Diatoms of Holocene Sediments of Lake Bolshoy Kharbei (Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, Russia)

Abstract

Arctic lakes, which are not affected by direct human impact, are excellent objects for paleoclimatic reconstructions. Diatoms can be a source of information about the changes that occurred in lakes. The recent Holocene sediments from deep glacial arctic Lake Bolshoy Kharbei of Bolshezemelskaya tundra were studied for diatoms. In total, 122 taxa of 2 classes, 5 orders, 18 families, 45 genus of cosmopolitan forms with a predominance of alkaliphilic benthic species of diatoms preferring a standing – flowing waters, indifferent to salinity and moderate temperature conditions were revealed. There is a trend in forming diatom flora of Holocene sediments of Lake Bolshoy Kharbei manifested in changes in the composition of dominants due to climate warming. As a response to increase of paleotemperature, the lengthening of the growing season and period of open water in the lake, the rise of the water level and the rate of water exchange took place, which contributed to the development of planktonic centric and small pennate diatoms with a consequent increasing of their valves share in the sediments

Keywords

• diatoms algae
• Lake Bolshoy Kharbei
• Holocene sediments
• climate change