Microfacies and age of the Ceahlău Massif carbonate olistoliths (Eastern Carpathians,Romania): Remnants of a lowermost Cretaceous carbonate platform

We carried out a comprehensive facies/microfacies, micropalaeontological and biostratigraphical analysis of several carbonate olistoliths incorporated within a widely developed Albian conglomeratic sequence from the Eastern Carpathians of Romania. The majority of the sampled olistoliths contain a rich assemblage of benthic foraminifera and calcareous green algae. All of the described microfossils represent common lowermost Cretaceous taxa not previously reported from these carbonate elements or from this region. Based on benthic foraminifera assemblages the age of the studied olistoliths is upper Berriasian–lower Valanginian, contrary to the general belief that they are Barremian–Aptian in age. The dominant microfacies types mainly reflect deposition in shallow-water environments and show similarities with synchronous platform carbonates of the central-western Neotethys Ocean. The micropalaeontological and sedimentological data support new interpretations concerning the source area of these carbonate elements and provide new information concerning the evolution of the lowermost Cretaceous carbonate platforms of the Carpathians.     

重庆开县上二叠统长兴组红花生物礁成礁模式

通过对红花生物礁露头的精细解剖和微相分析,研究了礁的内部构成和成礁模式。红花生物礁发育3期礁体旋回：礁A、礁B和礁C。礁A由生屑泥晶灰岩和骨架岩构成;礁B由生屑泥晶灰岩、粘结岩、骨架岩和生屑灰岩构成;礁C由粘结岩、骨架岩和生屑灰岩构成。红花生物礁造礁生物有钙质海绵、钙藻类、苔藓虫和水螅类,附礁生物为有孔虫、腕足类、双壳类、腹足类和棘皮动物等。单个礁体内,由下往上的生物演化为：腕足类+双壳类+有孔虫组合→钙藻类→钙质海绵+水螅类+钙藻类+苔藓虫组合→生物碎屑;岩性演化为：生屑泥晶灰岩→粘结岩→骨架岩→生屑灰岩。礁B的生屑滩内生屑间为泥晶充填,生屑分选、磨圆较好,是由相邻的高能生屑滩侵蚀搬运到礁B侧翼低能区沉积形成。3期礁都发育在碎屑滩上,礁A为低能环境下形成的礁,礁B和礁C在礁A形成的高地上成礁,为高能环境礁;单个礁体的完整成礁模式为：在浅滩之上,钙藻类大量生长、粘结吸附颗粒固结基底,钙质海绵和钙藻类在硬质基底上繁茂生长,形成具有抗浪格架的生物礁,礁体暴露水面死亡后遭波浪、水流改造形成生屑滩。     

Microfacies analysis of larger benthic foraminifera-dominated Middle Eocene carbonates: a palaeoenvironmental case study from Meghalaya,N-E India (Eastern Tethys)

Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) show significant abundance and diversity in the Palaeogene carbonate sediments of Meghalaya, N-E India, but have previously received less attention from the palaeoenvironmental perspective. LBF are important contributors to recent as well as fossil shallow marine, tropical carbonate settings. They find wide application in biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The larger foraminiferal turnover (LFT) during the Palaeocene-Eocene transition is very important with respect to their evolution in several parts of the world including the Eastern Tethys. The present microfacies analysis documents the status of LBF in the Middle Eocene sediments from the Prang Formation of the Sylhet Limestone Group in Meghalaya, N-E India. Five major facies types (MFTs)—miliolid grainstone-packstones, alveolinid-rotaliid grainstone-packstones, nummulitid-alveolinid grainstone-packstones, coralline algal-nummulitid packstone-wackestones and coralline algal wackestones have been recorded in the current study. Evaluation of the palaeoenvironmental parameters aids in understanding the seascape of this Eastern Tethyan domain. It is suggested that an oligotrophic nutrient regime supported the rapid evolution and dominance of the LBF. Most notable is the prolific augmentation in Alveolina and Nummulites populations. High surface water temperatures during the Late Palaeocene-Early Eocene global warming episode possibly persisted to a certain level during the Middle Eocene and continued to favour the larger foraminifera as the major carbonate producers instead of the vulnerable corals.     

