Evolution of the Paleocene-Early Eocene larger benthic foraminifera in the Tethyan Himalaya of Tibet, China

The Paleocene-Early Eocene larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) in the far eastern Neo-Tethyan Ocean of Tibet still remain poorly known. Here, we present a novel, high-resolution larger foraminiferal biozonation from the shallow-water limestones in Tibet, which will improve our current understanding of the larger foraminiferal evolution in the eastern Neo-Tethyan Ocean. Based on one continuous section at Tingri and three separate sections at Gamba, ten Shallow Benthic Zones (SBZ 1–10) have been designated in Tibet by following the principle of Oppel Zone. In contrast to those in Europe, the Paleocene LBFs in Tibet are characterized by high diversification of Lockhartia, Kathina, Daviesina, Miscellanea, Ranikothalia, and Operculina and show progressively increasing diversity of genera and species during SBZ 2–5. Adult dimorphism and large shell size of some LBFs as well as differentiation of the diversity between genera and species initiated as early as SBZ 3. It suggests that the occurrence of the Larger Foraminifera Turnover (LFT) was probably not synchronous in the entire Neo-Tethyan Ocean, because in Europe, the LFT was generally thought to occur at the beginning of SBZ 5. During the Early Eocene, the LBFs in Tibet decreased markedly on the generic level and increased on the species level, and some new genera (Alveolina, Orbitolites, Nummulites, Assilina, Discocyclina) have gained predominance in Tibet. It is nearly identical to the evolution of the LBFs in Europe and indicates a high-degree homogenization of the LBFs in the entire Neo-Tethyan Ocean. Furthermore, the Paleocene-Eocene (P-E) boundary in shallow-water environments has been clearly identified by us, and it is situated in the upper part of SBZ 5 and associated with no evident biotic turnover of shallow benthic foraminiferal communities. The possible diachroneity of the LFT in the Neo-Tethyan Ocean and the evident lagging of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) behind the LFT imply that the LFT could only be the result of a natural evolutionary process and has no linkage with the PETM. Notably, a transient but distinct larger foraminiferal extinction and origination (LFEO) event has been found in Tibet, which is characterized by a sudden disappearance of all Paleocene lamellar-perforate LBFs, such as Lockhartia, Kathina, Daviesina, Miscellanea, Ranikothalia, and Operculina, and the initial dominance of the Early Eocene porcellaneous-walled Alveolina. The LFEO marks the boundary between SBZ 5 and 6, and might only occur in the low-latitude areas of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. Surprisingly, the LFEO coincides with the initial recovery of the Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE), and their synchronicity implies that some possible mechanisms causing the rapid recovery of the CIE probably had also led to the LFEO in the shallow-water environments.     

西藏特提斯喜马拉雅海相白垩纪—古近纪生物地层与重大地质事件研究进展

地质历史时期曾发过许多对生命的演化进程造成过重大影响与制约的全球性地质事件,白垩纪—古近纪就是一个重大地质事件频发的时期。随着冈瓦纳大陆在中生代时期的解体,全球海陆格局发生了根本的变化,地球的表层和岩石圈层均发生了重大的改变,由此引发了构造运动空前活跃,发生过诸如大洋缺氧事件(OAE)、大洋富氧事件(CORBs)、白垩纪/古近纪(K/Pg)生物大灭绝事件、古新世—始新世极热(PETM)事件、印度-亚洲板块碰撞、新特提斯洋的演化及最终消亡等一系列的全球性重大地质事件。对这些重大地质事件的研究,有助于加深我们对古海洋、古地理、古环境的认识。尝试追踪和捕捉这些重大地质事件,恢复和重建古地理,其基础是建立精确的年代地层格架。西藏南部保存了中国最为完整的海相白垩纪—古近纪沉积,完整地记录了上述的全球性重大地质事件,通过对札达、岗巴、定日、亚东、江孜、萨嘎和吉隆等地区高分辨率浮游和底栖有孔虫、介形虫、钙质超微化石和放射虫生物地层学研究,可直接约束全球性重大地质事件发生的时间,并为重建新特提斯洋古海洋环境和古地理提供证据。此外,在重大地质环境突变期间生物的演化过程,也可为探明极端环境变化发生时期气候-环境-生物之间的协同演化关系提供证据。本文系统总结了课题组为主的近年来对藏南白垩纪—古近纪海相地层中微体古生物学的研究成果及重要进展,并对未来研究提出展望。     

