EGQSJ - recent articles

Paleoseasonality through serial stable isotope analysis of Pleistocene to recent Etheria elliptica shells from the middle Atbara River, eastern Sudan

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:16:53 +0200

Paleoseasonality through serial stable isotope analysis of Pleistocene to recent Etheria elliptica shells from the middle Atbara River, eastern Sudan
Aisha Huseen, Robert Bussert, Mosab Mohammednoor, Ulrich Struck, Sumiko Tsukamoto, Ali Eisawi, and Faysal Bibi
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 173–190, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-173-2026, 2026
Oxygen isotopes from Atbara River shells reveal that rainfall seasonality has remained similar to modern patterns for about 200 ka, highlighting persistent seasonality that structured savanna ecosystems. Carbon isotopes were more enriched in the Late Pleistocene for reasons still unclear. Today, the Atbara local meteoric water line matches other Nile basin rivers, reflecting strong evaporation and mixed moisture sources.

Holocene landscape evolution and settlement development in the surroundings of the ancient Egyptian city of Bubastis (“Tell Basta”), southeastern Nile Delta

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:16:53 +0200

Holocene landscape evolution and settlement development in the surroundings of the ancient Egyptian city of Bubastis (“Tell Basta”), southeastern Nile Delta
Philipp Garbe
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 169–171, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-169-2026, 2026
Ancient Bubastis (Tell Basta) remained occupied for over 3000 years despite the highly dynamic environmental conditions of the Nile Delta. This thesis reconstructs the city's landscape and settlement history using sediment coring, geophysical surveys, and phytolith analyses, demonstrating how geomorphology and changing land-use practices shaped long-term urban development.

Tree growth at the beginning of the Holocene at an elevation of 2150 m in the Engadin Valley, Switzerland

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:16:53 +0200

Tree growth at the beginning of the Holocene at an elevation of 2150 m in the Engadin Valley, Switzerland
Christian Schlüchter, Leo Hösli, Kurt Nicolussi, Christoph Korte, and Irka Hajdas
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 163–167, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-163-2026, 2026
We found Larix decidua at 2156 m altitude in front of the Morteratschgletscher (Engadin, CH) liberated recently from the ice. This tree stopped growing ~10 350 years ago. Another tree started to grow ~10 800 years ago (early Preboreal), which was ~800 years after the end of the Younger Dryas. At this time the glacier did not cover the sampling site. Thus, in the early Preboreal the terminus of the Morteratschgletscher was at much higher elevation in comparison to the present-day situation.

Review of numerical methods for dating Quaternary volcanism

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:16:53 +0200

Review of numerical methods for dating Quaternary volcanism
William McCreary, Venera May, Daniela Mueller, Elena Serra, and Frank Preusser
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 131–162, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-131-2026, 2026
This paper provides a review of numeric dating methods for the Quaternary, which is unique in its focus on applications of the methods to volcanism. The methods included are K/Ar and Ar/Ar, radiocarbon, uranium series, cosmogenic nuclide exposure, and luminescence dating, each with a section on extra concerns for application to volcanic products. The paper’s objective is to serve as a resource for researchers using these methods or using dates produced by these methods for further research.

Postglacial water level changes of a drowned lake and river system in northeastern Mecklenburg Bay, southern Baltic Sea

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:16:53 +0200

Postglacial water level changes of a drowned lake and river system in northeastern Mecklenburg Bay, southern Baltic Sea
Julian Granzow, Franz Tauber, Helge W. Arz, Jacob Geersen, and Peter Feldens
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 107–129, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-107-2026, 2026
Water levels in the Baltic Sea have fluctuated since the Last Glacial, and coastlines have been at locations where water depth today is meters. We want to understand these changes and reconstruct prior lake boundaries and river channels in Mecklenburg Bay in the German Baltic Sea. This was done with acoustic remote sensing, video observation, and sampling and dating of seafloor sediments. Knowing the paleogeography is important for locating flooded sites of archeological interest.

