Holocene evolution of the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon area, Argentina indicated by pollen analysis.

STUTZ, S; PRIETO, A. R; FEDERICO IGNACIO ISLA

Journal of Quaternary Science

Wiley Interscience

Lugar: Inglaterra; Año: 2006 vol. 21 p. 17 - 28

0267-8179

Palynologycal information was integrated with the aim to study vegetation history and environmental changes in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon area (in the southeast of Buenos Aires pro- vince, Argentina) related to sea-level fluctuations during the Holocene. Prior to 5000 yr BP a mosaic of psammophytic and halophytic communities developed on extensive sandy flats. Between 4000 and 2500 yr BP, during a period of sea-level stabilisation, similar halophytic communities developed in the south and in the middle part of the present lagoon. Between 4500 and 3500 yr BP hydrophytic and halophytic communities developed in Laguna Hinojales. Beginning 2500 yr BP, when sea level was nearing its present position, modern plant communities became established. Pollen records sug- gest that littoral evolution of the area was much more complex than previous models have described, introducing new evidence of the geomorphological evolution of Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon. The estuarine environment was delimited by a system of barrier islands instead of a linear prograding bar- rier, as has been proposed.