Paleoclimate reconstructions of Durankulak Lake (Northeastern Bulgaria) during the last 6000 years using pollen analysis and modern analog technique (MAT)

The aim of the present study is to reconstruct the palaeoclimate variables in the Durankulak Lake Region (Northeastern Bulgaria) during the last 6000 years, based on the pollen analysis from lacustrine core DK-1 and using modern analog technique (MAT). Pollen data was used for reconstructions of four parameters: average annual temperature, average temperature of the warm and cold half-year and average annual precipitation. Three climatic intervals were defined. During the first interval (6000–5000 cal. BP), the highest values of the thermal parameters were recorded, which coincides with the Holocene climatic optimum. Precipitation is relatively high, but below assumed averages for the Atlantic period. The curves of the thermal parameters in the interval 5000–3000 cal. BP show dynamics and a decreasing trend. The last time interval (after 3000 cal. yr. BP) is characterized by the uniformity of the climatic parameters, which show almost identical values.