Stable isotope composition of the Holsteinian (MIS 11) freshwater snail Valvata piscinalis (O. F. Müller, 1774) from eastern Poland and its palaeoenvironmental implications

Abstract

Stable oxygen and carbon isotope investigations were conducted on shells of the freshwater gastropod Valvata piscinalis from palaeolake deposits of Holsteinian age (Marine Isotope Stage 11) from eastern Poland. The isotope record of this species was used for the first time as an archive of environmental conditions for selected lakes between the protocratic stage and the post‐optimum period of the interglacial. The lowest δ18O and δ13C values of −8.1 and −12.1‰, respectively, were recorded in the Picea–Alnus zone at Ortel Królewski palaeolake. The sparse vegetation and low productivity of that time are reflected in the relatively low δ13C values. The first significant increase of temperature was recorded in the Taxus zone (i.e. an increase in δ18O). The higher temperature influenced the expansion of macrophytes, which stimulated enhanced photosynthesis. Similar mean δ18O values in the Taxus and Pinus–Larix zones imply no distinct temperature change. V. piscinalis populations from Ossówka–Hrud and Roskosz palaeolakes record variations in lake productivity during the climatic optimum of the interglacial (Carpinus–Abies zone). The δ18O values of that time are relatively high (up to −4.5‰) and reveal no significant differences between the lakes. Decreases of the oxygen isotope values in the Szymanowo lake reflect post‐optimum cooling.

Palaeotemperature estimation in the Holsteinian Interglacial (MIS 11) based on oxygen isotopes of aquatic gastropods from eastern Poland

“…Lower water levels coincided with the expansion of bulrush and reeds, whereas higher water levels occurred together with restricted aquatic inshore vegetation and possible water movements (Szymanek Brest (1980) Temperature Cracow (1975-2010 Precipitation Brest (1980Brest ( -1983 Precipitation Cracow (1975Cracow ( -2010 (b) . Deeper-water conditions reflected in a higher content of V. piscinalis were noted at Ossówka (unpublished data) and in the Hrud II profile, where they were followed by a gradual lake shallowing combined with the renewed growth of near-shore aquatic plants, evidenced by the malacological record, and increased carbon isotope values (Szymanek 2012(Szymanek , 2016Szymanek et al 2016). These changes correspond to the climatic optimum of the Holsteinian Interglacialthe Carpinus-Abies Zone (Szymanek 2012;Szymanek et al 2016), whereas the Ossówka succession encompasses the Carpinus-Abies Zone, the post-optimum period with an undefined pollen zone, and possibly the early stage of the Saalian Glaciation (Text- fig.…”

“…The ecology of the studied palaeolakes has been based on multi-proxy palaeobotanical (Lindner et al 1991;Nitychoruk 1995, 1996;Krupiński 1995Krupiński , 2000Bińka et al 1997;Marciniak 1998), malacological (Lindner et al 1991;Albrycht et al 1995;Skompski 1996;Szymanek 2012Szymanek , 2013Szymanek , 2014a and geochemical analyses (Szymanek 2016;2017;Szymanek et al 2016), which yielded basic information about their hydrological regime (water level changes, water movements/wave action, depth conditions etc. ), the aquatic vegetation, productivity and trophic conditions.…”

“…3). However, the occurrence of warmth-demanding mollusc species through the entire Ossówka succession (unpublished data) may indicate some shell redeposition in a post-interglacial lake (Szymanek 2016;Szymanek et al 2016).…”

“…One of the approaches is an estimation of the relative air temperature changes, based on the δ 18 O/temperature coefficient which depends on the local precipitation and isotopic fractionation gradients, with the minor influence of evaporative enrichment (Dansgaard 1964;Siegenthaler and Eicher 1986;Hammarlund et al 1999;Ahlberg et al 1996;Ralska-Jasiewiczowa et al 2003;Apolinarska 2009a;Apolinarska and Hammarlund 2009;Dabkowski et al 2012). Despite some generalisations and presupposed simplifications in these reconstructions, they often appear reliable and congruent with palaeobotanical estimations (Hammarlund et al 1999;Apolinarska and Hammarlund 2009;Szymanek 2016;Szymanek et al 2016). Because researchers strive to be more accurate in temperature interpretations, another approach focuses on calculating the absolute past-water temperature based on several more advanced formulas applicable to biogenic carbonates, including molluscs (e.g., Epstein et al 1953;Craig 1965;Grossman and Ku 1986;Kim and O'Neil 1997;White et al 1999;Leng and Marshall 2004;Bugler et al 2009;Grossman 2012).…”

“…It was based on recent isotope investigations of Viviparus diluvianus and Valvata piscinalis shells, characterising the relative air temperature changes and climate-environmental conditions of four palaeolakes of eastern Poland (Szymanek 2016;Szymanek et al 2016). The main goal of this study is a quantitative interpretation of the oxygen isotope record of V. diluvianus and V. piscinalis shells.…”