Terminal paleocene of the Volga middle reaches: Biostratigraphy and paleosettings

Diatoms and marine palynomorphs from several sections of the Kamyshin Formation (Sengilei-1, Sengilei-2, Balasheika, Kuz’kino, boreholes 38 and 50) are jointly studied for the first time in the Volga middle reaches. According to results, the formation lower part corresponds here to Viborg Zone 4-Viborg Zone 5 (Heilmann-Clausen, 1985)/Alisocysta margarita (part)-Apectodinium hyperacanthum (Powell, 1992) diatom zones of Northern Europe. Higher levels of the formation are correlative with Trinacria ventriculosa and Hemiaulus proteus dinocyst zones (Strelnikova, 1992). Thus, the Kamyshin sedimentary cycle in the Volga middle reaches corresponds to the interval of NP8 (part) and NP9 zones of the general scale. As is established, different terrigenous to siliceous facies of that cycle (sands, diatomites, opokas and clay) are mostly confined to eastern and southeastern areas of the study region. Judging from taxonomic composition, assemblages of diatoms and marine palynomorphs originated in coastal paleosettings with active hydrodynamics and high productivity of water mass. Diatom assemblages from different facies are dissimilar. Three phases of Thanetian transgression are distinguished based on quantitative proportions of different ecologic groups (Paralia/Pyxidicula ratio variations). Within transition from the Trinacria ventriculosa to Hemiaulus proteus Zone, there are recorded considerable changes in composition of diatom assemblages: the appearance of new genera with considerable morphologic innovations (Podosira, Craspedodiscus, Fenestrella, Moisseevia, Solium, Gyrocylindrus) and compositional renewals of genera Pyxidicula, Trinacria, and Hemiaulus. These changes are indicative of a global biotic crisis in the Paleocene-Eocene transition related with thermal maximum and negative C-isotope excursion and extinction of benthic fauna groups.