| Abstract [eng] |
The study presents a comprehensive diatom-based reconstruction of coastal, lagoon and deltaic environments since the Last Deglaciation and evaluates the extent to which the studied diatom assemblages correspond to those characteristic of the developmental stages of the Baltic Sea. Diatoms were analysed in combination with lithological, geochemical, and geochronological data, including age-depth modelling. The results demonstrate that, unlike the open Baltic basin, diatom assemblages from coastal and lagoon environments are strongly modified by local hydrological, geomorphological, and sedimentary processes. The coastal zone record reflects intense sediment reworking and a diatom complex that differs markedly from the typical Litorina Sea community, whereas the lagoon and delta are dominated by freshbrackish and freshwater benthic and epiphytic taxa, indicating long-term isolation from direct sea influence. Overall, the study provides new insights into the role of hydrological processes, climate variability, and riverine input in shaping the Holocene evolution of the Curonian Lagoon and the Nemunas River Delta. |
