This paper presents the diatom and palynomorph data from a sediment trap deployed in the northern part of the East Barents Sea for an annual cycle from August 2017 to August 2018. The average monthly fluxes of diatoms and dinoflagellate cysts in the photic layer of the northeastern part of the Barents Sea varies from 10.4 × 103 to 640.8 × 103 valves m−2 day−1 and from 0.3 × 103 to 90.0 × 103 cysts m−2 day−1, respectively. Their fluxes are related to the low irradiance of the photic layer during the sea-ice cover period, dominance of southward currents, modern climate, and nepheloid layer conditions. Based on redundancy analysis of the relationship between the fluxes of diatoms and dinoflagellate cysts and organic carbon fluxes, sea-ice covers, and the seasonal cycle of light availability we determined the following. First, sea-ice-associated diatoms and dinocysts are exported to the sediment trap from the melting sea ice with a two-week delay. Second, the appearance of freshwater diatoms and green algae in the sinking material accumulating from March 2018 to July 2018 is also related to the melting of sea ice. And third, the presence of Coscinodiscus radiatus, C. perforatus, Shionodiscus oestrupii and Operculodinium centrocarpum in the diatoms and dinocysts species composition throughout the year indicates the advection of Atlantic waters into the Barents Sea up to 80° N.
Variations in sea surface conditions and sea level through the Holocene in the Kandalaksha Bay, the White Sea, were reconstructed based on the study of core sediments from the outer Kandalaksha Bay, using the modern analog technique applied to dinocysts in addition to diatoms, TOC, δ13Corg, CaCO3, and grain size data. The chronostratigraphy of the core sediments was defined from accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dates on mollusk shells. The results indicated an increase in water depth in the outer Kandalaksha Bay and in the central Dvina Bay until the late Holocene. From about 9.5 to 7.5 cal kyr BP, the data suggested a general trend of increasing sea surface temperatures (up to 14 °C), at least in areas with inflow of Atlantic waters. The last 2.5 kyr were characterized by increased freshwater runoff to the White Sea.
This paper demonstrates the results of diatom analysis of the Holocene sediments from the southeastern part of the Tersky Coast of the White Sea. The main subject of the study is the diatom assemblages’ concentration and composition, as well as the ratio of the main diatom ecological groups in sediments. The study sites were located on the Tersky Coast from the village Chavanga to the right coast of the Varzuga River, at heights from 17 to 52 m. Our reconstruction of the Tersky Coast of the White Sea development is based on diatom study of Holocene sediments from three cores. Age was determined according to radiocarbon dating. In this work, the author determines the features of environmental development, starting from the first half of the early Holocene, clarified the age of the main transgressive stages - Folas, Tapes, Trivia and the absolute heights of their marine sediments. According to the changes in concentration and composition of the main ecological groups of diatoms, the author records the significant trends in the water temperature changes in coastal reservoirs and hydrobiological conditions in the Holocene, such as short-term decrease in the temperatures of the end of Boreal and the first half of Atlantic time, the Holocene hydrobiological optimum, and changes in temperatures of the Subboreal and Subatlantic time.
Presented the results of long-term studies of diatoms and aquatic palynomorphs in surface sediments of the Arctic seas and the possibility of their use for the reconstructions of paleocirculation water masses, advection of Atlantic and Bering sea water into the Arctic ocean, changes in the river runoff to the seas, sedimentary processes in the marginal filter of the largest rivers, seasonal sea ice cover and other hydrological parameters.
29 February 2024 in Вестник Московского университета. Серия 5. География
Climatic events of the last millennia in the northeastern part of the Norwegian-Greenland basin were reconstructed based on micropaleontological studies of sediments from the AMK-6150 core. New results were obtained from analyses of dinoflagellate cysts, diatoms, and benthic and planktonic foraminifers. These results allow us to infer the time of sediment accumulation and the prevailing natural conditions. According to preliminary data on climatostratigraphy based on the composition of microfossils, the period of sediment formation in the AMK-6150 core does not exceed 7 thousand years. The composition of microfossil assemblages and the results of reconstructions indicate repeated changes in marine environmental conditions during this time. Sediments at the depth of 23-24 cm recorded the beginning of a significant growth of temperature and salinity of surface waters due to a possible increase of the Norwegian Current influence. According to the species and quantitative composition of dinocyst and diatom assemblages, sediments in the short depth range of 14-12 cm accumulated during a period of noticeable decrease in temperature and increased influence of Arctic water masses. The analysis of dinocysts by the method of modern analogues allows reconstruction of the quantitative values of summer paleotemperatures of surface waters and the duration of ice cover. It was found that the cooling episodes and probable formation of seasonal sea ice were possible during the accumulation of sediments at the depths of 29-24, 14-12 and 3-1 cm.
This paper presents the results of diatom analysis of Holocene sediments from the northeastern part of Norwegian-Greenland Basin in comparison with palynomorph and foraminifera data. Main Holocene paleogeographic events of Norwegian-Greenland Basin were established by micropaleontological data.