scholarly journals Environmental changes on the Balkans recorded in the sediments from lakes Prespa and Ohrid

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3365-3392 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wagner ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
R. Sulpizio
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Sediment Record ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Lake Prespa ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
High Carbonate ◽  
Comparison Of The Results

Abstract. Lakes Prespa and Ohrid on the Balkans are considered to be amongst the oldest lakes in Europe. Both lakes are hydraulically connected via karst aquifers. From Lake Ohrid, several up to ca. 15 m long sediment records were studied during the past years. In this study, a first long sediment record from Lake Prespa was studied in order to shed more light on the influence of Lake Prespa on Lake Ohrid and the environmental history of the region. Radiocarbon dating and the occurrence of 3 dated tephra layers provide a good age control and indicate that the 10.5 m long sediment record reaches back to 48 ka. The comparison of the results from this study with those from former studies of the Lake Ohrid cores indicates that Lake Prespa is more susceptible to environmental changes due to its lower volume and water depth. Glacial sedimentation is characterized by low organic matter contents and absence of carbonates in the sediments, which indicate oligotrophic conditions in both lakes. Holocene sedimentation is characterized by particularly high carbonate contents in Lake Ohrid and by particularly high organic matter contents in Lake Prespa, which indicate a shift towards more mesotrophic conditions in the latter. Long-term environmental changes and short-term events, such as the Heinrich events during the Pleistocene or the 8.2 cooling event during the Holocene, are well recorded in both lakes, but partly expressed in different proxies.

scholarly journals Environmental change within the Balkan region during the past ca. 50 ka recorded in the sediments from lakes Prespa and Ohrid

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3187-3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wagner ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
R. Sulpizio
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Sediment Record ◽  
Lake Prespa ◽  
Balkan Region

Abstract. Lakes Prespa and Ohrid, in the Balkan region, are considered to be amongst the oldest lakes in Europe. Both lakes are hydraulically connected via karst aquifers. From Lake Ohrid, several sediment cores up to 15 m long have been studied over the last few years. Here, we document the first long sediment record from nearby Lake Prespa to clarify the influence of Lake Prespa on Lake Ohrid and the environmental history of the region. Radiocarbon dating and dated tephra layers provide robust age control and indicate that the 10.5 m long sediment record from Lake Prespa reaches back to 48 ka. Glacial sedimentation is characterized by low organic matter content and absence of carbonates in the sediments, which indicate oligotrophic conditions in both lakes. Holocene sedimentation is characterized by particularly high carbonate content in Lake Ohrid and by particularly high organic matter content in Lake Prespa, which indicates a shift towards more mesotrophic conditions in the latter. Long-term environmental change and short-term events, such as related to the Heinrich events during the Pleistocene or the 8.2 ka cooling event during the Holocene, are well recorded in both lakes, but are only evident in certain proxies. The comparison of the sediment cores from both lakes indicates that environmental change affects particularly the trophic state of Lake Prespa due to its lower volume and water depth.

scholarly journals Tephrostratigraphy and tephrochronology of lakes Ohrid and Prespa, Balkans

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3931-3967 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sulpizio ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
M. D'Orazio ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
B. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Mount Etna ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Tephra Layer ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Four cores from Balkans lakes Ohrid and Prespa were studied for recognition of tephra layers and cryptotephras, and the results presented along with the review of data from other two already published cores from Lake Ohrid. The six cores provide a previously unrealised tephrostratigraphic framework of the two lakes, and supply the first detailed tephrochronologic profile (composite) for the Balkans, which spans from the end of the Middle Pleistocene to the end of the Ancient Age (AD 472). A total of 12 tephra layers and cryptotephras were recognised in the cores. One is of Middle Pleistocene age (131 ky) and correlated to the marine tephra layer P-11 from Pantelleria Island. Eight volcanic layers are Upper Pleistocene in age, and encompass the period between ca. 107 ky and ca. 31 ky. This interval contains some of the main regional volcanic markers of the Central Mediterranean area, including X-6, X-5, Y-5 and Y-3 tephra layers. The other layers of this interval have been related to the marine tephra layers C20, Y-6 and C10, while one was for the first time recognised in distal areas and correlated to the Taurano eruption of probable Vesuvian origin. Three cryptotephras were of Holocene age. Two of which have been correlated to Mercato and AD 472 eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius, while the third has been correlated to the FL eruption from Mount Etna. These recognitions provide a link of the Ohrid and Prespa lacustrine successions to other archives of the Central Mediterranean area, like South Adriatic, Ionian, and South Tyrrhenian Seas, lakes of Southern Italy (Lago Grande di Monticchio, Pantano di San Gregorio Magno and Lago di Pergusa) and Balkans (Lake Shkodra).

