Trace fossils and palynomorphs in Holocene calcareous concretions from Lake Selbusjøen, Mid-Norway: Post-glacial environmental records

Abstract

Trace fossils and palynomorphs are recorded for the first time in Holocene calcareous concretions from Lake Selbusjøen, Central Norway. The described trace fossils can be assigned to the Mermia ichnofacies, characterizing lake deposits with good oxygenation and low depositional energy. The predominance of simple grazing trails and shallow burrows (e.g. Cochlichnus, Helminthoidichnites and Treptichnus) in silty and sandy concretions possibly represent relatively low-energy sublittoral parts of the lake, while the occurrence of Vagorichnus and Arenicolites in sandy substrate points to littoral and shallow sublittoral areas with moderate depositional energy. The trace fossils and palynomorph assemblages from Lake Selbusjøen appear to relate to periods of climatic warming during Pre-Boreal times, and possibly also Atlantic times.