Modern Diatom Assemblages in Surface Sediments from Estuarine Systemsin the Southeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Paleoecological reconstructions of Holocene sea-level changes in Argentinean coastal regions were based mainly on ecological data gathered from other regions, as there was a lack of information on modern estuarine diatom distributions. The aim of the present work was to assess the spatial variation of diatom assemblages in two representative estuaries of Argentina in order to gather ecological information for paleoecological reconstructions in the region. The two selected estuaries have different geomorphologic features and salinity regimes: Mar Chiquita Lagoon is shallow, which prevents the development of a stable salinity gradient as it occurs in the Quequén Grande River. Surface sediment samples were taken from selected stations representative of the environmental gradient from the inlet to the inner reaches of both estuaries. Cluster analysis defined three diatom zones at Mar Chiquita: marine/brackish assemblages dominate the inlet (zone I), where salinity, tidal range and current speed are higher. The brackish/freshwater tychoplankton Staurosira construens var. venter and Staurosirella pinnata dominate the inner lagoon (zone II), where environmental conditions are very variable and concentrations of suspended sediments are higher. Brackish/freshwater euryhaline diatoms dominate the headwaters (zone III). On the other hand, the Quequén Grande River was divided into three diatom zones: coastal taxa are distributed at the inlet (zone I), while the middle estuary (zone II) is dominated by brackish/freshwater euryhaline taxa. At the upper estuary region (zone III), freshwater diatoms dominate, and the halophobous Nitzschia denticula increased in abundance values. Diatom distributions were most closely related to the salinity gradient at Quequén Grande River than at Mar Chiquita Lagoon. Fossil data of a sequence from Mar Chiquita Lagoon (Las Gallinas Creek) were compared to the modern data set in order to search for analogies between fossil and modern diatom assemblages. DCA results showed that fossil diatom assemblages have modern counterparts. Most diatom assemblages of Las Gallinas Creek fall within Mar Chiquita zone III, representing a shallow brackish/freshwater environment, with low salinity fluctuations (~1–9‰) and no tidal influence. Therefore, our modern diatom data provide useful analogs to interpret paleoenvironments in the region.     

Relationships between Trophic State, Paleosalinity and Climatic Changes during the First Holocene Marine Transgression in Rocha Lagoon, Southern Uruguay

Paleolimnological data are presented on trophic development, climatic change and sea level variations in Rocha Lagoon, a 72 km² coastal lagoon in southern Uruguay. Using a sediment core that extended from 7000 to about 3700 yr BP, analyses of organic matter, carbonate, diatoms and chrysophyte cysts were used to track the early Holocene paleolimnological conditions of Rocha Lagoon. Opal phytoliths were also counted and identified, both temperature and humidity indices were calculated, and Opal Phytolith Association Zones (OPAZ) were identified by performing Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCO). Diatom Association Zones (DAZ) corresponding to marine/brackish and brackish/freshwater episodes were closely related to changes in trophic state. Those DAZ representing marine/brackish stages exhibited a lower trophic state than those DAZ dominated by brackish and freshwater diatoms. This highlights that during the first Holocene marine transgression, Rocha Lagoon did not continuously exhibit marine/brackish conditions as reported in previous papers. Instead, three brackish/freshwater episodes related to sea level variation and changes in humidity were identified. The first episode, by ~6000 yr BP, was related to sea level change as no significant changes in either temperature or humidity indices were observed. The second episode, between 5000 and 4400 yr BP, was related to both a sea level decrease and an increase in humidity, as a transition from humid to very humid climate was inferred. Concomitant decreases in salinity and increases in trophic state were also observed. The third episode, after ~4000 yr BP, was related to the end of the first Holocene regressive phase when sea level was slightly below present levels. Further decreases in salinity and increases in trophic state were detected. The paleoclimatic trends inferred in this study were in close agreement with other regional studies on climatic change, as cool temperatures were inferred. However, major changes in humidity were also detected. A humid to very humid climate was inferred for ~7000–4500 yr BP, but the occurrence of a semiarid/arid climate was inferred for ~4500–3700 yr BP. Our data suggest that during transgressive and regressive events there might be higher frequency and lower amplitude sea level oscillations that might lead to changes in salinity and trophic state of coastal aquatic systems. Such oscillations could only be tracked by high resolution analyses of sedimentary records and could be best interpreted with complementary data on paleoclimate. In addition, microfossils such as diatoms and opal phytoliths were shown to be very sensitive to such paleoenvironmental changes.     

Holocene trophic state changes in relation to sea level variation in Lake Blanca, SE Uruguay

Paleolimnological data are presented relating trophic development to sea level variation in Lake Blanca, a small (0.6 km²), coastal fresh waterbody in southern Uruguay. Using a sediment core that extended to 7300 years BP, analyses of grain size, thin sections, organic matter, carbonate, total carbon, nutrients, diatoms and palynomorphs, allowed us to infer changes in trophic state and paleosalinities, which were closely related to Holocene sea level variation. Higher trophic states were observed during regressive events, most probably due to increases in runoff and erosion as regression progressed. Four diatom association zones (DAZ) were identified in the sediment core. The basal core section pre-dated the first Holocene marine transgression, contained no diatoms, chrysophyte cysts or non-siliceous microalgae, and showed C/N ratios values higher than 20. Thus, it is likely that the system exhibited terrestrial characteristics. In the second section (6500–2200 years BP, following the first Holocene transgression), there was dominance of marine/brackish diatom species. The lowest trophic states of the core were observed in this section. The third section (2200–1100 years BP), represented the system as it became separate from the Atlantic Ocean, and showed a dominance of brackish/freshwater species and increases in trophic state were observed. In the last section (after 1100 years BP), the system became fully freshwater as no marine or brackish diatom species were found, but a trend to oligotrophication was observed, probably due to nutrient depletion. However, after 1967 AD, eutrophication intensified because of forestry and soil fertilization in the catchment. Pollen association zones (PAZ) allowed us to identify four sections. Below 250 cm (2200 years BP), the core contained no pollen grains as redox potential and pH values were not conducive for pollen preservation. After 2200 years BP (when the system started to separate from the ocean), xerophilic taxa typical of coastal dunes colonized the catchment. Only after 1100 years BP (after fully freshwater conditions established) pollen grains of trees were observed.     

香港岛水域全新统重矿物与硅藻记录及其古环境意义

通过对香港岛水域V10柱样中化石硅藻与重矿物的鉴定分析,结合14C年代数据,探讨了该区全新世环境的演变过程及硅藻组合和重矿物组成对海洋环境变化的响应。结果显示：全新世该水域硅藻始终以沿岸半咸水种占据绝对优势,其次为咸水种,基本不见淡水种;重矿物中自生黄铁矿和菱铁矿占有相当大的比例,共同反映该区自全新世以来为近岸低盐的海洋环境,沉积界面以强还原条件为主。受全球及区域气候变化影响,该区全新世气候与环境变化呈现出阶段性和复杂性：其中,约11 650―10 650 cal. a BP,气候由冰期的寒冷转向温凉,海平面上升;10 650―7 200 cal. a BP,气候温暖但可能较为干燥,海平面的变化仍主要受海侵的影响;7 200―6 000 cal. a BP,气候温暖湿润,夏季风降水大幅增加,海平面继续上升,到6 900 cal. a BP达到最高海平面;6 000 cal. a BP之后,夏季风减弱,海平面回落,气候可能又变为温干。     

Environmental change in Northern Egyptian Delta lakes during the late Holocene,based on diatom analysis

