Biostratigraphy of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary sediments in the Eastern Crimea

The Dvuyakornaya Formation section in the eastern Crimea is described and subdivided into biostratigraphic units based on ammonites, foraminifers, and ostracodes. The lower part of the formation contains first discovered ammonites of the upper Kimmeridgian (Lingulaticears cf. procurvum (Ziegler), Pseudowaagenia gemmellariana Olóriz, Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus (Herbich), Subplanites sp.) and Tithonian (?(Lingulaticeras efimovi (Rogov), Phylloceras consaguineum Gemmellaro, Oloriziceras cf. schneidi Tavera, and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius (Oppel)). Based on the assemblage of characteristic ammonite species, the upper part of the formation is attributed to the Berriasian Jacobi Zone. Five biostratigraphic units (zones and beds with fauna) distinguished based on foraminifers are the Epistomina ventriosa-Melathrokerion eospirialis Beds and Anchispirocyclina lusitanica-Melathrokerion spirialis Zone in the upper Kimmeridgian-Tithonian, the Protopeneroplis ultragranulatus-Siphoninella antiqua, Frondicularia cuspidiata-Saracenaria inflanta zones, and Textularia crimica Beds in the Berriasian. The Cyrherelloidea tortuosa-Palaeocytheridea grossi Beds of the Upper Jurassic and Raymoorea peculiaris-Eucytherura ardescae-Protocythere revili Beds of the Berriasian are defined based on ostracodes. A new biostratigraphic scale is proposed for the upper Kimmeridgian-Berriasian of the eastern Crimea. The Dvyyakornaya Formation sediments are considered as deepwater facies accumulated on the continental slope.     

Representatives of genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malbosiceras</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomeliceras</Emphasis> (Neocomitidae,Ammonoidea) from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains

The revised representatives of ammonite genera Malbosiceras and Pomeliceras from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains are classed with seven species, four of the first genus [M. malbosi (Pictet), M. chaperi (Pictet), M. broussei (Mazenot), M. pictetiforme Tavera] and three of the second one [P. aff. boisseti Nikolov, P. breveti (Pomel), P. (?) funduklense Lysenko et Arkadiev sp. nov.]. The identified species are described. The genus Mazenoticeras is considered as synonym of Malbosiceras. The above species prove that all the Berriasian zones (jacobi, occitanica and boissieri) are characteristic of corresponding deposits in the Crimean Mountains.     

Representatives of the Neocosmoceras (Neocomitidae, Ammonoidea) genus from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains and their stratigraphic significance

The genus Euthymiceras is considered as the junior synonym of the genus Neocosmoceras. Four species N. euthymi, N. cf. transfigurabilis, N. minutus sp. nov., and N. giganteus sp. nov. from the Berriasian deposits of the Crimean Mountains are described for the first time. The biostratigraphic unit formerly termed the “Euthymiceras-Neocosmoceras Beds” is ranked now as the Neocosmoceras euthymi Subzone with a synonymous index species. The subzone is correlated to the following biostratigraphic units: the synonymous subzone of the northern Caucasus, the Neocosmoceras-Septaliphoria semenovi (upper part) and Buchia volgensis local zones of Mangyshlak, the upper part of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone in the East European platform, and the paramimounum Subzone of the boissieri Zone in the standard zonation of the Tethyan ammonites.     

Ammonite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fauriella boissieri</Emphasis> (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone from the Crimean Mountains

Ammonite Fauriella boissieri (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone, is described for the first time as taxon occurring in the Crimean Mountains. In the Berriasian sections of the central Crimea and Chatyr-Dag massif, species F. boissieri are encountered only in association with upper Berriasian ammonites. The Berriasian-Valanginian boundary has not been identified based on ammonites in the Crimean Mountains. Consequently, there is no reason to include the otopeta Zone into the boissieri Zone in the rank of its upper subzone.     