scholarly journals Native <i>Dreissena</i> freshwater mussels in the Balkans: in and out of ancient lakes

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 4425-4461 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Wilke ◽  
R. Schultheiß ◽  
C. Albrecht ◽  
N. Bornmann ◽  
S. Trajanovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Ancient Lakes ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Limited Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Subgroup ◽  
Biogeographical Regions ◽  
Time Frames

Abstract. The Balkans is a biogeographically highly diverse region and a worldwide hotspot of endemic freshwater diversity. A substantial part of this diversity is attributed to well recognized and potential ancient lakes in its southwestern part. Despite considerable research efforts, faunal relationships among those lakes are, however, not well understood. Therefore, genetic information from native representatives of the mussel genus Dreissena is used here to test the biogeographical zonation of the Southwestern Balkans, to relate demographic changes to environmental changes, to assess the degree of eco-insularity, to reconstruct their evolutionary history, and to explore the potential of native taxa for becoming invasive. Phylogeographical and population genetic analyses indicate that most populations studied belong to two native species: D. presbensis (incl. the distinct genetic subgroup from Lake Ohrid, D. ''stankovici'') and D. blanci. In addition, the first confirmed record of invasive D. polymorpha in the Southwestern Balkan is presented. The distribution of native Dreissena spp. is largely in concordance with the biogeographical zonations previously proposed based on fish data. Disagreement, however, consists regarding the assignment of the ancient lakes in the area to biogeographical regions. The data for Lake Ohrid are not conclusive. For Lake Prespa, however, a closer biogeographical connection to lakes of the Vardar region and possibly the Northern Ionian region is suggested. While reconstructing the evolutionary histories of Dreissena spp., signs of major demographic and spatial expansions were found. They started some 320 000–300 000 years ago in D. ''stankovici'', some 160 000–140 000 years ago in D. blanci, and some 110 000–70 000 years ago in D. presbensis. These time frames are discussed within the context of available paleogeological data for lakes Ohrid and Prespa. It is suggested that regional environmental changes may have had pronounced effects on the population histories of native Dreissena spp., though the high buffer capacity of Lake Ohrid may have mitigated these effects in D. ''stankovici''. In addition, local events acting upon individual lakes very likely had considerable effects on the demographic histories of Dreissena spp. as well. The observed patterns of immigration and emigration in and out of ancient lakes may suggest that limited gene flow supported the survival of small isolated subpopulations, while eco-insularity may have prevented excessive hybridization and sympatry of closely related taxa. As for the potential invasiveness of native Dreissena spp., the significant spatial expansions inferred are not human-mediated and all taxa still appear to be restricted to their native ranges. Of concern, however, is that D. presbensis and D. blanci today also occur in artificial water bodies, and that invasive D. polymorpha has reached the area.

scholarly journals Late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental reconstruction from Lakes Ohrid and Prespa (Macedonia/Albania border) using stable isotopes

