41-5 Palynological evidence for hydroclimate variability in the Holocene of Kentucky – preliminary data from the Floracliff Nature Preserve, Fayette County, KY

Session: Paleontology, Stratigraphy, Sediments, and Soils (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 26

Presenting Author:

Margaret Alden

Authors:

Alden, Margaret E.¹, Ritchie, Marianna C.², Sprinkle, Hannah L.³, Cardone, Luciano Brasileiro⁴, Thigpen, Ryan⁵, Woolery, Edward W.⁶, Dortch, Jason⁷, McGlue, Michael M.⁸, Collick, Amy S.⁹, Kibria, Md Golam¹⁰, O'Keefe, Jennifer M.K.¹¹

(1) Department of Engineering Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, USA, (2) Department of Engineering Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, USA, (3) Department of Engineering Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, , (4) Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, (5) Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, (6) Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, (7) Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, , (8) Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, (9) Department of Agricultural Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, USA, (10) Department of Engineering Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, USA, (11) Department of Engineering Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, USA,

Abstract:

Flood events are increasing in frequency and impact in Kentucky. To develop engineered resiliency, we must first understand the patterns of Kentucky’s late Quaternary flooding events and their relationship to hydroclimatological changes. A major goal of the CLIMBS (Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction, and Building Response Systems) Project 2: Paleoperspectives, is to do this through reconstruction of a Holocene hydroclimate record for Kentucky. This can be accomplished through plant- and fungal-based reconstructions using the CRESTr package. In the Kentucky River drainage basin, sediments from the Floracliff Nature Preserve not only record Holocene flood frequency but contain abundant palynomorphs. The site has had minimal anthropogenic disturbances over the last 60 years and has also had limited impacts from mass-wasting in that time period, which permits the impact of flooding relative to hydroclimate to be examined. A combination of trench and core samples were obtained in Summer 2025 and analyzed for palynomorph content. They contain a diverse palynoflora, with abundant non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), primarily fungi, that are being used to reconstruct the local microclimate and provide details about past ecosystems as well as sediment source rocks. Trench and core samples were obtained on 5-cm spacing and processed using a modification of the O’Keefe and Eble technique to maximize recovery of thermally immature and damaged palynomorphs. Here we present the preliminary results of palynological study, including preliminary hydroclimate reconstruction.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1, 2026

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026SE-13561

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