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A taxonomic study of the Paleocene larger foraminifera from the Pyrenean basin has led to the description of sixty taxa including two new species: Alveolina korresensis and Valvulineria bacetai. In this work, we present a chronostratigraphic recalibration of the Paleocene Shallow Benthic Zones SBZ 1 to SBZ 4 based on correlation with calcareous nannofossil and planktic foraminifera biozones, all integrated within the stratigraphic framework of Paleocene platform to basin depositional sequences established for the whole Pyrenean domain. The samples were collected in autochtonous and parautochtonous deposits from ten key stratigraphic sections, representative of coastal to platform margin depositional settings. The results from two sections representing base of slope facies with intercalations of calcareous turbidites, which include penecontemporaneous platform-derived biota have been integrated in the study. The regional chronostratigraphic framework is derived from magneto-biochronological studies carried out in the Zumaia section, the global reference section for the Danian-Selandian and Selandian-Thanetian GSSPs. A new calibration of the Paleocene SBZs is proposed. The SBZ 1 is constrained to the first 1.09m.y. of the Paleocene; this first Paleogene biozone lacks distinct larger foraminiferal markers and thus is defined by an association of non-exclusive taxa composed of Valvulineria patalaensis, Stomatorbina? binkhorsti, Planorbulina? antiqua and Bangiana hanseni. The SBZ 2 now appears as the biozone encompassing most of the Danian stage (from ca. 64.9m.a. to 61.6m.a.), and is characterized by the association of Haymanella elongata, Haymanella paleocenica, Kayseriella decastroi, Rotospirella conica, Pyrenerotalia depressa, Elazigina dienii, Ornatononion moorkensii and Paralockhartia eos. The SBZ 2-SBZ 3 boundary coincides with the base of the Selandian stage (ca. 61.6m.a.). The SBZ 3 biozone is defined by the occurrence of Glomalveolina primaeva, Periloculina slovenica, Vania anatolica, Coskinon rajkae, Fallotella alavensis, Cribrobulimina carniolica, Miscellanea yvettae, Miscellanea juliettae, Miscellanites primitivus, Miscellanites minutus, Ranikothalia soldadensis, "Operculina" heberti and Discocyclina seunesi. The SBZ 3-SBZ 4 boundary is now ascribed to ca. 57.2m.a. The SBZ 4 biozone appears characterized by Glomalveolina levis, Alveolina korresensis, Hottingerina lukasi, Daviesina garumnensis, Assilina yvettae, Assilina azilensis and Nummulites catari. The SBZ 4-SBZ 5 boundary is placed at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary event (ca. 56.0m.a.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larger foraminifera of the lower part of the Jafnayn Formation outcropping in the Wadi Sayq, in the Paleocene series of the eastern Oman Mountains, have been studied and described in detail. The analysis have allowed us to develop a detailed systematic description of each taxa, constraining their biostratigraphic distribution and defining the associated foraminifera assemblages. The taxonomic study has permitted us to identify each morphotype precisely and describe three new taxa, namely, Ercumentina sayqensis n. gen. n. sp. Lacazinella rogeri n. sp. and Globoreticulinidae new family. The first assemblage is characterized by the presence of Coskinon sp., Dictyoconus cf. turriculus HOTTINGER AND DROBNE, Anatoliella ozalpiensis SIREL, Ercumentina sayqensis n. gen. n. sp. SERRA-KIEL AND VICEDO, Lacazinella rogeri n. sp. SERRA-KIEL AND VICEDO, Mandanella cf. flabelliformis RAHAGHI, Azzarolina daviesi (HENSON), Lockhartia retiata SANDER, Dictyokathina simplex SMOUT and Miscellanites globularis (RAHAGHI). The second assemblage is constituted by the forms Pseudofallotella persica (HOTTINGER AND DROBNE), Dictyoconus cf. turriculus HOTTINGER AND DROBNE, Lacazinella rogeri n. sp. SERRA-KIEL AND VICEDO, Azzarolina daviesi (HENSON), Keramosphera? cf. iranica RAHAGHI, Lockhartia haimei (DAVIES), Lockhartia retiata SANDER, Sakesaria trichilata SANDER, Kathina delseota SMOUT, Elazigina harabekayisensis SIREL, Daviesina khatiyahi SMOUT, and Miscellanea juliettae LEPPIG. The first assemblage can be considered to belong to the Shallow Bentic Zone SBZ2 (early Selandian age), and the second assemblage to the SBZ3 (late Selandian-early Thanetian age).This paper shows, for the first time in the Middle East area, a correlation between the Selandian larger foraminifera and planktonic foraminifera biozones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northern part of the Bahariya Depression (Western Desert, Egypt) the Eocene carbonate succession, unconformably overlying the Cretaceous deposits, consists of three main stratigraphic units; the Naqb, Qazzun and El Hamra formations. The Eocene carbonates are relevant as they locally host a large economic iron mineralization. This work revises the stratigraphic attribution of the Eocene formations on the basis of larger benthic foraminifers from both carbonate and ironstone beds. Eight Nummulites species spanning the late Ypresian – early Bartonian (SBZ12 to SBZ17) were identified, thus refining the chronostratigraphic framework of the Eocene in that region of Central Egypt. Moreover, additional sedimentological insight of the Eocene carbonate rocks is presented. The carbonate deposits mainly represent shallow marine facies characteristic of inner to mid ramp settings; though deposits interpreted as intertidal to supratidal are locally recognized. Dating of Nummulites assemblages from the youngest ironstone beds in the mines as early Bartonian provides crucial information on the timing of the hydrothermal and meteoric water processes resulting in the formation of the iron ore mineralization. The new data strongly support a post-depositional, structurally-controlled formation model for the ironstone mineralization of the Bahariya Depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the chronostratigraphy of the middle Eocene-upper Eocene successions of the Pyrenean foreland basin. Correlation of magnetic polarity stratigraphy with stratigraphic sections recording Paleogene marine succession; Revision of the international standard time scales.

