DETAILED DIATOM BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF BAIKAL SEDIMENTS DURING THE BRUNHES CHRON AND CLIMATIC FACTORS OF SPECIES FORMATION

Abstract

The Baikal bottom sediments (borehole BDP-96-2) are stratigraphically characterized in detail (with a 500 year resolution) within the Brunhes Chron. The sediment section 35 m thick shows a distribution of diatoms (25 species and varieties), sponge spicules, and golden-algae cysts. Thirty-one local diatom zones are recognized in the section, providing a detailed stratigraphic division of the Baikal sediments. The distribution of diatom frustules and the diatom zones are correlated with the marine isotope stratigraphy. Climate played an important role in the formation of species of plankton diatoms in the lake. More than 21 new species of diatoms appear and then disappear in the section. Diatom species extinguished when glaciations began, and new species appeared during interglaciations. This suggests that the evolution of plankton diatoms in Baikal is under climatic control.