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Diatoms as a proxy in reconstructing the Holocene environmental changes in the south-western Baltic Sea: the lower Rega River Valley sedimentary record

  • PALAEOLIMNOLOGY
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Abstract

This study focuses on diatom assemblages occurring in cores of Late-glacial and Holocene deposits retrieved from the mouth of the lower Rega River valley, of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. Sediment samples from four cores were the subject of the present study. Diatom-inferred environmental characteristics, e.g., water level; water salinity (conductivity), trophic status and pH, within each core are presented. Diatom assemblage zones (DAZ) were distinguished, based on differences in the distribution of particular ecological groups. Each DAZ appears to be related to environmental changes during the deposition of a given sediment interval. The Late-glacial (Allerød) sediments originated in a shallow lake with increasing concentrations of solutes and nutrients. The Holocene record begins in the early Atlantic Chronozone and the diatoms point to weakly brackish-water sediments deposited in a shallow water environment. During the period of 8,500–5,800 cal year BP sedimentation took place in a shallow embayment and/or lagoon. From ca. 5,800 cal year BP onwards sedimentation took place in a peat bog environment alternating with Aeolian deposition. Changes in diatom community structure imply a close relationship with the climate-controlled eustatic rise of the ocean level and its consequence Littorina transgression. As with other southern Baltic Sea localities, brackish-water diatoms appear in the sediments, signaling the onset of marine transgression somewhat earlier than previously accepted. Differences and similarities in diatom assemblages and the palaeogeographic development of nearby regions within the Baltic Sea basin and lagoons (coastal areas) from different geographic regions, are also discussed.

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Acknowldegements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Manfred Ruppel (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) for operating SEM apparatus, and Dr. Anna Pędziszewska for pollen analysis. Valuable suggestions of two anonymous reviewers are appreciated. Correction of English language and critical reading of manuscript by Dr. John P. Kociolek is appreciated.

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  1. Department of Palaeoceanology, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 18, 70-383, Szczecin, Poland

    Andrzej Witkowski, Agnieszka Kierzek & Damian Baranowski

  2. Department of Geology and Palaeogeography, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 18, 70-383, Szczecin, Poland

    Bernard Cedro

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  1. Andrzej Witkowski
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Guest editors: K. Buczkó, J. Korponai, J. Padisák & S. W. Starratt

Palaeolimnological Proxies as Tools of Environmental Reconstruction in Fresh Water

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Witkowski, A., Cedro, B., Kierzek, A. et al. Diatoms as a proxy in reconstructing the Holocene environmental changes in the south-western Baltic Sea: the lower Rega River Valley sedimentary record. Hydrobiologia 631, 155–172 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9808-7

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