The objective of the investigation presented here has been to verify schemes for the development of cliff coasts proposed earlier by Subotowicz (1982). This is i.a. justifi ed by observations suggesting greater differentiation to the geological structure and consequent hydrogeological characteristics of the Southern Baltic cliffs than had been assumed by the authors of earlier works. The measurement data for the investigated profi les yielded by the work to date show that: -the most dynamic zone on the coast is the beach, -clifftops are the parts least resistant to destruction, -the strong storms of late autumn 2004 and the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons proved capable of activating the cliffs at nine of the ten investigated profi les, though no relationship was found between the lithology of the sediments building the cliffs and rates of erosion.

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Basing on results of detailed hydroacoustic research, the geological structure of the bottom to 20-22 m b.s.l. has been studied. The palaeo-Słupia palaeo-valley, buried by a thin cover of marine sands, has been recognized and determined. Some stages of valley development may be distinguished. The deposits of the oldest valley are C 14 dated at ca. 21 ka BP. But in the main stage, the valley was formed by action of the subglacial and thawing glacial waters during and after the so-called Gardno Phase. Most probably this valley was connected with the Pomeranian ice margin valley. The next stages of the valley's development were related with changes of the palaeo-Słupia under conditions of the Litorina transgression. The youngest palaeo-Słupia valley is, in the authors' opinion, related with a shallow, long incision, weakly marked in the sea bottom in the central part of the studied area. Field investigations were carried out by the Department of Operational Oceanography of the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk from the r/v Dr Lubecki. A DESO 15 echosounder, Subbottom Profilers model 3010 and the X Star system were used. Eight vibrocores (core length up to 3 m) were taken from the sea bottom and three borings (10-17 m depth) were executed on the shore. Accurate positioning was obtained using the DGPS and HYDRO and Track Point Systems. All data were digitally recorded and processed.

Purpose The studies aimed to reconstruct major phases of litho-morpho-pedogenic processes and past environmental changes in the Baltic coastal zone near Poddąbie (54°37,070′ N, 16°57,897′ E) based on physical, chemical, pollen, and fossil Cladocera analysis of the polycyclic pedocomplex. Materials and methods The polycyclic pedocomplex under study included seven fossil soils developed from the Early Holocene until modern times from various materials. The soils were sampled and analyzed using standard procedures in soil science to determine their physical and chemical properties. Pollen and fossil Cladocera analysis was also carried out in the examined profile. Radiocarbon dates of selected samples were also specified. Results and discussion The studied polycyclic pedocomplex has been developed from materials of varied origin, including glaciofluvial, fluvial, aeolian, and biogenic deposits of the lake. According to the results of pollen and fossil Cladocera analysis and radiocarbon dating, this body of water has evolved from the beginning of Preboreal period to the half of Boreal. The studied soils represent various reference groups and advancement of development. They constitute relics of former geomorphological and soil-forming processes, which have taken place over the last 9500 years, including periglacial processes, wildfires, Baltic Sea shoreline changes, and aeolian activity. The last stage of the coastal relief dynamics was conditioned by the fire which took place about 1472-1637 AD. The lack of plant cover and intensive abrasion due to direct vicinity of the coastline has caused the deposition of aeolian material, which is the parent material of nutrient-poor initial soils. Conclusions The analysis of fossil soil development with the use of specialized research methods allowed for reconstructing the dynamics of past geomorphological processes and natural environment changes in the study area. The studied polycyclic pedocomplex constitutes a record of environmental changes taking place in the central part of the Polish Baltic coastal zone from the Early Holocene to the present day. The studied soil sequence is located within a land depression developed in place of the former water reservoir created as a result of permafrost degradation, and filled with Holocene deposits.