International Geological Journal - Official Journal of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association

Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Middle Miocene submarine fan in the Adana Basin (southern Turkey)

Published: Feb 2007

Pages: 41 - 52

Authors: HURIYE DEMIRCAN, AYSEGUL YILDIZ

Abstract: The turbiditic Cingöz Formation of the Karaisah-Çatalan-Eğner region, Adana Basin, southern Turkey was studied in detail in two sections based on planktonic foraminifers, calcareous nannofossils and trace fossils. The Middle Miocene (Langhian–Serravalian) age of the sediments is supported by the Praeorbulina glomerosa curva and Orbulina suturalis planktonic foraminiferal Zones and by standard nannoplankton Zones NN5 Sphenolithus heteromorphus and NN6 Discoaster exilis. Moreover, 24 ichnotaxa were identified and attributed to the Skolithos-Cruziana, mixed (Skolithos-Cruziana and Nereites), and Nereites ichnofacies. Fossil assemblages indicate eutrophic and oligotrophic conditions. In the Langhian, the distribution and percentage abundances of temperature sensitive planktonic taxa including Globigerina falconensis reflect temperate to cold surface waters in the depositional area of the western and eastern fans of Cingöz Formation. In Serravalian, higher numbers of warm-water prefering taxa indicate the rise in temperature in the western fan.

Keywords: Middle Miocene, southern Turkey, biostratigraphy, paleoenvironmental interpretation, calcareous nannoplankton, planktonic foraminifers, trace fossils, ichnofacies

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