Biostratigraphy,sequence stratigraphy,and paleoecology of the Lower–Middle Miocene of Northern Bandar Abbas,Southeast Zagros basin in south of Iran

The Guri Member is a limestone interval at the base of the calcareous marls of the Mishan Formation. It is the youngest hydrocarbon reservoir of the southeast part of the Zagros sedimentary basin. This Member overlaid siliciclastic rocks of Razak Formation and is overlain by green and gray marls of the Mishan Formation. In order to consider the paleoecology and paleoenvironments of the Lower–Middle Miocene (Guri Member), we have studied biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of the Guri Member based on foraminifer and microfacies in two stratigraphic sections including Dorahi–Homag and Chahestan. A total of 33 genera and 56 species of benthic and planktonic foraminifera were identified in two studied stratigraphic sections. Benthic and planktonic foraminifera demonstrate Aquitanian to Langhian age (Early–Middle Miocene) for this Member at the study area. Studied interval has deposited in four facies association including supratidal, lagoon, coral reef, and open sea on a carbonate ramp. Carbonate rocks of the Guri Member have precipitated in two and three depositional sequences at Chahestan and Dorahi–Homag sections, respectively. Sedimentation of marine carbonates of the Guri Member on siliciclastic deposits reflects a major transgression of sea level at Lower to Middle Miocene that led to creating a new sea in the Zagros basin at that age. Increasing siliciclastic influx along with a sea level fall finally caused burying of the carbonate ramp. Except for the beginning of sedimentation of carbonate at the base of both stratigraphic sections (depositional sequence 1), most of the system tracts are not matched to global sea level curve that reflect local effects of the basin. Distribution of foraminifera suggests precipitation in tropical to subtropical in mesotrophic to oligotrophic and eutrophic to oligotrophic conditions. Based on large benthic foraminifera (porcelaneous large benthic foraminifera and hyaline larger benthic foraminifera), water temperature average was determined between 25 and 30 °C that was confirmed by analyzing oxygen and carbon stable isotopes. Finally, we have utilized achieved data to reconstruction and modeling of paleoecology, paleoenvironments, and sea level changes in the southeast part of the Zagros basin.     

Pleistocene aeolianites at Cape Spencer,South Australia; record of a vanished inner neritic cool‐water carbonate factory

Aeolianites are integral components of many modern and ancient carbonate depositional systems. Southern Australia contains some of the most impressive and extensive late Cenozoic aeolianites in the modern world. Pleistocene aeolianites on Yorke Peninsula are sculpted into imposing seacliffs up to 60 m high and comprise two distinct imposing complexes of the Late Pleistocene Bridgewater Formation. The lower aeolianite complex, which forms the bulk of the cliffs, is a series of stacked palaeodunes and intervening palaeosols. The diagenetic low Mg‐calcite sediment particles are mostly bivalves, echinoids, bryozoans and small benthic foraminifera. This association is similar to sediments forming offshore today on the adjacent shelf in a warm‐temperate ocean. By contrast, the upper aeolianite complex is a series of mineralogically metastable biofragmental carbonates in a succession of stacked lenticular palaeodunes with impressive interbedded calcretes and palaeosols. Bivalves, geniculate coralline algae and benthic foraminifera, together with sparse peloids and ooids, dominate sediment grains. Fragments of large benthic foraminifera including Marginopora vertebralis, a photosymbiont‐bearing protist, are particularly conspicuous. Palaeocean temperatures are interpreted as having been sub‐tropical, somewhat warmer than offshore carbonate factories in the region today. The older aeolianite complex is tentatively correlated with Marine Isotope Stage 11, whereas the upper complex is equivalent to Marine Isotope Stage 5e. Marine Isotope Stage 5e deposits exposed elsewhere in southern Australia (Glanville Formation) are distinctive with a subtropical biota, including Marginopora vertebralis. Thus, in this example, palaeodune sediment faithfully records the nature of the adjacent inner neritic carbonate factory. By inference, aeolianites are potential repositories of information about the nature of long‐vanished marine systems that have been removed due to erosion, tectonic obliteration or are inaccessible in the subsurface. Such information includes not only the nature of marine environments themselves but also palaeoceanography.     

Why did some larger benthic foraminifera become so large and flat?

