Cretaceous / Paleogene Boundary Analysis by Planktic Foraminiferal Biozonation in the Western Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (Smaquli valley), Sulaimani Governorate, NE-Iraq

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Surveying Department, Kirkuk Technical College, North Technical University, Kirkuk, Iraq.

2 Kurdistan Institutions for Strategic study and Scientific Research, Sulaimani, Iraq.

3 Department of Geology, College of Sciences, Sulaimani University, Sulaimani, Iraq.

Abstract

The current work focuses to study the foraminifera assemblages within the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/PG) boundary outcropped in the High Folded Zone in Smaquli valley (Gali section), Kurdistan Region, and Northeastern Iraq. The boundary is nearly located between Tanjero and Kolosh Formations and their exposure mainly consists of thick succession of deep marine turbidities (flysch) and hemipelagic sediments. The study aims to indicate biological fossils assemblages and physical expressions that inherited from globally important events of the end of cretaceous. The study has extraited expressions of the well exposed successions of fine grains from which 8 biozones are identified in the uppermost section of Shiranish formation, the Shiranish- Tanjero transition area and the Tanjero formation through biostratigraphy (biozonation) and lithostratigraphic analyses. These zones, from the bottom to top, are upper part of Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone (CF8), which belongs to Upper part of Shiranish Formation, (Early Maastrichtian) and lower part of Tanjero Formation. The second, third, fourth and fifth zones are Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone (CF7), Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone (CF6) (Early Maastrichtian) and Pseudotextularia intermedia Interval Zone (CF5), Racemiguembelina fructicosa Interval Zone (CF4) respectively and all belong to lower part of Tanjero Formation (Early Maastrichtian). The sixth, seventh and eighth zones are Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone (CF3), Pseudoguembelina palpebra Interval Zone (CF2), Plummerita hantkeninoides Total Range Zone (CF1) respectively that belong to upper part of Tanjero Formation (Late Maastrichtian). Moreover, four biozones of Danian (Early Paleocene) are recorded in the lower part of Kolosh Formation which are Guembelitria cretacea Interval Zone (p0), (base of Danian), Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina Total Range Zone (pα), (base of Danian), Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina-Subbotina triloculinoides Interval Zone (P1a) (Early Danian), Subbotina triloculinoides–Praemurica inconstans Interval Zone (P1b), (Middle Danian). The lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic study revealed that no physical events (conglomerate, erosional surface, paleosoil and hardground) and has a conformable and gradational existence, which is evidenced by continuous sedimentation of the same sediments and no chronostratigraphic gaps within K / PG boundary. Biologically, it shows the gradual extinction of the Cretaceous planktic foraminifera and the sudden emergence of the Paleogene ones.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1]      W. Stinnesbeck, G. Keller, P. Schulte, D.Stuben, Z. Berner, U. Kramar and G. J. Lopez-Oliva. "The  Cretaceous–Tertiary (K-PG) boundary transition at Coxquihui, state of Veracruz, Mexico: evidence for an early Danian impact event",Journal of South American Earth Sciencesو 15, 497  (2002).
 
[2]     I. Arenillas, L. Alegret, JA. Arz, C. Liesa, A. Melendez, E.Molina and R. Soria. "Cretaceous-Tertiary  boundary planktic foraminiferal mass extinction and biochronology at La Ceiba and Bochil, Mexico, and El Kef, Tunisia", Geological Society of America, Special Paper 356. (2002).
 
[3]     S. Farouk, A M. Marzouk and F. Ahmad. "The Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary in Jordan"Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 94, 113 (2014).
 
[4]     S. Esmeray-Senlet, S. Özkan-Altiner, D. Altiner and KG. Miller. "Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy, microfacies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, and sea-level changes across the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary in the Haymana Basin, Central Anatolia, Turkey", Journal of Sedimentary Research 85(5), 489  (2015).
 
[5]     L. Alvarez, W. Alvarez, F. Asaro and HV. Michel. "Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction", Science, 208, 1095 (1980).
 
