Determination of the Origin of Mukdadiya Formation’s Gravels in Al-Teeb Region, East of Maysan Governorate, Southern Iraq, Based on Sedimentological and Paleontological Evidence

Mukdadiya Formation represents one of the formations that cover a huge area of Iraq. It contains several clastic deposits, such as sandstone, siltstone, and a noticeable amount of gravels. The gravels are considered as the hallmark to differentiate between Injana and Mukdadiya formations. Therefore, the current study focused on these facies to determine the petrography, paleontology , and origin of Mukdadiya deposits. The results of SEM-EDX and XRD analyses showed two types of gravels, namely the siliceous and lime gravels. The highest percentage of gravels belonged to the sedimentary origin (limestone). The elements of Si, Ca, and Fe represented the common elements that formed the studied gravels. The paleontological study displayed numerous fossils that are composed of these gravels, belonging to several groups, including foraminifera, radiolaria, dinoflagellata, echinoida, gastropoda, and calcisphera. Also, four microfacies were identified in the studied gravels. After comparison of all collected data with selected formations, the results confirmed that the origin of the derived gravels is from the Qulqula Formation, because of their content of radiolaria and the other characterizing fossils.

Palynological data on the description of the Gelasian and Calabriane analogues in the strato- type section of the Kuyalnik deposits near Kryzhanivka village (Odessa region)

The state of paleontological study of the Kuyalnik deposits of Odessa region, in particular the stratotype section near Kryzhanivka village was analyzed. Attention is paid to the absence of the palynological description of the Krizhanivka climatolith in the section and the insufficient palynological study of the liman-marine Kuyalnik sediments. The goal of the presented research was to obtain a detailed palynological description of the subaerial Eopleistocene and the liman- marine Kuyalnik sediments of the stratotype section near Kryzhanivka village. Based on the results of the research, the palynological description of rocks of the upper part of the section of the liman-marine Kuyalnik sediments is presented for the first time, as well as the materials to substantiate the correlation of the studied sediments with the Beregove and Siversk climatolyths of the continental Upper Cenozoic section of Ukraine, which correspond to the Gelasian of the International Stratigraphic Scale (ISS). For the first time, palynological description of the Kryzhanivka climatolith correlated with the Calabriane of the ISS is presented for the studied section. Three subcomplexes are described in the composition of the Kryzhanivka complex. The characteristic features of the Kryzhanivka spore-pollen complex (SPC) and the changes in the ecological structure of each subcomplex are determined. Correlation of the established complex with the even-aged SPC of the Kryzhanivka deposits of the southern part of the Ukrainian Shield (the Eastern Azov Sea region). Outstanding questions of stratigraphic division of different facial deposits of the section based on palynological data are outlined. The necessity of further palynological studies of deposits of the section near Kryzhanivka village is substantiated.

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC EVENTS IN A SHALLOW CARBONATE PLATFORM (UPPER CRETACEOUS, SOUTH PYRENEAN MARGIN)

A detailed sedimentological and paleontological study of the Late Santonian-Late Campanian carbonate platform deposits of the Serres Marginals area (South margin of the Pyrenean Basin) has been performed. Three depositional shallow carbonate sequences have been distinguished (CI, C2 and C3). Within the shallow platform sequences moderate energy subtidal to intertidal, high energy sand-shoal, protected lagoon and restricted lagoon to lacustrine fades have been identified.

THE HISTORY OF GEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL STUDY OF BOLSHOYE BOGDO MOUNTAIN

The history of the geological and paleontological study of Bolshoye Bogdo mountain, as well as the evolution of the views on their geological structure, has been considered.The first descriptions of the rocks composing the Bolshoye Bogdo mountain, published in the 18th century by academicians S.G. Gmelin and P.S. Pallas, have been given. A particular attention has been paid to the results obtained during the expedition conducted under the guidance of the English geologist R.I. Murchison in 1841. A great contribution to the knowledge of the geological structure and paleontological characteristics of Bolshoye Bogdo mountain was made by A.B. Auerbach, who discovered here the remains of Triassic temnospondyl amphibians and fish for the first time for the territory of European Russia. A new stage in the study of the paleontology of the Bolshoye Bogdo mountain, which began in 1912, has been characterized. A well-known paleontologist and writer LA. Efremov worked there in the 1926th and 1928th years and conducted scientific research and searches for vertebrate remains. Later, the study of the geological structure of the Bolshoye Bogdo mountain was carried out by the staff of the Saratov State University, Borissiak Paleontological Institute and other scientific institutions of Russia.

Evidence for Holocene sea level and climate change from Almenara marsh (western Mediterranean)

In the Almenara marsh (western Mediterranean), four cores were analyzed to establish the relationship between the marsh record of the Almenara marshlands and the environmental factors responsible for its evolution during the Holocene. One hundred and eighty-six samples were collected for sedimentologic and paleontological study: 63 for biomarker analysis; 5 for amino acid racemization (AAR) dating; and 5 for 14C dating. Litho and biofacies analyses identified distinct paleoenvironments, with the presence of a marsh environment alternating with inputs of alluvial material and marine sediments. Biomarkers indicated the constant presence of terrestrial (herbaceous) plants, together with a variable development of aquatic macrophytes. During the Holocene transgression, the Almenara marsh was occupied by oligohaline marsh facies with an oscillating water level and peat formation, which was established at the bottom of the record at 7570 cal yr BP and persisted until 3100±780 yr (AAR). Maximum surface flooding occurred at 5480 cal yr BP, registered 450m from the current coastline. At least three peat beds (dated with 14C dating and AAR) correlated with Bond (episode 5900 cal yr BP) and Wanner (episodes 4800–4500 and 3300–3500 cal yr BP) cycles and thus correspond to a regional model that affected the Northern Hemisphere.

Dinosaur and Crocodile Fossils from the Mesozoic of Portugal: Neutron Tomography and Synchrotron-Radiation Based Micro-Computed Tomography

ABSTRACTPortugal is ranked within the 10 countries with the most dinosaur taxa and the Lourinhã Formation is known by the Late Jurassic findings of dinosaurs and other fossils. In many cases, studies of the external morphological characteristics of the fossils are not sufficient to extract all the information for a paleontological study and, thus, observations of internal structures, using non-destructive techniques, are required. The fossils studied in the present work belong to the Museum of Lourinhã. The access to the Geesthacht Neutron Facility in Germany allowed us to characterize a jaw of the dinosaur Baryonyx walkeri specimen and the jaw of a crocodile (possibly a Tomistomidae) by Neutron Tomography. The study allowed us to detect the presence of teeth inside the jaws and it provides valuable information about the development of its dental characteristics. Synchrotron radiation based micro-computed tomography studies on tiny samples have been performed at the beamline HARWI II operated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht at the storage ring DORIS III at the Deutsches Elektronen–Synchrotron DESY in Hamburg, Germany. The first data recorded for eggshells collected in the Lourinhã Formation is shown. It allowed us to visualize the morphology of the pores and their connectivity in the eggshells, providing information that is either exceedingly difficult or impossible to obtain by traditional methods based on section cutting.