古新世/始新世全球增温在西藏岗巴地区的表现

随着深海钻探计划(DSDP)和大洋钻探计划(ODP)的开展,在古海洋学领域取得了许多重大发现。古近纪古新世与始新世(P/E)界线间的地质事件的发现便是其重要成果之一。西藏南部岗巴地区发育有良好的海相界线地层。对生物群、碳、氧、锶稳定同位素以及磁化率的研究显示,全球界线事件在西藏南部岗巴地区具有明显的影响。古新统宗浦组顶部底栖有孔虫动物群阶段性绝灭,总灭绝率为69%。始新统遮普惹组底部有孔虫逐渐复苏,除12种为古新世的残存类型外,始新世生物组合全为新的属种,并呈现三个复苏阶段。碳稳定同位素表现为三期负向偏移,在界线处出现-4‰的异常。这一异常与全球碳稳定同位素事件表现一致。锶同位素在界线位置没有明显的变化,而明显的峰值出现在界线之上,并与全球53Ma出现的锶同位素变化相对应。磁化率在界线之上2m处出现一个很明显的波动,与第3期碳同位素异常吻合。所有研究结果表明,西藏南部(特提斯-喜马拉雅低纬度浅海环境)在古新世与始新世界线时期出现明显的气候变化,说明全球深海温度增高在浅海环境具有相同表现,只是影响时间较长。     

Integrated stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the P/E boundary interval, Rakhi Nala section, Indus Basin (Pakistan)

Marine sedimentary section across the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary interval is preserved in the Dungan Formation (Lower Indus Basin), Pakistan. Four dinoflagellate zones in the P/E interval of the Rakhi Nala section (Lower Indus Basin) are identified and correlated. The quantitative analysis of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages together with geochemical data are used to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment across the P/E interval. The dinocyst assemblages allow the local correlation of the Dungan Formation (part) of the Sulaiman Range with the Patala Formation (part) of the Upper Indus Basin and global correlation of the Zone Pak-DV with the Apectodinium acme Zone of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The onset of the carbon isotopic excursion (CIE) associated with Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is used globally to identify the P/E boundary. The CIE for the total organic carbon (fine fraction) δ¹³C_FF is of a magnitude of ?1.7‰ is recorded for the first time in the Indus Basin. The Apectodinium acme precedes and straddles the onset of the CIE in the Indus Basin. This Apectodinium acme is also accompanied by a planktonic and benthonic foraminifera “barren zone.” The CIE in the Indus Basin, coupled with the changes in the dinocyst distribution and the benthonic and planktonic foraminifera assemblages, provides evidence of the changes associated with the PETM in this little-known part of the world. The benthonic foraminiferal assemblage indicates bathyal environment of deposition at the time of P/E boundary interval; the presence of dominantly open marine dinoflagellates and high planktonic foraminiferal ratio suggest that the water column at this site was well connected with the rest of the Tethys.     

Larger foraminifera distribution and strontium isotope stratigraphy of the La Cova limestones (Coniacian–Santonian, “Serra del Montsec”, Pyrenees, NE Spain)