[6]     V. Courtillot, JJ. Jaeger, Z. Yang, G. Féraud and C. Hofmann. "The influence of continental flood basalts on mass extinctions: where do we stand in: Ryder G, Fastovsky D and Gartner S (eds) The Cretaceous–Tertiary Event and Other Catastrophes in Earth History", Special paper, Geological Society of America, 307, 513 (1996).
 
[7]     G. Keller, T. Adatte, W. Stinnesbeck, D. Stüben, Z. Berner, U. Kramar   and M. Harting. "More evidence that  the Chicxulub impact predates the K-PG mass extinction", Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 39(7), 1127 (2004c).
 
[8]     M.S. Y. Al-Bakkal, "Geochemical and Stratiraphical High Resolution of K/pg Boundary in selected sections in Northern Iraq", Ph.D. Thesis, University of Mosul. Iraq. (Un Published). (2013).
 
[9]     V K. Sissakian. "Geological map (Scale 1:200000) of the Arbeel and Mahabad Quadrangles", Geosurv Baghdad. (2000).
 
[10] K. H. Karim, and A.M.Surdashy, "Tectonic and depositional history of Upper Cretaceous Tanjero Formation in Sulaimaniyah area NE Iraq", Journal Zanko Sciences, 8(1), 47 (2005b).
 
[11] RC. Bellen Van, HV. Dunnington, R. Wetzel and D. Morton."Lexique  Stratigraphique", Interntional. Asie, Iraq, 3c(10a), 333 (1959).
 
[12]  T. Buday. "Regional Geology of Iraq": Vol. 1, Stratigraphy and Palaeogeography. State Organisation for Minerals Library, Baghdad, Iraq, 445 p.(1980).
 
[13]  V. A.  Krasheninnikov, "Geographical and stratigraphical distribution of planktonic foraminiferersin Paleogene deposites of tropical and subtropical areas",AkademyNauk SSSR Geol. Inst. Trudy,202,1- 190(in Russian). (1969).
 
[14] H. M. Bolli., "The genera Globigerina and Globorotalia in the Paleocene-Lower Eocene Lizard Springs Formation of Trinidad", B.W.I. In: Loeblich Jr., A.R. et al., (Ed.), Studies in Foraminifera, Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 215, 6 (1957).
 
[15] H. M. Bolli, "Zonation of Cretaceous to Pliocene marine sediments based on planktonic foraminifera", Bol. Inform. Asocciated. Vonezolana Geology. Mining. Ret. En. 9(1), 3 (1966).
 
[16] W. H. Blow, "The Cenozoic Globigerinidae", Vol. 1-3, Leiden, E. J., Brill, 1413p., 264pls. (1979).
                                                                                                                               
[17] W. A. Berggren and KG. Miller, "Paleogene tropical planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and magnetobiochronology", Micropaleontology, 34(4), 362 (1988).
 
[18] W. A. Berggren, DV. Kent, CC. Swisher III and MP. Aubry. "A revised Cenozoic geochronology: in Berggren, W. A. and Norris, R.D., 1997. Biostratigraphy, phylogeny and systematics of Paleocene trochospiral planktonic foraminifera", Micropaleontology, 43(1), 1 (1995).
 
[19] W. A. Berggren and RD. Norris, "Biostratigraphy, phylogeny and systematics of Paleocene trochospiral  planktonic foraminifera",Micropaleontology, 43 (1), 1 (1997).
 
[20]  R K. Olsson, C. Hemleben, WA. Berggren, B. Huber and Members of Paleogene planktonic foraminifera working group. Atlas of Paleocene Planktonic Foraminifera. http://services.chronos.org/foramatlas/pages/home.htm. 281p, with 66 plates, 2 charts. And 29paleogeographic maps. (1999).
 
[21] JI. Canudo, G. Keller and E. Molino, "Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary extinction pattern and faunal turnover at Agost and Caravaca, SE Spain", Marine Micropaleontology, 17, 319  (1991).
 
[22] M. Caron, "Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera", In BOLLI, H.M., Saunders, J.B. and Perch-Nielsen, K., (Eds) Planktonic Stratigraphy,17, 37   figs. Cambridge Univ. Press. (1985).
 