An MIS 8 terrestrial record retrieved from a glacially overdeepened basin in the northern foreland of the European Alps

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:16:53 +0100

An MIS 8 terrestrial record retrieved from a glacially overdeepened basin in the northern foreland of the European Alps
Gustav Firla, Christopher Lüthgens, Thomas Burschil, Stephanie Neuhuber, Roberta Pini, Oscar Marchhart, Alexander Wieser, Clemens Schmalfuss, Ernst Kroemer, and Markus Fiebig
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 85–105, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-85-2026, 2026
Depositional single-grain feldspar luminescence ages reveal the filling of a glacially overdeepened basin during Marine Isotope Stage 8, representing rare evidence of this time frame in the northern Alpine foreland. Reflection seismic surveys revealed two cross-cutting glacial basins. The dated sediments reveal significantly younger ages than previously assumed. This represents a first step in a re-evaluation of the established Quaternary depositional chronology of the Bavarian Alpine foreland.

Environmental reconstruction of the younger loess sequences of the Petrovaradin Fortress Palaeolithic site (Novi Sad, Serbia)

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 22:16:53 +0100

Environmental reconstruction of the younger loess sequences of the Petrovaradin Fortress Palaeolithic site (Novi Sad, Serbia)
Slobodan B. Marković, Dušan Mihailović, Milica G. Bosnić, Petar Krsmanović, Philip D. Hughes, Aleksandar Pilipović, Mirjana Roksandić, Qingzhen Hao, Luo Wang, Jelena Kolundžija, Dušan Puhar, Rastko S. Marković, Tin Lukić, and Zoran M. Perić
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 73–84, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-73-2026, 2026
This study explores past environments at a key archaeological site in Serbia to understand how climate and landscape influenced early human life. By analysing soil layers, fossils, and other natural markers, we found that the area offered a mix of habitats and stable conditions during the last ice age. These findings suggest that the region was an important refuge for people and animals, helping us to better understand human survival in changing climates.

Decoding loess geochemical signals of the Schwalbenberg – a key to terrestrial system response to millennial-timescale Upper Pleistocene climate changes in western central Europe

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:16:53 +0100

Decoding loess geochemical signals of the Schwalbenberg – a key to terrestrial system response to millennial-timescale Upper Pleistocene climate changes in western central Europe
Mathias Vinnepand
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 69–72, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-69-2026, 2026
This thesis abstract deals with strategies that have been developed to disentangle interfering geochemical signals in dust-based loess deposits, tested at the Schwalbenberg, Germany. Information on dust particle origin and that which has been obtained during their transport and post-depositional process make up the geochemical element composition. If this information can be decoded, loess deposits can be compared across continents, and the timing and nature of terrestrial system responses can be comprehended.

The fluvial anthroposphere of the Wiesent River catchment, northern Bavaria, Germany: review and first results

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:16:53 +0100

The fluvial anthroposphere of the Wiesent River catchment, northern Bavaria, Germany: review and first results
Bastian E. W. W. Grimm, Alexander Voigt, Andreas Dix, Rainer Schreg, and Markus Fuchs
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 49–67, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-49-2026, 2026
People have shaped rivers and floodplains in central Europe for thousands of years, but these changes are often hard to trace. We studied the Wiesent River in southern Germany to understand how farming, forest clearing, and river management transformed a natural wetland into a human-shaped landscape. By combining historical sources with field measurements and sediment samples, we show that human land use has strongly controlled floodplain development since medieval times.

Historical clay extraction from paleo-channel deposits of the late-glacial Bergstraßenneckar in the Upper Rhine Graben, southwestern Germany

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:16:53 +0100

Historical clay extraction from paleo-channel deposits of the late-glacial Bergstraßenneckar in the Upper Rhine Graben, southwestern Germany
Felix Henselowsky, Annette Kadereit, Manuel Herzog, Barbara Tuczek, Heinrich Thiemeyer, Olaf Bubenzer, and Max Engel
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 33–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-33-2026, 2026
The marshy, silted-up channel of the Late Glacial Bergstraßenneckar near Mannheim provided a rare source of clay in the sand- and gravel-dominated environment of the Rhine river. Based on satellite images, sedimentological, geophysical, and historical data, as well as optical dating, we identify a plot of sand-filled trenches where clay was mined around 1865 CE, which was only possible after groundwater lowering resulting from large-scale river regulation starting in the early 19th century.