The Upper Cretaceous La Cova limestones (southern Pyrenees, Spain) host a rich and diverse larger foraminiferal fauna, which represents the first diversification of K-strategists after the mass extinction at the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary.The stratigraphic distribution of the main taxa of larger foraminifera defines two assemblages. The first assemblage is characterised by the first appearance of lacazinids (Pseudolacazina loeblichi) and meandropsinids (Eofallotia simplex), by the large agglutinated Montsechiana montsechiensis, and by several species of complex rotalids (Rotorbinella campaniola, Iberorotalia reicheli, Orbitokhatina wondersmitti and Calcarinella schaubi). The second assemblage is defined by the appearance of Lacazina pyrenaica, Palandrosina taxyae and Martiguesia cyclamminiformis.A late Coniacian-early Santonian age was so far accepted for the La Cova limestones, based on indirect correlation with deep-water facies bearing planktic foraminifers of the Dicarinella concavata zone. Strontium isotope stratigraphy, based on many samples of pristine biotic calcite of rudists and ostreids, indicates that the La Cova limestones span from the early Coniacian to the early-middle Santonian boundary. The first assemblage of larger foraminifera appears very close to the early-middle Coniacian boundary and reaches its full diversity by the middle Coniacian. The originations defining the second assemblage are dated as earliest Santonian: they represent important bioevents to define the Coniacian-Santonian boundary in the shallow-water facies of the South Pyrenean province.By means of the calibration of strontium isotope stratigraphy to the Geological Time Scale, the larger foraminiferal assemblages of the La Cova limestones can be correlated to the standard biozonal scheme of ammonites, planktonic foraminifers and calcareous nannoplankton. This correlation is a first step toward a larger foraminifera standard biozonation for Upper Cretaceous carbonate platform facies.     

Oceanographic and climatic implications of the Palaeocene carbon isotope maximum

We have compared detailed planktonic and benthonic foraminiferal carbon and oxygen isotope records from the Palaeocene and early Eocene successions at DSDP Site 577 (Shatsky Rise, North Pacific), a composite section derived from DSDP Leg 74 sites (Walvis Ridge, South Atlantic) and a composite section from ODP Leg 113 sites (Maud Rise, Weddell Sea). The δ¹³C records of Palaeocene and early Eocene Foraminifera at Site 577 and the Leg 74 sites show that an increase in δ¹³C values in surface waters at 64 Ma (end of Zone P1) resulted in increased vertical carbon isotope gradients (δ¹³C) between surface and deeper dwelling planktonic foraminifera, and between surface-dwelling planktonics and benthonic foraminifera which became progressively steeper until the iniddle Late Palaeocene (Zone P4). This steepening also occurs in the latest Palaeocene of the composite Leg 113 section and can be explained by an increase in surface ocean productivity. This increase in productivity probably resulted in an expansion of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Benthonic δ¹³C values increased during the late Palaeocene in Site 577 and the composite Leg 74 section, suggesting that the Palaeocene carbon isotope maximum was composed of both within-ocean reservoir (increased surface water productivity) and between-reservoir (organic carbon burial) ftactionation effects. The benthonic δ¹³C increase lags the surface ocean δ¹³C increase in the early Palaeocene (63–64 Ma) suggesting that surface water productivity increase probably led an increase in the burial rate of organic carbon relative to carbonate sedimentation. Moreover, inter-site δ¹³C comparisons suggest that the locus of deep to intermediate water formation for the majority of the Palaeocene and the earliest Eocene was more likely to have been in the high southern latitudes than in the lower latitudes. Oxygen isotope data show a decline in deeper water temperatures in the early and early late Palaeocene, followed by a temperature increase in the late Palaeocene and across the PalaeoceneEocene boundary. We speculate that these changes in deeper water temperatures were related to the flux of CO₂ between the oceans and the atmosphere through a mechanism operating at the high southern latitudes.     

GEOLOGICAL EVENT ACROSS THE BOUNDARY OF THE LATEST PALEOCENE TO EARLIEST EOCENE IN TINGRI, SOUTHERN TIBET

GEOLOGICAL EVENT ACROSS THE BOUNDARY OF THE LATEST PALEOCENE TO EARLIEST EOCENE IN TINGRI, SOUTHERN TIBET1　DickensGR ,CastilloMM ,WalkerJCG .AblastofgasinthelatestPaleocene :Simulatingfirst ordereffectsofmassivedissociationofoceanicmethanehydrate[J].Geology ,1997,2 5 (3) :2 5 9～ 2 6 2 . 2　GibsonTG ,BybellLM .Paleocene/EoceneboundarystrataandeventsintheU .S .AtlanticCoastalPlains[J].JournalofVertebratePaleontology ,1993,13(3suppl.) :37. …     

