Study of modern pollen distribution in the northeastern Indian Ocean and their application to paleoenvironment reconstruction

Learning pollen transport mechanisms is the basis for correct interpretation of fossil pollen data. Firstly, 33 seabed surface sediment samples from the northeastern Indian Ocean were selected for pollen analysis. Utilizing the 90°E Indian Ridge as a dividing line, more Trilete spores (mainly Microlepia)and herbaceous pollen were present to the west or northwest of the line, possibly originating in Sri Lanka and India. More Polypodiaceae spores and tree pollen (Pinus excluded) were present to the east or southeast of the boundary, possibly originating in Sumatra Island. Based on the PCA analysis, the ocean current from the southeast to the northwest and the distance from land masses around the study area affect the percentage of pollen. Then, based on a fossil pollen analysis on the YDY05 core from the northeastern Indian Ocean, we determined that since 16 ka BP, the pollen terrestrial area might change from Sumatra Island to Sri Lanka Island and India, probably due to the climate and sea level change.