Fish taphonomy of the Solnhofenplattenkalk-an approach to the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment

Abstract

Typical taphonomic features of the fish of the Solnhofen Plattenkalk are discussed with regard to the palaeoenvironment.This environment can be characterized as a hostile, hypersaline and dysaerobic bottom zone with less saline surface waters which allowed for the existence of life, though the organic production rate was low. Current activity on the sea floor was minimal. Monsoonal storms were probably responsible for the sudden death of many fish. These storms also brought the carbonate ooze which was deposited very rapidly by suspension fallout. Characteristic of the diagenesis of the Solnhofen Plattenkalk is the formation of a sticky surface coating and a relatively early solidification.