"Biostratigraphy and Paleoecology of Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) interval of some geological sections in Central Egypt"

The Paleocene/Eocene boundary intervals were studied in three outcrops along the Nile Valley: Gabal Taramsa, Gabal Qreiya, and Gabal Nag El Quda in Qena and Esna regions. The planktonic and benthic foraminifera have been examined. The qualitative study of planktonic foraminifera distinguishes eight planktonic biozones from (P4 and P5) Paleocene age to (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, and E6) Early Eocene age. The analysis of quantitative distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera allows the reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental settings in the studied area. The disappearance or scarce appearance of deeper-water benthic foraminifera (Angulogavelinella avnimelechi and Gavelinella rubiginosus) and increasing dominance of shallow-marine taxa (Buliminides, Loxostomoides applinae) indicate deposition in shallow water environments. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages which dominated by Loxostomoides applinae, Buliminids, and Lenticulina indicate Dysoxic conditions and maximum food levels. The species of mid-way type fauna dominate the assemblages of the studied area; the species of Velasco-type fauna are very rare.     

Benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the tertiary sediments from the Elazig and Malatya Basins,Eastern Turkey

Tertiary sequences in the Elazig and Malatya Basins, eastern part of Taurus Orogenic Belt, are investigated with the aim of defining the benthic foraminiferal biozones. Tertiary geological units from bottom to top are as follows: Basement rocks, Zorban Formation, Yildiztepe Formation, Suludere Formation, Gedik Formation (Malatya Basin); Elazig Magmatics, Keban Metamorphics, Harami Formation, Kuscular Formation, Seske Formation, Kirkgecit Formation (Elazig Basin). Middle-Upper Eocene Yildiztepe, Suludere and Gedik Formations; Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene Seske Formation and Middle-Upper Eocene Kirkgecit Formation are all characterized by interbedded clastics and carbonate rocks. Six stratigraphic sections are studied in detail for foraminiferal biostratigraphy. Eight benthic foraminiferal biozones are reported. These are; Coskinolina rajkae biozone in the Late Paleocene (Thanetian), Assilina yvettae, Idalina sinjarica biozones in the Late Paleocene; Asterocyclina alticostata gallica biozone in the Early Eocene (Late Cuisian), Nummulites millecaput biozone in the Middle Eocene (Middle Lutetian), Nummulites aturicus biozone in the Middle Eocene (Late Lutetian), Nummulites perforatus biozone in the Middle Eocene (Bartonian), Nummulites fabianii biozone in the Late Eocene (Priabonian). Some key taxa are illustrated.     

The Paleocene–Eocene transition in the marginal northeastern Tethys (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan)

We studied two sections that accumulated during the Paleocene–Eocene transition in shelf waters in the northeastern Tethys. Stable carbon isotopic compositions of marine and terrestrial biomarkers are consistent with a ¹³C depletion in the oceanic and atmospheric carbon dioxide pools during the Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum (LPTM; Subzone P5b). The 2–3‰ negative δ ¹³C excursion in planktic foraminifera coincides with minimum δ ¹⁸O values, an incursion of transient subtropical planktic foraminiferal fauna, and the occurrence of an organic-rich sapropelite unit in Uzbekistan, which accumulated at the onset of a transgressive event. Biomarker distributions and hydrogen indices indicate that marine algae and bacteria were the major organic matter sources. During the Late Paleocene (Subzones P4 and P5a), the marginal northeastern Tethys experienced a temperate to warm climate with wet and arid seasons. Most likely, warm and humid climate initiated during the LPTM (Subzone P5b) and subsequently extended during the Eocene (Zone P6) onto adjacent land areas of the marginal northeastern Tethys. Received: 18 May 1999 / Accepted: 2 February 2000     

Paleogene stratigraphy of Kutch,India: an update about progress in foraminiferal biostratigraphy

