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DIATOM ANALYSES OF SEDIMENTS FROM LOUGH INE, CO. CORK, SOUTHWEST IRELAND
Author(s) -
BUZER JENNY S.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1981.tb02332.x
Subject(s) - marine transgression , diatom , fragilaria , benthic zone , oceanography , plankton , sediment , ecology , geology , biology , phytoplankton , paleontology , nutrient , structural basin
S ummary Diatom analyses of a sediment core from the marine Lough Ine are described. Diatom diagrams have been divided into four assemblage zones, LID 1 to 4, and these are used to interpret the post‐glacial history of the lough. The oldest diatom‐containing sediments recovered are attributable to Mitchell's pollen zone V, the Boreal Period. The lough was fresh water and very productive at this time, having a predominantly alkaliphilic, planktonic diatom flora, dominated by Cyclotella spp. During zones LID 1 and 2, Fragilaria spp. became dominant and productivity decreased. A slight tendency to more neutral or acid conditions is noted. Epiphytic diatoms increased in frequency. Zone LID 3 covers the marine transgression into Lough Ine, tentatively dated at c. 4000 B.P. The transgression appears to have been a gradual process. This is illustrated by successive peaks of diatoms indifferent to salt, halophilous, mesohalobous, estuarine and truly marine. Total numbers of diatoms in the sediments dropped dramatically during the marine transgression. This was partly a result of the change in sediment type. The marine transgression was completed in zone LID 4 , where Paralia sulcata and other benthic marine species dominate the sediments.