Palaeoenvironmental conditions of the formation of sediments of the Early Pliocene of Ukrainian Plain and the vegetation cover dynamics. (13th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sirenko, Olena
• Other Names: Henrot A.‐J. guestEditor.; Bruch A. A. guestEditor.; François L. guestEditor.; Utescher T. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Geological journal. Volume 56:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 839
• Page End: 850
• Publication Date: 2020-12-13
• Subjects: Early Pliocene -- palaeoenvironmental conditions -- Ukraine -- vegetation; Geology -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/gj.4053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0072-1050

Abstract

Abstract : The palaeoenvironmental conditions of Pliocene sedimentation were rather different in the southern, central, and northeastern parts of Ukraine. In the southern regions, the transgressional–regressional phases of the Kimmerian marine basin influenced the vegetation cover. The Pliocene vegetation of the central and northeastern regions is driven by long‐term and short‐term climatic changes. The reconstruction of Early Pliocene vegetation is carried out according to the results of spore‐pollen analysis of Lower Pliocene marine and continental deposits exposed in 12 sections located within the Ukrainian Plain. Pollen data show, that regardless of the differences in palaeoenvironmental conditions in the studied regions, the general patterns of changes in vegetation composition of the plain part of Ukraine during the Early Pliocene can be clearly traced. The presently obtained patterns are closely related to global geological and climatic events. The Pliocene climatic optimum is timed to the middle Kimmerian. At that time, warmth‐loving broadleaf taxa occurred in the vegetation of the Ukrainian Plain. The developments of the Neogene vegetation of Ukraine clearly reflect the graduate cooling from the Miocene to Pliocene, and from the Early to Late Pliocene. In the composition of the Late Pliocene vegetation of Ukraine, thermophilic elements decreased in comparison to the Early Pliocene. Abstract : Palaeoenvironmental conditions of shallow marine to continental Lower Pliocene deposits of the Ukrainian Plain including large tectonic structures such as the Dnieper‐Donets Depression, the central and southern parts of the Ukrainian Shield, and the Folded Donbass are studied based on palynological data from a total of 12 sections (outcrops and wells). Palynological data show, that regardless of the differences in palaeoenvironmental conditions in the studied regions, general patterns of vegetation changes throughout the Early Pliocene clearly can be traced, with Pinaceae, Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Asteraceae, and Chenopodiaceae being the most important families. In the Ukrainian Plain, the Pliocene climatic optimum corresponds to the middle Kimmerian (middle Sevastopol) characterized by highest plant abundances and diversities of thermophilic plant species.