The Paleogene sections of Kutch are the reference for the regional chronostratigraphic units of India. The ages of these dominantly shallow marine carbonates are mainly based on larger benthic foraminifera (LBF). The taxonomic revisions of the LBF and the progressively refined shallow benthic zonations (SBZ) have necessitated the present study on updating the stratigraphy of the area. The sedimentation in Kutch commenced with the deposition of volcaniclastics in terrestrial environments in the Paleocene. The marine transgression in SBZ 5/6 deposited finer clastics and carbonates, designated as Naredi Formation, in early Eocene. There is no evidence of marine Paleocene in Kutch. A major hiatus spanning SBZ 12 to SBZ 16 was followed by the development of a carbonate platform and deposition of Harudi Formation – Fulra Limestone during the Bartonian, SBZ 17. The hiatus corresponds to a widespread stratigraphic break in Pakistan and India to Australia, referred as the ‘Lutetian Gap.’ The Maniyara Fort Formation is assigned to SBZ 22 B and SBZ 23, and its age is revised to Chattian. Climate played a major role in building up of the Paleogene stratigraphic succession of Kutch, the carbonates formed during the warming intervals and the stratigraphic gaps were in the intervening cooling periods.     

Oxygen level,primary productivity,and water turbulence during the OAE2 interval of Zagros Basin (SW Iran): Benthic foraminiferal variations in the carbonate microfacies

Cenomanian/Turonian boundary (upper Sarvak Formation) benthic foraminiferal assemblages were analyzed to reconstruct oxygen level, primary productivity, and water turbulence in the Izeh Zone, Zagros Basin. The interplay between environmental perturbations during the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) and regional tectonic activities in the Zagros Basin resulted in formation of various benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the study section. The OAE2 interval at the region of study starts with extinction of rotaliporids at the onset of δ¹³C positive excursion (peak “a”), which is associated with population of infaunal benthic foraminifera (especially Bolivina alata). The following interval at the onset of Whiteinella archaeocretacea Biozone is characterized by the total absence of benthic taxa and dominance of planoheterohelicids (“Heterohelix shift”) in the black shale strata, indicating expansion of oxygen minimum zone and unhospitable conditions for both benthic and planktic foraminifera. The upper part of OAE2 interval (including δ¹³C peaks “b” and “c”) coincides with harbinger of Neo-Tethys closure in the Arabian Plate, causing a compressional tectonic regime, and creation of uplifted terrains in the basin. The relative sea level started to locally fall in this succession, which was accompanied by a better ventilation of seafloor, lower TOC contents, and reappearance of benthic foraminifera.     

Planktic foraminiferal and 13C isotopic changes across the Paleocene/Eocene boundary at Possagno (Italy)

 The interval spanning the Paleocene–Eocene (P/E) transition in the Possagno section consists of 1 m of red marls, including a 4-cm-thick, dark-red "dissolution" clay, which represents the Paleocene/Eocene boundary event. The Possagno section is much more condensed than other Tethyan and North Atlantic sections previously studied; however, in this section the most significant biotic, isotopic and sedimentological events across the P/E boundary can be recognized. The Possagno section spans the following planktic foraminiferal subzones: upper part of M. gracilis Subzone, A. berggreni Subzone, A. sibaiyaensis Subzone and probably lowermost part of P. wilcoxensis Subzone. The quantitative analysis indicates a major increase of low-latitude acarininids, including compressed tropical acarininids just above the boundary clay. This acarininid incursion begins just below the boundary clay but reaches its maximum just above the clay. The planktic foraminiferal faunal turnover is gradual except for the acarininid incursion. The isotopic results show a negative excursion in ∂¹³C values at the small benthic foraminifera mass extinction event. The acarininid maximum diversity coincides with this isotopic excursion, and reflects an increase in surface seawater temperature. Despite being very condensed, the Possagno section allows us to further confirm that the different biotic, isotopic and sedimentological events recognized in the Spanish sections (Alamedilla, Campo, Caravaca, Zumaya) are not local in nature and allows the establishment of a detailed chronostratigraphic framework to define the P/E boundary stratotype. Received: 8 April 1998 / Accepted: 12 April 1999     

