Komplexe Untersuchungen zur quartären Eisstausee-Entwicklung in Mitteldeutschland

Abstract Geological-sedimentological (grain size, micromorphology, varve correlation) and geochemical (stable isotopes: (18)O/(16)O,(13)C/(12)C) investigations with ice-dammed lake sediments of the Dehlitz-Leipzig varved clay enable to elucidate in detail the palaeosedimentologic and palaeoclimatic conditions in the surrounding of the Elsterian Scandinavian inland-ice sheet a relatively short time before its maximum extension in Central Europe took place. For the space of time between formation of the ice-dammed glacial lake and its run-over by Scandinavian inland-ice sheet the obtained results allow to distinguish at least four evolutionary phases. Regarding the palaeosedimentologic relations in the ice-dammed glacial lake these four phases are characterized by differences in the dynamics of sediment input, suspension density within the water body and existence/absence of stagnation events with syngenetic formation of carbonates under anoxic conditions. During the formation of glacial varves the obtained data seem to support the existence of small seasonal differences which can be due to very cold, long winter- and short, cool summer periods. In this way the time of the first Elsterian glacial maximum, reflected by the varved clays, can be classified as a typical glacial climatic period.