Pollen as a potential indicator of the origin of massive ice in northwest Siberia

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Vasil'chuk, Alla C., Vasil'chuk, Yurij K.
• Other Authors: Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Harbin Medical University: Sino Russian Special Fund
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2020
• Subjects: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes; Tundra; Siberia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2095; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ppp.2095; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ppp.2095

Abstract Pollen and spores collected from massive ice bodies in northwest Siberia were studied with the aim to provide a cryogenic indication of their origin. We discuss perennial massive ice, which may occur as lenses, layers, or irregular masses in the frozen ground and may be buried or intrasedimental. Pollen assemblages in massive ice deposits of Holocene age indicated a nonglacial origin of the ice. Pollen assemblages from glacial snow cover and snow patches on tundra were analyzed to reveal signs of buried ice. This approach allowed us to assess the nature of several massive ice bodies as intrasedimental and buried, and demonstrated how pollen may be used as an indicator for the origin of massive ice in northwest Siberia.