New results of the lithological and paleontological study of the Middle Eocene biogenic siliceous rocks of the central part of the Ukrainian Shield
The present paper contains new results of complex studies on the geological structure, lithology, and fauna of the Middle Eocene siliceous rocks of the Ukrainian Shield Ingul megablock located in the vicinity of the villages of Tsybulevo, Verblyuzhka and Pervozvanovka of Kirovograd Oblast and Voronovka village of Mykolayiv Oblast. Based on new findings and analysis of malacofauna, the Middle Eocene age of the gaize-like sandstones of Verblyuzhka village was confirmed. For the first time, numerous remains of rock-forming organisms such as sponges (lithistid Demospongiae), coralline (Corallinaceae) and green algae (Dasycladales, Halimedaceae) have been found in the siliceous deposits of this region. In addition, biogenic buildups formed by organisms with carbonate (coralline and green algae, large foraminifera) and silicate (lithistid sponges) skeletons were found for the first time in the siliceous rocks of the Pervozvanovka deposit. The observed biogenic lepispheres in the studied rocks suggests that the latter have been formed with active participation of silica-producing bacterial communities. Based on the first finds of zeolites, as well as montmorillonite traces, it is forecast that "disguised" pyroclastic material is present in the gaize-like sandstones of Voronovka village. Analysis of the lithological features and the mineral and faunal composition of the studied rocks allow us to draw a conclusion about the multi-stage genesis of the Middle Eocene siliceous deposits in the central part of the Ukrainian Shield and the influence of Paleogene volcanism on their formation. It appears that volcanic activity and denudation of volcanic products caused a massive flow of SiO2 into the waters of the Middle Eocene paleobasin. This contributed to the widespread development of siliceous-skeleton organisms (in particular, silica-producing bacterial communities) that actively participated in the formation of siliceous rocks.