Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

A Geoscientist Approach to Palaoclimate Reconstruction Based on Pollen Analysis of Lake Deposits; Problems and Solutions

Abstract: Lakes contain sediments rich in organic material where pollen analysis and palaeoclimate studies canideally be carried out. Lakes provide a habitat for many organisms, where the pollen grains are best preserved, andlake sediments also offer an archive where climatic and environmental changes are preserved. In order to makea palaeoclimatic reconstruction based on pollen analysis, the study area needs to be investigated in detail from ageological, biological, and archaeological point of view. This study aims to present a methodological perspective toresearchers who want to conduct paleoclimate reconstruction through pollen analysis. The geological structure ofthe region, its volcanic activity, archaeological history and the effects of the structural elements of the lake floor onthe changes in the pollen diagrams are described in detail by the proposed method of this study .For this purpose, the data from studies carried out in the lakes at a close distance to each other (Eastern Anatolianplateau high altitude lakes) and the terrace deposits of Lake Van were examined under the headings of volcanicactivity, human impact, sedimentation ratio and structural characteristics of the lake floor to reveal the differences.According to the results, before performing a paleoclimate reconstruction,identification of the deposit packages,local vegetative changes and current flora, the structural elements of the lake floor, human impact and volcanismshould be investigated first of all under separate headings.