Paleoenvironmental interpretation based on macro- and microstructure analysis of Pleistocene slope covers: A case study from the Miechów Upland, Poland

• A paleoenvironmental interpretation of Pleistocene slope covers is presented.
• The identified deposits and soils correlate with standard profiles.
• Paleoenvironmental significance of various deposits and fossil soils is studied.
• The use of macro- and micromorphological research complements each other.

The purpose of the research was to provide a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the origin of periglacial slope covers in the Miechów Upland in southern Poland. The investigated site produced data for the analysis of loess, fossil soils, cryogenic structures, as well as slope deposits. Complementary sedimentological and soil analyses served as the basis of the research. In addition to macroscopic research, micromorphological methods were used in the study. Grain size analysis was also performed. Finally, the content of CaCO3, Fe2CO3, and Corg was assessed.The research produced a sequence of paleoenvironmental conditions, which were then compared with dated loess profiles from Western and Central Europe and Russia. It was noted that the sequence of paleoenvironmental conditions determined in this study matched that previously identified for the European loess belt including the period from the Eemian interglacial to the end of the Weichselian glaciation. The research results are a contribution to the discussion of the paleoenvironmental significance of loess, fossil soils, cryogenic structures, and slope deposits. In addition, research has shown that micromorphological analysis is a valuable research tool in soil science and sedimentology.