[23] L. Li and G. Keller, "Maastrichtian climate, productivity and faunal turnover in planctonic foraminifera in South Atlantic DSDP sites 525A and 21", Marine Micropaleontology, 33, 55 (1998a).
 
[24] I. Premoli Silva, S. Spezzaferi and A. D Angelantonio, "Cretaceous foraminiferal bio-isotope stratigraphy of Hole 967E and Paleogene planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of Hole 966E, Eastern Mediterranean. Robertson AHF, Emeis KC,Richter C and Camerlenghi A (Eds) Proceedings of   Ocean Drilling program", Scientific Result, 160, 377 (1998).
 
[25] Y. Maestas, KG. Macleod, R. Douglas, J. Self-Trail and PD. Ward. "Late Cretaceous Foraminifera, Paleoenvironments and Paleoceanography of the Rosario Formation, San Antonio Del Mar, Baja California, Mexico", Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 33(3), 179  (2003).
 
[26]  B. T. Huber, K. G. MACLeod, and N. A. Tur. Chronostratigraphic framework for Upper Campanian –Maastrrichtian sediments on the Blake Nose (Subtropical North Atlantic), Journal of foraminiferal Research 38 (2), 162 (2008).
 
[27] P. Brönnimann, "Globigerinidae from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Maastrichtian) of Trinidad", B. W. I.- Bullutin. America.Paleontology., 34(140), 5 (1952).
 
[28]  A M. Samir, "Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental changes in the Upper Cretaceous-Early Paleogene deposits of Gabal Samara section, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt. ",  Egypt Journal. Paleontology,  2, 1 (2002).
 
[29] S. Abramovich, G. Keller, T. Adatte, W. Stinnesbek, L. Hottinger, D. Stueben, Z. Berner, B. Ramanivosa and Randriamantenasoa, "Age and paleoenvironment of Maastrichtian to Paleocene of the mahajanga Basin, Madagascar: a multidisciplinary approach", Marine Micropaleontology, 47, 17 (2002).
 
[30] M. Faris, "Biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary succession of Duwi Range, Quseir district, Egypt", Revue De Micropaleontolocie, 27(2), 107 (1984).
 
[31] S. Luning, J. Kuss, M. Bachmann, A. M. Marzouk and A. M. Morsi, "Sedimentary response to basin inversion: Mid Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Pre- to syndeformational deposition at the Areif El Naqa anticline (Sinai, Egypt) ",  Institut fur palaontologie der Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Facies, 38, 103 (1998).
 
[32] H. Elnady and A. Shahin, "Planktonic Foraminiferal biostratigraphiy and paleobathymetry of the Late Cretaceous–Early Tertiary succession at northeast Sinai, Egypt. ",  Egypt. Journal. Paleontology, 1, 193  (2001).
 
[33]  I. I. M. Kassab, "Biostratigraphic study of the subsurface Upper Cretaceous – Lower Tertiary of Well Injana No. 5, Northeastern Iraq", Journal of Geological Society of Iraq, Special issue, 181 (1975b).
 
[34] T. S. Abawi, M. R. Abdel-Kireem and G. M. Yousef, "Planktonic foraminiferal stratigraphy of the Shiranish Formation,Sulaimaniah-Dokan region Northeastern Iraq", Revista Espanola de Micropaleontologia, 14(1),153 (1982).
 
[35] M. R. Abdel-Kireem, "Contribution to the stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary of the Sulaimaniya –Dokan region, Northeastern Iraq", N.  Jb. Geol. Paleont. Abh.,172(1), 121  (1986b).
       
[36] M. M. Al-Mutwali and F. N. Al-Jubouri. "Litho and Biostratigraphy of Shiranish Formation (Late Campanian-Late Maastrichtian) In Sinjar area, Northwestern Iraq", Rafidain Journal of Science, Geology, Special Issue, 16(1), 152 (2005).
 
[37] K. M. Sharbazheri, "Aging of Unconformity within Tanjero Formation in Chwarta Area Northeast of Iraq (Kurdistan Region) ", Rafidain Journal of Science, 7(1), 37 (2007).
 
