In Tunisia, five Bahloul spaced sections, Bargou, Jerisa, Guern Halfaya, Kherij and Gafsa were analyzed for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and radiolarians) and major and trace elements. This high-resolution biostrat...In Tunisia, five Bahloul spaced sections, Bargou, Jerisa, Guern Halfaya, Kherij and Gafsa were analyzed for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and radiolarians) and major and trace elements. This high-resolution biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic integrated analyses for the Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian Bahloul Formation provide new insight into the palaeoceanographic evolution of the southern Tethyan margin. Relative low abundance of related terrigenous Ti/Ai and K/ Al ratios and enrichment of some productivity proxies such as Ba, Cu, and Ni (organic matter related trace elements) suggests that the Bahloul, deposited during a relatively short period (0.5 Ma), was of relatively elevated primary productivity and minimal detrital input. While higher D* values concurrent with lower Ti/AI ratios are interpreted as caused by enhanced fluvial material contribution, due to more humid climate during the OAE-2. Enhanced humidity triggered probably fluvial influxes, resulted in a sluggish water circulation and consequent anoxic/euxinic conditions favoring the preservation of organic matter at the bottom. Enrichments in redox-sensitive trace metals U, V, and Mo in the Bahloul Formation deposits and redox indices, such as V/(V+Ni), U/Th, V/Cr, and Ni/Co, indicate that oxygen-restricted conditions prevailed during the Late Cenomanian to earliest Turonian times and correlate well with relative abundances of some foraminiferal and radiolarian paleo- environmental relevant indicators. High Ba~ values and Uauth may indicate anoxic conditions at least at the water-sediment interface during the Bahloul Formation deposition and provide information about low to moderate sulfate-reduction reactions.展开更多
文摘In Tunisia, five Bahloul spaced sections, Bargou, Jerisa, Guern Halfaya, Kherij and Gafsa were analyzed for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and radiolarians) and major and trace elements. This high-resolution biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic integrated analyses for the Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian Bahloul Formation provide new insight into the palaeoceanographic evolution of the southern Tethyan margin. Relative low abundance of related terrigenous Ti/Ai and K/ Al ratios and enrichment of some productivity proxies such as Ba, Cu, and Ni (organic matter related trace elements) suggests that the Bahloul, deposited during a relatively short period (0.5 Ma), was of relatively elevated primary productivity and minimal detrital input. While higher D* values concurrent with lower Ti/AI ratios are interpreted as caused by enhanced fluvial material contribution, due to more humid climate during the OAE-2. Enhanced humidity triggered probably fluvial influxes, resulted in a sluggish water circulation and consequent anoxic/euxinic conditions favoring the preservation of organic matter at the bottom. Enrichments in redox-sensitive trace metals U, V, and Mo in the Bahloul Formation deposits and redox indices, such as V/(V+Ni), U/Th, V/Cr, and Ni/Co, indicate that oxygen-restricted conditions prevailed during the Late Cenomanian to earliest Turonian times and correlate well with relative abundances of some foraminiferal and radiolarian paleo- environmental relevant indicators. High Ba~ values and Uauth may indicate anoxic conditions at least at the water-sediment interface during the Bahloul Formation deposition and provide information about low to moderate sulfate-reduction reactions.