Palynostratigraphy and genesis of upper cretaceous and Cenozoic deposits in the southern part of the Kulunda depression, Altai region

Abstract

The results of palynological and micropaleontological study of Upper CretaceousCenozoic strata exposed by boreholes (BH) 23 and 19 of the Aleisk Square (Altai Region) are presented. The obtained data allowed to substantiate the age of deposits, to make assumption about its depositional conditions and to clarify the division of the section into suites. Two palynological assemblages were established in the Cretaceous part of the BH 23 section: the first characterizes the Lenki Formation and dates by SenomanianTuronian, the second one is revealed in the Upper-Sym Subformation and dates by the Maastrichtian. The Paleogene Ostrovnoye Formation of continental genesis lies on the Upper Cretaceous sediments. In BH 23 and BH 19, this formation contains spore and pollen spectra of presumably Late PaleoceneEarly Eocene and Middle Eocene age respectively. According to palynological data, the Late Miocene age of the sediments at the upper part of BH 23 section and its affiliation to Pavlodar Formation have been substantiated. The structure of palynological assemblages, features of macerate and the absence of foraminifera indicate the continental genesis of the Upper CretaceousPaleogene sediments common in the southern part of the Kulunda Depression of the Altai Region.