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Multiproxy evidence of Late Pleistocene environmental changes in the loess-paleosol sequence of Bůhzdař (Czech Republic)

Authors:
Kristýna Kolaříková at Charles University in Prague
Kristýna Kolaříková
Lucie Juřičková
Lucie Juřičková
Lucie Juřičková
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Luděk Šefrna
Luděk Šefrna
Luděk Šefrna
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Barbora Strouhalová - Vysloužilová at Charles University in Prague
Barbora Strouhalová - Vysloužilová
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Abstract

Loess-paleosol sequences preserve information that can be used to reconstruct paleoenvironement. A dense network of reliably analyzed sequences from different geographic locations is crucial for representation of ecological and climatic trends during the Pleistocene. The study focuses on loess-paleosol series in Bůhzdař.
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Multiproxy evidence of Late Pleistocene environmental changes in the
loess-paleosol sequence of Bůhzdař (Czech Republic)
Kristýna Flašarová1, Barbora Vysloužilová2, Lucie Juřičková3, Luděk Šefrna1
1 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
2 Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, v.v.i., Letenská 4, 118 01 Prague, Czech Republic
3 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Viničná 8, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
Loess-paleosol sequences preserve information that can be used to reconstruct paleoenvironement . A dense network of reliably analyzed
sequences from different geographic locations is crucial for representation of ecological and climatic trends during the Pleistocene (Frechen, 2011).
The aim of this study is to fill the gap in the geographical distribution of well described loess-paleosol sequences in Central Europe. Therefore, it
focuses on a loess-paleosol sequence in Bůhzdař, situated 9 km NW of Prague, Czech Republic (Fig. 1), which was never studied in detail.
Methods
This study uses a number of analyses such as X-
ray fluorescence (XRF), total organic carbon
(TOC), stable isotopes and others in progress in
order to get a multi-proxy record of local paleo-
environmental changes archived in a sequence
of alternating loess sediments and paleosols in
Bůhzdař.
Figure 1: Location of profile Bůhzdař (ZM ČR, 2016).
First results and perspectives
There are significant differences between the
loess and paleosols (Fig. 2). Generally, the
paleosols are richer in organic matter and the
proportion of silicates is also higher compared
to the loess. The proportions of alkaline
elements in paleosols are lower than in the
loess layers, probably because of higher rates
of leaching in the paleosols. However, loess
layers with a presence of large loess dolls are
an exception as they are extremely rich in
carbonates and extremely low in metal oxides.
The isotopic record based on the delta 13C
from organic matter shows differences
between the loess and paleosols.
Conclusion
As expected, the results of first analyses show notable differences between the geochemical characteristics of loess and paleosol layers. These geochemical analyses will be complemented by analyses of mineralogical
composition, grain size distribution and fossil malacofauna. Fossil malacofauna analysis is a crucial method for the determination of paleoenvironmental conditions in distribution areas of loess (Ložek, 2011). The
complemented multiproxy analysis will enable us to specify in more details the paleonenvironmental conditions and changes during the late Pleistocene.
References
Frechen, M. (2011). Loess in Europe. Quaternary Science Journal. vol. 60, p. 3 - 5
Ložek, V. (2011). Po stopách pravěkých dějů: O silách, které vytvářely naši krajinu, Praha, Dokořán. 181 p.
Figure 2: Stratigraphy and geochamical analyses of studied profile.
... The ongoing research on loess sequences over the last few decades has provided new geochronological methods based on modeling, combining several dating methods, and advancements in radiocarbon methods (Section 4), providing a reliable chronological framework essential to characterize the impact of orbital and millennial time scale climate change. The results of stratigraphic description, grain size analysis, geochemistry and malacological analysis highlighted the extreme sensitivity of loess-paleosol sequences to orbital and millennial climate variations Sun et al., 2006b;Antoine et al., 2009b;Markovi c et al., 2011a;Rousseau et al., 2017a;Flasarova et al., 2019;Obreht et al., 2019). ...
Dust Deposits: Loess
Chapter
  • Mar 2022
Loess are geological deposits of silt-size mineral dust that together with paleosols (buried soils) form some of the most important terrestrial records of Quaternary climatic change. In the simplest terms, loess units are formed during cold and arid periods when dust accumulation peaks, and are therefore identified as glacial/stadial units. Conversely, paleosols indicate interglacial/interstadial periods as they develop under milder climates when dust accumulation is significantly reduced, and landscape is stable. Within them a number of sedimentological, biological, and geochemical proxies are preserved that when supported by geochronological approaches, offer an opportunity to reconstruct past climates and environments. Extensive loess-paleosol sequences can be found in Europe, Asia, and North and South America, while smaller patches also cover parts of Africa and Oceania. Therefore loess has the potential to improve our understanding of Quaternary changes on local, regional, and continental scales.
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Po stopách pravěkých dějů: O silách, které vytvářely naši krajinu, Praha, Dokořán. 181 p. Figure 2: Stratigraphy and geochamical analyses of studied profile
  • Jan 2011
  • V Ložek
Ložek, V. (2011). Po stopách pravěkých dějů: O silách, které vytvářely naši krajinu, Praha, Dokořán. 181 p. Figure 2: Stratigraphy and geochamical analyses of studied profile.