Quantitative and qualitative diatom analyses from the north Nile Delta lakes sediments of Egypt were used to evaluate the paleoenvironmental development of the lakes and climatic changes during the late Holocene. We analyzed 565 samples taken from 19 cores from Manzala, Burullus and Edku lakes. A total of 263 diatom species and varieties were identified. Multivariate statistical analyses distinguished 17 ecological groups that reflect changes in water salinity, lake-level and trophic state of the lakes, which in turn are mainly related to climatic changes and anthropogenic impacts. Manzala and Burullus lakes experienced a series of alternation between fresh, brackish and marine episodes, which were associated with wet and dry climates. Edku Lake cores, however, contained only three ecological groups that are characteristic of brackish water conditions. The general depositional regime in the lakes indicated five environmental phases: (a) a deep freshwater phase when the Nile flood water reach the lakes during humid warm climate; (b) a shallow freshwater phase with some macrophytes during a dry climate; (c) a shallow brackish water phase when Nile floodwater ceased during a dry climate and the lakes shifted to brackish conditions; (d) a mixed environmental phase when the seawater mixed with freshwater from drains and canals (water salinity fluctuated widely from freshwater to estuarine and full marine conditions); (e) a fully marine phase when seawater entered the lakes at all stages of the tide.     

Upper Pleistocene and Holocene paleosalinity and trophic state changes in relation to sea level variation in Rocha Lagoon, southern Uruguay

Paleolimnological data are presented on trophic development in relation to sea level variation in Rocha Lagoon, a 72 km² coastal lagoon in southern Uruguay. Using sediment cores that extended to ∼20,000 yr BP, analyses of grain size, organic matter, carbonate, total carbon, nutrients, and diatoms allowed us to infer changes in trophic state and paleosalinities, which were closely related to Holocene relative sea level variation. Higher trophic states were observed during regressive events, most probably due to increases in runoff and erosion as regressions progressed. Diatom Association Zones (DAZ) were identified in both cores. Those DAZ corresponding to transgressive events were dominated by marine/brackish taxa and relatively low organic matter and nutrient values, while those DAZ corresponding to regressive events showed increases in brackish/freshwater diatoms and both organic matter and nutrients. Although the lagoon formed after the first Holocene marine transgression, our data indicate the existence of a marine/brackish aquatic system during upper Pleistocene (i.e., before 15,000 yr BP), but by ∼20,000 yr BP, the system was still likely to be a semi-arid terrestrial system.     

Holocene environmental changes of the Hwajinpo Lagoon on the eastern coast of Korea

Lithologic and geochemical data of a core from the Hwajinpo Lagoon, located on the eastern coast of Korea, provided the evolutionary history of the lagoon related to Holocene sea-level changes of the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Grain size analysis, water content analysis, and soft X-ray analysis of core samples were used to reconstruct sedimentary environments, as were total organic carbon, C/N, S and C/S chemical records. Assemblages of mollusc and diatom remains also provided paleoenvironmental information. The reconstruction of paleoenvironments from these multi-proxy data allows the establishment of an evolutionary model of the Hwajinpo Lagoon. The environmental changes of the Hwajinpo Lagoon can be divided into seven different depositional facies: (l) Exposed basement rock; (2) Estuarine; (3) Stagnant brackish lagoon (isolated); (4) Oxic condition lagoon (organic activity); (5) Fresh water lake; (6) Oxic brackish lagoon (recent condition); (7) Prograding river delta. These environmental changes can be related to sea-level change during the Holocene. The trends of sea-level change in the Hwajinpo Lagoon from this study can be compared to those of the Japanese coastal areas located on the other side of the East Sea such as Lakes Shinji and Nakaumi.     

Diatom paleoecology of the Mar Chiquita lagoon delta,Argentina

A 68 cm thick outcrop of diatomaceous sediments at the head of Mar Chiquita Lagoon on the Argentine coast near Buenos Aires provides evidence of Holocene paleoenvironmental changes related to sea level changes and freshwater input to the lagoon system. Salinity tolerances of extant diatom taxa were used for the reconstruction and multivariate analytical techniques were applied to reduce subjective interpretations of the diatom percentage data.The basal half of the record was deposited before 3000 years ago and fossil diatoms indicate generally freshwater conditions with one fluctuation in mesohalobous diatoms suggesting brackish water conditions at a depth of about 60 cm. Polyhalobous (marine) diatoms characterize the record after 3000 years ago and large numbers of epiphytic diatoms indicate salt marsh environments with episodic seawater fluctuations to supratidal levels. Freshwater diatoms returned at the top of the outcrop, presumably as a result of the restriction of the historic marine inlet to the lagoon and the effects of freshwater inflow to the basin.This is the second in a series of papers published in this issue on Paleolimnology in Southern South America. Dr. C. A. Fernández served as guest editor for these papers.     

