High resolution palynological record off the Iberian margin: direct land-sea correlation for the Last Interglacial complex

Abstract

We present high resolution pollen, dinocyst and isotopic data for the Last Interglacial complex from marine core MD952042 (southwestern margin of the Iberian Peninsula; 37°48′N; 10°10′W; 3148 m). Direct land-sea correlation from this core indicates that during this period, North Atlantic sea surface temperatures were in phase with Iberian climate. Our palynological analysis suggests a Younger Dryas-like event at the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS)-6/5 transition. The analysis also indicates that the Eemian spans from the lightest isotopic values of MIS-5e (ca. 126 ky BP) to the heavier isotopic values towards the MIS-5e/5d transition. Therefore, the Eemian is not entirely equivalent to MIS-5e. Pollen analysis identifies four climatic phases of low amplitude during the Eemian. A Mediterranean climate in southwestern Europe is gradually replaced by oceanic conditions. The middle of the Eemian is characterized by an increase in precipitation on the land and ocean, associated with a slight cooling. This seems to be the result of a displacement of the Polar Front as far south as southern Europe during this period. After the Eemian, three relatively short climatic phases on land (Mélisey I, St. Germain Ia and Montaigu cold event) occurred contemporaneously with three shifts of sea surface temperatures. The Montaigu event, first identified in terrestrial pollen sequences, is, therefore, also recorded in core MD952042 on the basis of pollen, dinocyst and planktonic isotopic data. Our results also show that the warm periods of MIS-5 are not characterized by similar climatic conditions on land.