Berriasian Stage of the Crimean Mountains: Zonal subdivisions and correlation

Biostratigraphy of the Berriasian Stage in the Crimean Mountains is specified and substantiated. Fragments of all the standard stage zones (jacobi, occitanica, and boissieri) are distinguished based on the found index species, and position of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary is targeted. According to verified distribution of ammonites, the jacobi Zone is divided into the jacobi and grandis subzones crowned by the Malbosiceras chaperi Beds. The Tirnovella occitanica-Retowskiceras retowskyi Beds and overlying Dalmasiceras tauricum Subzone are recognized in deposits of the occitanica Zone. The upward succession of biostratigraphic units established in the boissieri Zone includes the Euthymiceras-Neocosmoceras Beds, Riasanites crassicostatus Subzone, Symphythyris arguinensis and Jabronella sf. paquieri-Berriasella callisto Beds. The last biostratigraphic unit is suggested in this work instead the former Zeillerina baksanensis Beds. Except for the jacobi Zone, the substantiated ammonoid zonation is practically identical to the Berriasian biostratigraphic scale of the northern Caucasus, although the Berriasian-Valanginian boundary has not been defined in the Crimean Mountains based on ammonites. Several marker levels of bivalve mollusks and four biostratigraphic subdivisions of brachiopod scale are distinguishable here. As for the latter, these are (from the base upward) the Tonasirhynchia janini, Belbekella airgulensis-Sellithyris uniplicata, Symphythyris arguinensis, and Zeillerina baksanensis beds.     

Calpionellid biostratigraphy of the Upper Tithonian–Upper Valanginian interval in Western Sicily (Italy)

A revision of the calpionellid bio-chronostratigraphy in Western Sicily (Italy) was carried out, in order to update the taxonomy of this group, through the identification of some genera (Borziella, Longicollaria, Chitinoidella, Dobeniella, Sturiella, Borzaiella and Praecalpionellites) and species (Remaniella catalanoi Pop, Remaniella duranddelgai Pop, Remaniella colomi Pop, Remaniella borzai Pop, Remaniella filipescui Pop) recorded for the first time in the area. The studied sections, belonging to the Trapanese and Saccense Domains (Western Sicily), include at the base the upper portion of the Rosso Ammonitico Unit (Upper Tithonian), followed by the Lattimusa Formation (Lower Cretaceous). The quantitative and biostratigraphic analysis of the calpionellid assemblages allowed us to identify 13 assemblages and to define some important bioevents for the Upper Tithonian–Valangianian interval. The recorded calpionellid bioevents allowed us to recognize Zone/Subzone schema, which have been correlated with the bio-chronostratigraphy previously proposed for the Western Tethys. Editorial handling: M. Chiari (Guest) & J.-P. Billon-Bruyat     

The upper Volgian Substage in Northeast Siberia (Nordvik Peninsula) and its Panboreal correlation based on ammonites

Section of the middle and upper Volgian substages and basal Boreal Berriasian in the Cape Urdyuk-Khaya (Nordvik Peninsula) is largely composed of dark argillites substantially enriched in C_org. Characteristic of the section is a continuous succession of ammonite, foraminiferal, ostracode, and dinocyst zones known also in the other Arctic areas. Boundaries of the upper Volgian Substage are recognizable only based on biostratigraphic criteria. The succession of the middle Volgian Taimyrosphinctes excentricus to basal Ryazanian Hectoroceras kochi zones is characterized. The range of the substage is revised. The lower Exoticus Zone, where ammonites characteristic of the Nikitini Zone upper part in the East European platform have been found, is referred to the middle Volgian Substage. Newly found ammonites are figured. Two possible positions of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Arctic region, i.e., at the lower and upper boundaries of the Chetae Zone at the top of the upper Volgian Substage, are discussed.     

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Upper Barremian and Aptian of Crimea

Reexamination of the Barremian–Aptian planktonic foraminifers from three sections (Verkhoirechie, mountain Krasnaya, and Marino) allowed the biostratigraphic scheme for Southwest and Central Crimea to be refined and updated. The following standard zones are recognized in the studied sections: Blowiella blowi (upper Barremian), Hedbergella excelsa (upper Barremian–lower Aptian), Leupoldina cabri (lower Aptian), H. luterbacheri, Globigerinelloides ferreolensis, Gl. barri, Gl. algerianus, Hedbergella trocoidea, Paraticinella rohri (upper Aptian). Beds with Hedbergella ruka are recognized in the B. blowi Zone. Foraminifers from the Partizanskoe section, representing the lower Aptian L. cabri and H. luterbacheri zones, are studied. The recognized strata are correlated with ammonite and nannoplankton zones and paleomagnetic data.     

Correlation of the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian (Jurassic) boundary beds exposed in the Boulonnais,France with those at Kimmeridge,Dorset, UK

Sediments of Kimmeridgian and Tithonian age are well exposed on the Boulonnais coast of northern France between Equihen and Cap Gris Nez and on the south coast of England at and adjacent to Kimmeridge Bay. Both successions were deposited on a marine shelf and lie within the Subboreal faunal province which enables detailed correlations to be made between them based on ammonite assemblages. They are, however, lithologically markedly different due to their environmental settings: close to a land area in the case of the Boulonnais and within a depositional basin in the case of Kimmeridge. The succession adjacent to the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary exposed in the Boulonnais is highly condensed and laterally variable with more attenuated successions occurring close to the former Anglo-Brabant Massif land area. The boundary occurs at the end of a succession of up to six regressive-transgressive events that onlap the land area. This is in contrast to that at outcrop at Kimmeridge, where the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary is marked by a correlative conformity in an unbroken basinal succession. The cliff and foreshore exposures in the Kimmeridge area provide the only unbroken succession in the Subboreal faunal province of the beds adjacent to the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary.     