Biostromes and low-relief bioherms, some of which are characterized by exceptionally large, flat specimens of larger benthic foraminifera, are common in Palaeogene and Miocene carbonates, most notably those deposited along the Neotethys Seaway and tropical Pacific islands. By incorporating insights from palaeoceanographic research and the biology of living larger benthic foraminifera, a scenario is proposed that can account for palaeontological and sedimentological features while augmenting previous interpretations. Sexual reproduction by gamete broadcasting is common in foraminiferal taxa, including extant Nummulitidae and Amphisteginidae. Resultant zygotes can develop into tiny, resistant, easily dispersed propagules that recruit in suitable benthic-environmental conditions. The role of algal symbiosis in the biology of larger benthic foraminifera is well-documented. Palaeoceanographically, such taxa proliferated during times of reduced thermal stratification of the oceans. In regions with exceptionally clear, nutrient-depleted waters, ‘twilight-zone’ light penetration was sufficient, at least intermittently, to support some photosynthesis. On outer-shelf or promontory sites at depths of ca 100 to 200 m, the tiny propagules of larger benthic foraminiferal species, incorporating algal symbionts with the lowest light requirements, could have settled and recruited, growing very slowly, nourished by feeding on bacteria and the limited photosynthate produced by their algal symbionts. Under such conditions, thin microspheric individuals of one or two larger benthic foraminiferal taxa could have survived and grown slowly over several years to very large shell diameters, seldom reproducing asexually. Resulting carbonate accumulation rates would have been very slow, such that even rare disturbances by currents, major storms or internal waves could have produced evidence of winnowing and sedimentary structures. The fossil evidence of such habitats should include biostromes or possibly low-relief bioherms of low diversity assemblages characterized by abundant, exceptionally large, flat, microspheric larger benthic foraminifera.     

Cenomanian–Turonian facies succession in the Guerrero–Morelos Basin, Southern Mexico

The Cenomanian–Turonian succession of southern Mexico is characterized by an abrupt change from shallow marine to pelagic facies. The drowning of the platform coincides with the widely documented Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (CTOAE). A proper understanding of the drowning event and the effects of the OAE requires, as an essential first step, the construction of a detailed stratigraphic framework. This has been achieved and utilizes sedimentological data as well as a combination of benthic and planktonic biostratigraphic schemes.

Deposition of the Cenomanian–Turonian sedimentary rocks of the Guerrero–Morelos basin was controlled by tectonic and oceanographic factors resulting in depositional environments ranging from a semi-restricted shelf, ramp, pelagic and prodelta deposits. Facies analysis indicates that shallow marine limestones of the Morelos Formation (lower-upper Cenomanian) were deposited in intertidal–shallow supratidal and subtidal environments in a semi-restricted shelf. Peloidal-bioclastic packstone–wackestones with minor grainstones are the predominant texture of these rocks. Abundant large benthic foraminifers, calcareous algae (dasycladacean) and mollusks (gastropods and rudists) characterize the fossil assemblage.

The Cuautla Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) represents sedimentation on a low-energy, wave-dominated, carbonate ramp. The inner ramp accumulated bioclastic banks and shoals composed of peloidal-benthic foraminifer-grainstone, calcareous red and green algae, rudists and minor solitary corals. The middle ramp is represented by nodular packstones with a diverse assemblage of echinoderms, green and red algae, bryozoan, rudists, solitary corals, roveacrinids, calcisphaerulids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. The outer ramp is dominated by argillaceous wackestone–packstone characterized by calcisphaerulids, roveacrinids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. An increase in terrigenous-clastic material towards the eastern part of the area indicates progradation of a deltaic system while the Mexcala Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) was deposited in a pelagic setting.

The drowning of the platform is at the contact between the Morelos and Cuautla or Mexcala formations and is dated as latest Cenomanian. The drowning is a hiatus in most sections and it began before the end of the Cenomanian by a minimum of 150 ky if the top of the Morelos is not eroded.     