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3815-3853 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Leng ◽  
I. Baneschi ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
C. N. Jex ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Early Holocene ◽  
Lake Levels ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Lake Prespa ◽  
Isotope Data ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Here we present stable isotope data from three sediment records from lakes that lie along the Macedonian-Albanian border (Lake Prespa: 1 core, and Lake Ohrid: 2 cores). The records only overlap for the last 40 kyr, although the longest record contains the MIS 5/6 transition (Lake Ohrid). The sedimentary characteristics of both lakes differ significantly between the glacial and interglacial phases. At the end of MIS 6 Lake Ohrid's water level was low (high δ18Ocalcite) and, although productivity was increasing (high calcite content), the carbon supply was mainly from inorganic catchment rock sources (high δ13Ccarb). During the last interglacial, calcite and TOC production and preservation increased, progressively lower δ18Ocalcite suggest increase in humidity and lake levels till around 115 ka. During ca. 80 ka to 11 ka the lake records suggest cold conditions as indicated by negligible calcite precipitation and low organic matter content. In Lake Ohrid δ13Corg are complacent, in contrast Lake Prespa shows consistently higher δ13Corg suggesting a low oxidation of 13C-depleted organic matter in agreement with a general deterioration of climate conditions during the glacial. From 15 ka to the onset of the Holocene, calcite and TOC begin to increase, suggesting lake levels were probably low (high δ18Ocalcite). In the Holocene (11 ka to present) enhanced productivity is manifested by high calcite and organic matter content. All three cores show an early Holocene characterised by low δ18Ocalcite, apart from the very early Holocene phase in Prespa where the lowest δ18Ocalcite occurs at ca. 7.5 ka, suggesting a phase of higher lake level only in (the more sensitive) Lake Prespa. From 6 ka δ18Ocalcite suggest progressive aridification, in agreement with many other records in the Mediterranean, although the uppermost sediments in one core records low δ18Ocalcite which we interpret as a result of human activity. Overall, the isotope data present here confirm that these two big lakes have captured the large scale, low frequency palaeoclimate variation that is seen in Mediterranean lakes, although in detail there is much palaeoclimate information that could be gained, especially small scale, high frequency differences between this region and the Mediterranean.

scholarly journals Tephrostratigraphy and tephrochronology of lakes Ohrid and Prespa, Balkans

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3273-3288 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sulpizio ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
M. D'Orazio ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
B. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Mount Etna ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Tephra Layer ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Four cores from Balkans lakes Ohrid and Prespa were examined for recognition of tephra layers and cryptotephras, and the results presented along with the review of data from other two already published cores from Lake Ohrid. The six cores provide a previously unrealised tephrostratigraphic framework of the two lakes, and provide a new tephrostratigraphic profile (composite) for the Balkans, which spans from the end of the Middle Pleistocene to the AD 472. A total of 12 tephra layers and cryptotephras were recognised in the cores. One is of Middle Pleistocene age (131 ka) and correlated to the marine tephra layer P-11 from Pantelleria Island. Eight volcanic layers are Upper Pleistocene in age, and encompass the period between ca. 107 ka and ca. 31 ka. This interval contains some of the main regional volcanic markers of the central Mediterranean area, including X-6, X-5, Y-5 and Y-3 tephra layers. The other layers of this interval have been related to the marine tephra layers C20, Y-6 and C10, while one was for the first time recognised in distal areas and correlated to the Taurano eruption of probable Vesuvian origin. Three cryptotephras were of Holocene age. Two of which have been correlated to Mercato and AD 472 eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius, while the third has been correlated to the FL eruption from Mount Etna. These recognitions provide a link of the Ohrid and Prespa lacustrine successions to other archives of the central Mediterranean area, like south Adriatic, Ionian, and south Tyrrhenian seas, lakes of southern Italy (Lago Grande di Monticchio, Pantano di San Gregorio Magno and Lago di Pergusa) and Balkans (Lake Shkodra).

scholarly journals Seismic and sedimentological evidence of an early 6th century AD earthquake at Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania)

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 4333-4355 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wagner ◽  
A. Francke ◽  
R. Sulpizio ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
K. Lindhorst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Mass Wasting ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Sediment Record ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Tectonically Active ◽  
Fault Structures ◽  
The City

