Clearly, the present results indicate potential for the application of quantitative palynological analysis for climatic and environmental reconstructions (except perhaps for the middle-upper Miocene interval) using materials from Site 1168. Further study involving higher-resolution analysis is under way, notably on the Eocene-Oligocene and Oligocene-Miocene transitions. Results of these more detailed studies will be presented in future contributions.
Significantly, the overall dinocyst distribution pattern matches a long-term (>40 m.y.) existence of a proto-Leeuwin Current influencing the larger southern Australian region, including Site 1168, resulting in warm-temperate dinocyst assemblages during the Paleogene and distinct virtual absence of Antarctic endemic species. The influence of this current apparently quite abruptly diminished directly to the south of the studied area. Varying influence of colder (cold temperate) sea-surface conditions is, however, also apparent, notably during the late Pliocene-Quaternary.