Beryllium-10-derived denudation rates in the Roda Catchment, Germany

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:16:53 +0100

Beryllium-10-derived denudation rates in the Roda Catchment, Germany
Lianqing Zhang, Yingkui Li, Oscar Marchhart, Silke Merchel, Alexander Wieser, and Roland Zech
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 19–32, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-19-2026, 2026
This study presents cosmogenic 10Be-derived denudation rates from the Roda Catchment, central Germany. Denudation rates in Europe are generally higher than in other regions globally, indicating the influence of periglacial dynamics on denudation. Short-term erosion rates are lower than long-term denudation rates, despite intensive recent human activity. Differences between local and catchment-wide denudation imply a relief change of 0–28 mm kyr‒1 in the Roda Catchment over the past 10 ka.

The geomorphological and sedimentological legacy of the historical Lake Lorsch within the Weschnitz floodplain (northeastern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany)

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:16:53 +0100

The geomorphological and sedimentological legacy of the historical Lake Lorsch within the Weschnitz floodplain (northeastern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany)
Felix Henselowsky, Peter Fischer, Elena Appel, Barbara Jäger, Nicolai Hillmus, Helen Sandbrink, Thomas Becker, Roland Prien, Gerrit Jasper Schenk, Bertil Mächtle, Udo Recker, Olaf Bubenzer, and Andreas Vött
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 75, 1–18, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-75-1-2026, 2026
The historical Lake Lorsch in the Upper Rhine Graben (Germany) is a good example of how humans have changed the fluvial and hydrological systems in the area for at least 500 years. Interdisciplinary research from geomorphology and historical sciences have reconstructed the history based on old maps, digital elevation models and drillings. The results show a sophisticated system of artificial in- and outflows, which partly still exist today, and represent long-term changes in the Weschnitz floodplain.

Eco-morphological changes and potential salmon habitat suitability since pre-industrial times in the Mulde River system (Germany)

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Eco-morphological changes and potential salmon habitat suitability since pre-industrial times in the Mulde River system (Germany)
Martin Offermann, Michael Hein, Ronja Hegemann, Kay Gödecke, Lucas Hegner, Yamuna Henke, Nele Schäfer, Hanna Shelukhina, Erik Liebscher, Severin Opel, Johannes Rabiger-Völlmer, Lukas Werther, and Christoph Zielhofer
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 325–354, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-325-2025, 2025
A multi-temporal study investigates river morphology, connectivity, and floodplain land use in the Mulde River system, focusing on the local extinction of Atlantic salmon. The study uses old maps to identify historical barriers and floodplain land use as a proxy for pollution. First results show a negative relationship between increasing barriers counts, intensive floodplain land use, and salmon populations. Sinuous and meandering channel patterns correspond to higher salmon presence.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of river channel patterns during the last 400 years south of Leipzig, Germany

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Spatiotemporal dynamics of river channel patterns during the last 400 years south of Leipzig, Germany
Johannes Schmidt, Sophie Lindemann, Felicitas Geißler, Michael Hein, Niels Lohse, Julia Schmidt-Funke, and Matthias Hardt
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 355–381, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-355-2025, 2025
This study shows how the Elster–Pleiße floodplain near Leipzig changed from a dynamic, anabranching river system to a mostly fixed river system. Using old maps and modern airborne surface structure mapping, researchers found that human activities like canals, mills, flood control, and sediment accumulation over time caused rivers to straighten and lose mobility. Understanding and quantifying these past changes can help guide future river restoration and flood management.

Sediment storage quantification in the Black Forest highlights tectonic influence on typically wide and shallow valleys

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Sediment storage quantification in the Black Forest highlights tectonic influence on typically wide and shallow valleys
Annette Sophie Bösmeier and Jan Henrik Blöthe
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 301–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-301-2025, 2025
We estimated the thickness, spatial distribution, and volumes of alluvial valley fills in the southwestern Black Forest utilizing an extensive borehole database to compile local valley cross sections and model sediment depth above bedrock. Our results reveal considerable spatial heterogeneity and underscore the importance of tectonic boundary conditions on the valley infill in addition to further geologic, hydrologic, and climatologic conditions and processes interacting with fluvial dynamics.

