Biostratigraphy of the Abderaz Formation Based on Heterohelicids, at Six Stratigraphical Sections in East and Center of the Kopeh-Dagh Sedimentary Basin, Northeastern of Iran

In this study, Abderaz Formation at six stratigraphical sections, in east and center of the Kopeh-Dagh sedimentary basin, has been investigated, based on biserial planktonic foraminifera. Totally, 831 samples, with 3 meter distance, were gathered from a sequence with 2800 meter thickness. Also 4 genera and 17 species of biserial planktonic foraminifera have been identified and two biozones and two subzones recognized. Based on obtained data, the age of Early Turonian-Earliest Campanian for the Padeha, Abderaz village and Shorab sections, Midle Turonian-Earliest Campanian for type section, Early Turonian-Late Santonian for Qarehso section and Early Turonian-Earliest Santonian for Hajgelichkhan section were determined. The least amount of plank-tonic foraminifera was identified at Hajgelichkhan, while the maximum amount recognized at Qarehso section.

Paleoceanography and Paleobiogeography Patterns of the Turonian-Campanian Foraminifers from the Abderaz Formation, North Eastern Iran

In this research, the Turonian-early Campanian sedimentary succession of the Abderaz Formation with 510 mthick (comprising: light grey shale and marls) was studied in the type section in eastern Kopeh-Dagh basin. The statistical analysis of the morphotype groups of the identified planktonic foraminifers shows that most of them are shallow water forms (SWF) and deep water forms (DWF). The high planktonic to benthic ratio indicates particular oligotrophic conditions and sedimentation in relatively deeper zones of a marine environment. The salinity of sea water during Coniacian was in the minimum level, whereas it reached maximum in Coniacian-Santonian boundary. Comparing Planktonic assemblages from the study formation with those from the Cretaceous biogeographical provinces reflects a close relationship between the identified species and the planktonic forms of the Tethyan provinces.

Sequence and Biostratigraphy of Lower Cenozoic Succession in the Kopet-Dagh Basin, NE of Iran

The main purpose of this paper is the sequence stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of lower Tertiary sediments on the base of larger benthic foraminifera in northeast of Iran (Chehel-Kaman Formation). This formation mainly consists of Limestone, dolomite and interbeds of sand, shale and evaporate sediments. Petrographical studies indicate that these sediments may have been deposited on a shallow carbonate platform ramp and consist of 4 carbonate lithofacies (15 subfacies). These lithofacies may have been deposited in open marine, shoal, lagoon and tidal flat environmental conditions. Sequence stratigraphy analysis led to identification of 4 third-order depositional sequences, bounded by type 2 (within the top of the underlying Pestehleigh Formation) and type 1 sequence boundaries (paleosol). Interpreted sea level curve in this basin can be relatively correlated with global curves during Paleocene time and a with a sea-level fall occurred in the latest Paleocene, followed by a rise in the earliest Eocene. Biostratigraphy study led to the identification of 32 larger benthic Foraminifera genera. The Paleocene/Eocene boundary has been probably recorded as a thin red paleosol horizon (~10 - 15 cm).

Sequence Stratigraphy and Sea Level Fluctuations of the Ab-Deraz Formation, Based on Palynological Evidence and Magnetic Susceptibility Method “Kopet-Dagh Sedimentary Basin, Northeastern Iran”

Ab-deraz Formation is one of the Lithostratigraphic units of upper cretaceous (Middle Touronian-Santonian) in Kopet-Dagh sedimentary basin, located in northeastern Iran. The aims of this study are separating sequence units and determining sea level Fluctuation by using palynological factors and comparison via magnetic susceptibility which is used for the first time in Ab-deraz Formation. Assuming the average MS magnitude as the proxy for mean sea level changes, positive Magnetic Susceptibility (MS) values were considered to present sea level falls and negative values for sea level rises. Based on these data a curve showing water level fluctuations throughout the stratigraphic column was prepared which shows a general trend of regression from base to the top of the formation. To test accuracy of this method, magnetic susceptibility results were compared with those gained from palynology and palynofacies studies. Based on the changes in palynological factors (the terrestrial/marine particles ratio, C/PPC ratio, diversity and abundance of dinoflagellate), palynofacies, for separate sequences, three sequences of the third type with four sequence boundaries, (3 boundaries of the type II and one boundary of the type I) were differentiated, confirming the results gained from magnetic susceptibility method.