Potential of palynostratigraphic resolution in a homogeneous lacustrine succession: the Middle Eocene Messel Formation

Palynologieal results from two cores of the Middle Eocene Messel oil shale (Germany)are compared and tested for their reliability in stratigraphic correlation and suitability for time series analysis. The studied section of 139 m respectively 126.5 m mainly of annually laminated oil shale represents a time interval of less than I my during the Eocene greenhouse phase. Frequency curves and running means are shown for examples of restricted distribution (Restionaceae, Pinaceae pollen), rare (Labrapollis labraferus, Pentapollenites spp.), common (various pollen of Juglandaceae) and dominat occurrence (Plicatopollis spp., Tricolpopollenites liblarensis /Tricolporopollenites cingulum group). They show good correspondence between the two cores even in minor quantitative changes and thus confirm the fidelity by which vegetation changes in the vicinity are reflected in the homogeneous sediments of a lacustrine basin