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.     

Early Cretaceous flora from coal-bearing strata of Markovsky Peninsula in South Primorye，Russia

The Early Cretaceous flora from the coal-bearing strata(Ussuri and Lipovtsy formations)in the Markovsky peninsula of South Primorye,Far East Russia,is reported in some detail in this paper.The flora containing over 80 species of about 50 genera can be divided into two assemblages.The paleofloristic characteristics and the comparisons of this flora with its coeval floras from the adjacent region of the eastern Heilongjiang of Northeast China,indicate the flora and its coal-bearing strata of the Markovsky peninsula can be compared to those of the Chengzihe and Muling formations of the Jixi area of Heilongjiang,representing probably the late Barremian and Aptian age,respectively.     

Results of Radiocarbon Dating of Holocene Deposits from the Sea of Azov

New data on the absolute age of Quaternary bottom deposits from the Sea of Azov based on the results of radiocarbon analysis (¹⁴C) are presented. Overall, 67 radiocarbon dating of bottom deposits of New and Ancient Azov Ages were obtained. The thickness of sediments of the New Azov Age and their distribution over different areas of the Sea of Azov was determined during the study; the results obtained were compared with the reference data available. An integrated approach to the study of deposits, based on the combination of the biostratigraphy methods and the results of absolute age dating, was applied.