Relationships between Holocene sea-level variations,trophic development,and climatic change in Negra Lagoon,Southern Uruguay

Paleolimnological data are presented on trophic development, climatic change and sea level variations in Negra Lagoon, a 142 km² coastal lagoon in southern Uruguay. Using a sediment core that extended to the early Holocene, analyses of organic matter, carbonate, diatoms and opal phytoliths allowed us to track changes in trophic state and paleosalinity levels, which were closely related to Holocene sea level variation, temperature and humidity. Diatom Association Zones (DAZ) corresponding to transgressive events were dominated by marine/brackish taxa and relatively low organic matter values, while those DAZ corresponding to regressive events showed increases in brackish/freshwater diatoms and organic matter. Opal Phytoliths Association Zones (OPAZ) also were identified, temperature and humidity indices were calculated, and climatic trends were inferred. During the middle Holocene (i.e., ~5000–4000 yr BP), cool–dry climatic conditions were established. After ~4000 yr BP, a transition from cool to warm–humid conditions was observed, but fully warm humid conditions established only after ~1700 yr BP. Such climatic amelioration led to increases in trophic state.     

Benthic diatoms in a Mediterranean delta: ecological indicators and a conductivity transfer function for paleoenvironmental studies

The contemporary distribution of benthic diatoms and their use as ecological indicators were examined in a coastal wetland, the Ebro Delta, as a representative of environmental conditions in Mediterranean coastal wetlands. A total of 424 diatom taxa were identified across 24 sites encompassing a wide range of wetland habitat types (coastal lagoons, salt and brackish marshes, shallow bays, microbial mats and nearshore marine waters) and conductivities. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that water conductivity and water depth were the main factors structuring the diatom assemblages. Cluster analysis identified five habitat types according to the similarity in diatom species composition: salt marshes, brackish marshes, brackish coastal lagoons and bays, coastal lagoons with fresher conditions, and nearshore open sea. For each wetland habitat, diatom indicator species were identified. Partial canonical correspondence analysis showed that water conductivity, a proxy for salinity, was the most statistically significant and independent variable for explaining the distribution of benthic diatoms in the study area. A transfer function, using a weighted average regression model, was developed for conductivity and displayed reasonable performance (r ² = 0.64; RMSEP = 0.302 log₁₀ mS/cm). Our study in the Ebro Delta provides a basis for using diatom assemblages to make quantitative conductivity inferences, and for using diatom indicator species to identify wetland habitats. These approaches are complementary and may be valuable for paleoenvironmental studies of (1) effects of large-scale, natural changes in the Delta (e.g. sea-level fluctuations), and (2) impacts of short-term anthropogenic changes, such as the introduction and development of rice agriculture.     

Natural and anthropogenic aquatic environmental changes reconstructed by paleolimnological analyses in Lake Kitaura,central Japan

In order to assess the recent anthropogenic environmental changes in Lake Kitaura, central Japan, changes during the past few centuries were reconstructed from results of radiometric and tephrochlonological age determination, magnetic susceptibility measurements, total organic carbon analyses, total nitrogen analyses and fossil diatom analyses on a sediment core from the lake. A total of six major and sub-zones are recognized according to the diatom fossil assemblages, and we discuss aquatic environmental change in Lake Kitaura mainly based on these diatom assemblage change. Zone Ia and Zone Ib (older than AD 1707) are marine to brackish. In Zone IIa (AD␣1707–AD 1836), most of the brackish diatoms disappeared, and were replaced by freshwater species indicating a decrease in salinity. We interpret the salinity decrease in Zone I–IIa as a sea-level fall during the Little Ice Age. The salinity of the lake decreased to near freshwater conditions in Zone IIb (AD 1836–AD 1970), which could arise from alteration in River Tone or development of a sandspit in the mouth of River Tone in addition to sea-level change. In Zone IIIa (AD 1970–AD 1987), the diatom assemblage indicates a freshwater environment, and sedimentation rates increase rapidly. These changes reflect sedimentary environment change and an ecosystem transition due to the construction of the tide gate. In Zone IIIb (AD 1987–AD 2002), the diatom flux (valves cm⁻² y⁻¹) increased and species composition changed. The changes in Zone IIIb show a good agreement with limnological monitoring data gathered from the lake. These paleolimnological data suggest that the recent human-induced changes of the aquatic environment of the lake after the 1970s exceed rates during the period concerned in this study.     

