Abstract
Abstract ––We present the results of comprehensive studies of Holocene bottom sediments from the shallow hypersaline (mineralization up to 282 g/L) Lake Bolshoi Bagan, located in the East Baraba lowland (south of Western Siberia). The research methods include X-ray diffractometry (XRD), IR spectroscopy, laser granulometry, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis of sediments and pore water, radiocarbon (14C AMS) dating. It has been found that during the Holocene an intensive authigenic mineral formation took place in the lake basin; gypsum, halite and carbonates of calcite-dolomite series dominate among the newly formed mineral phases. Mg-calcites with different Mg contents, excess-Ca dolomites, aragonite and occasionally Mg-siderite have been found in the assemblage of carbonate minerals by mathematical modeling of complex XRD patterns. Mineralogical and crystallochemical studies, supplemented by the results of geochemical analyses, allowed us to identify four stages of the evolution of Lake Bolshoi Bagan in the Holocene, due to regional climate variations. The boundaries of the stages in general correspond to the boundaries of the climatostratigraphic phases by the Blytt–Sernander system: Stage I (the end of the Boreal) – the lake formation, humid climate; Stage II (Atlantic) – climate aridization, shallowing of the lake; Stage III (Subboreal) – unstable climate, frequent change of conditions; Stage IV (Subatlantic) – moderately cool and dry climate.