4.1 Phase I: Lower Depths (GC1: 272-202 cm, GC2: 266-202 cm,
GC3: 260-202 cm)
The lower depths record lower sedimentation of intercalated fine to
medium sand (GC1 = 9.8cm/kyr; GC2 = 13.9cm/kyr; GC3 = 13.1 cm/kyr), high
abundances of hinterland components (e.g., ~40-41%
Savannah grass pollen – Poaceae, 30% Cyperaceae (Fluvial and
Freshwater indicator), 19-21% charred grass cuticles,
~43% afromontane taxon – Podocarpus ),
~18-19%
freshwater algae – Pediastrum , high Ti/Zr ratio (Table 1). In
addition, low abundances of planktonic foraminifera Globorotaliaspp. (~18-20%) and mangrove pollen (Rhizophora21%, Avicenniaceae ~13%), and low Fe/S ratio
(~10-15 mg-1/ppm) are also recorded at
these depths (Figures 3-5). Thus, hinterland indicators increased
relative to mangrove/littoral proxies.