The Holocene development of Kushu Lake on Rebun Island in Hokkaido, Japan

Diatom assemblages and sulfur content in sediments were analyzed to clarify changes in the sedimentary environment of Kushu Lake, a coastal lake on Rebun Island in Hokkaido, Japan. Salinity variations were assessed by means of a diatom-based index of paleosalinity and the sedimentary sulfur content. This paper discusses the Holocene development of the lake, in relation to Holocene relative sea-level change. For paleoenvironmental interpretation of the lake development, the rationale of the threshold method (Anundsen et al., 1994) was applied.At ca. 8000 yr BP, a coastal embayment (paleo-Kushu Bay) resulted from marine ingression. The threshold elevation at the mouth of the paleo-Kushu Bay kept pace with the rising sea-level, resulting in its enclosure at the culmination of Holocene marine transgression (ca. 6500–5000 yr BP). From predicted relative sea-level at ca. 6000 yr BP for Rebun Island (Nakada et al., 1991), the threshold may have been at least above –3 to –5 m altitude. A freshwater lake environment with strongly anoxic bottom conditions may have occurred from ca. 5500 to 5100 yr BP. After an important episode of marine ingression, the lake was isolated completely from the open sea at ca. 4900 yr BP. The diatom record suggests that the maximum lacustrine extent occurred at ca. 4900–3100 yr BP. Thereafter, water depth decreased at the lake margins.In Kushu Lake, the threshold elevation, due to a build-up of a coastal barrier, prevents us from determining the amplitude of sea-level changes, even though the age of isolation contacts corresponds to periods of regression and climatic deterioration. In spite of isostatic subsidence, the effective protection provided by the well-developed barrier did not allow registration of any relative sea-level fluctuations since its isolation.     

An analysis of phytolith assemblages for the quantitativereconstruction of late Quaternary environments of the Lower Taieri Plain,Otago, South Island, New Zealand II. Paleoenvironmentalreconstruction

Fossil phytolith assemblages from a 154.5 m longdrillcore from the Lower Taieri Plain, Otago, New Zealand are presented. Transferfunctions, based on modern phytolith assemblages from sites within the sameregion, were applied to the fossil phytolith data set, and validated usingModern Analogue Technique (MAT) assemblage matching. Analogues for much of theHolocene and some of the Last Interglacial (provisionally Oxygen Isotope Stage5c) were obtained. Late Glacial/Holocene precipitation and pH estimates areconsistent with other paleoclimate records from the Otago region. Thephytolith-based precipitation and pH estimates may act as a combined proxy forsoil weathering. The precipitation estimates may also act as a useful index ofEffective Precipitation (EP). Temperature estimates derived have limited usefor paleoclimate interpretation. Estimates produced for the mid-Holoceneindicate a wetter environment than the present (50–100 mmgreater EP) with increased soil weathering (high precipitation/low pH). Soilconductivity estimates were below estuarine levels during a diatom inferredmarine transgression. This lack of phytolith response to conductivity changesis put down to a probable delayed development of suitable habitats forsaltmarsh plant species during the rapid transgression. The Last Interglacialestimates indicate conditions somewhat drier (200 mm less EP) thanthe Holocene. Consistently low log conductivity (below 0.7 µScm) estimates from the Last Interglacial contrast with the estuarineenvironments of the Holocene, indicating freshwater conditions in the Plainduring at least part of the Last Interglaciation.     

