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Middle Weichselian environments on western Yamal Peninsula, Kara Sea based on pollen records

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Andrei A. Andreev*
Affiliation:
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Steven L. Forman
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Ólafur Ingólfsson
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geography, University of Iceland, Is-101 Reykjavik, Iceland
William F. Manley
Affiliation:
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
*
*Corresponding author.E-mail address:aandreev@awi-potsdam.de(A.A. Andreev).

Abstract

Pollen data from two sections from a coastal cliff on the western Yamal Peninsula (69°43.27′N, 66°48.80′E) document the environmental history during the Karginsky (Middle Weichselian) interstadial. Low pollen concentrations, high amounts of redeposited pollen, and relatively high presence of Artemisia pollen characterize sediments deposited at about 33,000 14C yr B.P. Grass-sedge plant associations with few other herbs occupied the area during the late Karginsky interstadial. Artemisia pollen may indicate rather xerophytic vegetation and disturbed soils in the area. The dominance of redeposited pollen reflects scarce (disturbed) vegetation cover and low pollen productivity. The climate was relatively cold and dry. Sediments dated to 32,400 14C yr B.P. contain fewer redeposited pollen and concentration of non-redeposited pollen is significantly higher. Pollen contents indicate the dominance of tundra-like grass-sedge vegetation and more humid conditions. Pollen records dated between 30,100 and 25,100 14C yr B.P. also reflect scarce tundra-like vegetation during this interval. The presence of Betula nana and Salix pollen may reflect limited presence of shrub communities. This suggests that the climate was somewhat warmer during the latter part of the interstadial. However, generally the pollen records show that harsh environmental conditions prevailed on the Yamal Peninsula during the Karginsky interstadial.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
University of Washington

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