Abstract: The Paleogene deposits on the northern passive margin of the Gulf of Aden record the transition from the pre-rift to the syn-rift stages of the southern Arabian plate margin. In southern Oman (Dhofar Region), the relative continuity of the sedimentary record offers the possibility to investigate the early deformation phases of the Aden rift system. A new detailed sedimentological and biostratigraphic analysis of the Cuisian to Rupelian deposits of the Dhofar region allows to define a second-order transgressive–regressive cycle, that can be further subdivided into four third-order sequences between the Late Cuisian and the Early Rupelian time. The sequence stratigraphy established in this study has major implications for the understanding of the time equivalent deposits described in the eastern Arabian plate and illustrates the polyphased history of the initiation of the Aden Gulf rift system. The first two depositional sequences are controlled by a phase of deformation that only affects the eastern Oman margin, in relation with the tectonic activity at the Arabian–Indian plate boundary, during the Late Cuisian–Middle Lutetian. The last two depositional sequences record a westward migration of the deformation within the eastern realm of the proto-Gulf of Aden from the Bartonian. Priabonian uplift resulted in the basinward shift of the depositional system followed by a phase of tectonic subsidence that is recorded by the aggradation of lacustrine deposits in localized fault bounded basins. A subsequent major regional relative sea level fall related to domal uplift is recorded by terrigenous deposits (lower part of the Ashawq Formation) prior to the main phase of syn-rift tectonic subsidence (upper part of the Ashawq and Mughsayl formations) in Rupelian–Chattian times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current available Shallow Benthic Zones (SBZs) calibration based on larger foraminifera is now being improved for the Paleogene Period. In this work, the San Pelegrín section in the External Sierras, shows new magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic information from the Southwestern Pyrenean basin, where the larger thickness of the shallow marine platforms were developed. This environment represents the appropriate frame to calibrate the SBZ scale. Moreover the magnetostratigraphic data can be correlated with biostratigraphic data obtained directly at the same section, avoiding limitations of previous correlations. The San Pelegrín section presents 530m of Ypresian and Lutetian rocks; 169 sampled levels for magnetostratigraphic purposes have been studied, a fact that guarantees the independence and resolution of this record. Thermal and alternating field demagnetizations were carried out to unravel the characteristic remanent magnetization, and the orthogonal diagrams show stable normal and reverse polarity directions. Three pairs of magnetozones were found along the section enabling to define a robust and reliable local polarity sequence correlated with chrons C23, C22, C21n and C20r. The biostratigraphic study distinguished three Shallow Benthic Zones from SBZ11 to SBZ13. The combination of magneto and biochronologic scales is very useful to improve and to accurate the available shallow benthic zone calibration for this time gap, especially for the SBZ11 zone. Now the base of SBZ11 can be located, at least, in 50.96My, because the association is still present at the top of C23n. This data is older than previously thought from existent scales. On the other side, the SBZ11 top falls within chron C22n. The occurrence of a sedimentary hiatus between C22n and C21n prevents an accurate calibration of the SBZ12 top, but our profile proves the relation of SBZ12 with C22n as well. Finally the SBZ13 zone falls within the limits of recent recalibrations (C21n to C20r). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present a chronostratigraphic calibration of the shallow benthic zones (SBZs) of larger foraminifera during Lutetian times based on new magnetostratigraphic data (Isuela section) and two new densely sampled biostratigraphic sections (Isuela and Gabardiella). These sections are located in the External Sierras (Southern Pyrenees) and represent an ideal location to avoid previous chronostratigraphic problems. 1) They belong to a shallow carbonate shelf environment with abundant larger foraminifera, which ensure the reliability of SBZ data. 2) The time span covers almost the entire Lutetian interval. 3) The profiles are sufficiently long to establish trustworthy local scales, both the SBZs (520m and 760m in Isuela and Gabardiella respectively) and the paleomagnetic local polarity sequence (LPS) (520m). 