Palynology and palaeovegetation reconstruction in late Quaternary sediments of the southern Suez Isthmus, Egypt

Abstract

Palynomorphs from two boreholes (26 and 20 m depths) have been used to document the palaeovegetation, palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic interpretations during the late Quaternary of the southern Suez Isthmus. The palynological assemblages are characterized by dominance of terrestrial palynomorphs as well as common marine elements that are used to construct the eustatic sea level fluctuations. The sea level stands were low at the lower part and increased gradually to reach a high stand at the upper part of the section. Fresh water deltaic or lagoonal-marshy environments prevailed during the accumulation of the studied deposits as a result of the Nile flooding, and rainfall which was recorded on the northern Red Sea region at that time. Pollen spectra indicate that when the steppe pollen was extensive, the climate was dry and probably cool. On the other hand, tree forest was abundant as the climate became warm and more humid. The steppe and tree pollen are similar or nearly equal in proportions when the climate was intermediate (mild) between arid and humid periods.