HOLOCENE BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL RECORD FROM A HIGH-ARCTIC FJORD, NORDAUSTLANDET, SVALBARD

This study presents the results of benthic foraminiferal analyses of a marine core record from about 100 m water depth in the fjord environment of Isvika bay, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. During the Last Glacial Maximum, the bay was glaciated by the north-western sector of the Svalbard-Barents Sea Ice Sheet. The foraminiferal assemblages reflect glaciomarine conditions during deglaciation and early Holocene (about 11 2509640 cal. yr bp) followed by glacier-distal environment in an open fjord with relatively high influence of Atlantic waters from the open ocean (96407430 cal. yr bp). A subsequent foraminiferal indication of a glacial advance was followed by deposition of a diamicton unit within a short time period at 58005700 cal. yr bp. The mid- and late Holocene were characterized by assemblages indicating restricted open-ocean connection and gradually more severe conditions, which are considered to be caused partly by a gradual cooling and freshening of the Atlantic water inflow to the shelf area and partly by a continuous isostatic uplift of the area. The foraminiferal record shows that the environmental changes in Murchisonfjorden are not just an effect of changes in solar insolation but are also influenced by local processes, as well as changes in the Atlantic water inflow to the northern Svalbard shelf and to the fjord via Hinlopenstretet.