What forced the collapse of European ice sheets during the last two glacial periods (150 ka BP and 18 ka cal BP)? Palynological evidence

We present a new marine palynological record from the temperate North-eastern Atlantic (core MD03-2692, Celtic-Armorican margin) in the area of influence of the 'Fleuve Manche' paleoriver during glacial times. The runoff of this paleoriver was connected to the glacial history of European ice sheets (including the British Irish Ice Sheet-BIIS). Our study conducted on dinoflagellate cysts assemblages over the last 200 ka, associated with quantification of palynological remains reflecting continental influence (pre-Quaternary dinocysts and micro-algae Pediastrum spp. coenobia), yields detailed insights into the sea-surface paleoenvironments of this sector. More specifically, mechanisms responsible for the origin of unusual deposits of laminated sequences found at the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 and within mid-MIS 6 are here constrained. We provide evidence of genetic similarities between fluvial discharges occurring before and during times of deposition of the laminated deposits. Our study clarifies the causes of the collapse of European glaciated systems. At the end of MIS 2, prior to the deposition of the laminated deposits, plenioceanic influence characterized by high concentrations of Quaternary dinocysts prevailed, and a dinocyst species tracing the penetration of the warm North Atlantic Drift into the Bay of Biscay is recorded. However, this scenario did not recur prior to the deposition of laminated sediments of mid-MIS 6. In addition, contrary to the laminated deposits found at the end of MIS 2 and directly associated with Termination I, MIS 6 laminae appeared 20 ka earlier than Termination II. Our work shows that, during the penultimate glacial stage, the collapse of mid-latitudes ice sheets around 170 ka B.P. may have immediately followed the MIS 6.5 warming phase. Then, the most important melting event around 150 ka B.P. may be linked to a peak in insolation at 65 degrees N, though less important than those during MIS 6.5 and Termination II. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.