PALEOENVIRONMENTS IN RUSSKAYA GAVAN' FJORD (NW NOVAYA ZEMLYA, BARENTS SEA) DURING THE LAST MILLENNIUM

Abstract

The 6-m long sediment core ASV-987 was collected from the deep part of the glaciated Russkaya Gavan' Fjord at the northwestern coast of Novaya Zemlya, Barents Sea, in 1997 (r/v Akademik Sergei Vavilov). The core was investigated for lithology, grain size, coarse debris, organic carbon, foraminifera, macrobenthic remains, and stable isotopes in foraminiferal tests. Age control was provided by seven AMS 14C ages. The recovered sedimentary section spans approximately 800 years, from ca. 1170 AD. The proxy records reveal variations in sedimentation processes, bioproductivity, glacier front position, sea-ice conditions, and the hydrographic regime in the fjord. These characteristics are interpreted in terms of regional and global climatic changes during the last millennium. We distinguish four stages in the development of sedimentary environments in Russkaya Gavan', which generally correspond to major climatic events: the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), the early and late phases of the Little Ice Age (LIA), and recent warming. The most pronounced change in sedimentation regime occurred at the onset of the LIA ca. 1400, presumably due to the advance of a glacier into the fjord. Subsequent evolution of sedimentary environments included stabilization and retreat of the glacier front. The most recent facies are interpreted to indicate a change towards warmer conditions.