Faunal trends and sea-level changes: biogeographic patterns of Kimmeridgian ammonites on the Western European Shelf

The Kimmeridgian series of the northern Aquitaine margin is representative of the marine sedimentation on the Western European Shelf. It has been used to demonstrate a fundamental relationship between relative sea-level changes and the biogeographic dynamics of the Kimmeridgian ammonites.This synthesis, based on comparative sedimentological and paleobiogeographical studies, shows that the shelf was settled by submediterranean and/or subboreal ammonites during transgressive phases and maximum sea-level rises. Endemic lineages differentiated during the sea-level highstands and the beginning of lowstands. Correlative with the long-term sea-level rise, endemic elements have progressively taken a prominent role within the Kimmeridgian ammonite faunas of the shelf.The patterns of faunal changes have been deduced from studies of ammonite lineages from distinctive biogeographic origins: Rasenioides, Lithacosphinctes, Orthaspidoceras and Gravesia. Compared with subboreal ammonites, it seems that the submediterranean species were more tolerant of changing environments and adapted to new environments more easily. Therefore most of the endemic lineages which settled the Western European area originated in submediterranean faunas.     

New data on the Upper Devonian biostratigraphy and sedimentology of Stolb Island (Lena River delta)

The obtained new data on conodonts, brachiopods, ammonoids, and ostracods from the Stolb Island section indicate the predominantly Early Famennian (triangularis–Lower rhomboidea Zones) age of sedimentation. The Upper Kellwasser global biotic event, which marks the Frasnian/Famennian boundary, has been distinguished for Arctic Siberia for the first time. It was found that carbonate-terrigenous sequences accumulated in basinal sedimentary environments. Fine-clastic material was supplied to the sediments from different sources. A flow of dolomite debris is associated with the most distant source—areas of evaporite sedimentation. The presence of calcareous fragments is due to destruction of skeletal material (close provenance areas). Siliciclastics, which make up a considerable part of the sediments, were produced by partial rewashing and eolian differentiation of felsic pyroclastics. The existence of organic-rich horizons and beds of well-washed and well-sorted clastic sequences suggests that the Upper Devonian sediments have a high general petroleum potential.     

Integrated biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic framework for Upper Cretaceous strata of the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain, USA

Upper Cretaceous (Santonian-Maastrichtian stages) strata of the eastern US Gulf Coastal Plain represent a relatively complete section of marine to nonmarine mixed siliciclastic and carbonate sediments. This section includes three depositional sequences which display characteristic systems tracts and distinct physical defining surfaces. The marine lithofacies are rich in calcareous nannoplankton and planktonic foraminifera which can be used for biostratigraphic zonation. Integration of this zonation with the lithostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of these strata results in a framework that can be used for local and regional intrabasin correlation and potentially for global interbasin correlation. Only the synchronous maximum flooding surfaces of these depositional sequences, however, have chronostratigraphic significance. The sequence boundaries and initial flooding surfaces are diachronous, and their use for correlation can produce conflicting results. The availability of high resolution biostratigraphy is critical for global correlation of depositional sequences.     

New data on upper cretaceous biostratigraphy of the lower Volga region

This work discusses the complex characteristic of the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian-Lower Maastrichtian) section recovered by two boreholes in the southern part of the Volgograd region (right side of the Volga River) in the Gremyach??e potash deposit. Lithological and paleontological data (benthic foraminifers, radiolarians, and dinocysts) suggest several lithological-facies and biotic reorganizations. The analysis of the distribution of these microfossils through the section allowed the ages of the Zakharovo Group, Mozhzhevelovyi Ovrag, Mezino-Lapshinovka, Pudovkino, Zarya, Nalitovo, and Bereslavka Formations to be specified. Benthic foraminifers characterize zones of the Upper Cretaceous high-resolution scale available for the East European Platform and local (facies) units, while radiolarians and dinocysts reveal stratigraphic units in a bed rank. Using complex paleontological characteristics (benthic foraminifers, radiolarians, dinocysts), the defined biostratigraphic units are correlated between each other and with their counterparts in neighboring and remote regions of different paleobiogeographic regions and provinces. The Upper Cretaceous biostratigraphic scale is supplemented by the first defined dinocyst and radiolarian biostratigraphic units of the East European Platform. The new data provides evidence in favor of a three-substage division of the Campanian Stage instead the two-substage system presently accepted in Russia. It is shown that the traditional position of the lower boundary of the Maastrichtian Stage in the East European Platform is close to that of this boundary in the Standard Stratigraphic Scale. Some aspects of environmental and biotic evolution in the Volgograd region through the Late Cretaceous Epoch are considered.     

