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

Andrei A. Andreev*, Steven L. Forman, Ólafur Ingólfsson, William F. Manley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-281
Number of pages7
JournalQuaternary Research
Volume65
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was made possible through grants and logistical support from the Swedish Natural Sciences Research Council, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and the U.S. National Science Foundation (OPP-9796024). Marina Leibman (Earth Cryosphere Institute, Moscow) helped greatly with logistical preparations, and Lisa Doner (INSTAAR, University of Colorado) prepared the pollen samples. We would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments for the manuscript.

Other keywords

  • Arctic Siberia
  • Karginsky interstadial
  • Pollen
  • Yamal Peninsula

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