Stages of the Baltic Sea evolution in the geochemical record and radiocarbon dating of sediment cores from the Arkona Basin

Four sediment cores from the southern part of the Arkona Basin were analyzed in terms of their geochemical composition, age and stratigraphy. The main stages of the Baltic Sea: the Baltic Ice Lake, the Ancylus Lake and the Littorina Sea were identified in all the analyzed cores. The data confirmed the high water fluctuation and significant environmental changes during the Baltic Sea evolution in the Late-Glacial and the Holocene. The signs of the second regression of the Baltic Ice Lake, dated at around 11 000 cal BP, were identified at a depth of 24 m b.s.l. Regression of the Ancylus Lake, dated at 9300 cal BP, was identified at a depth of 23 m b.s.l. The most pronounced period was the transition stage between the Ancylus Lake and the Littorina Sea. The record of the Littorina Sea onset in the sediments of the Arkona Basin is marked as a sudden increase in loss on ignition, biogenic silica, magnesium, calcium, iron and strontium. The age of the Littorina Sea in the Arkona Basin was estimated as younger than 8200 cal BP.