Horizontal and vertical distribution of pollen and spores in Quaternary sequences

Abstract

The distribution of pollen and spores in deep-sea sediments appears to be affected mainly by oceanic circulation. The number of pollen grains per gramme of sediment is a function of distance from shore. Vertical distribution of pollen is chiefly determined by vegetational changes through time and offers an opportunity to study Quaternary climatic fluctuations. Pollen grains can be considered as indicators of the provenance of the fine-grained, continent-derived sediments in which they are found. The presence of reworked pollen is the greatest difficulty facing marine palynological research. Therefore, it should be carried out in conjunction with other investigations pertaining to the stratigraphy of deep-sea sediments.