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Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene global sea level fluctuations and the sedimentary environment in central Alborz (Northern Iran)

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Abstract

The Cretaceous-Paleogene sequence, including K-Pg transition, located 45 km from the South of Sari in the North of Iran was analyzed in regards to lithology, lithofacies, foraminifera, and palynology evaluation. The main aim of this study was the reconstruction of sedimentary environmental condition including relative sea level changes during the K-Pg transition. Seventy rock samples were collected from 133 m of sedimentary rocks, mainly comprising limestone, sandstone, siltstone, and evaporate. Two species of foraminifera, ten species of spore, and seven species of pollen grains have been identified. K/Pg boundary has been determined based on the first occurrence of Tricolpites phillipsii in the 133 m above the base of the studied section. Two palynofacies have been identified based on statistical analysis of palynofacies factors (SOM, MP, Ph). Palynofacies analysis suggests nearshore (inner ramp) as a sedimentary environment for these sequences. Our palynofacies data indicate sea-level regression near K/P which can be correlated to the global sea level trend.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Khazar Exploration and Production Company (Kepco) and the University of Zanjan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

    Javad Rabbani & Nasrollah Abbassi

  2. University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

    Reza Emamgholi

  3. The Khazar Exploration and Production Company (Kepco), Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Saeed Shariatzadeh

Authors
  1. Javad Rabbani
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  2. Reza Emamgholi
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  3. Nasrollah Abbassi
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  4. Mohammad Saeed Shariatzadeh
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Correspondence to Javad Rabbani.

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Responsible Editor: Beatriz Badenas

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Rabbani, J., Emamgholi, R., Abbassi, N. et al. Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene global sea level fluctuations and the sedimentary environment in central Alborz (Northern Iran). Arab J Geosci 13, 1258 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06262-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06262-1

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