Late Holocene paleoenvironmental change in a Great Lakes coastal wetland: integrating pollen and diatom datasets

Multiple proxy indicators are regularly used to present robust arguments for paleoenvironmental change. We use fossil pollen and diatoms from a 495-cm core taken from Cootes Paradise, a coastal wetland in the western end of Lake Ontario, to investigate ecological changes in the late Holocene. We use consensus analysis to demonstrate that pollen diagrams are best zoned after the data have been split into source area, in this case upland and wetland taxa, because each group responds differently to environmental change. We also use consensus analysis to demonstrate the sensitivity of clustering to the distance measure used. The record begins at 2400 ¹⁴C years BP, when the wetland was dominated by shallow water emergents and epiphytic diatoms. At 2100 ¹⁴C years BP, a decline in the epiphytic diatoms Epithemia spp., a rise in Poaceae (cf. Zizania aquatica) pollen and a coincident increase in pollen concentration suggest a water level rise at this time. At about 800 ¹⁴C years BP, the diatom record shows a pulse in small benthic Fragilaria species; shortly after, a shift occurs in the upland tree pollen spectra involving an increase in Pinus and a decline in Fagus. This shift in upland forest trees has been associated elsewhere with the Little Ice Age and the diatom data present some evidence for impacts of this climatic event on aquatic systems. The diatom and pollen records both indicate large changes associated with the effects of European settlement, including rises in Ambrosia as well as Typha angustifolia pollen. Planktonic diatoms dominate post-settlement assemblages indicating large-scale hydrological and ecological changes, probably associated with the introduction of carp and alterations to the Iroquois bar which separates the wetland from Lake Ontario. Our work at Cootes Paradise is important for multi-proxy coastal wetland studies in general, in addition to the late Holocene environmental history and prehistory of the Great Lakes region.     

Diatom responses to late Quaternary vegetation and climate change,and to deposition of two tephras in an alpine and a sub-alpine lake in Yoho National Park,British Columbia

The late Quaternary diatom records from alpine Opabin Lake (altitude 2285 m a.s.l.) and sub-alpine Mary Lake (altitude 2054 m a.s.l.), located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia (lat. 51 ° 21N; long. 116 ° 20), have been analyzed, and changes in these records have been used to reconstruct lake histories. The results have also been related to independently inferred vegetation and climate changes. Following deglaciation, when both lakes were receiving high inputs of clastic materials, benthic diatom taxa dominate the records of these two shallow lakes with small species ofFragilaria being particularly prominent. During the early to mid-Holocene period, when treeline was at a higher elevation than today, the diatom flora of both lakes became more diverse with previously minor species becoming more prominent.Cyclotella radiosa occurs in cores from both Mary Lake, and much deeper, neighbouring Lake O'Hara during the warm early Holocene, and may reflect this warmer climate, a longer ice-free season than presently, and perhaps less turbid water, or its presence may reflect a subtly higher nutrient status of the lake water during this period. The Neoglacial is marked by increased amounts of sediments originating from glacial sources in Opabin Lake, which undoubtedly led to very turbid water, and by the presence ofEllerbeckia arenaria f.teres andCampylodiscus noricus v.hibernica in Opabin Lake; however, these species are absent from Mary Lake which has not been influenced by either glacial activity since the recession of the glaciers prior toc. 10 000 years BP or water originating from Opabin Lake. The impact of the two tephras during the Holocene was dramatic in terms of increased diatom production, as exemplified by the increases in diatom numbers, but there was little effect upon species composition. The diatom records and changes in the diatom:cyst ratio suggest that the chemical status of these two small, shallow lakes has changed little during the Holocene, other than after deposition of the two tephras. These results provide evidence that shallow alpine and high sub-alpine lakes are sensitive recorders of past environmental changes.     