Late Paleocene–early Eocene Tethyan carbonate platform evolution — A response to long- and short-term paleoclimatic change

The early Paleogene experienced the most pronounced long-term warming trend of the Cenozoic, superimposed by transient warming events such as the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The consequences of climatic perturbations and associated changes on the evolution of carbonate platforms are relatively unexplored. Today, modern carbonate platforms, especially coral reefs are highly sensitive to environmental and climatic change, which raises the question how (sub)tropical reef systems of the early Paleogene reacted to gradual and sudden global warming, eutrophication of shelf areas, enhanced CO₂ levels in an ocean with low Mg/Ca ratios. The answer to this question may help to investigate the fate of modern coral reef systems in times of global warming and rising CO₂ levels.Here we present a synthesis of Tethyan carbonate platform evolution in the early Paleogene (~ 59–55 Ma) concentrating on coral reefs and larger foraminifera, two important organism groups during this time interval. We discuss and evaluate the importance of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors leading to the dissimilar evolution of both groups during the early Paleogene. Detailed analyses of two carbonate platform areas at low (Egypt) and middle (Spain) paleolatitudes and comparison with faunal patterns of coeval platforms retrieved from the literature led to the distinction of three evolutionary stages in the late Paleocene to early Eocene Tethys: Stage I, late Paleocene coralgal-dominated platforms at low to middle paleolatitudes; stage II, a transitional latest Paleocene platform stage with coralgal reefs dominating at middle paleolatitudes and larger foraminifera-dominated (Miscellanea, Ranikothalia, Assilina) platforms at low paleolatitudes; and stage III, early Eocene larger foraminifera-dominated (Alveolina, Orbitolites, Nummulites) platforms at low to middle paleolatitudes. The onset of the latter prominent larger foraminifera-dominated platform correlates with the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum.The causes for the change from coral-dominated platforms to larger foraminifera-dominated platforms are multilayered. The decline of coralgal reefs in low latitudes during platform stage II is related to overall warming, leading to sea-surface temperatures in the tropics beyond the maximum temperature range of corals. The overall low occurrence of coral reefs in the Paleogene might be related to the presence of a calcite sea. At the same time larger foraminifera started to flourish after their near extinction at the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. The demise of coralgal reefs at all studied paleolatitudes in platform stage III can be founded on the effects of the PETM, resulting in short-term warming, eutrophic conditions on the shelves and acidification of the oceans, hampering the growth of aragonitic corals, while calcitic larger foraminifera flourished. In the absence of other successful carbonate-producing organisms, larger foraminifera were able to take over the role as the dominant carbonate platform inhabitant, leading to a stepwise Tethyan platform stage evolution around the Paleocene/Eocene boundary. This szenario might be also effective for threatened coral reef sites.     

Grain susceptibility to the effects of microboring: implications for the preservation of skeletal carbonates

The boring activity of microendolithic organisms such as cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, rhodophytes and fungi, represents a major destructive process affecting sediment preservation within reef environments. This study demonstrates the presence of two distinct assemblages of microborers within sediments collected from the fringing reefs of north Jamaica, correlating to the upper (<18 m depth) and lower (>18 m depth) photic zones. The upper photic zone assemblage is dominated by cyanobacteria and chlorophytes, whilst rhodophytes and fungi become more abundant with increasing water depth. Most significant from a grain preservation perspective is the variable nature of grain infestation observed between different reef sites and different carbonate grain types. The highest degree of grain infestation occurs within shallow, low-energy back-reef environments and the most susceptible grains (at all sites) are corals, molluscs and foraminifera. Coralline algae, Halimeda and echinoid fragments are rarely heavily infested. High rates of infestation at back-reef sites result in rapid diminution of the most susceptible grains, especially coral, which are either underrepresented, or contribute only to the finer sediment fractions, in the subsurface. Fore-reef grain assemblages undergo relatively little alteration. Microboring therefore has potential to bias the fossil record by removing the most susceptible skeletal grains. The impact of microboring upon back-reef grain assemblages must be considered when attempting to model depositional processes within both modern and ancient reef environments.     

西南太平洋新喀里多尼亚洛亚蒂盆地的现代沉积作用

洛亚蒂盆地沉积物是棕黄色软泥和生物碎屑砂。它们有5个来源:新喀里多尼亚堤礁、深海生物群落、浮游生物群体和火山碎屑。沉积物由浊流和半深海沉积物的互层组成,可以通过粒度分析,矿物成分和生物碎屑的分析将两者加以区分。通过对蒂奥和利富之间的岩心的研究,认识到在蒂奥水道对面,分布着一个展布广阔,但幅度很小、延伸50km的海底扇。     

