987): Shoreline relation and prehistoric settlement in northern Norway.—Norsk geogr. Tidsskr.,41, 45–60, 11 Figs., 2 Tabs., Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1989): Geometric simulation and mapping of Holocene relative sea-level changes in northern Norway.—J. Coastal Research,5/3, 403–417, 11 Figs., 1 Tab., Charlottesville

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C.S. (Ed.) (1988): Non-tropical shelf carbonates-modern and ancient.—Sedimentary Geology,60, 367 p., 177 Figs., Amsterdam

  • Pendlebury, D.C. &Dobson, M.R. (1976): Sediment and macrofaunal distributions in the eastern Malin Sea, as determined by side-scan sonar and sampling.—Scott. J. Geol.,11/4, 315–332, 5 Figs., 1 Tab., Edinburgh

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokoengen, K., Bell G., Bugge, T., Dekko, T., Gunleiksrud, T., Lien, R., Løfaldli, M. &Vigran, J.O. (1977): Prøvetaking av fjellgrunn og løsmasser utenfor deler av Nord Norge i 1976.— Inst. Kontinentalsokkelundersøk.,91, 1–65, 26 Figs., Trondheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer, P. &Fretwald, A. (1990): Besiedlungsstrategien von Fouling-Gemeinschaften auf lebendenChlamys islandica, Tromsø, Nord-Norwegen.—Nachr. Dt. Geol. Ges.,43, 86, Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoffin, T.P. (1988): The environments of production and deposition of calcareous sediments on the shelf west of Scotland.—In:Nelson, C.S. (Ed.): Non-tropical shelf carbonates—modern and ancient.—Sedimentary Geology,60, 107–124, 6 Figs., 1 Tab., Amsterdam

  • Sneli, J.-A. (1968): TheLithothamnion community in Nord-Möre, Norway, with notes on the epifauna ofDesmarestia viridis (Müller).—Sarsia,31, 69–74, 1 Tab., 2 Figs., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Soot-Ryen, T. (1934): Hydrographical investigations in the Tromsø district 1930.—Tromsø Museums Arshefter,52, 1–78, 1 Pl., 82 Figs., 28 Tabs., Tromsø

    Google Scholar 

  • Stearn, C.W., Scoffin, T.P. &Martindale, W. (1977): Calcium carbonate budget of a fringing reef on the west coast of Barbados. I. Zonation and productivity.—Bull. Mar. Sci.,27/3: 479–510, 28 Figs., 11, Tabs., Miami

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundby, S. (1983):Influence of bottom topography on the circulation at the continental shelf of northern Norway.—Fiskeridir. Skr. Ser. Havforskninsunders., 15 pp., Bergen

  • Sundet, J.H. (1988): Haneskjellets utbredelser og fangst av haneskjell.—Ottar,170, 8–12, 4 Figs., Tromsø

    Google Scholar 

  • Syvitski, J.P.M., Farrow, G.E., Atkinson, R.J.A., Moore, P.G. &Andrewa, J.T. (1989): Baffin Island fjord macrobenthos: Bottom communities and environmental significance.—Arctic,43/3, 232–247, 11 Figs., 4 Tabs., Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • Sælen, O.H. (1950): The hydrography of some fjords in northern Norway.—Tromsø Museums Arshefter,70/1, 1–93, 10 Pls., 42 Figs., Tromsø

    Google Scholar 

  • Sætre, H.J. (1972): Strømmålinger i Tromsøysundet og Sandnessundet, februar 1972.—Rep. Norw. Hydrodyn. Lab., 1–20, Trondheim

  • Sætre, R. &Ljøen, R. (1972): The Norwegian Coastal Current.— Proc. 1st. Int. Conf. on Port and Ocean engineering under arctic conditions,1, 514–535, 11 Figs., Trondheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen, E.T. &Vorren, T.O. (1986):Macrofaunal palaeoecology and stratigraphy in Late Quaternary shelf sediments off northern Norway.—Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclim., Palaeoecol.,56, 103–150, 8 Pls., 13 Figs., 3 Tabs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vahl, O. (1983): Mucus drifting in the limpetHelcion (=Patina) pellucidus (Prosobranchia, Patellidae).—Sarsia,68, 209–211, 2 Figs., 1 Tab., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorren, T.O., Hald, M., Edvardsen, M. & Lind-Hansen, O.-W. (1983): Glacigenic sediments and sedimentary environments on continental shelves: General principles with a case study from the Norwegianshelf.—In:Ehlers, J. (Ed.): Glacial deposits in North-West Europe, 61–73, 8 Figs., Rotterdam

  • Vorren, T.O., Hald, M. &Lebesbye, E. (1988): Late Cenozoic environments in the Barents Sea.—Paleoceanography,3/5, 601–612, 7 Figs., Washington

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vorren, T.O., Lebesbye, E., Andreassen, K. &Larsen, K.-B. (1989). Glacigenic sediments on a passive continental margin as exemplified by the Barents Sea.—Marine Geology,85, 251–272, 21 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vorren, T.O. &Rønnevik H.C. (1980): Sokkelens naturhistorie. —Ottar,118, 9–26, 20 Figs., Tromsø

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiboro, K.F. (1963): Some observations on the Iceland scallopChlamysislandica (Müller) in Norwegian waters.—Fiskeridir. Skr. Ser. Havforskningsunders,13/6, 38–53, 12 Figs., 1 Tab., Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Willkomm, H. (1976): Altersbestimmungen im Quartär. Datierungen mit Radiokohlenstoff und anderen kernphysikalischen Methoden.—276pp., München

  • Wilson, J.B. (1988): A model for temporal changes in the faunal composition of shell gravels during a transgression on the continental shelf around the British Isles.—In:Nelson, C.S. (Ed.): Non-tropical shelf carbonates-modern and ancient. —Sedimentary Geology,60, 95–105, 4 Figs., 1 Tab., Amsterdam

  • Woelkerling, W.J. (1988): The coralline red algae: An analysis of the genera and subfamilies of nongeniculate corallinaceae.— Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), 268 pp., London (Oxford University Press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodborne, M.W., Rogers, J. &Jarman, N. (1989): The geological significance of kelp-rafted rock along the west coast of South Africa.—Geo-Marine Letters,9, 109–118, 13 Figs., New York

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wrage, W. (1937): Wattbildungen an der nordnorwegischen Küste. —Ann. d. Hydr.,65/3, 97–104, 1 Pl., 18 Figs., Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Wray, J.L. (1979): Paleoenvironmental reconstructions using benthic calcareous algae.—Bull. Cent. Rech. Explor. Prof. Elf-Aquitaine,3/2, 873–879, 6 Figs., Pau

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEOMAR-Forschungszentrum für Marine Geowissenschaften, Wischhofstraße 1-3, D-2300, Kiel 14

    André Freiwald &  Rüdiger Henrich

  2. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40-60, D-2300, Kiel 1

    Priska Schäfer

  3. Institut für Reine und Angewandte Kernphysik der Universität Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, D-2300, Kiel 1

    Horst Willkomm

Authors
  1. André Freiwald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rüdiger Henrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Priska Schäfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Horst Willkomm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Freiwald, A., Henrich, R., Schäfer, P. et al. The significance of high-boreal to subarctic maerl deposits in northern Norway to reconstruct holocene climatic changes and sea level oscillations. Facies 25, 315–339 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536764

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536764

Keywords

Search

Navigation