Past environmental change and seawater intrusion into coastal Lake Lilaste,Latvia

Diatoms, organic matter and magnetic susceptibility in a 10-m-long sediment sequence from coastal Lake Lilaste, Latvia, were analysed to evaluate Holocene environmental changes related to past sea-water intrusions. Lake Lilaste is located ~1 km from the present sea coast in an area with a low uplift rate and a threshold altitude of 0.5 m a.s.l. It was thus considered to be an appropriate site to study the influence of past sea level fluctuations on the lake and its sediments. Variations in diatom community composition, along with sediment lithostratigraphy, show that a shallow, nutrient-rich freshwater lake existed there during the early Holocene. The first brackish-water diatoms appeared concurrent with a sea level rise ca. 8700 ± 50 cal a BP, but long-term, intermittent inputs of brackish water were observed between 6700 ± 40 and 4200 ± 80 cal a BP. During those time spans, diatoms indicate increased nutrient concentrations and high conductivity, a consequence of occasional mixing of brackish and freshwater that promoted biological productivity. Lilaste was isolated from the sea at 4200 ± 80 cal a BP, after which a stable freshwater environment, dominated by planktonic diatoms such as Aulacoseira ambigua, A. granulata, A. islandica and A. subarctica, was established. At 400 ± 50 cal a BP, planktonic diatoms were gradually replaced by Fragilaria spp., indicating the beginning of anthropogenic impact. The reconstructed relative water-level curve from the lake coincides with the eustatic sea level curve from 6800 ± 40 cal a BP onwards. There was a distinct increase in abundance of brackish-water diatoms when the sea level reached the threshold of Lilaste, which at that time was probably about 3 m lower than the present sea level. According to radiocarbon-dated shifts in the diatom community composition, the Litorina Sea transgression was a long-lasting event (ca. 2200 years) in the southern part of the Gulf of Riga, where the land uplift rate was near zero. It culminated more than 1000 years later than at other sites with higher uplift, in the northern part of the Baltic Sea.     

Midge- and diatom-based palaeosalinity reconstructions for Mahoney Lake, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Salinity fluctuations in lakes of semi-arid regions have long been recognised as indicators of palaeoclimatic change, and have provided a valuable line of evidence in palaeo-climatic reconstruction. In the present study, fossil remains of diatoms and midges were used to reconstruct salinity changes at Mahoney Lake from the early postglacial, through the early, mid and late Holocene. A transition from midges typical of a freshwater community (Protanypus, Sergentia, Heterotrissocladius, Cladopelma, Dicrotendipes) during the early postglacial, to those indicative of saline environments (Cricotopus/Orthocladius, Tanypus) occurred in the early Holocene. The midge-inferred salinity values reflected the shift from freshwater (0.031 g/L) immediately after deglaciation, to saline water (2.4 to 55.2 g/L) in subsequent periods. A less saline period was found to have occurred after 1000 yr BP, suggesting a cooler or wetter period. The diatom record indicates similar trends, with freshwater taxa (e.g.,Cyclotella bodanica var. aff.lemanica) dominating near the bottom of the core. Diatom-inferred salinities indicate that saline conditions (about 30 g/L) prevailed throughout subsequent Holocene time, although relatively fresh conditions are indicated following deposition of the Mazama Ash, and from about 1500 yr BP until the present day. Midge and diatom-inferred salinity reconstructions for Mahoney Lake compare favorably with each other, and with climate trends inferred from earlier palynological evidence. The palaeosalinity record thus contributes new data relevant to past climatic conditions, in a region where little data have previously been collected.     

Post-Wisconsinian paleoenvironments at Salinas del Bebedero basin, San Luis, Argentina

We present a climatic reconstruction of Holocene lacustrine episodes in the Salinas del Bebedero basin (Argentina), based on geological and diatom information.Morphological, sedimentological and diatom evidence between 11600 ± 140 yr BP and 325 ± 95 yr BP, allowed us to interpret the paleoenvironments of the basin. Episodes of high energy (sandy levels) are linked to large inflow of meltwater through the Desaguadero River, related to development of glaciers on the Andes. This inflow is characterized by peaks of relative abundance of the brackish water diatom Cyclotella choctawatcheeana Prasad. The values of C. choctawatcheeana decrease in deposits of low energy (clay levels), where it co-dominates with oligohalobous Fragilaria and Epithemia spp.To the last two peaks of large inflow of meltwater, radiocarbon dates corrected to sidereal ages, are AD 1280/1420 and AD 1443/1656. These ages agree with two cold episodes clearly recorded in dendrological studies from the Patagonian Andes and were correlated to the Little Ice Age. Thus, older Holocene episodes of large inflow of water to the basin were correlated with the Neoglacial Advances defined by Mercer (1976) for the Andes.     