Abstract. Lake Ohrid shared by the Republics of Albania and Macedonia is formed by a tectonically active graben within the South Balkan and suggested to be the oldest lake in Europe. Several studies have shown that the lake provides a valuable record of climatic and environmental changes and a distal tephrostratigraphic record of volcanic eruptions from Italy. Fault structures identified in seismic data demonstrate that sediments have also the potential to record tectonic activity in the region. Here, we provide an example of linking tephrostratigraphic information and environmental changes with tectonic activity and anthropogenic impact. Historical documents indicate that a major earthquake destroyed the city of Ohrid in the early 6th century AD. This earthquake is documented in multichannel seismic profiles, in parametric sediment echosounder profiles, and in a ca. 10 m long sediment record from the western part of the lake. The sediment record exhibits a ca. 2 m thick mass wasting deposit, which is chronologically well constrained by the underlying 472 AD/512 AD tephra and cross correlation with other sediment sequences with similar geochemical characteristics of the Holocene.

scholarly journals First tephrostratigraphic results of the DEEP site record from Lake Ohrid (Macedonia and Albania)

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2151-2178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Leicher ◽  
Giovanni Zanchetta ◽  
Roberto Sulpizio ◽  
Biagio Giaccio ◽  
Bernd Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Volcanic Field ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site ◽  
Glass Shards

Abstract. A tephrostratigraphic record covering the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15 was established for the DEEP site record of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia and Albania). Major element analyses (energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy (WDS)) were carried out on juvenile fragments extracted from 12 tephra layers (OH-DP-0115 to OH-DP-2060). The geochemical analyses of the glass shards of all of these layers suggest an origin in the Italian volcanic provinces. They include the Y-3 (OH-DP-0115, 26.68–29.42 ka cal BP), the Campanian Ignimbrite–Y-5 (OH-DP-0169, 39.6 ± 0.1 ka), and the X-6 (OH-DP-0404, 109 ± 2 ka) from the Campanian volcanoes, the P-11 of Pantelleria (OH-DP-0499, 133.5 ± 2 ka), the Vico B (OH-DP-0617, 162 ± 6 ka) from the Vico volcano, the Pozzolane Rosse (OH-DP-1817, 457 ± 2 ka) and the Tufo di Bagni Albule (OH-DP-2060, 527 ± 2 ka) from the Colli Albani volcanic district, and the Fall A (OH-DP-2010, 496 ± 3 ka) from the Sabatini volcanic field. Furthermore, a comparison of the Ohrid record with tephrostratigraphic records of mid-distal archives related to the Mediterranean area allowed the recognition of the equivalents of other less known tephra layers, such as the TM24a–POP2 (OH-DP-0404, 102 ± 2 ka) recognized in the Lago Grande di Monticchio and the Sulmona Basin, the CF-V5–PRAD3225 (OH-DP-0624, ca. 163 ± 22 ka) identified in the Campo Felice Basin and the Adriatic Sea, the SC5 (OH-DP-1955, 493.1 ± 10.9 ka) recognized in the Mercure Basin, and the A11/12 (OH-DP-2017, 511 ± 6 ka) sampled at the Acerno Basin, whose specific volcanic sources are still poorly constrained. Additionally, one cryptotephra (OH-DP-0027) was identified by correlation of the potassium X-ray flourescence (XRF) intensities from the DEEP site with those from a short core of a previous study from Lake Ohrid. In these cores, a maximum in potassium is caused by glass shards, which were correlated with the Mercato tephra (8.43–8.63 ka cal BP) from Somma–Vesuvius. The tephrostratigraphic work presented here allows, for the first time, the extension of a consistent part of the Middle Pleistocene tephrostratigraphy of Italian volcanoes as far as the Balkans. The establishment of the tephrostratigraphic framework for the Lake Ohrid record provides important, independent tie points for the age–depth model of the DEEP site sequence, which is a prerequisite for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Furthermore, this age–depth model will help to improve and re-evaluate the chronology of other, both undated and dated tephra layers from other records. Thus, the Lake Ohrid record may potentially become the template for the central Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, especially for the hitherto poorly known and explored lower Middle Pleistocene period.

scholarly journals Native <i>Dreissena</i> freshwater mussels in the Balkans: in and out of ancient lakes