4) The excellent outcropping conditions also permit a detailed paleomagnetic and biostratigraphic sampling to be performed. The LPS at the Isuela section was built after sampling every 2.6m. In total, more than 359 samples were thermal (244) and alternating field (115) demagnetized. Characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) usually dropped at 560°C. Only 43% the samples (359 demagnetizations) gave reliable directions (high quality) for the LPS. A further short section (Gas line) was also cored (38 samples in 90m) to obtain more detailed data for the upper part of the section. At the Isuela section, the results allow three pairs of trustable magnetozones to be assembled within the Lutetian. A further 255 samples were taken for biostratigraphic purposes, 55 sites at the Isuela and 52 at the Gabardiella sections being determinant. This density enabled a thorough study of changes in fossil associations to be performed. Assuming a constant accumulation rate within the chron boundaries, absolute ages have been estimated for the biostratigraphic boundaries. Combining all these data allows the previous calibration of SBZ during Lutetian times in the geological time scale to be refined. In particular, with this new data, we identify the SBZ 13/SBZ 14 boundary at 44.46Ma reaching C20r; a boundary interval spanning from SBZ 14 to SBZ 15 (41.36 and 42.45Ma) is found within C20n and C19n; and, finally, the top of SBZ 15 can be accurately located at 41.12Ma (C19r). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Ainsa Basin (south-central Pyrenees) is an exceptional example of a syntectonic foreland basin where structures oblique to the Pyrenean trend are well preserved. The absence of a complete chronostratigraphic frame motivated us to perform a detailed magnetostratigraphic study in the Ainsa Basin, including the shallow-marine--continental transition. Three sections covering almost the entire Eocene sedimentary fill were sampled (Ara, Coscollar, and Mondot ), covering 2450 m of the sedimentary pile, with more than 1000 demagnetized specimens (sample spacing of 2.7 m). Data from previous magnetostratigraphic studies (Eripol section) allow us to complete the Eocene record with an 840-m-long profile within the Bartonian--Priabonian interval overlying the sampled sequence. Characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions were effectively isolated between 300 and 500 °C. Magnetite is the main magnetic carrier, with variable iron sulfide content and occasional hematite. Fold tests indicate a prefolding magnetization. Biostratigraphy based on shallow benthic foraminifera (15 localities) and a locality with abundant charophyte gyrogonites help to constrain the local magnetostratigraphic record (20 reversals) between the early Ilerdian and the middle Priabonian. A global correlation based on a magnetostratigraphic composite section derived from this work allows us to propose a complete chronostratigraphic frame for the Ainsa Basin infill between 55 and 45 Ma. Accumulation rates range from 2 to 53 cm/k.y., responding to retrogradational to progradational features during the early Lutetian, and a progressive increase from the middle Lutetian onward related to overall continentalization of the basin. Westward migration of subsidence is associated with progressively younger synsedimentary structures nucleating westward of the older ones in the South Pyrenean Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed sedimentological and magnetostratigraphic analysis of three selected sections of the Eocene carbonate platforms of the South Pyrenean Jaca-Pamplona foreland basin has been carried out in the Aragonese External Sierras (Huesca, Spain). The stratigraphic record spans from the middle-late Lutetian (Chron 20r, SBZ15) to the Bartonian (Chron 18r, SBZ17). The Lutetian-Bartonian transition was characterized by a major paleogeographic change, from a turbiditic foredeep with associated peripheral carbonate ramps to deltaic sedimentation. In most of the outcrops of the External Sierras, the peripheral carbonate platforms (Guara Formation) are overlained by prodelta and outer ramp marls (Arguis Formation). The drowning unconformity between these two formations in the outcrops located in the westernmost tip of the External Sierras is documented herein for the first time. In this area, the Guara Formation is overlain by glauconitic limestones deposited in a carbonate ramp setting. Between these units a characteristic unconformity is observed, with hard-ground formation and local evidence of subaerial exposure in the shallowest domains of the study area. The abundant glauconite found on top of this unconformity records a starvation period in the basin, followed by the development of a new carbonate ramp system during Bartonian times (Santo Domingo Member of the Arguis Formation). Magnetostratigraphic and sedimentological data show that tectonic tilting occurred in latest Lutetian times, prior to the drowning process. This suggests the influence of the flexural subsidence in the cratonic margin of the foreland as a result of the advance of a basement thrust in the hinterland. Nevertheless, the correlation of the uppermost Lutetian drowning unconformity with a basinwide regional sea level rise, which may have further been global, suggests an interplay between tectonic and eustatic processes in the drowning of the late Lutetian South Pyrenean carbonate ramps. In this work we point out a narrowing of the carbonate ramp, together with a relative sea level rise, as the processes responsible for the drowning of the Upper Guara Mb carbonate ramp. These processes could be responsible for the development of drowning unconformities in cratonic margins of other foreland basins. As carbonate ramps have a high sediment production potential, the narrowing of the carbonate factory could provide the conditions for the drowning of the carbonate ramp system in a subsequent sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]