Stratigraphy of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary deposits in the Prosek section (Middle Volga Region). Article 1. Ammonites and infrazonal biostratigraphy

In European Russia, the most complete succession of Boreal sediments of the terminal Bathonian and lower Callovian is exposed near the Prosek Settlement. After its revision, the infrazonal division of the upper Bathonian and lower Callovian and position of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary are difined more carefully. The Calyx Zone and bodylevskyi Biohorizon are established in the upper Bathonian. The base of the lower Callovian is defined at the first occurrence level of Macrocephalites jacquoti. Based on four successive ammonite assemblages occurring in lower part of the Elatmae Zone, the breve, frearsi, quenstedti, and elatmae biohorizons are identified. The joint occurrence of Boreal, Subboreal, and Tethyan ammonites in the section facilitate its correlation with the other sections of the Panboreal paleobiogeographic superrealm.     

New data on biostratigraphy of the Vendian Nemakit-Daldynian stage in the southern Siberian platform

New paleontological finds in sediments of the Upper Vendian Nemakit-Dadynian Stage from different areas of the southern Siberian Platforms (Yenisei Range, Sayany region, central areas, Patom Highland) are discussed. The base of the Lower Cambrian Tommotian Stage (∼540 Ma) is established at the first appearance level of characteristic small-shelled fossils in the western part of the Patom Highland. This boundary coincides with the episode of a brief sea-level fall and enhanced terrigenous sedimentation in the basin with dominant carbonate sediment deposition. The base of the Purella antiqua Zone (544 Ma), which is registered by paleontological data in the Yenisei Range sections, is marked by the replacement of terrigenous sedimentation by the carbonate one. In the northwestern Yenisei Range, this boundary coincides, in addition, with a major hiatus and subsequent paleobasin extension. The base of the Nemakit-Daldynian Stage (base of the Anabarites trisulcatus Zone, ∼550 Ma) in most sections corresponds to the onset of sea transgression. In addition to small-shelled remains, sediments of this zone contain characteristic ichnofossils and Vendotaenia flora. It is shown that defined boundaries are traceable through the entire southern part of the Siberian Platform. This makes them useful for wider stratigraphic interpretations.     

东天山觉罗塔格地区夹白山一带晚古生代构造格局及演化

研究区早石炭世经历了中天山古陆北缘被动陆缘向活动陆缘沟弧盆体系演化的全过程。阿齐山一雅满苏岛弧带于维宪期发育在广宽陆棚海之上。岛弧为大型背形结构,雅满苏断裂带为火山喷发的主要通道,弧前盆地生成于弧沟间隙部位。晚石炭世早期,弧后区发生扩张作用而塌陷形成向形的边缘盆地。晚石炭世末,北侧康古尔洋区以弧弧对接方式关闭,弧区伴有深成花岗岩浆侵位。早二叠世早期进入松弛阶段,在弧间及弧后南缘产生上叠断陷盆地。晚二叠世右旋走滑变动席卷全区,最后大型造山带与地块之间发生块体右旋滑移错位,由此奠定了现今的盆山构造格局初貌。     

东天山觉罗塔格地区夹白山一带晚古生代构造格局及演化

研究区早石炭世经历了中天山古陆北缘被动陆缘向活动陆缘沟弧盆体系演化的全过程。阿齐山-雅满苏岛弧带于维宪期发育在广宽陆棚海之上。岛弧为大型背形结构,雅满苏断裂带为火山喷发的主要通道,弧前盆地生成于弧沟间隙部位。晚石炭世早期,弧后区发生扩张作用而塌陷形成向形的边缘盆地。晚石炭世末,北侧康古尔洋区以弧弧对接方式关闭,弧区伴有深成花岗岩浆侵位。早二叠世早期进入松弛阶段,在弧间及弧后南缘产生上叠断陷盆地。晚二叠世右旋走滑变动席卷全区,最后大型造山带与地块之间发生块体右旋滑移错位,由此奠定了现今的盆山构造格局初貌。     

