Fossiliferous glacial erratics have been found in moraines of the Grove Mountains, east Antarctica since 1998 by Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHNARE) teams. These erratics were derived from a suite of glaciogene strata hidden beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet in the Lambert glacier drainage system, and thus provide a record of Cenozoic paleoenvironmental conditions and fossil biotas that are so far unknown from outcrops and drill cores in this region. By microfossil analysis, sparse Neogene spores and pollen grains are revealed, including: Toroisporis (Lygodiaceae), Granulatisporites (Pteridaceae?), Osmunda (Osmundaceae), Polypodiaceae, Magnastriatites (Parkeriaceae), Deltoidospora, Araucariaceae, Taxodiaceae, Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae), Dacrydium (Podocarpaceae), Pinus (Pinaceae), Keteleeria (Pinaceae), Picea (Pinaceae), Tsuga (Pinaceae), Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia (Asteraceae), Asteraceae, Gramineae, Fraxinoipollenites (Oleaceae), Oleoidearumpollenites (Oleaceae), Oleaceae, Operculumpollis, Nothofagidites (Nothofagus), Rhus, Quercus (Fagaceae), Juglans (Juglandaceae), Pterocarya (Juglandaceae), Liquidambar (Hamamelidaceae), Ulmus (Ulmaceae), Ulmoidepites (Ulmaceae), Tilia, Proteacidites (Proteaceae) and Tricolpopollenites; but without any marine diatoms. Most of the spores and pollen grains in the erratics are considered to originate from local sources except for some older exotic components that might be recycled from the basement sedimentary rocks by the ice sheet, so they are in situ sporo-palynological assemblages. Furthermore, since the source areas of the glaciogenic sedimentary rocks are assumed to be local or in the up glacier areas, the palynological assemblages in these erratics represent an inland terrestrial flora during a warmer period of the ice-sheet evolutionary history. The ages of these erratics are also discussed based on the occurrence of some diagnostic pollens such as the Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae and Nothofagus, which implies Neogene (most probably Pliocene). As a preliminary conclusion, we think that the existence of the Cenozoic glaciogenic rocks and their palynological assemblages present new evidence for a large scale glacial retreat event in the Grove Mountains of east Antarctica, and thus support a dynamic East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS). Furthermore, the absence of marine fossils in the samples analyzed not only provides additional evidence for a terrestrial sedimentary environment of these erratics, but also indicates that there is no transportation of Cenozoic marine fossils from the adjacent areas of the Grove Mountains.
Pollen results of profiles IT1238 and IT0446 from Guangfulin in Shanghai were reported. Based on 14C data and archaeological chronology, pollen records reveal a mixed subtropical evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest dominated by Quecus and Ulmaceae in the studied area before 5300 cal. a B.P., indicating a warm-humid climate. There is yet no sign of human activity at that time. Evidence shows the rise of agriculture and expansion of lakes and swamps during the early-mid Liangzhu Culture. During the late Liangzhu Culture, Quecus almost disappeared, while reduced lake and swamp areas with dominant cold-dry climate possibly led to the decline of aquatic herbs and the increase of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae. This situation remained till the Warring States Period and Dong Han Dynasty when Quecus resumed again, and human influence enhanced in the late Dong Han Dynasty.
This paper gives a general review on the development of palynology in China,and suggests that the national economic construction,the country's reform and open-door policy,and the national knowledge innovation project successively bring the turning points for the initiation and afterward development of palynology in China. The author appeals palynologists in China to envisage any possible choice for unceasing innovation,and multi-disciplines union. A brief introduction to the main contents of the volume is made,including two review papers,eight on sedimentary palynology,one on surface soil pollen and land vegetation coverage simulation,and one on pollen flux,and three on modern pollen morphology,in addition to this paper.
'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(23.036 .093 25.536)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(45.87 1.273 16.18)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(69.945 .996 12.078)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(20.66 -19.689 31.932)'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)