Interconnection between the dynamics of natural conditions and populating of the Qarabag plain of Central Azerbaijan in the 4th millennium BC

Climatic changes that took place in the 4th millennium BC (the second half of the Atlantic period, 6–5 thousand years ago) as revealed with the palynological data from the settlements of the Qarabag (Karabakh) plain of Central Azerbaijan caused direct changes in the lifestyle and economic structure of the Leylatepe culture carriers. Three consecutive changes in humidity were recorded, each of which coincides with a certain type of settlements, differing in their topography, quality of the construction material used, area and density of settlement.

Carbon Isotopic Signature and Organic Matter Composition of Cenomanian High-Latitude Paleosols of Southern Patagonia

The Cenomanian Mata Amarilla Formation (MAF) in southern Patagonia (~55° S paleolatitude, Austral-Magallanes Basin, Argentina) is composed mainly of stacked fluvial deposits with intercalated paleosols, which document Cenomanian environments at high-paleolatitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. We performed a multiproxy study of the paleosols and sediments of the MAF in order to (1) understand the composition of the soil- and sediment-derived organic matter (OM), (2) apply carbon isotope stratigraphy as a tool to correlate patterns obtained from the MAF with existing marine and non-marine δ13Corg records worldwide, and (3) investigate the relationship between variations in spore-pollen assemblages of the MAF and the climatic conditions prevailing in the Cenomanian Southern Hemisphere. An integrated dataset was generated, including total organic carbon content, Rock-Eval pyrolysis data, stable isotope (δ13Corg) composition, and palynological data, combined with published paleosol-derived mean annual temperatures and mean annual precipitations. The results indicated that the OM preserved in the MAF paleosols allowed its use as a chemostratigraphic tool. The MAF δ13Corg curve showed the rather stable pattern characteristic for the Early to Late Cenomanian interval. The absence of the major positive carbon isotope excursion associated with oceanic anoxic event 2 provided an upper limit for the stratigraphic range of the MAF. The palynological data suggested the development of fern prairies during warmer and moister periods at the expense of the background gymnosperm-dominated forests. Overall, the multiproxy record provided new insights into the long-term environmental conditions during the Cenomanian in the high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.

The palynology of the Kimmeridge Clay and Carstone formations (Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous) at Middlegate Quarry, North Lincolnshire, UK, and its biostratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental significance

At Middlegate Quarry, the Carstone Formation is an approximately 0.8 m thick unit of oolitic ferruginous sandstone. It rests unconformably on the lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation (KCF) and is overlain by the Hunstanton Formation (Red Chalk) with an apparently gradational junction. Marine dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) are present at a concentration of 9,520 to 13,600 specimens per gramme in the 0.15 m of KCF below the unconformity, and include taxa that confirm ammonite evidence for the intra-Lower Kimmeridgian Substage (Upper Jurassic, Cymodoce Ammonite Zone). A rich recovery of well-preserved Lower Cretaceous palynomorphs is reported for the first time from the overlying Carstone. Reworking of mudstone from the KCF into the formation appears to have provided a local argillaceous preservation matrix at Middlegate. The basal 0.15 m is dominated by palynomorphs derived from the KCF but the interval from 0.15 m to 0.55 m above the unconformity mainly contains indigenous Lower Cretaceous palynomorphs. Dinoflagellate cysts are present in the Carstone at an average concentration of 454 specimens per gramme, and include taxa that probably have stratigraphical range bases above the Aptian – Albian stage boundary; Cyclonephelium compactum, Cyclonephelium intonsum, Endoscrinium heikeae, Leptodinium cancellatum (consistent), Stephodinium coronatum and Stephodinium spinulosum. The additional presence of taxa with range tops / event tops in the Lower Albian Tardefurcata Ammonite Zone (common Cauca parva, frequent Canninginopsis monile and Kleithriasphaeridium eoinodes, and rare Dingodinium albertii, Discorsia nannus and Kiokansium prolatum) indicate probable assignment to this zone. The new palynological data support previous macrofossil (brachiopod) study of the Carstone at Middlegate and nearby Melton Bottom Quarry which tentatively assigns its highest part to the Tardefurcata Zone. The palynological and palynofacies assemblages are interpreted to confirm a relatively proximal to shoreline site of deposition, possibly inner to middle neritic.Supplementary material: One pdf file, with quarry photographs and a palynological distribution chart, is available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5538977

Estratigrafía, paleoambientes y correlación del Paleozoico Superior en la localidad Río Francia, Cuenca Paganzo, Argentina

The Tupe and Patquía formations are known for their marine, deltaic, river, and eolian deposits that record different Late Paleozoic events in the Paganzo Basin. However, in the area of the Río Francia (Province of San Juan, Argentina), these units are relevant because they are located in a strategic place of connection with the southernmost sedimentary sequences in the Paganzo Basin on the Central Precordillera. The Tupe Formation (which by palynological data would represent the late Serpukhovian-Gzhelian interval) has a minimum thickness of 140 m of bioturbed mudstones with a minor percentage of coarse to fine sandstones intercalated. In this work they are grouped into 3 facies associations: I lagoon; II barrier island and III shoreface. The Patquía Formation (from palynological data, in this locality, of Cisuralian in age), it is a typical succession of red beds with deposits of fine -grained sandstones with cross-bedding, and alternation of sandstones with mudstones. 3 facies associations were differentiated: IV anastomosed fluvial; V eolian and VI playa lake. A correlation analysis between these formations and their lithostratigraphic equivalents provided possible scenarios for the western sector of the Paganzo Basin, showing a lineament of units with coastal environment features for the Tupe Formation and equivalents at these latitudes. On the other hand, the Patquía Formation and their equivalents display a progressive continentalization from north to south.