Carbonate sediments in a cool‐water macroalgal environment,Kaikoura, New Zealand

Brown and red, and to a lesser extent green, macroalgae are a hallmark of intertidal rocky coasts and adjacent shallow marine environments swept by stormy seas in middle and high latitudes. Such environments produce carbonate sediment but the sediment factory is neither well‐documented nor well‐understood. This study documents the general marine biology and sedimentology of rocky coastal substrates around Kaikoura Peninsula, a setting that typifies many similar cold‐temperate environments with turbid waters and somewhat elevated trophic resources along the eastern coast of South Island, New Zealand. The macroalgal community extends down to 20 m and generally comprises a phaeophyte canopy beneath which is a prolific rhodophyte community and numerous sessile calcareous invertebrates on rocky substrates. The modern biota is strongly depth zoned and controlled by bottom morphology, variable light penetration, hydrodynamic energy and substrate. Most calcareous organisms live on the lithic substrates beneath macroalgae or on algal holdfasts with only a few growing on macroalgal fronds. A live biota of coralline red algae [geniculate, encrusting and nodular (rhodoliths)], bryozoans, barnacles and molluscs (gastropods and epifaunal bivalves), together with spirorbid and serpulid worms, small benthonic foraminifera and echinoids produce sediments that are mixed with terrigenous clastic particles in this overall siliciclastic depositional system. The resultant sediments within macroalgal rocky substrates at Kaikoura contain bioclasts typified by molluscs, corallines and rhodoliths, barnacles and other calcareous invertebrates. In the geological record, however, the occurrence of macroalgal produced sediments is restricted to unconformity‐related early transgressive systems tract stratigraphic intervals and temporally constrained to a Cenozoic age owing to the timing of the evolution of large brown macroalgae.     

The seagrass skeletal assemblage from modern to fossil and from tropical to temperate: Insight from Maldivian and Mediterranean examples

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that form extensive submarine meadows in the photic zone where carbonate producing biota dwell as epiphytes on the leaves or as infaunal forms, and act as prolific carbonate sediment factories. Because seagrasses have a low preservation potential and records of exceptionally well‐preserved and plant material from marine settings are rare, these palaeoenvironments are difficult to identify in the rock record. Consequently, sedimentological and palaeontological proxies are the main indicators of the presence of seagrass‐dominated ecosystems. This work investigates the skeletal assemblage of Modern (Maldivian and western Mediterranean) and fossil (Eocene; Apula and Oman carbonate platforms and Oligocene; Malta platform) seagrass examples to characterize the skeletal assemblage of modern and fossil seagrasses. Two main types of grains, calcareous algae and foraminifera, constitute around 50% of the bioclastic sediment in both tropical Maldivian and temperate Mediterranean scenarios. However, in the tropical setting they are represented by green algae (Halimeda), while in the Mediterranean they are represented by corallinacean red algae. In contrast, in the Eocene examples, the foraminifera are the most conspicuous group and the green algae are also abundant. The opposite occurs in the Maltese Chattian, which is dominated by coralline algae (mean 42%), although the foraminifera are still abundant. It is suggested to use the term foralgal to identify the seagrass skeletal assemblage. To discriminate between red algae and green algae dominance, the introduction of the prefixes ‘GA’ (green algae) and ‘RA’ (red algae) is proposed. The investigated examples provide evidence that the green algae–foralgal assemblage is typical of tropical, not excessively dense seagrass meadows, characterized by a well‐illuminated substrate to support the development and calcification of the Halimeda thallus. Contrarily, the red algae‐foralgal assemblage is typical of high density tropical to subtropical seagrass meadows which create very dense oligophotic conditions on the sea floor or in temperate settings where Halimeda cannot calcify.     

