Late quaternary palaeoclimates in the lower Kürtün valley (Samsun, Northern Türkiye) through multi-proxy analysis of palaeosoil sediments

Abstract

Palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental proxy data are presented for the Late Quaternary based on mineralogical, geochemical and palynological analysis of a palaeosoil-sediment section in the lower Kürtün Valley (Samsun region, Northern Türkiye). The geochronology along the section is established based on OSL and radiocarbon dating. The base of the palaeosoil-sediment section consists of a palaeo-terrace fill of the Kürtün Creek dated to 108 ± 9 ka, corresponding to the last interglacial period (MIS5c). After this warm and humid period, the last ice age began. Sea level dropped and the Kürtün Stream deepened its bed. Fluvial terrace deposits were covered with colluvial materials and a palaeosoil sequence formed. The bottommost part of the palaeosoil formation carries the fingerprints of a dry climate of 68 ± 9 ka ago (MIS4). The middle part of the section coincides with MIS2 (28,959 cal BP) and is characterized by humid conditions with arid pulses accompanied by the occurrences of calcrete nodules. The palaeosoil-sediment section ends with the records of MIS1 (8381 cal BP), corresponding to warmer and more humid conditions. This study emphasizes the importance of palaeosoil-calcrete formation in the lower Kürtün Valley for explaining climate changes from MIS5c to MIS1. The results are compatible with studies conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean. High-resolution multi-proxy studies are recommended to better understand the connection between local climates and global climate phenomena in the Late Quaternary.