Pollen analysis of a peaty mud sample from the Dunajec River alluvial fan (Sandomierz Basin, Poland) in the context of its morphological position, radiocarbon dating, and comparison with neighbouring sites

Abstract

The paper presents the results of pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of a peaty mud sample from a gravel-sand outlier of the Vistulian alluvial fan of the Dunajec River. The study showed the occurrence of open birch-pine forests with sporadic larch and stone pine at the time of mud deposition. The vegetation, of park tundra type, was characterised by the development of shrubby and sedge-grass communities. The radiocarbon dating of 39 100 ± 3000 BP indicates that deposition occurred in the Middle Plenivistulian (Hengelo interstadial or older, colder climatic stadial). A comparison of the palynological analysis and radiocarbon dating with data from other sites suggests that both the alluvia of the north-western part of the Dunajec River fan and the alluvia of its southern part were formed during the Middle Plenivistulian.

Keywords

• pollen analysis
• Dunajec alluvial fan
• park tundra
• Middle Pleniglacial
• Sandomierz Basin