[38] K. M. Sharbazheri, "Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Reddish to Pale brown succession from Smaquli Area, Northeast Iraq (Kurdistan Region) ", Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining, 6 (1), 1  (2010).
 
[39] F. Dalbiez, "The genus Globotruncana in Tunisia", Micropaleontology, 1(2), 164 (1955).
 
[40] I. Premoli Silva and WV. Sliter, "`Cretaceous Paloceanography: Evidence from planktonic foraminiferal evolution, in Barrera", geological society of America Special Paper, 332, 301 (1999).
 
[41] M R. Abdel-Kireem & AM. Samir, "Biostratigraphic implications of Maastrichtian-Lower Eocene sequence at the north gunna section, Farafra Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt", Marine Micropaleontology, 26, 329  (1995).
 
[42] M. M. Al-Mutwali, "Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Shiranish Formation. Khashab well no. 1, Hemren area. Northeastern Iraq" Journal Geology Science. 7(1), 129 (1996).
 
[43] R. A. Hammoudi, "Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Shiranish Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in Jambur well no.13 Northern Iraq", Rafidain Journal of Science, 11(4), 50 (2000).
[44]  B. Chacon and J. Martin-Chivelet, "Major Paleoenvironmental changes in the Campanian to Paleocene sequence of Caravaca (Subbetic Zone, Spain) ",  journal of Iberian Geology, 31(2), 299  (2005).
 
[45] N. A. Obaidalla, "Complete Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/P) boundary section at Wadi Nukhul, southwestern Sinai, Egypt:inference from planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy", Revue de Paleobiologic, Geneve, 24(1), 201  (2005).
 
[46] A. J. Nederbragt, "Late Cretaceous biostratigraphy and development of Heterohelicidae (planktonic foraminifera) ", Micropaleontology, 37(4), 329  (1991).
 
[47] G. Keller, L. Li & N. Maclleod, "The Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary stratotyp esection at El Kef, Tunisia: how catastrophic was the mass extiniction ", Paleogeography Paleoclimatology Paleoecology, 199, 221 (1995).
 
[48] M. R. Abdel-Kireem, "Planktonic foraminifera and stratigraphy of the Tanjero Formation (Maastrichtian), northeastern Iraq", Micropaleontology, 32(3), 215 (1986a).
 
[49] I. Premoli Silva and W V. Sliter, "Cretaceous planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and evolutionary trends from the Bottaccione section. Gubbio, Italy", Paleontographia Italica, 82, 1 (1995).
  
[50] G. Keller, "Low diversity, Late Maastrichtian and Early Danian planktonic foraminiferal assemblages of the eastern Tethys", Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 34(1), 49 (2004).
 
[51] A. Pardo, N. Orti, and G. Keller, "Latest Maastrichtian and Cretaceous/ Tertiary Boundary, Foraminiferal Turmover and Environmental Changes at Agost, Spain. Cretaceous – Tertiary Mass Extinction: Biotic and Environmental Changes. By Norman_MacLeod and Gerta Keller", W.W. Norton Company, New York,London, p. 139 – 171. (1996).
[52] A. Govindan, C. N. Ravindran & M. K. Rangaraju, "Cretaceous stratigraphy and planktonic foraminifera Zonation of Cauvery Basin", South India. Member. Geolological. Society. India 37, 155 (1996).
 
[53] R. J. I. Martines, "Foraminiferal biostratigraphy and paleoenvironments of the Maastrichtian Colon mudstone of northern South America", Micropaleontology, 35 (2), 97 (1989).
 
[54] S. Abramovich and G. Keller, "Planktonic foraminiferal response to the Latest Maastrichtian abrupt warm event: a case study from South Atlantic DSDP Site 525A", Marine Micropaleontology, 48, 225 (2003).
 
[55]  E. Molina, L. Alegret, I. Arenillas and JA. Arz, "The Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary at the Agost section revisited: paleoenvironmental reconstruction and mass extinction pattern", Journal of Iberian Geology, 31(1), 135 (2005).
 
[56] G. Keller, "Guembelitria-dominated Late Maastrichtian planktonic foraminiferal assemblage mimics early Danian in central Egypt", Marine Micropaleontology, 47, 129  (2002).
 
