The Adıyaman Group carbonate succession on the northern Arabian Plate (southeastern Turkey): A review of lithostratigraphy, foraminiferal biostratigraphy, depositional environments and sequence stratigraphic evolution

Abstract

Abstract This study presents a new stratigraphic framework for the Adiyaman Group succession developed on the northern margin of the Arabian Platform. This Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequence, distributed widely in outcrop and subsurface rocks in the southeast Anatolia region, is investigated in terms of lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, microfacies analysis and sequence stratigraphy. The sequence is divided into six lithostratigraphic units, which in ascending order are the Karabogaz, Saytepe, Saydere, Sayindere, Beloka and Sanli formations. Based on examination of benthic and planktonic foraminifera, the Adiyaman Group ranges in age from late Santonian to early late Campanian. The Saytepe, Beloka and Sanli formations are characterized by benthic foraminifers, while the Karabogaz, Saydere and Sayindere formations are defined by planktonic foraminifers. Following a detailed microfacies analysis, the Adiyaman Group carbonates are interpreted to have been deposited in settings that range from deep shelf to lagoonal depositional environments. Sequence stratigraphic studies identified three successive third-order depositional sequences that are separated by sequence stratigraphic surfaces. Sequence boundaries are correlated to global cycle boundaries. The abundance and diversity of foraminifera are interpreted as a function of relative sea-level changes. This study provides revisions in stratigraphic nomenclature that rely on precise biostratigraphic data.