Present achievments in a palynological study of the Quaternary period in the USSR

Abstract

Enormous palynological data are accumulated over the continental and marine deposits from the various regions of the USSR. Palynological data are usually applied together with the geological ones. At a time diatoms and large plant remains are analysed. The absolute age determination by C 14 are in common use. The general pattern of distribution and dynamic of vegetation and natural zones in the Pleistocene and Holocene are traced in large scale regions and in all the country. Palynological data serve usually as a main criteria for the differentiation and subdivision of interglacials and interstadials with reference to their relative chronological estimates. Palynological method is used also for the identification of the Pliocene-Pleistocene and Pleistocene-Holocene boundaries, for the sub-division of deposits into horizons and zones on the base of vegetational changes, for the determination of past climates, for the typization of interglacial, interstadial and holocene diagrams with reference to their geographical position, time correlation, of marine transgressions etc. There are found some sections representing palynologically continuous vegetational development from the last interglacial to the present. The data from arid zone are very interesting to study pluvial and interpluvial periods. Palynological data show the extremely complicated development of the Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation, the significant mobility and transformation of natural zones. Only due to the use of palynological method it became possible to study climatic conditions, vegetational development and stratigraphical position of the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits.