Palaeoenvironments during MIS 3 and MIS 2 inferred from lacustrine intercalations in the loess–palaeosol sequence at Bobingen (southern Germany)

• Published in: E&G Quaternary Science Journal
• Main Authors: C. Mayr, R. Matzke-Karasz, P. Stojakowits, S. E. Lowick, B. Zolitschka, T. Heigl, R. Mollath, M. Theuerkauf, M.-O. Weckend, R. Bäumler, H.-J. Gregor
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: German; English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2017
• Subjects: Geology; QE1-996.5; Greenland; Tundra
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-66-73-2017; https://doaj.org/article/7d615bbae0e84e40923666bdfcfb4ca4

Recently exposed loess–palaeosol sequences in the northern Alpine foreland close to Bobingen (southern Germany) were investigated with a multi-proxy approach combining isotopic, geochemical, lithological, and micropalaeontological methods. Luminescence ages date the sections into the Middle and Upper Würmian periods corresponding to Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 2. A gleyic soil horizon at the base was dated to 45 ka and provided a palynoflora dominated by Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Pinus , as well as frequent aquatic taxa. Lacustrine conditions prevailed after the gley formation until 30 ka, providing a comparatively diverse lacustrine fauna dominated by aquatic gastropods and the ostracod species Candona candida . At the transition to the Upper Würm, climatic conditions became harsh, indicated by accelerated deposition of more coarse-grained loess, organic geochemical indicators, and scarceness of biotic remains. Two tundra-gley horizons in the Upper Würm point to short phases of climatic amelioration with higher humidity also evidenced by reoccurrence of ostracod and aquatic gastropod remains. We propose that these climatic ameliorations were coincident with the Greenland interstadials 4 and 2.