Radiolaria, planktonic foraminifera, and stratigraphy of Turonian-lower Coniacian in the Biyuk-Karasu section, Crimea

Abstract

The first data on the distribution of Radiolaria and planktonic Foraminifera in the section at Biyuk-Karasu River in central part of the Crimean Mountains, are presented. Based on the study of radiolarian findings, the upper Cretaceous deposits of Biyuk-Karasu section are subdivided into the following biostratigraphic units: Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi (middle Turonian), Dactylodiscus longispinus-Patulibracchium (?) quadroastrum (upper Turonian), and Orbiculiforma quadrata-Patellula sp. B (Turonian-Coniacian boundary deposits). The stratigraphic interval of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi has been previously characterized by the complex of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma sp. A (middle Turonian, Mt. Chuku section, SW of the Crimean Mountains, and middle Turonian, Mt. Ak, central part of the Crimean Mountains). Based on the study of Foraminifera findings, the following biostratigraphic subdivisions were identified: Whiteinella paradubia (lower-lower part of the middle Turonian), Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana (uppermost middle Turonian), and Marginotruncana coronata (upper Turonian). The complex of beds with Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana and Marginotruncana coronata are comparable to the deposits of zones of same name in the Crimean-Caucasian region.