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3051-3065 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Wilke ◽  
R. Schultheiß ◽  
C. Albrecht ◽  
N. Bornmann ◽  
S. Trajanovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Ancient Lakes ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
History Of ◽  
Limited Gene Flow ◽  
Time Frames

Abstract. The Balkans is a biogeographically highly diverse region and a worldwide hotspot of endemic freshwater diversity. A substantial part of this diversity is attributed to well recognized and potential ancient lakes in its southwestern part. However, despite considerable research efforts, faunal relationships among those lakes are not well understood. Therefore, genetic information from native representatives of the mussel genus Dreissena is here used to test the biogeographical zonation of the southwestern Balkans, to relate demographic changes to environmental changes, to assess the degree of eco-insularity, to reconstruct their evolutionary history, and to explore the potential of native taxa for becoming invasive. Phylogeographical and population genetic analyses indicate that most studied populations belong to two native species: D. presbensis (including the distinct genetic subgroup from Lake Ohrid, "D. stankovici") and D. blanci. In addition, the first confirmed record of invasive D. polymorpha in the southwestern Balkan is presented. The distribution of native Dreissena spp. generally coincides with the biogeographical zonations previously suggested based on fish data. However, there is disagreement on the assignment of the ancient lakes in the area to respective biogeographical regions. The data for Lake Ohrid are not conclusive. A closer biogeographical connection to lakes of the Vardar region and possibly the northern Ionian region is, however, suggested for Lake Prespa. The reconstruction of the evolutionary history of Dreissena spp. suggests that populations underwent demographic and spatial expansions in the recent past. Expansions started around 320 000–300 000 years ago in "D. stankovici", 160 000–140 000 years ago in D. blanci, and 110 000–70 000 years ago in D. presbensis. These time frames are discussed within the context of available paleogeological data for lakes Ohrid and Prespa. It is suggested that regional environmental changes may have had pronounced effects on the population histories of native Dreissena spp., though the high buffer capacity of Lake Ohrid may have lessened these effects in "D. stankovici". In addition, local events influencing individual lakes had very likely considerable effects on the demographic histories of Dreissena spp. as well. The observed patterns of immigration and emigration in and out of ancient lakes may suggest that limited gene flow enabled the survival of few isolated subpopulations and that later on eco-insularity (selective advantages of locally adopted groups) may have prevented excessive hybridization and sympatry of closely related taxa. As for the potential invasiveness of native Dreissena spp., the inferred spatial expansions are not human-mediated and all taxa still appear to be restricted to their native ranges. A concern, however, is that today D. presbensis and D. blanci also occur in artificial water bodies, and that invasive D. polymorpha has reached the area.

scholarly journals Late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental reconstruction from Lakes Ohrid and Prespa (Macedonia/Albania border) using stable isotopes

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3109-3122 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Leng ◽  
I. Baneschi ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
C. N. Jex ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Early Holocene ◽  
Lake Levels ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Lake Prespa ◽  
Isotope Data ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Here we present stable isotope data from three sediment records from lakes that lie along the Macedonian-Albanian border (Lake Prespa: 1 core, and Lake Ohrid: 2 cores). The records only overlap for the last 40 kyr, although the longest record contains the MIS 5/6 transition (Lake Ohrid). The sedimentary characteristics of both lakes differ significantly between the glacial and interglacial phases. At the end of MIS 6 Lake Ohrid's water level was low (high δ18Ocalcite) and, although productivity was increasing (high calcite content), the carbon supply was mainly from inorganic catchment rock sources (high δ13Ccarb). During the last interglacial, calcite and TOC production and preservation increased, progressively lower δ18Ocalcite suggest increase in humidity and lake levels until around 115 ka. During ca. 80 ka to 11 ka the lake records suggest cold conditions as indicated by negligible calcite precipitation and low organic matter content. In Lake Ohrid, δ13Corg are complacent; in contrast, Lake Prespa shows consistently higher δ13Corg suggesting a low oxidation of 13C-depleted organic matter in agreement with a general deterioration of climate conditions during the glacial. From 15 ka to the onset of the Holocene, calcite and TOC begin to increase, suggesting lake levels were probably low (high δ18Ocalcite). In the Holocene (11 ka to present) enhanced productivity is manifested by high calcite and organic matter content. All three cores show an early Holocene characterised by low δ18Ocalcite, apart from the very early Holocene phase in Prespa where the lowest δ18Ocalcite occurs at ca. 7.5 ka, suggesting a phase of higher lake level only in (the more sensitive) Lake Prespa. From 6 ka, δ18Ocalcite suggest progressive aridification, in agreement with many other records in the Mediterranean, although the uppermost sediments in one core records low δ18Ocalcite which we interpret as a result of human activity. Overall, the isotope data present here confirm that these two big lakes have captured the large scale, low frequency palaeoclimate variation that is seen in Mediterranean lakes, although in detail there is much palaeoclimate information that could be gained, especially small scale, high frequency differences between this region and the Mediterranean.