Transport of heavy minerals and heavy anthropogenic particles in the Rio Sella catchment and along the adjacent coast, northern Spain

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Transport of heavy minerals and heavy anthropogenic particles in the Rio Sella catchment and along the adjacent coast, northern Spain
Andreas Gärtner and Anja Sagawe
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 281–299, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-281-2025, 2025
Data from a geologically diverse river catchment in Spain show that certain types of rock provide minerals that are commonly used in the field of geoscience. Other lithologies present in the area do not contribute to the signal. This bias must be accounted for in all studies attempting to provide hinterland information by sampling river sediments. Then, a surprisingly high number of heavy particles of anthropogenic origin were found. These are not yet well represented in environmental studies.

From the 8.2 ka event to the Little Ice Age: Holocene cold periods and human impact recorded in alpine glaciofluvial peatlands (Silvretta Mountains, Switzerland)

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

From the 8.2 ka event to the Little Ice Age: Holocene cold periods and human impact recorded in alpine glaciofluvial peatlands (Silvretta Mountains, Switzerland)
Clemens von Scheffer, François De Vleeschouwer, Gaël Le Roux, and Ingmar Unkel
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 263–279, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-263-2025, 2025
Alpine peatlands aged 10 000 years old were cored in the Swiss Fimba Valley to investigate their development and past environmental conditions. Sediment layers embedded in the peat show periods of glacier growth, which suppressed peat growth. Human impacts like pastoralism and deforestation began shaping the landscape from the Bronze Age onwards into what it is today. The impacts and potential effects on carbon accumulation and flood mitigation in the valley should be considered in land management practice.

Silts with a human touch: the shift from natural to anthropogenically controlled fluvial dynamics in the Kinzig River floodplains, southwestern Germany

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Silts with a human touch: the shift from natural to anthropogenically controlled fluvial dynamics in the Kinzig River floodplains, southwestern Germany
Charlotte E. Engelmann, Frank Preusser, Alexander Fülling, Jakob Wilk, Elisabeth Eiche, Dennis Quandt, Stefan Hergarten, and Jan H. Blöthe
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 235–262, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-235-2025, 2025
It is unclear since when and how meso-scale central European river systems have been dominated by human instead of natural influences. Here, the floodplain sediments of the Kinzig River, southwestern Germany, were studied as they recorded natural and human landscape changes. Sediment deposition phases were found, the modern phase of which coincides with increased deposition and heavy metal contaminations that correlate with mining records, indicating that the river system has shifted intensely over 1000 years.

Quaternary glaciations in Southern Africa? A “moraine” in the Lesotho highland revisited

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

Quaternary glaciations in Southern Africa? A “moraine” in the Lesotho highland revisited
Venise S. Bayer, Margot Böse, Kai Hartmann, Joalane Marunye, and Frank Riedel
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 219–233, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-219-2025, 2025
The Drakensberg and Lesotho highlands serve as essential water sources. Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of rising global temperatures, prompting paleoclimatic reconstructions. However, the Last Glacial Maximum's paleoclimate conditions remain debated. Re-examination of a landscape feature challenges prior glacier associations. Our findings suggest no glacial link. Reassessing similar landforms in Lesotho's high-altitude areas is necessary for the LGM's paleoclimate implications.

The depositional age of glacio-lacustrine sediments (Salzburger Seeton) from the lower Salzach Valley, Austria

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:16:53 +0100

The depositional age of glacio-lacustrine sediments (Salzburger Seeton) from the lower Salzach Valley, Austria
Gustav Firla, Markus Fiebig, Titus Rauter, and Christopher Lüthgens
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 74, 213–218, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-74-213-2025, 2025
Glacio-lacustrine sediments from the overdeepened lower Salzach Valley were investigated. A 30 m long core retrieved sediments that could be identified as the “Salzburger Seeton”. Single-grain luminescence dating methods were applied on six samples spread over the whole depth of the core. The depositional age of these sediments was calculated to be 18.6 ± 0.9 ka. This time frame suggests that at least some shallow parts were filled by post-LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) lacustrine fine sediments.