黑河上游祁连山区土壤可培养细菌群落生境的垂直分异特征

利用PYGV、 R2A、 NB和Czapek 4种培养基, 研究了不同海拔下黑河上游祁连山区土壤细菌群落结构的变化规律.结果表明: 可培养细菌数量为4.6×10⁶~37.0×10⁶CFU·g^-1, 随海拔升高明显减少; 基于16S rRNA基因序列分析共发现了7个门、 19个属、 26种细菌, 其中Agreia pratensis, Mucilaginibacter ximonensis, 嗜冷冷杆菌(Cryobacterium psychrophilum)和氧化节杆菌(Arthrobacter oxydans)四种细菌是优势种; 嗜冷冷杆菌的相对丰度在高海拔地区明显增加, Agreia pratensis的相对丰度随海拔升高而降低; 细菌的多样性随海拔升高呈现出先升高后降低的趋势. 冗余分析(RDA)显示, 可培养细菌数量与海拔呈显著负相关, 细菌的多样性与植被指数和土壤理化性质均存在明显的相关关系, 说明可培养细菌数量主要受海拔的影响, 而植被和土壤理化性质是影响细菌群落多样性的主要因素.     

New data on sedimentation and biostratigraphy of ancient and New Azov Deposits (Sea of Azov)

Applying the methods of absolute geochronology and lithology, it has been established that the average sedimentation rate in the Sea of Azov over the last 6000 years (Ancient and New Azov times) varied from 0.2 to 2.0 mm/year. Its minimum values are confined to transit and sediment-starved zones coinciding with the directions of the main marine currents. It has been indicated that changes in the water level of the Sea of Azov occur with lag relative to landscape–climate phases. The obtained data confirm the relation between marine and terrestrial processes occurring in the Sea of Azov region: transgressive phases are preceded by general humidification in adjacent regions, while regressive phases correlate with climate aridization. The biostratigraphic analysis of the Holocene sections examined reveals the unstable behavior of the sea level during their formation. The results of diatom analysis confirm development of the Phanagoria and Korsun Regressions and Nymphea Transgression. Frequent fluctuations of the Sea of Azov the level determined the rhythmical structure of the sedimentary sequence saturated with autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter.     

川西甲基卡锂矿床伟晶岩结构分带及多期岩浆成矿作用

LCT(lithium- cesium- tantalum)伟晶岩的分带有两种形式,一种是单个伟晶岩脉的内部结构分带,这种伟晶岩脉通常体积巨大,内部结构显示出成分分带的特征,单一脉体中不同结构带中可能发育不同的稀有金属矿化带,例如新疆可可托海3号伟晶岩脉;另一种分带性表现为伟晶岩和成矿系统的区域分带,通常以高分异的过铝质花岗岩为中心,围绕花岗岩数以百计的伟晶岩脉显示出不同的伟晶岩类型和矿化类型,越向外围,伟晶岩的演化程度越高。区域分带内的伟晶岩单个脉体的规模不大、内部分带性差、含矿性各不相同,甲基卡锂矿就是这一类伟晶岩矿床的典型代表。对甲基卡矿区伟晶岩的野外观察发现,含Be的9号脉、含Li的133号脉和含Nb、Ta的528号脉具有相对较好的内部结构分带性,而含Li的104号脉和308号脉的内部分带性则相对较差,推测与脉体内部多期岩浆- 热液活动有关。甲基卡矿区伟晶岩脉的相互穿插现象说明,矿区存在多期次的岩浆与成矿作用。科学钻探在JSD- 2和JSD- 3两个钻孔中均发现含锂辉石的伟晶岩脉和细晶岩脉侵入在不含矿的马颈子花岗岩中,佐证了多期岩浆与成矿事件的存在。伟晶岩中不同矿物U- Pb定年结果表明,全区伟晶岩的形成至少有两期,分别发生在213~206 Ma和199~191 Ma。依据钻孔JSD- 1的研究表明,岩浆由深至浅逐步向高分异方向演化。从下向上,花岗岩与伟晶岩同步演化,花岗岩依次出现黑云母花岗岩、含白云母的黑云母花岗岩、二云母花岗岩、白云母花岗岩和钠长石花岗岩,伟晶岩依次出现微斜长石型伟晶岩、微斜长石- 钠长石型伟晶岩、钠长石型伟晶岩和钠长石- 锂辉石型伟晶岩。根据不同深度伟晶岩的矿化特点,矿床的垂向分带大致划分如下：0~105 m的Li- Be- Nb- Ta矿化带;0~860 m的Be- Nb- Ta矿化带;0~1730 m的第一期Nb- Ta矿化带;1730~3170 m的无矿伟晶岩带;3170~3211 m的第二期Nb- Ta矿化带。