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Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments around the Albian-Cenomanian boundary interval (OAE1d), North Bulgaria

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  • Special Topic: Cretaceous greenhouse palaeoclimate and sea-level changes
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Abstract

The palynological assemblages from two Albian-Cenomanian boundary sections in North Bulgaria are described. The samples analyzed yielded a diverse palynological content including dinoflagellate cysts and miospores. Based on dinocyst nutrient and productivity indices a phase of enhanced nutrient availability and high primary productivity is inferred for the latest Albian interval. The pronounced predominance of peridinioid dinocysts in this interval, namely O. verrucosum, O. scabrosum and especially P. infusorioides is considered to reflect eutrophic conditions. It coincides with the increased phosphorus mass accumulation occurring at the top part of the Upper Albian Dekov Formation. OAE 1d is indicated in the Tolovitsa karst spring section, based on palynofacies dominated by high amounts of granular amorphous organic matter (AOM) related to anoxic environmental conditions. These sections serve as evidence suggesting a relationship between Cretaceous peridinioid cysts (including Palaeohystichphora infusorioides, Ovoidinium verrucosum, O. scabrosum) and anoxic/suboxic conditions and/or high primary productivity. The pollen spectrum inferred relatively stable vegetation patterns of surrounding continental areas during and after the Albian/Cenomanian boundary interval and the times of OAE 1d formation. The hinterland vegetation integrated mainly pteridophyte spores and gymnosperms. The area was part of the Southern Laurasian floral province which was characterized by warm temperate to subtropical humid climate. Angiosperms were still minor part of this vegetation.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to both reviewers for their constructive comments and useful suggestions. Special thanks are due to Michael Wagreich (University of Vienna) who made important suggestions for improving the manuscript and kindly corrected my English. I am also grateful to R. Scott (University of Tulsa) for his final support and valuable remarks. This work was carried out in the frame of the IGCP Project 609 “Climate-environmental deteriorations during greenhouse phases: Causes and consequences of short-term Cretaceous sea-level changes”.

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  1. Department of Geology, Palaeontology and Fossil Fuels, Sofia University, 15 Tzar Osvoboditel Bd. 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Polina Pavlishina

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  1. Polina Pavlishina
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Correspondence to Polina Pavlishina.

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Pavlishina, P. Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments around the Albian-Cenomanian boundary interval (OAE1d), North Bulgaria. Sci. China Earth Sci. 60, 71–79 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-016-0067-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-016-0067-2

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