[57] I. I. M. Kassab, "The genus Heterohelix (Foraminiferida) from Northern Iraq", Journal of Geological Society of Iraq, 7, 75 (1974).
 
[58] I. I. M. Kassab, "Biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary of N. Iraq", Annales des Mining. Geology. Tunis, 28(2), 277 (1978).
 
[59] R. B. N. Jaff, "Sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Paleocene successions from selected outcrop and wells in Sulaimani and Kirkuk Governorates, Kurdistan Region, Iraq", (Unpublished master thesis), University of Baghdad, University of Sulaimani,160 (2008).
 
[60] F. A. Lawa, H. Koyi and A. Ibrahim, "Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the NW segment of the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt,Kurdistan, NE Iraq", Journal of Petroleum Geology, 36(1), 75 (2013).
 
[61] K. M. Sharbazheri, I. M. Ghafor, QAM. Al Nuaimy, "Biostratigraphy of Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in the Sirwan valley Sulaimani region, Kurdistan, NE-Iraq", Geologica Carpathica, 60(5), 14 (2009).
 
[62] K. M. Sharbazheri, I. M. Ghafor, QAM.Al Nuaimy, "Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous/Paleocene boundary in Dokan area, Sulaimanyiah, Kurdistan region, Kurdistan, NE-Iraq", Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining, 7(3), 1  (2011).
 
[63] L. Alegret, E. Molina and E. Thomas, "Benthic foraminifera at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary around the Gulf of Mexico", Geology, 29(10), 891  (2001).
 
[64] M. Faris,  O. Abdelghany, M. A. Saima, "Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy from Malaqet and Mundassah sections western flank of the Northern Oman Mountain", Geologia Croatica, 65(3), 393  (2012).
 
[65] S. Homke, J.Vergés, J. Serra-Kiel, G. Bernaola, I. Sharp, M. Garcés, I. Montero-Verdú, R. Karpuz & M H. Goodarzi, "Late Cretaceous–Paleocene formation of the proto-Zagros foreland basin, Lurestan Province, SW Iran", Geological Society of America Bulletin, 121, 963 (2009).
 
[66] R. A. Hammoudi, "High Resolution Biostratigraphy of the K-PG Boundary in the Higrann Section, Shaqlawa Area, Northern Iraq", Iraqi National Journal of Earth Sciences, 11(1), 23 (2011).
 
[67] G. Keller, T. Adatte, W. Stinnesbeck and et al, "Chicxulub impact predates the K–T boundary mass extinction", Proc Natl Acad Sci, USA, 101, 3753 (2004b).
 
[68] G. Keller, W. Stinnesbeck, T. Adatte., and D. Stueben, "Multiple impacts across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary", Earth Science Reviews, 1283, 1 (2003).
 
[69] P. Schulte, L. Alegret, I. Arenillas, JA. Arz, PJ. Barton, PR. Bown and et al, "Th Chicxulub Asteroid Impact and Mass Extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary", Science, 327, 1214 (2010).
 
[70] H. P. Luterbacher & I. Premoli Silva, "Biostratigrafia del limite Cretaceo- Terziario nell’ Appennino centrale", Rivew. Italian.Paleontology. Stratigraphy., 70, 67  (1964).
 
[71] L. Li, G. Keller, T. Adatte, W.Stinnesbeck, "Late Cretaceous sea level changes in  Tunisia: A ltidisciplinary approach", Geological. Society. London,  157, 447  (2000).
 
[72] B. U. Haq, J.Hardenbol & P. R. Vail, "Mesozoic and Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cycles of sea-level change", SEPM,Special Publication,  42, 71  (1988).
 
[73] S. Voigt, O. Friedrich and A. S. Gale, "The Campanian-Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) climate transition linked to a global carbon cycle perturbation", Geophysical Research Abstracts, 11, EGU-6779-1. (2009).
Kirkuk Journal of Science
Volume 15, Issue 3
September 2020
Page 45-81

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 12 September 2020
  • Accept Date: 12 September 2020

Share

Export Citation

Statistics