Diatoms from Bottom Sediments of Karakel’ Lake (Central Caucasus) and a Reconstruction of Regional Climate Events in the Late Holocene

Abstract

Data on diatom complexes from bottom deposits of Lake Karakel’ (the Karachayevo-Cherkessian Republic) have been analyzed. The principle of unification of bioindication methods has been applied. The hydrological parameters of lake water (temperature, pH, and saprobithy) have been reconstructed over a period of 2000 years. The results of isotopic dating of bottom sediments have been used. For the first time for the Central Caucasus, the current and Late Holocene diatom alga complexes have been described. Photographs of the most abundant and significant lower taxa of diatom algae are given.