对比日本秋吉生物礁论湖南石炭纪生物成礁条件

一个完好的石炭纪生物礁发育在日本秋吉地区的玄武岩熔岩和火山碎屑岩之上.其礁核相可划分为6个亚相.主要的造礁生物是钙藻类、剌毛虫、珊瑚和苔藓虫.这些造礁生物在湖南中部某些地区的石炭纪地层中也十分常见,其生物组成、形态和生态特征可以和秋吉礁礁核各亚相中的生物特征进行对比.湖南中部地区石炭纪浅海的海底地形存在高低差异,在地势较高的中高能地带具备生物礁发育的各种条件,已发现一些生物层,完全有可能发现生物礁.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of an upper Santonian - upper Campanian succession from the southern part of the Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Study of an upper Santonian to upper Campanian hemipelagic succession from the southern part of the Romanian Eastern Carpathians enables us to establish an integrated biostratigraphy based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils and to compare this record with the agglutinated foraminiferal biozonation used for the Carpathians.Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were investigated using several methods, such as agglutinated and calcareous benthic foraminiferal morphogroups, and the benthic foraminiferal oxygen index in order to determine their response to environmental parameters in the basin (correlated with sea-level maxima documented by regional sea-level curves for the Tethys). A pattern of changes in benthic foraminiferal communities associated with increased organic carbon flux and rising sea-levels can be summarized as follows in the studied succession. As sea-level begins to rise there is an increase in the proportion of calcareous benthic foraminifera at the expense of agglutinated foraminifera within the benthic assemblages (earliest Campanian, mid-late Campanian). Once sea-level rises, an increase in the elongate keeled morphotype of agglutinated foraminifera (shallower water forms) can be observed, and if sea-level remains high for an extended period (as in the early Campanian) then an invasion of both agglutinated and benthic calcareous foraminifera characteristic of outer shelf-upper slope environments take place in the basin. The variations in tubular and deep infaunal morphotypes of agglutinated foraminifera are ascribed to varying levels of organic carbon flux.     

Record of climatic change in neritic carbonates: turnover in biogenic associations and depositional modes (Late Miocene,southern Spain)

In order to evaluate the geological record of climatic change in neritic carbonates, we studied Late Miocene rock outcrops in southern Spain. Six episodes of reef growth are documented (Burdigalian to Messinian) in Neogene basins of the Betic Cordillera, which were located close to the margin of the global reef belt. The reefs are characterized by various zooxanthellate corals which decrease in diversity with time, andHalimeda; the youngest reefs of the latest Messinian are characterized by the dominance of the genusPorites. Late Miocene coral reefs and reef-rimmed platforms alternate over time with non-reefal carbonate ramps characterized by skeletal calcirudites or with gypsum such as that formed during the Messinian salinity crisis. The calcirudites lack reef corals, calcified green algae and extensive marine cement, but exhibit skeletal components described from both modern and fossil nontropical carbonates. These include bryozoans, mollusks, foraminifers, echinoderms and minor balanids, as well as coralline algae of a bryomol association. The presence of some larger foraminifers indicates high temperatures, close to the lower temperature threshold of the reef assemblage. Sea level lowstands and highstands are documented by wedges of bryomol carbonate and chlorozoan patch reefs or prograding platforms. Thus, temperate climate depositional modes correspond to relatively low sea levels, and warm-water modes to high sea levels. The Neogene infill of the Agua Amarga and Sorbas basins documents two of these cycles. Other climate/sea-level cycles (including Messinian gypsum in the cool water depositional mode) are well established in adjacent Neogene basins in southern Spain. This type of composite sequence seems to occur only along the margin of the global reef belt and indicates an oscillatory latitudinal movement of the margin, which is associated with global climatic change. The analysis of turnover in neritic depositional carbonate systems may therefore be considered a sensitive tool for reconstructing climatic change from the fossil record. However, warm-water modes and temperate-water modes of carbonate sedimentation and diagenesis differ significantly. For this reason the interpretation of composite system sequences by sequence stratigraphy requires an extended concept. The particular type of mixed bryomolchlorozoan depositional sequence also bears some potential for drowning, because sea level rise may be faster than the net production rate of temperate carbonate systems.     