scholarly journals First tephrostratigraphic results of the DEEP site record from Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15411-15460 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Leicher ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
R. Sulpizio ◽  
B. Giaccio ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Volcanic Field ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Glass Shards

Abstract. A~tephrostratigraphic record covering the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15 was established for the DEEP site record of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania). Major element analyses (SEM-EDS/WDS) were carried out on juvenile fragments extracted from 12 tephra layers (OH-DP-0115 to OH-DP-2060). The geochemical analyses of the glass shards of all of these layers suggest an origin from the Italian Volcanic Provinces. They include: the Y-3 (OH-DP-0115, 26.68–29.42 cal ka BP), the Campanian Ignimbrite/Y-5 (OH-DP-0169, 39.6 ± 0.1 ka), and the X-6 (OH-DP-0404, 109 ± 2 ka) from the Campanian volcanoes, the P-11 of the Pantelleria Island (OH-DP-0499, 129 ± 6 ka), the Vico B (OH-DP-0617, 162 ± 6 ka) from the Vico volcano, the Pozzolane Rosse (OH-DP-1817, 457 ± 2 ka) and the Tufo di Bagni Albule (OH-DP-2060, 527 ± 2 ka) from the Colli Albani volcanic district, and the Fall A (OH-DP-2010, 496 ± 3 ka) from the Sabatini volcanic field. Furthermore, a comparison of the Ohrid record with tephrostratigraphic records of mid-distal archives related to the Mediterranean area, allowed the recognition of the equivalents of other less known tephra layers, such as the TM24-a/POP2 (OH-DP-0404, 101.8 ka) from the Lago Grande di Monticchio and the Sulmona basin, the CF-V5/PRAD3225 (OH-DP-0624, ca. 162 ka) from the Campo Felice basin/Adriatic Sea, the SC5 (OH-DP-1955, 493.1 ± 10.9 ka) from the Mercure basin, and the A11/12 (OH-DP-2017, 511 ± 6 ka) from the Acerno basin, whose specific volcanic sources are still poorly constrained. Additionally, one cryptotephra (OH-DP-0027) was identified by correlation of the potassium XRF intensities from the DEEP site with those from short cores of previous studies from Lake Ohrid. In these cores, a maximum in potassium is caused by glass shards, which were correlated with the Mercato tephra (8.43–8.63 cal ka BP) from Somma-Vesuvius. With the tephrostratigraphic work, a consistent part of the Middle Pleistocene tephrostratigraphic framework of Italian volcanoes was for the first time extended as far as to the Balkans. The establishment of the tephrostratigraphic framework for the Lake Ohrid record provides important, independent tie-points for the age-depth model of the DEEP site sequence, which is a prerequisite for paleoclimatic and -environmental reconstructions. Furthermore, this age-depth model will help to improve and re-evaluate the chronology of other, both undated and dated tephra layers from other records. Thus, the Lake Ohrid record is candidate to become the Rosetta stone for the central Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, especially for the hitherto poorly known and explored lower Middle Pleistocene period.

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