西藏仲巴地区白垩纪末期—始新世早期海相地层

西藏仲巴县北部地区出露有晚白垩世至古近纪的海相地层 ,本次工作新测制了卓勒剖面 ,并对原错江顶剖面上部地层做了再次研究。地层中化石丰富 ,据有孔虫化石研究结果重新厘定曲下组时代为古新世早期、加拉孜组上段属始新世早期 ,认为该区白垩 /古近纪界线位于曲贝亚组与曲下组之间。在这一界面上 ,古新世磨拉石直接覆于晚白垩世的陆棚碳酸盐台地沉积之上 ,其间存在沉积间断 ,为弧前盆地演化后期的重大沉积转变。古新世早期曲下组为近海相磨拉石沉积 ,古新世晚期至始新世早期加拉孜组为残留海盆沉积。加拉孜组顶部为该区最高海相地层 ,其上为冈底斯群的磨拉石不整合覆盖。冈底斯群的时代应晚于始新世中期。     

On the Validity and Evolution of Assilina Species during the Ypresian–Lutetian: Example from Bir Dakhl, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The genus Assilina is a taxon within the Nummulitacea that appeared early in the Ypresian (Early Eocene) and continued until the end of the Lutetian (Middle Eocene). Thus, this taxon could be useful for the chronostratigraphy of this time interval. Lower Eocene rocks in southern Galala, Egypt are exposed at Bir Dakhl. This section includes marl sediments with debris flow shallow-marine facies deposits laid down during early Eocene times and includes fossils of large foraminifera: Assilina placentula Deshayes, 1838 and Nummulites burdigalensis de la Harpe, 1926. These are systematically treated, described and illustrated. Nummulites burdigalensis belongs to the N. burdigalensis group, and Assilina placentula belongs to the group of Assilina exponens. This assumption is based on qualitative morphology and quantitative measurements. Both species, together with Operculina libyca Schwager, 1883, enable the assignment of the Bir Dakhl (D5-40 Section) to the Early Eocene, Ypresian (SBZ10 of Serra- Kiel et al., 1998) supporting an earlier opinion that Assilina placentula belongs to that zone in the calibrated larger foraminiferal biostratigraphic zonation.     

Early Cenozoic Tectonics of the Tibetan Plateau

Geological mapping at a scale of 1:250000 coupled with related researches in recent years reveal well Early Cenozoic paleo-tectonic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. Marine deposits and foraminifera assemblages indicate that the Tethys-Himalaya Ocean and the Southwest Tarim Sea existed in the south and north of the Tibetan Plateau, respectively, in Paleocene-Eocene. The paleooceanic plate between the Indian continental plate and the Lhasa block had been as wide as 900km at beginning of the Cenozoic Era. Late Paleocene transgressions of the paleo-sea led to the formation of paleo-bays in the southern Lhasa block. Northward subduction of the Tethys-Himalaya Oceanic Plate caused magma emplacement and volcanic eruptions of the Linzizong Group in 64.5-44.3 Ma, which formed the Paleocene-Eocene Gangdise Magmatic Arc in the north of Yalung-Zangbu Suture (YZS), accompanied by intensive thrust in the Lhasa, Qiangtang, Hoh Xil and Kunlun blocks. The Paleocene-Eocene depression of basins reached to a depth of 3500-4800 m along major thrust faults and 680-850 m along the boundary normal faults in central Tibetan Plateau, and the Paleocene-Eocene depression of the Tarim and Qaidam basins without evident contractions were only as deep as 300-580 m and 600-830 m, respectively, far away from central Tibetan Plateau. Low elevation plains formed in the southern continental margin of the Tethy-Himalaya Ocean, the central Tibet and the Tarim basin in Paleocene-Early Eocene. The Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya Mts. mainly uplifted after the Indian-Eurasian continental collision in Early-Middle Eocene.     

