| Abstract: | Oncoids occur abundantly in Kimmeridgian limestones and dolomitic limestones of the French Jura Mountains. Microscopic study of these oncoids confirms their algal origin. The variable role played by the alga Bacinella irregularis Radioicic in the construction of oncoids leads to the recognition of three main types of laminations: (1) micritic laminations, (2) grumose laminations, (3) organism-bearing laminations. Depending on the relative proportion of each type of lamination in their constructions, three types of oncoids are recognized. A fourth type, devoid of any laminations is formed of an algal mesh.It has been established that the occurrence of Bacinella irregularis Radioicic in the laminations of the three oncoid types I, II and III increases in abundance in that order and ultimately this alga develops a mesh in type IV. The series of oncoids so formed is interpreted as being an expression of increasingly prolonged calm periods in an environment otherwise subjected to intermittent agitation. |
