The Požarevac loess–paleosol sequence: a record of increased aridity in the south‐eastern margin of the Carpathian Basin during the last 350 ka

Abstract

The loess sequence preserved in the Požarevac brickyard in north-eastern Serbia comprises eight loess units separated by seven paleosols. Geochronological investigation using amino acid racemization and luminescence dating support stratigraphic correlations of loess units L3, S2LL1 and L1 at the Požarevac section with loess of glacial cycles E [Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 10], D (MIS 9-8), C (MIS 7-6) and B (MIS 5-2) across central Europe. Correlation with the marine oxygen-isotope stratigraphy and associated paleoclimatic inferences are further supported by magnetic susceptibility, particle size and carbonate content measured in Požarevac sediments. Malacological investigations at the Požarevac section reveal the continuous presence of the Chondrula tridens and Helicopsis striata faunal assemblages throughout the last 350 ka. The loess malacological fauna, which is characterized by the complete absence of cold-resistant and cold-preferring species, suggests a stable, dry and relatively warm glacial and interglacial climate, compared with other central European loess localities. Together these data suggest that the south-eastern part of the Carpathian (Pannonian, Middle Danube) Basin was a refugium for warm-preferring and xerophilous land-snails during the generally unfavorable glacial climates of the late Middle and Late Pleistocene.

Hundred years of loess research in Zemun (Serbia): From an expert note to new challenges in geology

“…The latest peleoecological studies of terrestrial gastropods from the youngest parts of the loess series along the Zemun bank of the Danube River indicate how the loess study is constantly curent . A similar study from the Požarevac brickyard indicates a loess-paleosol succession produced during the last 350Ka of geological history (Marković et al 2021).…”

“…Посебно су добро познати и проучени лесни профили у Војводини која представља и међународни важан полигон за проучавање леса и климатских варијација током последњих милион година (нпр. Fuchs et al 2008, Gaudenyi 2010, Jovanović 2012, Marković et al 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021. Након потпуне афирмације Миланковићеве теорије климатских колебања у квартару, глацијално-еолско тј.…”

“…Loess-paleosol sequences are distributed over large surfaces worldwide, representing crucial evidence that points to climate oscillations that took place during the Pleistocene (e.g. Marković et al 2021). In Serbia, these rocks have been studied for a long time, and a wide range of researchers have been interested in their genesis and cyclic recurrence in the past hundred years (Rundić et al 2019).…”

Reconstructed Malacothermometer July Paleotemperatures from the Last Nine Glacials over the South-Eastern Carpathian Basin (Serbia)

“…The identification was done by using the binocular microscope, and the species were determined if possible. Sampling for the earlier study showed that the pedogenesis has an influence on the carbonate shells, leaving the interglacial soils malacologicaly sterile [31]. Thus, paleosols were not sampled for this study.…”

“…From the Veliki Surduk and Stari Slankamen LPSs, terrestrial gastropods were taken for the amino acid racemization geochronology (AAR) which is a method already used on shells from loess in Serbia [31,32]. Principles of AAR have been applied to loess deposits in different regions of Europe [33,34] with specific applications to Serbian LPSs [21,35].…”