Usefulness of palynomorph concentrations in distinguishing Paleogene depositional environments in Wyoming (U.S.A.)

Abstract

Canonical variates analysis of palynomorph taxon concentrations in 50 samples from five Paleogene depositional facies (pond, crevasse splay, swamp, swamp margin, distal floodplain) in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming (U.S.A.) separates the samples by facies. The major separation is based on taxa with higher concentrations in the pond and swamp than in other facies (e.g., Deltoidospora, Sparganiaceaepollenites, Taxodiaceae, Alnus). Other separations are produced by low concentrations of Arecipites, Pandaniidites and Ulmipollenites in the crevasse splay and by Taxodiaceae, Sparganiaceaepollenites and Corylus low in the floodplain. Concentrations of particular taxa can therefore be useful indicators of particular depositional environments.