Factors controlling the distribution of agglutinated foraminifera in Aalenian- Bajocian dysoxic facies (Pieniny Klippen Belt, Poland)

Palaeoecological relationships between agglutinated foraminifera and environmental factors have been analysed in upper Aalenian-lower Bajocian black siltstones and mudstones (Skrzypny Formation) of the Pieniny Klippen- Belt, Polish Carpathians. The formation represents isochronous and uniform deposition ranging from middle neritic to upper bathyal palaeobathymetric zones. The lower portion of the Skrzypny Formation was deposited under anoxic to severely dysoxic conditions. The benthic microfauna is dominated by agglutinated foraminifera especially epibenthic Trochammina which thrived over the middle neritic to upper bathyal zone. The outer neritic was the only portion colonised by abundant endobenthic morphogroups including Verneuilinella and conical Trochammina. The upper part of the formation is dominated by diverse calcareous foraminifera co-occurring with abundant ostracods, echinoderms, and gastropods. These associations indicate improved oxygenation of bottom water. In contrast to the lower part of the formation, the dominant agglutinated morphogroups are tubular forms such as astrorhizids. The agglutinated endobenthic morphogroups were scarce and limited to Ammobaculites fontinensis (Terquem), which probably preferred better oxygenated conditions. The distribution of foraminiferal assemblages and their comparison with sedimentological and palynological data suggest that agglutinated foraminifera responded primarily to bottom water oxygenation, the position of the redox potential discontinuity, and the quantity and quality of organic matter flux (nutrients for fora nifera). Finally, the agglutinated assemblages were also affected by dissolution of calcareous f&ifera, deposition rate, and the activity of macrofaunal bioturbators. All these factors were associakd with the palaeotopography of the basin, its palaeogeographic position, water masses, eustatic sea level changes, and Jurassic climate.

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