A multidisciplinary study on the palaeoenvironmental history of the Resko Przymorskie Lake spit during the Late Glacial and Holocene (the southern Baltic coast, NW Poland).

Abstract

The paper presents the results of sedimentological and biostratigraphical analyses from the Resko Przymorskie Lake spit (NW Poland), supported by radiocarbon datings. The study has aimed to recognize the geological structure of the spit and its base and to recognize the palaeoenivronmental changes. Nine sedimentary series composing the Resko Przymorskie Lake spit have been distinguished (I–IX). The oldest sediments are the Vistulian Glaciation till (series I) and fluvioglacial sand and gravel (series II). In the Early Holocene, in the study area there was a river valley (series III) followed by a shallow water basin (series IV), which was replaced by a peat bog (series V). In the Atlantic (7.4 ka cal BP), the water level rose (Littorina transgression) and accumulation of lagoonal sediments started (series VI). Biostratigraphic analysis of deposits in series VI indicates a marine influence. In the Atlantic and Subboreal, the spit moved southwards and fine sand (series VII) was deposited on lagoonal gyttja and silt (series VI). In the western part of the study area, peat accumulated (series VIII), dated at 6.7 ka cal BP (Late Atlantic). The youngest series IX is composed of aeolian fine sand in white dunes that formed in the last 400 years.