On the post-glacial changes in the level of the Black Sea

Abstract

This paper summarizes the lithological and stratigraphic investigations that have been conducted on Late Quaternary sediments recovered within more than 300 cores removed from the Black Sea shelf. Using mollusc assemblage studies and radiocarbon dates, the Neoeuxinian, transitional, Old and New Black Sea horizons were identified, and their areas of extension defined. The studies confirm that during the Neoeuxinian period (from 17-15 until 8.5-8.0 ky BP), sea level rose to an elevation of-25 to-30 m. During the transitional period (8.0-6.8 ky BP), which marked the change from freshwater floral and faunal assemblages to those typical of a marine environment, sea level reached-25 to-20 m, and later, it attained present-day level. During the entire post-glacial period, the rise in Black Sea level exhibited a gradual character. © 2007 Springer.