Abstract
We propose a new facies classification scheme of the cyclic lacustrine carbonates of the Bernburg Formation (Lower Triassic, Induan), with a major focus on the microbial biota and grains. Our data are based on a detailed bed-by-bed outcrop study in Central Germany, within a robust (litho)stratigraphic framework. We concentrate on two intervals of the Bernburg Formation: one around the Calvörde/Bernburg Formation boundary (including the HRZ – „Hauptrogensteinzone“), and a second around the ninth cycle near the upper formation boundary. The textural and mineralogical composition of the two endmember components: skeletal stromatolites and oolites, and the macro-, meso-, and microstructural characteristics (supplemented by μ-XRF-data) allow to classify the carbonates into five lithofacies types. They are interpreted with respect to the development of an ideal lacustrine depositional cycle, embedded between a lake level rise and a lake level fall. The microfacies attributes of the microbialites include various lamination types, shrubs, spherulites, and laminated/clotted/fenestral microfabrics. All sedimentologic (macro-, meso, and microscale) and geochemical data of this study indicate nearshore deposition of the carbonates at marginal shoals in a major endorheic lake (playa lake) with high alkalinity and salinity, and strongly fluctuating lake levels, under arid climates. The lacustrine carbonates are associated with maximum lake expansions, and are laterally interfingering with fan deltas, as indicated by abundant clastic grains in the intercalations of the skeletal stromatolites. The Bernburg Formation microbial buildups reflect changes in lake-level, hydrodynamics and grain supply, and therefore offer insights for the paleoenvironmental interpretation of lacustrine microbialites elsewhere.
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Acknowledgements
The presented data are based on measured sections and samples, collected during field-trips of both authors. Thin sections of earlier student´s thesis from Daniel Döpke (2008), Niklas Springfeld (2012), and Jakob Brauner (2013) were incorporated. We acknowledge the support of Dr. Heidi Taubner (Marum) for u-XRF-analyses, and of Ralf Bätzel (University of Bremen) for preparation of samples. We thank Dr. Ute Gebhardt (Geological Survey of Saxony-Anhalt) and Dr. Alexander Petrovic (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) for providing helpful review comments. We thank Prof. Dr. Axel Munnecke (GeoCentre North-Bavaria) for editorial handling of the manuscript.
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FK and JK organized the project and the structure of the paper, and carried out the fieldwork. Thin section analysis, drafting and organizing of all figures was carried out by FK. FK took the lead in writing the manuscript, with input from JK. Both authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.
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Käsbohrer, F., Kuss, J. Lower Triassic (Induan) stromatolites and oolites of the Bernburg Formation revisited – microfacies and palaeoenvironment of lacustrine carbonates in Central Germany. Facies 67, 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-020-00611-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-020-00611-y