Palynology of sapropelic layers from the Marmara Sea

Palynological records of the sediments from the deep basins of the Marmara Sea revealed four palynological zones indicating the changing climatic conditions during Late Glacial to Holocene. The lower two zones were defined by the high abundance of Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae that suggest the climate of the source area was cold and arid. However, the establishment of Mediterranean warm and wet climate and corresponding regression of continental aridity were shown by the decreasing Chenopodiaceae and increasing pollen grains of humid-type vegetation in Zone C. The highest total pollen with the dominance of Quercus identifies the deglaciation and coincides with the formation of sapropelic layers in the Marmara Sea. The warmer and humid condition of deglaciation was indicated with diversified moisture-demanding deciduous and coniferous pollen grains in Zone B. These pollen assemblages and their distribution pattern indicate that the source area was warm and wet, during the deposition of sapropelic layers in the Marmara Sea, and also reflect signals of Black Sea origin.