A new Quaternary record of regional tectonic, sedimentation and paleoclimate changes from drill core BDP-99 at Posolskaya Bank, Lake Baikal

The new late Pleistocene palynological record from BDP-99 drill core shows repetitive landscape changes from steppe and forest-steppe environments during glacials and interstadials to coniferous taiga conditions during the present and last interglacial. Every glacial/interglacial transition of the past 130 ka is marked by an early peak of Siberian spruce (Picea) pollen abundance. The MIS 4 interval is clearly divided into two zones due to changes in moisture availability. The late MIS 6 interval stands in stark contrast with subsequent glacial periods due to extremely low pollen abundance. Palynological records in the vicinity of the Selenga Delta contain overprinting signals from different landscape types in the extensive Selenga catchment basin.