Late Pleistocene loess–palaeosol sequences in Poland and western Ukraine

Polish and NW Ukrainian loess covers are situated along the northern margin of the central part of the European loess belt. Because of their intermediate geographic position, they form a bridge for loess studies in eastern and western Europe. Fifteen loess-soil sequences representing the last interglacial–glacial loess cycle were investigated using a new methodological approach elaborated for this purpose. The thickness of the Late Pleistocene sequences ranges between 4 and 14 m. All these profiles were sampled in vertical continuous sections at close intervals (5–10 cm) and documented with respect to their sedimentology, palaeopedology, and stratigraphy. The main litho- and pedostratigraphic units were established during field investigations. Loess–palaeosol sequences confirm the general instability of the Last Glacial climate. The representative, Late Pleistocene interfluve loess sequence in the study area consists of four units: two polygenetic palaeosol complexes and two calcareous loess units. Within these loess units, two generations of ice wedge casts indicate twofold expansion and disappearance of permafrost during the Last Glacial period. This evidence confirms the correlation of main terrestrial events of the Late Pleistocene loess sequences with the marine record. The Last Glacial loess sequences in Poland and NW Ukraine are of crucial importance for palaeogeographic reconstructions of European loess areas.