Facies, paleoenvironment, carbonate platform and facies changes across Paleocene Eocene of the Taleh Zang Formation in the Zagros Basin, SW-Iran

Abstract

The Paleocene–Eocene Taleh Zang Formation of the Zagros Basin is a sequence of shallow-water carbonates. We have studied carbonate platform, sedimentary environments and its changes based on the facies analysis with particular emphasis on the biogenic assemblages of the Late Paleocene Sarkan and Early Eocene Maleh kuh sections. In the Late Paleocene, nine microfacies types were distinguished, dominated by algal taxa and corals at the lower part and larger foraminifera at the upper part. The Lower Eocene section is characterised by 10 microfacies types, which are dominated by diverse larger foraminifera such as alveolinids, orbitolitids and nummulitids. The Taleh Zang Formation at the Sarkan and Maleh kuh sections represents sedimentation on a carbonate ramp. The deepening trends show a gradual increase in perforate foraminifera, the deepest environment is marked by the maximum occurrence of perforate foraminifers (Nummulites), while the shallowing trends are composed mainly of imperforate foraminifera and also characterised by lack of fossils in tidal flat facies. Based on the facies changes and platform evolution, three stages are assumed in platform development: I; algal and coralgal colonies (coralgal platform), II; coralgal reefs giving way to larger foraminifera, III; dominance of diverse and newly developing larger foraminifera lineages in oligotrophic conditions.