A PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY RELATING TO THE PLEISTOCENE TORONTO FORMATION

Abstract

The present palynological study is used as a new approach to determine the stratigraphical and chronological position of the Pleistocene interglacial deposits, the Toronto formation, exposed in sections at Toronto, Ontario, Canada.An interpretation of lithology, combined with evidence supplied by the pollen and spore assemblages, indicates that the Don beds, the lower member of the Toronto formation, belong to the Sangamon Interglacial. The Scarborough beds, the upper member of the formation, were deposited during a nonglacial interval, cooler than the present. Conformity between the two members is questioned on grounds of lithological and palynological evidence.Results of palynological studies, as indicated by this investigation, can be used for interpretation of the mode of deposition of certain laminated sediments and for reconstruction of past types of landscape.