The history of the Yoldia Sea in Northern Estonia: palaeoenvironmental conditions and climatic oscillations

Authors

  • Atko Heinsalu Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
  • Siim Veski Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia

Keywords:

Estonia, Yoldia Sea, palaeoenvironment, diatoms, pollen analysis

Abstract

Late glacial and Early Holocene sediment sequences from Northern Estonia were investigated using diatom and pollen analysis and the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C dating. The results of diatom analysis indicate that freshwater conditions prevailed during the initial and final phases of the Yoldia Sea in the investigated area. A near-bottom saline water current that penetrated into the Baltic Sea Basin during the brackish phase of the Yoldia Sea spread into the Gulf of Finland at ca. 11 300-11 200 calendar years BP. Coastal upwelling probably caused mixing of the water column and the circulation of brackish water up to the surface in certain near-shore areas in the Gulf of Finland. A slight change in the pollen composition may suggest deterioration in the climate and can be correlated to the Preboreal Oscillation. AMS 14 C dates on aquatic plant macrofossils suggest a reservoir effect more than 1000 year for the brackish phase of the Yoldia Sea.

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Published

2010-03-27

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 3 (2007)

Section

Articles

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