西藏南部晚白垩世-古新世大洋红层的分布与时代

特提斯—喜马拉雅北沉积亚带沉积有一套大洋红色岩层,由东往西在羊卓雍错、江孜、萨迦、萨嘎、札达一带断续出露,并与宗卓组上部地层相关。这套海相红层,根据岩性特征和浮游有孔虫可以直接进行区域对比。其时代在江孜地区为Santonian晚期—Campanian中期,包括Dicarinella asymetrica, Globotruncanitaelevata,Globotruncana ventricosa 和Globotruncanita calcarata 浮游有孔虫带;在萨迦地区限于Campanian期,鉴定有Globotruncanita elevata, Globotruncana ventricosa 和G. linneiana等具时代意义的浮游有孔虫;在萨嘎—吉隆地区为Maastrichtian期,识别出Gansserina gansseri 和Abthomphalus mayaroensis 浮游有孔虫带;在札达地区为古新世早期,以Glibigerina eugubina G. fringa化石带为代表。海相红层在西藏南部由东往西其时代逐渐变新,主要沉积时代分布在Santonian晚期—古新世早期。其总体时间跨度较大,大约长达20Ma。而事件在各个地点的延续时间有限,基本在3~8 Ma之内。根据对海相红层和沉积基质中浮游有孔虫的研究,该沉积带宗卓组的顶界时代已超出白垩纪,进入了古新世。     

Application of graphic correlation technique on Paleocene–Early Eocene benthic foraminifera, Rub’ Al-Khali Basin and neighboring regions

The measured ranges of 60 benthic foraminiferal species of Umm er Radhuma Formation (UeR) (Paleocene–Early Eocene age) in five wells of Rub’ Al-Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia, and two surface sections (Wadi Mashib and Say’un), from Yemen, have been assembled by a graphic correlation technique into a composite standard section (CSS). This composite standard allows building a chronostratigraphic model subdividing UeR into 50 composite standard section time units. The adjustment of benthic foraminiferal ranges of the study area by a quantitative approach improved its resolution in correlation and enhances its potential in biozonation and dating. The analysis of graphic correlation technique reveals significant information regarding accumulation rate in the CSS and the individual sections. Generally, sediments of Paleocene–Early Eocene age in the study area are characterized by a low rate of accumulation. The Paleocene/Eocene boundary of Umm er Radhuma Formation is defined in the chronostratigraphic model to be at a composite standard section time units ?14.8. This boundary is projected into individual sections by the graphic correlation technique and allowed a precise correlation of these sections. A synchroneity analysis of composite standard section events is carried out and enabled testing of reliability of Umm er Radhuma Formation benthic foraminifera biozonation.     

藏南亚东堆纳地区古近纪钙藻化石与沉积环境

西藏南部发育着连续的海相古近纪地层,亚东地区是特提斯演化晚期残留海的居留地,保存着西藏最年轻的海相沉积(即最高海相层),其时代标志着残留海盆消亡的时间。研究最高海相层可以为东特提斯晚期演化及其封闭时限提供良好信息。亚东堆纳地区古鲁浦剖面宗浦组顶部和遮普惹组含有较丰富的钙藻化石,本研究鉴定出红藻门珊瑚藻科7属11种(含3个未定种),绿藻门粗枝藻科4属4种(含1个未定种)及松藻科1属1种,据其分布特征划分出3个化石组合,自下而上分别为： Lithoporella melobesioides Lithophyllum carpathicum、Lithoporella melobesioides Ovulites margaritula、Distichoplex biserialis Jania denotata组合。推测堆纳地区在晚古新世至始新世时期总体处于浅海陆棚环境,海水逐渐变浅,在始新世晚期海水深度可能已不足30 m。     

新生代浮游有孔虫整体变化趋势

新生代浮游有孔虫在确定地层时代和推断古沉积环境等方面有着极其重要的实用价值,本文利用新生代浮游有孔虫数据库,对其中的属种资料进行了大量的分析和总结,初步了解了新生代浮游有孔虫整体特征的变化趋势及其在各地史时期中的面貌,使我们有可能建立一种以浮游有孔虫分类特征为基础的“模式”。这样,我们不仅把握了新生代浮游有孔虫的宏观特征,而且有可能找到一种只要对某些特征组合面貌进行判断即可大致确定地层时代的快速方法。