Reconstruction of the Paleosalinity and Paleobathymetry of the Yenikale Strait in the Eastern Paratethys in Sarmatian: Evidence from the Geochemical Data

Abstract

Geochemical studies of Sarmatian clay and siltstone of the Kerch Strait and Taman Peninsula were carried out for the first time in order to identify the paleogeographic features of sedimentation. Based on the results of the interpretation of the geochemical data, the curves of paleosalinity and paleobathymetry of the Yenikale Strait in the eastern part of the Paratethys Ocean were determined. Two regressive (Early Sarmatian; from the middle of the Late Sarmatian) and two transgressive (Middle and the beginning of the Late Sarmatian; the end of the Late Sarmatian–early Meotian) stages were distinguished in the evolution of the studied area. The data on salinity (in ppm) were obtained. The effectiveness of the applied methodology for interpretation of geochemical data in paleogeographic reconstructions, which subsequently can be successfully applied to deposits that lack fossil remains or are characterized by a poor indicator function of the fauna and flora species, has been confirmed.