Modern pollen deposition in the Rhone delta area (Lagoonal and marine sediments), France

Abstract

The investigation identifies the two main types of pollen sedimentation in the Rhône delta, and presents synthetic pollen spectra in terms of ecological groups in order to predict the pollen source areas. Two different domains are studied: the lagoonal zone occupied by the Vaccarès where atmospheric pollen imput predominates and the Rhône mouth area (river delta and prodelta) where fluvial pollen influx prevails. The reflection of local and regional vegetation in the surface sediment pollen spectra is carefully discussed with reference to atmospheric pollen records and to water sample analyses. This work is designed to help the interpretation of past pollen spectra and paleovegetation and through them also paleoclimate reconstructions.