Statistical analysis of modern seed assemblages from the San Francisco Bay: applications for the reconstruction of paleo-salinity and paleo-tidal inundation

The feasibility of developing a seed calibration data set to infer environmental constraints was examined by studying modern seed and vegetation assemblages from 53 stations at three distinct tidal marshes within the San Francisco Bay (salt, brackish and freshwater). Pearson's correlation indicates autochthonous derivation of seeds at the marsh sites. Multivariate statistical analysis of the vegetation and seed data indicates discrete assemblages, which can be used as a proxy for modern salinity and tidal inundation within the estuary. Canonical discriminant analysis indicates that the vegetation and seed assemblages of the three marsh types are statistically distinct. Cluster analysis suggests that marsh vegetation is zoned at the mean higher high water mark at all the sites. The calibration set was then applied to stratigraphic seed data from the estuary to infer changes in paleo-salinity and -tidal inundation during the Holocene. The results of the calibration are compared to earlier reconstructions within the estuary. While the calibrated reconstruction broadly compares to previous reconstructions, a period of inferred lower salinity within the estuary between 3800–2000 cal yr B.P. is calibrated as brackish and not fresh by the calibration model.     

Functional attributes of epilithic diatoms for palaeoenvironmental interpretations in South-West Greenland lakes

Benthic diatoms are commonly used for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in Arctic regions, but interpretation of their ecology remains challenging. We studied epilithic diatom assemblages from the shallow margins of 19 lakes from three areas (coast-inland-ice sheet margin) along a climate gradient in Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland during two periods; shortly after ice-off (spring) and in the middle of the growth season (summer). We aimed to understand the distribution of Arctic epilithic diatoms in relation to water chemistry gradients during the two seasons, to investigate their incorporation into lake sediments and to assess their applicability as palaeoenvironmental indicators. Diatoms were correlated with nutrients in the spring and alkalinity/major ions in the summer, when nutrients were depleted; approximately half of the variance explained was independent of spatial factors. When categorised by functional attributes, diatom seasonal succession differed among regions with the most obvious changes in inland lakes where summer temperatures are warmer, organic nutrient processing is prevalent and silicate is limiting. These conditions led to small, motile and adnate diatoms being abundant in inland lakes during the summer (Nitzschia spp., Encyonopsis microcephala), as these functional attributes are suited to living within complex mats of non-siliceous microbial biofilms. Seasonal succession in silica-rich lakes at the coast was less pronounced and assemblages included Tabellaria flocculosa (indicating more acidic conditions) and Hannaea arcus (indicating input from inflowing rivers). The nitrogen-fixing diatom Epithemia sorex increased from the coast to the ice sheet, negatively correlating with a gradient of reactive nitrogen. The presence of this diatom in Holocene sediment records alongside cyanobacterial carotenoids during arid periods of low nitrogen delivery, suggests that it is a useful indicator of nitrogen limitation. Nitzschia species appear to be associated with high concentrations of organic carbon and heterotrophy, but their poor representation in West Greenland lake sediments due to taphonomic processes limits their palaeoenvironmental application in this region. Proportions of epilithic taxa in lake sediment records of coastal lakes increased during some wetter periods of the Holocene, suggesting that snowpack-derived nutrient delivery may offer diatom taxa living at lake margins a competitive advantage over planktonic diatoms during the “moating” ice melt period. Thus, further research investigating linkages between epilithic diatoms, snowpack and nutrient delivery in seasonally frozen lakes is recommended as these taxa live on the ‘front-line’ during the spring and may be especially sensitive to changes in snowmelt conditions.