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Palynological evidences on paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental changes during Holocene of Al-Hussaynia District, Central Iraq

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Abstract

This paper is concerned with the study of paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental changes of Hussaynia township which is located in Karbala at the center of the Mesopotamian plain during Holocene. Ten soil samples were examined to determine their content of pollens, spores, and marine organisms (dinoflagellates). These palynomorphs include: Graminidites, Palmaepollenites, Chenopodiaceae, Composita, Cyperaceae, Sphaginum sporites, Pinus pollenites, Convovolus, Artimesia, Laevigatosporites, Quercus, dinoflagellates, and fungi. The study revealed climatic and environmental changes in the area during Holocene and four climatic zones were determined in the studied sequence and correlated with other areas in and outside of Iraq. The climate was pluvial with intervening dry periods in the 10000 years bp. The study indicated as well, some marine effects on the studied area on the commencement of Holocene due to the global transgression. This is based on the presence of marine organisms, dinoflagellate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Science Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

    Maysoon Omar Ali

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  1. Maysoon Omar Ali
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Correspondence to Maysoon Omar Ali.

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Ali, M.O. Palynological evidences on paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental changes during Holocene of Al-Hussaynia District, Central Iraq. Arab J Geosci 7, 589–595 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0801-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0801-5

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