A new integrated micropalaeontological study on planktonic and benthic foraminifera, calcareous
nannofossils and diatoms was performed on three sediment cores from the Storfjorden Trough Mouth Fan to
reconstruct the Late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental and climatic history. Two main intervals were discussed: the
last deglaciation (16.2–11.7 ka BP) and the Holocene. The age model relies on palaeomagnetic parameters together
with 10 radiocarbon dates. Deglacial sediments had largely diluted the biogenic content which was scarce and
poorly preserved. The first occurrence of Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi (benthic foraminifer), together with
Turborotalita quinqueloba (planktonic foraminifer) and Coscinodiscus spp. (diatoms) at 11.3 ka BP followed the end
of the Younger Dryas cold event and marked the beginning of the early Holocene warm period. Diatoms and
planktonic foraminifers indicated a warming of the surface water from 10.5 to 9.2 ka BP, identifying the Holocene
Thermal Maximum event. Bottom water fauna registered these warming conditions less clearly. Cooling events
were identified during the Holocene, in particular the 8.2 ka BP event and the Neoglacial between 3.2 and 2 ka BP,
as shown by the presence of cold-water taxa such as Gephyrocapsa muellerae (nannoplankton) and Neogloboquadrina
pachyderma (planktonic foraminifer). These events were influenced by sea ice extent, cold or
relatively warm current influxes.
