Sedimentary facies and clay mineralogy of the late Pleistocene Landsort Deep sediments, Baltic Sea - Implications for the Baltic Ice Lake development

The Landsort Deep is the deepest part of the Baltic Sea and contains an excellent high-resolution late Pleistocene sediment record suitable to study the retreat history of the southern margin of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet and the development of the ice-marginal Baltic Ice Lake (BIL) from similar to 13.5 to 10.5 ka BP. The studied cores are from the lithostratigraphic Units V and VI of Hole M0063C that were recovered during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 347. The subdivision and interpretation of the studied BIL record are based on the identification of seven distinct sedimentary facies, grain size characteristics, detrital clay minerals, water and carbon content, and physical properties. The ice-rafted debris (IRD) in the lowermost part of Unit VI indicates a proximal glaciolacustrine environment. The onset of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet deglaciation during the warm Bolling/Allerod interstadial caused a rise of the proglacial lake water level and the transition from ice-proximal (IRD-containing sediments) to ice-distal varved sediments (rhythmically laminated silty clays) detected within the middle part of Unit VI. This depositional unit of constant sedimentation was followed by the first drainage event of the BIL, which led to the deposition of a distinct clay-rich interval representing erosion and redeposition of the emerged lake bottom sediments. The reduced grain size of the overlying sediments is associated to the onset of cooler climate conditions and a possible ice sheet readvance during the Younger Dryas that resulted in a decrease of meltwater release and sediment availability. The higher sand content and kaolinite peak are associated to a rapid ice retreat and the release of abundant sediment laden meltwater plumes at the end of the Younger Dryas. The final drainage of the BIL enabled the erosion of coastal clay sediments, and the termination of the ice lake stage led to enhanced clay sedimentation to the Landsort Deep.

Automated summary

The Landsort Deep in the Baltic Sea holds an important sediment record for studying the retreat history of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet and the development of the Baltic Ice Lake. The analysis of sediment characteristics reveals changes in climate and ice dynamics, providing valuable insights into the region's past.