Paleocene Larger Foraminifera from the Pyrenean Basin with a recalibration of the Paleocene Shallow Benthic Zones

Authors

  • J. Serra-Kiel Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra.
  • V. Vicedo Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Passeig Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
  • J.I. Baceta University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
  • G. Bernaola University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, Bilbao, Spain
  • A. Robador Instituto Geológico y Minero de España Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain.

Keywords:

Larger foraminifera, Biostratigraphy, SBZ, Pyrenean basin, Paleocene

Abstract

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, Elazigin 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.).

Author Biographies

J. Serra-Kiel, Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra.

Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l’Oceà, Carrer de Martí Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.

V. Vicedo, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Passeig Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Departament de Paleontologia.

J.I. Baceta, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080 Bilbao, Spain.

Department of Stratigraphy and Paleontology.

G. Bernaola, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, Bilbao, Spain

Department of Mining-Metallurgy Engineering and Material Science, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao.

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Published

2022-07-21