PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES USING OF TECHNIQUES PROCESSING OF UPPER CINOZOIC SEDIMENTS OF UKRAINE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SPORE-POLLEN ANALYSIS

Abstract

The effectiveness of palynological research largely depends on the use of the most optimal of method processing, therefore the task of improving the methodological basis of palynological research is currently very relevant. This is especially significant for subaerial Upper Cenozoic deposits, from which the extraction of spores and pollen is usually very difficult. An important aspect of the modern stage of palynological research of Cenozoic sediments of Ukraine is the optimization of processing techniques to increase their efficiency and reduce their duration. The purpose of the presented research is experimental work to determine the effectiveness of the processing of the Croatian Geological Institute for the extraction of pollen and spores from subaerial Upper Cenozoic rocks of Ukraine and the selection of the most optimal processing method for these deposits. Continental deposits of the Upper Pliocene and Holocene were selected for the experiment, exposed in two outcrops located within the Kharkiv and Kherson regions of Ukraine. Both sections are unique, because within the research regions, hostilities are currently taking place and the specified objects will not be accessible for scientific research for a long time. For the processing of the samples, two methods were used in parallel – one used at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the other – at the Croatian Geological Institute. The article provides a detailed description of the specified processing methods and the results of the analysis of the obtained data. The positive and negative aspects of the application of heavy liquid ZnCl, which is used in the Croatian Geological Institute, for the separation of pollen from the Upper Cenozoic rocks of Ukraine, have been established. The conclusion that the method of the Croatian Geological Institute is not effective for subaerial deposits of the Pliocene and Holocene (fossil soils, intersoil clays and loess) of Ukraine is justified. Attention is focused on the effectiveness of the specified method for the extradition of algae from Cenozoic sediments, as well as pollen and spores from rocks of other genesis and age.