Paleoenvironmental conditions of Early Miocene corals,western Makran,Iran

Miocene coral-bearing limestones, distributed in the western Makran Basin, are attributed to Aquitanian and Burdigalian. This investigation is focused on three Early Miocene coral-bearing limestone sections in western Makran. Remarkably, well-preserved scleractinian corals and other components could be very definitive to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions. Lithologically, there are some differences between the studied sections. Furthermore, zooxanthellate corals are diverse and abundant in all sections. Based on different components and richness of zooxanthellate corals, it seems that the studied carbonate corals are precipitated in a subtropical condition, between 19 and 20 °C in all sections. In light of the dominancy of corals, the presence of symbiont-bearing larger benthic foraminifera (LBF), lithological features, bioeroding features, and encrusting organisms, the oligotrophic to slightly mesotrophic conditions are considered for Tejek section and the mesotrophic condition had been prevailed in Kermestan and Irer sections. According to light intensity in water column and coral morphotypes, Tejek section is considered to precipitate under euphotic to slightly mesophotic condition, while Kermestan and Irer sections were deposited under mesophotic to euphotic light conditions. In transparent water, photic zones continue to deeper depths, while in less transparent water, these zones are limited to shallower parts. A defined depth in the photic zone may represent euphotic, mesophotic, or oligophotic zone. Based on the water transparency, a taxon in a defined photic zone can occur in various depths. On the basis of trophic-light intensity-depth chart, the estimated depth ranges are 12–85 m for Tejek section and 5–62 m for Kermestan and Irer sections. Water energy as another important factor in environmental condition is acquired from coral morphotypes. Accordingly, Tejek section is precipitated under moderate-high energy and Kermestan and Irer sections are deposited in low to moderate-high energy. The presence of encrusting coralline algae, corals, and other constituents is indicative of different substrates in the studied areas. Corals favorably develop in normal salinity waters. The existence of colonial corals and occurrence of benthic foraminifera with hyaline wall indicate normal seawater conditions.     

海南岛排浦珊瑚礁区的现代沉积体系及其演化过程

海南岛排浦礁区由珊瑚岸礁和堤礁及其间水域组成。因堤礁的障壁作用和丰富的陆源物质供应,研究区内形成清水和浑水两类沉积环境,产出清水碳酸盐和浑水碳酸盐两列沉积体系,并形成礁源沉积、陆源沉积和混合沉积三类沉积物。文中详细论述了各类沉积的特征,讨论了沉积体系的演化过程:全新世早期是单一的陆源碎屑沉积体系,全新世中期海侵,气温转暖,形成早期排浦岸礁与大铲堤礁的雏型,全新世晚期堤礁进入成熟阶段,其障壁作用加强,最终形成清水与浑水两种沉积环境和两列沉积体系。     

Stratal,sedimentary and faunal relationships in the Coniacian 3rd-order sequence of the Iberian Basin,Spain

The Coniacian 3rd-order sequence in the Iberian Basin is represented by a carbonate ramp-like open platform. The biofacies is mainly dominated by nekto-benthic (such as ammonites) and benthic organisms (such as bivalves, mainly rudists) with scarce solitary corals (hermatypics are absent), showing major differences among the Transgressive System Tract (TST) and Highstand Normal Regression (HNR). During the TST, platform environments were dominated by Pycnodonte, other oysters and molluscs (with only subordinate rudists) and ammonites, which were represented by ornamented platycones (Tissotioides and Prionocycloceras), and by smooth oxycones (Tissotia and Hemitissotia). During the HNR, shallow water depositional areas were occupied by rudist-dominated associations. Storm- and wind-induced currents and waves acting on these associations produced large amounts of loose bioclastic debris that covered outer platform areas. This facies belt graded landwards into protected, lower-energy settings (inner platform, lagoon and littoral environments). Rudist biostromes were preserved in seaward areas of these protected shallow environments of overall moderate to low hydrodynamic gradient, which was punctuated by storms. In this environment and landwards, large areas of marly substrate favoured the presence of gastropods, other bivalves, echinoderms, benthic foraminifera and solitary corals. Because of the input of siliciclastics and, probably, the lack of nutrients in suspension, the establishment of rudist communities was difficult in more landward areas of the lagoon and in tidal environments. This heterozoan carbonate factory was thus controlled by warm-water conditions and high energy levels, which were responsible for high-nutrient contents in suspension.     

Clypeorbis? ultima n. sp. from the uppermost Maastrichtian of Austria: The youngest representative of the Clypeorbinae Sigal, 1952 (calcareous benthic foraminifera)?

A second possible species of the genus Clypeorbis Douvillé [type-species C. mammillata (Schlumberger)] is described from the topmost Maastrichtian of the Kambühel Formation of the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria. This comparatively small-sized, asymmetric calcareous benthic foraminifer is characterized by its rather large biloculine embryonic apparatus and a reduced ventral umbo. It occurs in a mixed calcilithic–bioclastic littoral facies together with orbitoids, rotaliids, Siderolites, and other mainly calcareous benthic foraminifera as well as red algae. The stratigraphy is constrained by means of associated planktonic foraminifera, indicating the latest Maastrichtian age (CF-3 hariaensis zone). Clypeorbis? ultima n. sp. might represent the youngest representative of the Clypeorbinae Sigal that became extinct at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary.