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Paratethys-Mediterranean

Interactions
Environmental Crises during the Neogene
ABSTRACT VOLUME
Marius Stoica, Mihaela C. Melinte-Dobrinescu & Dan Palcu (eds.)
REGI ONAL COMMI TTEE ON MEDI TERRANE AN NEOGENE STRATI GRAPHY
BUCHAREST, 27- 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 - RCMNS I NTERI M COLLOQUI UM BUCHAREST, 27- 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 - RCMNS I NTERI M COLLOQUI UM
Regional
Committee on
Mediterranean
Neogene
Stratigraphy
R C MNS
Paratethys-Mediterranean
Interactions:
Environmental Crises during the Neogene
ABSTRACT VOLUME
Marius Stoica, Mihaela C. Melinte-Dobrinescu & Dan Palcu (eds.)
Bucharest, 27-30 September 2012
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
THIS WORK WAS SUPPORTED BY CNCS-UEFISCDI, PROJECT NUMBER
PNII-IDEI/WE-CODE/2012.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Organizers:
Marius Stoica (University of Bucharest),
Mihaela Melinte-Dobrinescu (GeoEcoMar),
Co-organizer:
Wout Krijgsman (Utrecht University),
Organizing committee:
Iuliana Lazar (University of Bucharest)
Dan Palcu (University of Bucharest)
Dan Jipa (GeoEcoMar)
Alina Floroiu (University of Bucharest)
Maria Tulbure (Petroleum-Gas University of Ploieti)
Andrei Briceag (GeoEcoMar)
Monica Crihan (Petroleum-Gas University of Ploieti)
Daniel tefan (University of Bucharest)
Web design: Bogdan Baltac
Scientifc Committee:
Jordi Agusti (Spain)
Madeline Bhme (Germany)
Jean-Jacques Corne (France)
Sorin Filipescu (Romania)
Mathias Harzhauser (Austria)
Frederick Hilgen (Holland)
Silvia Iaccarino (Italy)
Dan Jipa (Romania)
Wout Krijgsman (Holland)
Fabrizio Lirer (Italy)
Imre Magyar (Hungary)
Oleg Mandic (Austria)
Liviu Matenco (Romania)
Werner Piller (Austria)
Gheorghe Popescu (Romania)
Serghei Popov (Russia)
Marco Roveri (Italy)
Mario Sprovieri (Italy)
Jean Pierre Suc (France)
Iuliana Vasiliev (Holland)
Regional
Committee on
Mediterranean
Neogene
Stratigraphy
R C MNS
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
- 4 -
WELCOME
Te semi-enclosed Mediterranean and Paratethys regions form incomparable
natural laboratories to study environmental changes under diferent
geodynamic and climatic conditions. Tey are excellently suited to unravel
fundamental questions concerning mammal migration, evolution patterns,
basin restriction, sea level variations, and environmental change. Changes
in Paratethys and Mediterranean marine ecosystems were mainly driven by
global climate and paleoceanographic changes over the Neogene as well as
the evolution of marine connections. Gateway restriction in the Neogene
ultimately generated hypersaline environments and deposition of massive
evaporites during the Badenian Salinity Crisis of the Paratethys and the
Messinian Salinity Crisis of the Mediterranean.
Terrestrial ecosystems have been very sensitive to climatic changes as well
(e.g. Vallesian crisis), while the appearance and disappearance of land
bridges between Paratethys and Mediterranean played a major role in species
migration.
Tis Interim Colloquium will focus on recent developments in
Mediterranean-Paratethys interactions in the terrestrial and marine domain,
including advancements in high-resolution dating and multi-proxy analyses,
to decipher key intervals of extreme environmental change. In this meeting
we are pleased to welcome all Scientists interested on the climatic, biologic
and geologic history of the Paratethys and Mediterranean over the last 23
Myr. We especially seek contributions that shed new light on the Miocene
to Pleistocene evolution of marine and terrestrial palaeoenvironments in
Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa.
We are looking forward to see you in Bucharest!
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
Session 1:
Paratethys - Palaeogeography, Stratigraphy and Mediterranean
Interactions;
Session 2:
Salinity Crises (Badenian and Messinian)
Session 2.1:
Badenian salinity crisis;
Session 2.2:
Messinian salinity crisis;
Session 3:
Terrestrial Systems.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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3 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
4 WELCOME
5 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
13 THE PALEOGRAPHY OF EARLY
MIOCENE BASIN SEDIMENTATION
IN AZERBAIJAN
Afandiyeva, M.
15 THE VALLESIAN MAMMAL
TURNOVER: A LATE MIOCENE
RECORD OF DECOUPLED LAND-
OCEAN EVOLUTION
Agust, J.
16 THE BADENIAN SALINITY CRISIS
Bbel, M.
18 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND
GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE LATE
NEOGENE POZNA FORMATION,
JAROSZW DEPRESSION
(SW POLAND) IN SOUTHERN
MARGINAL ZONE OF THE
NORTHWEST EUROPEAN BASIN
Badura, J.
1
, Czapowski, G.
2
,

Gsiewicz, A.
2,
&
Przybylski, B.
1

19 PALEONTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE
CENTRAL PARATETHYS AND THE
MEDITERRANEAN DURING THE
LATE BADENIAN/SERRAVALLIAN
Bartol, M.
1
, Miku, V.
1, 2
, Horvat, A.
1, 2

21 MORPHOLOGICAL AND
PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL
EVIDENCE FOR THE DISPERSAL OF
HOMININES INTO AFRICA IN THE
LATE MIOCENE
Begun, D. R.
1
& Nargolwalla, N.
1

23 FORAMINIFERA ASSEMBLAGES
ASSOCIATED TO EARLY
MIOCENE SEA-LEVEL CHANGES
FROM THE NORTH-WESTERN
TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN
(ROMANIA)
Beldean, C.
1
, Szkely, S-F.
1
, Filipescu, S.
1
& Ssran, E.
1
25 THE ONSET OF THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS FROM MARGINAL
TO DEEP WATER SETTINGS
(TERTIARY PIEDMONT BASIN,
NW ITALY): RELATIONSHIP WITH
GYPSUM DEPOSITION.
Bernardi, E.
1
, Dela Pierre, F.
1
, Lozar, F.
1
, Violanti, D.
1
,
Gennari, R.
2
& Natalicchio, M.
1

27 MIOCENE PALAEO-
ENVIRONMENTAL
RECONSTRUCTIONS
Bhme, M.
28 HOLOCENE
PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGES IN THE NW BLACK SEA
Briceag, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
2
, Melinte-Dobrinescu, M. C.
1

& Oaie, G.
1
30 BADENIAN SALT SEDIMENTATION
IN THE CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP
BASIN (POLAND) BASED ON
GEOCHEMICAL AND ISOTOPIC
RESEARCH
Bukowski, K.
Table of Contents
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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31 DEEP-SEA RECORD OF
MEDITERRANEAN MESSINIAN
EVENTS (DREAM)
Camerlenghi, A.
1
, deLange, G.
2
, Flecker, R.
3
, Garcia-
Castellanos, D.
4
, Hbscher, C.
5
, Krijgsman, W.
2
, Lof,
J.
6
, Lugli, S.
7
, McGenity, T.
8
, Manzi, V.
7
, Panieri, G.
9
,
Rabineau, M.
10
, Roveri, M.
7
& Sierro, F.J.
11
33 THE RANGE AND EXTENT OF THE
VALLESIAN CRISIS IN ITS TYPE
AREA
Casanovas-Vilar, I.
1
, Van den Hoek Ostende, L.W.
2
,
Furi, M.
1
& Madern, P.A.
1, 2

35 ACINONYX PARDINENSIS (CROIZET
ET JOBERT, 1828) FROM THE EARLY
PLEISTOCENE OF PANTALLA
(CENTRAL ITALY)
Cherin, M.
1
, Iurino, D.
2
& Sardella R.
2
38 CONSTRAINING THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS IN THE EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN (ADANA BASIN,
TURKEY)
Cosentino, D.
1
, Cipollari, P.
1
, Darba,
G.
2
, Gliozzi, E.
1
, Grossi, F.
1
, Grbz, K.
3
,
Nazik, A.
3
& Radef, G.
1

40 MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF
BADENIAN/SARMATIAN (EARLY
SERRAVALLIAN) BOUNDARY
POSITION IN THE EASTERN
CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP
(POLAND): PRELIMINARY REPORT
Czapowski, G.
1
, Gsiewicz, A.
1
, Bukowski, K.
2
, Chang,
L.
3
, De Leeuw, A.
3
, Gadzicka, E.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
3
,
Paruch-Kulczycka, J.
1
, Sant, K.
3
& Studencka, B.
4
42 PALAEONTOLOGY AND
STRATIGRAPHY OF THE LATEST
MESSINIAN-LOWER PLIOCENE
DEPOSITS IN THE APENNINES:
NEW INSIGHTS FROM MOLISE
(SOUTHERN ITALY)
DAmico, C.
1
, Bracone, V.
2
, Esu, D.
3
, Frezza, V.
1, 3
&
Guerrieri, P.
4
44 COMPARISON OF MIOCENE
FORAMINIFERA FROM NORTH
OF CENTRAL IRAN (TETHYS)
TO NORTH FLANKS OF ALBORZ
MOUNTAINS (PARATETHYS) IN
IRAN
Daneshian, J.
1
& Derakhshani, M.
2
45 BIG BACTERIA FILAMENTS IN
THE EUXINIC SHALE FROM
THE PRIMARY LOWER GYPSUM
UNIT (PIEDMONT BASIN, NW
ITALY): VESTIGES OF MESSINIAN
CHEMOTROPHIC MICROBIAL
MATS
Dela Pierre F.
1
, Clari P.
1
, Natalicchio M.
1
, Bernardi E.
1
,
Lozar F.
1
, Lugli S.
2
, Violanti D.
1
47 CHRONOLOGY OF THE BADENIAN
SALINITY CRISIS OF THE CENTRAL
PARATETHYS
De Leeuw, A.
1
, Bukowski, K.
2
, Krijgsman, K.
3
, Kuiper
K. F.
4
, Stoica, M.
5
& Tulbure, M.
5
48 PALEOMAGNETIC AND
GEOCHRONOLOGIC CONSTRAINTS
ON THE GEODYNAMIC EVOLUTION
OF THE CENTRAL DINARIDES
De Leeuw, A.
1
, Mandic, O.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, Kuiper,
K. F.
4
& Hrvatovi, H.
5
50 MAEOTIAN / PONTIAN OSTRACOD
BIOSTRATIGRAPHY FROM THE
SOUTH CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP
(BADISLAVA TOPOLOG AREA)
Floroiu, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
2
, Vasiliev, I.
2
&
Van Baak, C.
2
52 BADENIAN SULPHATIC
EVAPORITIC SEQUENCES
FROM PIATRA VERDE
(SLNIC-TEIANI, PRAHOVA
COUNTY)
Frunzescu, D.
54 BADENIAN SULPHATIC
EVAPORITIC SEQUENCES FROM
VALEA REA SALT BRECCIA
(ISTRITA HILL, BUZAU COUNTY)
Frunzescu, D.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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56 DISPERSAL EVENTS OF THE
PARATETHYAN OSTRACOD
SPECIES IN THE PALAEO-
MEDITERRANEAN DOMAIN
DURING THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS
Gliozzi, E., Grossi, F.

& Cosentino, D.
58 MIOCENE PLIOCENE CLIMATE,
ENVIRONMENTS, AND
CONNECTIVITY
OF THE EASTERN PARATETHYAN
DOMAIN
Grothe, A.
1
; Sangiorgi F.
1
; Krijgsman, W.
2
; Vasiliev, I.
2
;
Reichart, G-J.
3
; Stoica, M.
4
& Brinkhuis, H.
1,5

59 STRATIGRAPHIC CONSTRAINTS
FOR THE OLIGOCENE-EARLY
MIOCENE NORTH ALPINE
FORELAND BASIN: BEYOND
REGIONAL CONCEPTS AND
TOWARDS CORRELATION WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL TIME SCALE
Grunert, P.
1
, Piller, W. E.
1
, Soliman, A.
1
, ori, S.
2
,
Hinsch, R.
3
, Harzhauser, M.
4
60 HIGH RESOLUTION ANALYSIS
AND THE LIMITS OF
PALEOENVIRONMENTAL
RECONSTRUCTIONS
Harzhauser, M.
1
,

Kern, A.K.
1
, Piller, W.E.
2
& Soliman,
A.
2
61 PARATETHYS
PALEOENVIRONMENTAL
RECONSTRUCTIONS
Harzhauser, M.
1
, Piller, W.E.
2
, Reuter, M.
2
, Grunert,
P.
2
62 ATNTS2012
Hilgen, F.
1
, Lourens, L.
1
, Van Dam, J.
2
, Beu, A.
3
, Boyes,
A.
4
, Cooper, R.
3
, Krijgsman, W.
1
, Ogg, J.
5
, Piller, W.
6
&
Wilson, D.
7
63 ASTROCHRONOLOGY OF THE
BURDIGALIAN-LANGHIAN
IN THE MEDITERRANEAN:
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Hsing, S.K.
1
, Hilgen, F.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, Turco, E.
4
65 MOLLUSCAN ASSEMBLAGES
AND ECOSTRATIGRAPHIC-
PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL
IMPLICATIONS OF THE EARLY
PLIOCENE DEPOSITS FROM THE
EASTERNMOST MEDITERRANEAN
REGION (HATAY BASIN, SE
TURKEY)
slamolu, Y.
1
, Tekin, E.
2
, Varol, B.
2
& Szeri, K.
2
68 LATE PALEOGENE THRACE BASIN
AS A PALEO(BIO)GEOGRAPHIC
TURNOVER AREA: A SYNTHESYS
slamolu Y.
1
and Harzhauser M.
2
71 FAUNAL MIGRATION VERSUS
SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION IN
THE DACIAN BASIN.
PASSAGEWAYS, ROUTING AND
MECHANISMS
Jipa, D. C.
1
& Lubenescu, V.
2
73 DACIAN BASIN SEDIMENTARY
HISTORY.
STATE OF THE ART
Jipa, D. C.
75 MIDDLE AND UPPER MIOCENE
PALEODANUBE DELTA SYSTEM
HISTORY
Kov , M.
1
, Hudkov, N.
1
, Halsov, E.
1
, Kovov,
M.
1
, Hlavat, J.
2
, Pereszlnyi, M.
3
, Sopkov, B.
3
, Synak,
R.
1
77 SEISMIC ATLAS OF THE
MESSINIAN SALINITY
CRISIS MARKERS IN THE
MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK
SEAS
VOLUME 2
Lof, J.
78 CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSIL
BIOEVENTS HERALDING THE
ONSET OF THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS IN THE
TERTIARY PIEDMONT BASIN: A
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC TOOL
AT THE BASIN SCALE?
Lozar F.
1
, Bernardi E.
1
, Dela Pierre F.
1
, Gennari R.
2
,
Natalicchio M.
1
, Violanti D.
1
, Clari P.
1
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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81 THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS:
A FACIES PERSPECTIVE
Lugli S.
1
, Gennari R.
2,3
, Manzi V.
2,3
Roveri M.
2,3
&
Schreiber C.
4
84 DINARIDE LAKE SYSTEM -
MIOCENE DIVERSITY HOTSPOT
REVISITED
Mandic, O.
1
, De Leeuw, A.
2
, Neubauer, T.A.
1
,
Harzhauser, M.
1
& Krijgsman, W.
3
87 AGE REFINEMENT OF THE ONSET
OF THE MESSINIAN SALINITY
CRISIS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Manzi V.
1, 2
, Gennari R.
1, 2
, Lugli S.
3
, Roveri M.
1, 2
,
Hilgen F.J.
4
, Krijgsman W.
5
, Sierro F.J.
6
90 THE ABRUZZO-APULIAN
(CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN
ITALY) FOSSIL FAUNA,
NEW CHALLENGES FOR
PALEONTOLOGISTS AND
PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHERS
Masini, F.
1
, Savorelli, A
2
. & Mazza, P
3
.
92 NEW INSULAR TAXA FROM
THE OLDEST TERRE ROSSE
FISSURE FILLING (GARGANO,
SOUTHEASTERN ITALY)
Masini, F.
1
, Rinaldi, P.M.
2
, Savorelli, A
3
. & Pavia, M.
4
.
94 HOPLITOMERYCIDAE
(RUMINANTIA, CENTRAL-
SOUTHEASTERN ITALY): WHOM
FROM?
Mazza, P.
96 BADENIAN CALCAREOUS
NANNOFOSSIL FLUCTUATION
IN EASTERN CARPATHIANS:
PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C
1
. & Stoica, M.
2
98 THE OLIGOCENE-MIOCENE
BOUNDARY IN ROMANIA: STATE
OF THE ART
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C.
100 HOW DRY WAS THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS? A MOLECULAR
STUDY OF THE ERACLEA MINOA
SECTION (SICILY)
Mezger, E. M.
1
, Vasiliev, I.
1, 2*
, Lugli, S.
3
,
Roveri, M
4
., Manzi, V.
4
, Reichart, G. J.
1,5
,
Sangiorgi, F.
6
, Krijgsman, W.
2
& Van Roij, L.
1
101 A FLUID INCLUSION STUDY OF
THE PRIMARY LOWER GYPSUM
OF THE PIEDMONT BASIN
(ITALY): PRECIPITATION FROM
EVAPORATED SEAWATER?
Natalicchio, M.
1
, Dela Pierre, F.
1
, Lugli, S.
2
, &
Ferrando, S.
1
103 DIAGENETIC HISTORY OF THE
VILOB GYPSUM UNIT (VALLS
PENEDS BASIN, MIOCENE,
NE SPAIN): AN EXAMPLE OF
FRACTURED AND CEMENTED
EVAPORITE DEPOSIT
Play, E.
1
, Moragas, M.
2
, Martnez, C.
1
, Baqus, V.
1
,
Trav, A.
1
, Ort, F.
1
& Alas, G.
1
105 SEA LEVEL CHANGES AND STORM
SIGNATURES IN PLIOCENE
SEQUENCES FROM VINTIL VOD
- NORTHERN DACIAN BASIN,
ROMANIA
Popa, L.V.
1, 2,
& Popa, L.M
1
107 CLAY MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES AND
THEIR ORIGIN IN THE MIOCENE
SALT DEPOSITS OF ROMANIA
Rdan, S.
108 TRANSITION FROM OUTER SHELF
TO COARSE GRAIN DELTAS ACROSS
THE PALEOGENE/NEOGENE
BOUNDARY INTERVAL IN NE GETIC
DEPRESSION, ROMANIA
Roban, R-D.
1, 2
, Anastasiu, N.
1
, & Melinte-Dobrinescu
M.C.
2
110 MEDITERRANEAN-PARATETHYS
CONNECTIONS: INSIGHTS FROM
ISOSTACY
Ryan, W.B.F.
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112 NEOGENE BIVALVES OF THE
NORTH WEST OF ALGERIA:
EXTINCTION OR FAUNA RENEWAL?
Satour, L.
1
, Belkebir, L.
1
& Bessedik, M.
2
113 A HIGH-RESOLUTION
BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC MARKER
AT 6 MA IN THE EASTERN
PARATETHYS
Stoica, M.
1
, Crihan, I.M.
2
, Popescu, G.
1
,
Floroiu, A.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, van Baak, C.
3
,
Vasiliev, I.
3
, Lazr, I.
1
,& Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C.
4
115 THE ESTABLISHED OF A NEOTYPE
FOR PARADOLICHOPITHECUS
GETICUS NECRASOV, RDULESCU
& SAMSON 1961
tiuc E.
116 THE ISOLATION OF THE CENTRAL
PARATETHYS: HOW OROGENESIS
AND SEA LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS
CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEMISE OF
A LARGE INLAND SEA
Ter Borgh, M.
1
, Vasiliev, I.
2
, Stoica, M.
3
, Kneevi,
S.
4
, Matenco, L.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
2
, Rundi, L.
4
&
Cloetingh, S.
2
117 THE BADENIAN SARMATIAN
TRANSITION IN THE SOUTH
CARPATHIANS FOREDEEP
Tulbure, M.
1, 2
, Stoica, M.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
1,
Crihan, M.
3

&Popescu, G.
2
118 PALEOENVIRONMENTAL
RECONSTRUCTIONS AND
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC DATING
OF THE SOUTH CASPIAN BASIN
LATEST MIOCENE TO RECENT
Van Baak, C. G. C.
1
, Grothe, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
1, 2
, Aliyeva,
E
3
, Vasiliev, I.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
1
.
119 NEGATIVE HYDROLOGICAL
BUDGET OF THE BLACK SEA
DURING THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN
Vasiliev, I.
1, 2*
, Reichart, G. J.
1,3
, Sangiorgi, F.
4
, Krijgsman,
W.
2
,
van Roij, L.
1
120 MIO-PLIOCENE HERPETOFAUNA
OF WESTERN SIBERIA AND ITS
PALAEOCLIMATIC SIGNIFICANCE
Vasilyan, D.
1
, Bhme, M.
1, 2
, Zazhigin, V.
3
&
Winklhofer, M.
4
122 THE NEOGENE MAMMAL
LOCALITIES OF SOUTHERN
MEDITERRANEAN SIDE
Zouhri, S.
1
& Ben Moussa, A.
2
124 INDEX
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Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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THE PALEOGRAPHY OF EARLY MIOCENE BASIN
SEDIMENTATION IN AZERBAIJAN
Afandiyeva, M.
Institute of Geology ANAS, AZ1143,Baku,Azerbaijan,G.Javid av.,29A, m.efendiyeva@gia.ab.az
Keywords: Azerbaijan, Early Miocene, archipelago
islands,sediments
Introduction
Over a long enough period of time it was considered
that the Lower Miocene deposits were primarily
sedimented within the deep part of a palaeobasin.
However, recent studies have indicated that the
above-mentioned sediments formed in a shallow
water palaeoenvironment.
Methodology
Te studies were based on an integrated approach of
the investigated sedimentary rocks, by interpretating
all available geological and geophysical data, already
published, from a signifcant amount of literature,
and by adding own data.
Analysis of the data allowed us to point out the
lithofacies of Lower Miocene sediments, deposited
within the territory of Azerbaijan. The collected
materials were used to firstly elaborate maps
of isopachs as well as lithofacial maps for each
of the Lower Miocene stratigraphic units (i.e.,
Caucasian, Sakaraulian and Kotsahurian). As a
result, it was possible to constrain the conditions
of sedimentation for each unit and to explain the
palaeobasinal deposition, features that were not
previously subject of explanation.
Discussion
For nearly a century, the Lower Miocene
sedimentation, both within the territory of
Azerbaijan, as well as outside this territory, in the
neighborhood areas, was supposed to be related to a
deep marine basin (Bogachev, 1933). Tis is explained
by the fact that, lithologically, the Lower Miocene
is represented by hard deposits of predominantly
dismember thickness, mainly composed of dark-grey
shales and noncalcareous clays with faunas, , which
include only abundant remains of fsh, such as scales,
otoliths, and even complete skeletons of fshes of the
genus Meletta (Gubkin, 1950).
Te partition of logs of wells penetrating the Lower
Miocene sediments, corroborated with using eustatic
changes in the sea level, allowed to establish the
boundaries of occurrence of each stratigraphic unit of
Maikop (Caucasian, Sakaraulian, and Kotsahurian)
and to determine the gas capacity of each of them.
Tese data formed the basis for mapping facilities for
each unit separately, which revealed the presence of a
large area of land within which the rocks of this age do
not deposited. Moreover the character of the location
of these areas allows us to assume that the territory
of Azerbaijan in Early Miocene was an archipelago of
islands.
Lithological and petrographic analyzes performed
on samples taken from Early Miocene deposits
exposed in outcrops in some areas of oil and gas,
as well as on core samples from drilled performed
on the entire territory of Azerbaijan, allowed to
emphasize the changing in lithofacial characteristics
of the Lower Miocene rocks .
During the Early Miocene, the major mountain
systems of Azerbaijan, the Greater and the Lesser
Caucasus, just began to develop as a young mountain
system, which in some areas was very close to the
coastal zone of the paaleobasin, but in some places
were a fat, little land near the shore. Te Greater
Caucasus and Talysh were parts of the little land that
all sides were surrounded by the waters of the Early
Miocene Basin. Tis indicates that diferent parts of
the territory of Azerbaijan over the Early Miocene
formed under diferent conditions of sedimentation,
respectively, and hence are characterized by diferent
lithofacies.
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Tere were areas with steep banks, from which fast
razed the mountain rivers to the shelf of the pool,
bringing a lot of coarse material. When combined
with heavy rains, they formed the shingle coastal
zone, which is a typical feature of the mountainous
coast. By the time, these were rapidly disappeaed as
soon as the mountainous coast give way to the gentle
and low coast. In some sections, there are plaster
layer and whole lenses of gypsum, which suggest that
these deposits were formed in a closed basin. In the
shallow bays, mainly in the lagoons, and in those
areas, devoid of rivers, were deposited mostly clayey
deposits. For some sites, we can assume that, in the
archipelago of islands located in the coastal zone of
the Early Miocene basin, the depositional regime
contributed to the formation of stagnant water.
Diferentiated nature of the bottom of the sea during
Early Miocene times led to normal gas exchange,
which conducted to the formation of dark colored
clayey deposits. Tese islands were the source of weak
erosion demolition for a part of the clastic material.
Te material in the sedimentation basin could fall
by proluvial processes, such as temporary water from
the rain and streams. As a result of these processes
within the basins near the islands and in places such
as bays and lagoons mainly clays were deposited. In
these sediments a shif to fne grained sediments
was observed, these deposits being linked to very
shallow depths of 1-2 m, sometimes reaching the
water surface.Te active volcanic activity within the
range of continental islands, led to the formation of
volcanic formations.
We may assume that the small number or even the
absence of the faunal remains in the Lower Miocene
rocks is not always a proof of a sedimentation in a
deep palaeobasin. By contrary, the above-mentioned
features may characterize a shallow pool, with
unfavorable conditions for the life of organisms,
particularly due to changes in salinity and gas
regime, which undoubtedly took place during the
depositional phases of the Early Miocene interval in
the territory of Azerbaijan (Ruhin, 1962).
Conclusions
Tis work represents a frst attempt to elaborate
lithofacial maps for each stratigraphic unit belonging
to the Early Miocene interval. Te fndings of this
study are:
- Te Early Miocene sediments were deposited
in diferent palaeogeographical conditions;the
diferences in lithofacies characteristics are due to
features of various regions of Azerbaijan, and overall
the presence during Early Miocene times of a slowly
regressing palaeobasin;
- Te deposition took place not in a deep basin,
as previously thought, but mostly in a shallow-
water basin, which is the modern analogue of the
Archipelago Sea, in the straits between the islands
where sedimentary rocks, mainly composed of fne-
grained argillaceous deposits, were formed.
References
Bogachev V.V., 1933. Gloing fsh the Maikop
formation the Apsheron Peninsula. Izv.AZFAN, p.12
Gubkin I.M.,1950. Geological investigation of the
Western part of the Apsheron Peninsula. Perekishkul
list. Selected works, M.,USSR Academy of Sciences,
vol.1, p.355-374
Ruhin Y.B., 1962. Paleogeography`s main parts.
Leningrad, USSR, 628 pp.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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THE VALLESIAN MAMMAL TURNOVER: A LATE MIOCENE
RECORD OF DECOUPLED LAND-OCEAN EVOLUTION
Agust, J.
ICREA. Institut de Paleoecologia humana i Evoluci social (IPHES). Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Pl. Imperial Tarraco, 1.
43005-Tarragona. Spain. E-mail: jordi.agusti@icrea.cat
In Western Europe, the change from the Middle
Miocene forest adapted mammalian faunas to the
more open woodland faunas, which characterizes
the later Neogene, took place through an abrupt
critical period known as the Vallesian Crisis. Te
Vallesian Crisis involved the disappearance of most
of the forest adapted elements characterizing the
middle Miocene, such tapirs, rhinoceroses, wet
adapted artiodactyls, hominoids (Dryopithecus),
rodents (mainly dormice, hamsters, fying-squirrels
and beavers), and the large carnivores of the families
Nimravidae and Amphicyonidae. Detailed analysis
in the well calibrated and mostly complete sequence
of the type-area of the Vallesian Mammal stage, the
Valls-Peneds Basin (NE Spain), reveals that entries
were always above the level of exits during the early
Vallesian, reaching a diversity maximum at the end of
this time. At 9.7 Ma, the Vallesian Crisis involved a
sudden decrease of diversity, caused by high extinction
levels, well above the number of entries. Te European
Mammalian faunas never recovered their levels of
diversity afer this drop. Correlation of this event to
the main global oceanic events, recorded as isotopic
shifs, reveals a chronological coincidence with Mi7, a
minor isotopic shif at about 9.6 Ma. Te correlation
of the Vallesian Crisis with such a minor isotopic shif
is in contrast with previous, more signifcant isotopic
shifs, such as Mi6, which had little ecological efects
on the terrestrial ecosystems (although they could be
responsible for some isolated overland dispersals, as in
the case of hipparionine horses). Tis inconsistency
between the global climate change inferred from the
oceanic record and its efect on the structure of the late
Miocene terrestrial ecosystems calls for some caution
when inferring direct, linear relationships between
climate change and mammalian turnover. While
the glacial-interglacial dynamics account for most
of this turnover during the Plio-Pleistocene times,
the efects of this climate forcing seem to have been
more complex during Miocene times. An alternative
pattern of change can be envisaged by proposing
a House of Cards efect for the Vallesian Crisis.
Increasing diversity levels afer a prolonged period
of stability enhanced terrestrial ecosystems to evolve
into a self-organized critically state, which suddenly
dropped afer a critical threshold was surpassed. In
contrast to other critical periods, the fnal decline of
the Vallesian chronofauna was more dependent on
the critical state of the system than on the magnitude
of the agent which induced the crisis.
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THE BADENIAN SALINITY CRISIS
Bbel, M.
Institute of Geology, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warszawa, Al. wirki i Wigury 93, Poland,
e-mail: m.babel@uw.edu.pl
Keywords: Miocene, Central Paratethys, Carpathian
Foredeep, evaporites, halite, gypsum, selenite
Te Badenian salinity crisis, known also as the
Wielician crisis, was a crucial event in the history of
the Central Paratethys. Te Badenian seas occupying
the area of the emerging Carpathian orogen lost their
open connection with the Mediterranean Sea and
were transformed into evaporite basins (Peryt 2006).
Te largest was the Carpathian Foredeep Basin (CFB),
which developed in front of the emerging orogen. Te
other basins (East-Slovakian Basin, Trans-Carpathian
Basin, and Transylvanian Basin) occupied the interior
of the Carpathian loop (Fig. 1). Te separate zone of
Badenian evaporites occurs in NE Bulgaria.
Fig. 1. Paleogeography during the Badenian salinity
crisis (A), and present day distribution of the
Badenian evaporites (B); A - afer Rgl 1999, B afer
Khrushchov, Perichenko 1979 and other sources
All these evaporites were originally more widespread
than their present extent. Te Carpathian margin
of the CFB was reduced by a few tens of km in some
areas due to tectonic shortening. Te basins were
presumably at least temporarily connected, however
the original sedimentary record of these connections,
and of the connections with the Mediterranean,
were removed by later erosion. Te evaporite basins
were re-fooded with marine water at the end of
the crisis, during the late Badenian. Later, during
Sarmatian, they became a part of the giant brackish-
to-euhaline Sarmatian Paratethys Sea or Sea-Lake.
Biostratigraphic analyses and radiometric data
indicate that in the CFB the salinity crisis took place in
the earliest Neogene Nannoplankton Zone 6 (NN6:
Discoaster exilis Zone), i.e. in the early Serravallian,
and it lasted much less than 940 k.y. (liwiski et al.
2012). Sedimentological data from some areas suggest
that the crisis could be very short, only 20-40 k.y. in
duration, however the Badenian evaporite deposition
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in the particular Paratethyan basins could be
diachronous and in sum - longer in time. Te highly
reliable radiometric data indicate that the Badenian
salts from Wieliczka (CFB) were deposited ca 13.6
Ma years ago (Bukowski 2011). Te salinity crisis was
apparently preceded by climatic cooling correlated
with the Mi3b global cooling event. In the CFB the
areal extent of the evaporites is remarkably smaller
than both the under- and overlying marine Badenian
deposits. Tis is presumably a result of evaporitic
water level fall in the marine basin followed by the
rapid post-evaporitic Badenian marine transgression
and fooding. Te Ca-sulphate evaporites in the CFB
were interpreted as deposited in a salina basin entirely
cut-of from the Mediterranean (Bbel 2004). A
water level in this basin supposedly dropped a few tens
of meters below the global sealevel due to evaporite
drawdown. Te Badenian evaporites comprise
mainly gypsum, anhydrite and halite deposits; the
evaporitic carbonates are less common. Te original
thickness of the halite deposits forming salt diapirs
in the Transylvanian Basin was estimated as up to
300 m (Krzsek et al. 2010). In the other basins these
deposits are commonly less than a few tens of meters
thick. Te investigation of the primary fuid inclusions
in sedimentary halite crystals showed that they were
crystallized from the brine of marine derivation and
that the original Badenian (Serravallian) seawater
was slightly depleted in Mg ions in relation to the
present seawater. Specifc and rarely encountered
clastic facies were recognized within the Badenian
halite deposits in the CFB and East-Slovakian Basin
(lczka, Kolasa 1997; Bukowski 2011). Te Badenian
Ca-sulphate deposits are commonly 10-30 m thick,
and only in places reach 60 m in thickness. Te most
extensive outcrops of the Badenian gypsum deposits
occur in Ukraine, where they show exceptionally
well-preserved record of primary facies with unique
sedimentary structures. Tese include: (1) crusts of
bottom-grown grass-like (= selenite) crystals (some
up to 3.5 m in length, and forming spectacular
giant intergrowths), (2) gypsum microbialite and
selenite domes (some up to several meters in size),
(3) oriented structures produced by the accelerated
growth of selenite crystals in the up-current direction
of infowing brine, and others. Some sets of selenite
beds are traceable in the outcrops over a distance of a
few hundred km and are interpreted as isochronous
or near-isochronous. Te presence of such aerially-
extensive, well-preserved primary gypsum deposits
makes the northern margin of CFB unique among
the known selenite basins the deposits of which are
commonly poorly preserved, and unavailable for the
direct study. In consequence of the Badenian salinity
crisis, important mineral resources originated in the
region. Tey include not only gypsum and rock salt,
but also native sulphur deposits formed by diagenetic
transformation of the Badenian gypsum (in northern
CFB), and hydrocarbons accumulated in traps
associated with salt diapirs (in Transylvanian Basin).
References
Bbel, M., 2004. Badenian evaporite basin of the
northern Carpathian Foredeep as a drawdown
salina basin. Acta Geologica Polonica, 54, 313-337.
Bukowski, K., 2011. Badenian saline sedimentation
between Rybnik and Dbica based on geochemical,
isotopic and radiometric research. Rozprawy,
Monografe, 236, 1-184. Wyd. AGH, Krakw.
Khrushchov, D.P., Petrichenko, O.I., 1979. Evaporite
formations of Central Paratethys and conditions of
their sedimentation. Annales Gologiques des Pays
Hellniques, Tome hors srie, No. 2, 595-612. Athens.
Krzsek, C., Filipescu, S., Silye, L., Matenco, L.,
Doust, H., 2010. Miocene facies associations
and sedimentary evolution of the Southern
Transylvanian Basin (Romania): Implications for
hydrocarbon exploration. Marine and Petroleum
Geology, 27, 191214.
Peryt, T.M., 2006. Te beginning, development and
termination of the Middle Miocene Badenian
salinity crisis in Central Paratethys. Sedimentary
Geology, 188-189, 379-396.
Rgl, F., 1999. Mediterranean and Paratethys. Facts
and hypotheses of an Oligocene to Miocene
paleogeography (short overview). Geologica
Carpathica, 50, 339-349.
lczka, A., Kolasa, K., 1997. Resedimented salt in
the Northern Carpathians Foredeep (Wieliczka,
Poland). Slovak Geological Magazine, 3, 135155.
liwiski, M., Bbel, M., Nejbert, K., Olszewska-
Nejbert, D., Gsiewicz, A., Schreiber B.C.,
Benowitz, J.A., Layer, P., 2012. BadenianSarmatian
chronostratigraphy in the Polish Carpathian
Foredeep. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology, 326-328, 1229.
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SEDIMENTOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE LATE
NEOGENE POZNA FORMATION, JAROSZW DEPRESSION
(SW POLAND) IN SOUTHERN MARGINAL ZONE OF THE
NORTHWEST EUROPEAN BASIN
Badura, J.
1
, Czapowski, G.
2
,

Gsiewicz, A.
2,
& Przybylski, B.
1

1
Polish Geological Institute, National Research Institute, Lower Silesian Branch in Wrocaw, al. Jaworowa 19, 50-122
Wrocaw, Poland, e-mail: janusz.badura@pgi.gov.pl; boguslaw.przybylski@pgi.gov.pl
2
Polish Geological Institute, National Research Institute, ul. Rakowiecka 4, 00-075 Warszawa
e-mail: ; andrzej.gasiewicz@pgi.gov.pl; grzegorz.czapowski@pgi.gov.pl
Keywords: Lower Silesia (SW Poland), fuvial
deposits, mud fow, pedocomplexes, kaolinite
Te Late Miocene-Early Pliocene Pozna Formation
have covered the are area of Polish part of the
Northwest European Basin (NEB), extended between
the Fennoscandian Shield and the Bohemian Massif
(Gibbard et al., 1988). Genesis of these deposits is
poorly understand and controversial: a lacustrine or
limnic with marine inputs (Dyjor, 1992, 1995).
Extensive sedimentological and geochemical studies
of the Pozna Fm profle (30 m thick, absent
faunistic remains) in the open-pit mine at Jaroszw
(Lower Silesia area, S part of NEB) evidenced its
continental character. Tese clay to silty deposits have
accumulated in the tectonically controlled subbasin
of foremountain zone as dynamic food and mud-fow
sediments, with rare fne sand lenses of ephemeral
fuvial channels but periodically interrupted by marsh
to peat-bog coaly clays registering more stagnant
conditions. Periods of low sediment supply favoured
pedogenesis (two distinct pedogenic horizons) but
increased tectonic activity and erosion of alimentary
area produced fne to coarse sandy fuvial channel
series in the top of profle.
Te studied Pozna Fm profle shows a distinct
geochemical tripartition with two lower complexes
similar one each other but diferent from the upper
one. Te deposits are generally matured in the
lower and the middle complexes and immatured
in the upper one. Geochemical data indicated the
relatively dynamic, shallow water and well ventilated
environment and a humid climate favoured increased
weathering of sedimentary cover over the land. Te
material - mainly quartz and clay minerals (mostly
kaolin) - was delivered from weathered basic (mainly),
acidic and sedimentary rocks of the Sudetes and
magmatic intrusions. Te Pozna Fm mud fow
cover developed as a result of an increase in elemental
leaching attributed to either increasing chemical
weathering of the Fore-Sudetic mountain system???
Nie wiem po co to????.
References
Dyjor, S., 1992. Evolution of sedimentation, and
process of alterations of sediments in the Pozna
suite in Poland. (In Polish, English summary). Acta
Univ. Wratisl., 1354, Prace Geol.-Miner., 26, 3-18.
Wrocaw.
Dyjor, S., 1995. Evolution of the Cainozoic on
the Fore-Sudetic Block. (In Polish with English
summary). In: Przewodnik 66 Zjazdu PTG, 29-
40. Wrocaw.
Gibbard, P., Rose, J., Bridgland, D.R., 1988. Te
history of the great northwest European rivers
during the past three million years. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society, B. 318, 559-602.
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PALEONTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN THE CENTRAL PARATETHYS AND THE
MEDITERRANEAN DURING THE LATE BADENIAN/
SERRAVALLIAN
Bartol, M.
1
, Miku, V.
1,2
, Horvat, A.
1,2

1
Ivan Rakovec Institute of Paleontology ZRC SAZU, Novi trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, e-mail: mbartol@zrc-sazu.si
2
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Department of Geology, Privoz 11, SI-1000 Ljubljana,
Slovenija, e-mail: vasja.mikuz@ntf.uni-lj.si; aleksander.horvat@ntf.uni-lj.si
Keywords: calcareous nannoplankton, diatoms,
Pereiraeia gervaisi, palaeogeography, Slovenian
Corridor
Introduction
Te Slovenian Corridor, a seaway linking the
Central Paratethys and the Mediterranean, opened
simultaneously with the formation of the Pannonian
Basin System in the Carpathian at the end of the
Early Miocene. It is widely assumed (e. g., Rgl,
1998; Steininger & Wessely, 2000; Harzhauser &
Piller, 2007) that this corridor closed at the end of
the Middle Badenian, corresponding to the boundary
between 3
rd
order eustatic cycles TB2.4 and TB2.5
and calcareous nannoplankton biozones NN5 and
NN6 (13,6Ma). From that time onwards the Central
Paratethys supposedly communicated only with the
Indopacifc bioprovince and the Eastern Paratethys.
Te results of independent studies of Middle Miocene
calcareous nannoplankton (Bartol, 2009), diatoms
(Horvat, 2004) and molluscs (Miku, 2000) in
adjacent Paratethyan basins in the area of E Slovenia
suggest that the communication between the Central
Paratethys and the Mediterranean persisted until the
end of the Badenian.
Palaeogeographic implications of calcareous
nannoplankton
Middle Miocene nannoplankton assemblages from
the W part of the Mura-Zala Basin (NE Slovenia)
closely resemble contemporary Mediterranean
assemblages (described in Fornaciari et al., 1996).
Tey contain no specimens of Rhabdosphaera poculi
and Nannocorbis (Hayella) challengeri, which are
present in Middle Miocene assemblages from several
localities in the Eastern and Central Paratethys, but
do not occur in the Mediterranean until the Late
Miocene. In the Middle Miocene, discoasters are
common in the Mediterranean and virtually absent in
the Walbersdorf locality in the Vienna Basin (Rgl &
Mller, 1976), which served as a reference point for
the Central Paratethys. In contrast to this, a distinct
peak in abundance of several species of discoasters was
observed at the NN5/NN6 boundary in E Slovenia.
Te same event was recorded in Serbia (Mihajlovi &
Keevi, 1989) and W Slovakia (Ozdnov, 2008).
Te succession of biostratigraphic events above
the NN5/NN6 boundary (LO of Sphenolithus
heteromorphus, LCO and LO of Cyclicargolithus
foridanus, FCO of Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus
(>7 m), the appearance of the frst scattered specimens
of Calcidiscus macintyrei), observed in the Mura-Zala
basin (Bartol, 2009) and several Mediterranean sites
(Fornaciari et al., 1996) is identical. Tis parallelism
is either a consequence of an active connection
between the two realms or a result of a universal
global trend. A comparison with ODP and DSDP
reports from around the globe has shown, that only
the LO of Sphenolithus heteromorphus is a globally
well correlative event, while others are diachronous
(or absent) in various regions even in similar latitudes.
Moreover, in most sites considered outside the
Central Paratethys and the Mediterranean, additional
biostratigraphic events were observed in the studied
time interval.
Te above indicates that the Slovenian Corridor was
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still active during the Late Badenian. Te assemblages
in a particular Central Paratethys site exhibit various
degrees of similarity to the Eastern Paratethys or
the Mediterranean, which probably results from a
complex pattern of sea currents.
Te geographical distribution of Pereiraeia
gervaisi
Diatom assemblages from the oldest marine facies in
the Krko basin (SE Slovenia) are of Upper Badenian
age, which means that the Krko basin was not fooded
before the beginning of the TB 2.5 cycle (Horvat,
2004). Te mollusc assemblages of the Krko basin
contain the gastropod species Pereiraea gervaisi. Tis
species can be found in the Mediterranean and the
Western Paratethys as well as the Central Paratethys,
where it only occurs in sediments of Later Badenian
age or younger (Miku, 2000). Tis is evidence of an
active marine connection between the two realms
at that particular time. Te palaeogeographical
distribution of this species in the Central Paratethys
is restricted to its NW part. Tis clearly indicates
that the colonization of the Central Paratethys must
have taken place across the Slovenian Corridor and
not through some other marine connection (e. g., the
Vardar Corridor; Studencka et al., 1998).
References
Bartol, M., 2009. Middle Miocene calcareous
nannoplankton of NE Slovenia (western Central
Paratethys). ZRC SAZU Publishing, Ljubljana,
136 pp.
Fornaciari, E., Di Stefano, A., Rio, D. & Negri, A.,
1996. Middle Miocene calcareous nannofossil
biostratigraphy in the Mediterranean region.
Micropaleontology, 42, 37-62.
Harzhauser, M. & Piller, W. E., 2007. Benchmark
data of a changing sea Paleogeography,
Pleobiogeography and events in the Central
Paratethys during the Miocene. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 253, 8-31.
Horvat, A., 2004. Middle Miocene siliceous algae of
Slovenia: paleontology, stratigraphy, paleoecology,
paleobiogeography. ZRC SAZU Publishing,
Ljubljana, 255 pp.
Mihajlovi, . & Kneevi, S., 1989. Calcareous
nannoplankton from Badenian and Sarmatian
deposits at Vinjica and Karaburma in Belgrade.
Geoloki anali Balkanskoga poluostrva, 53, 343-
366.
Miku, V., 2000. Pereiraea gervaisi (Vzian) from
Miocene beds south of entjernej in Lower
Carniola. Geologija, 42, 123-140.
Ozdnov, S., 2008. Badenian calcareous nannofossils
from Semerovce Sv-8 and Cifer-1 boreholes
(Danube basin). Mineralia Slovaca, 40, 141-150.
Rgl, F. & Mller, C., 1976. Das Mittelmiozn
und die Baden-Sarmat Grenze in Walbersdorf
(Burgenland). Annalen des Naturhistorischen
Museums Wien, 80: 221-232.
Rgl, F., 1998. Palaeogeographic considerations for
Mediterranean and Paratethys Seaways (Oligocene
to Miocene). Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, 99A,
279-310.
Steininger, F.F. & Wessely, G., 2000. From the
Tethyan Ocean to the Paratethys Sea: Oligocene
to Neogene stratigraphy, paleogeography and
paleobiogeography to the circum-Mediterranean
region and the Oligocene to Neogene basin
evolution in Austria. Mitt. sterr. Geol. Ges., 92,
95-116.
Studencka, B., Gontsharova, I.A. & Popov
S.V., 1998. Te bivalve faunas as a basis for
reconstruction of the Middle Miocene history of
the Paratethys. Acta Geol. Pol. 48, 285342.
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MORPHOLOGICAL AND PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL
EVIDENCE FOR THE DISPERSAL OF HOMININES INTO
AFRICA IN THE LATE MIOCENE
Begun, D. R.
1
& Nargolwalla, N.
1

1
University of Toronto, Department of Anthropology, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada,
email: begun@chass.utoronto.ca, Mariam.n@utoronto.ca
Keywords: Dryopithecus, Rudapithecus,
Hispanopithecus
Several interpretations of the geographic origin of
the African ape and human clade (hominines) are
currently being debated. Most researchers support
the hypothesis, frst proposed by Charles Darwin,
that the ancestors of the hominines frst appeared in
Africa. Other suggest, as did Darwin as well, that the
hominine clade may have frst appeared in Europe,
being represented by what Darwin referred to as the
dryopithecus of Lartet. Here we review the evidence
from the comparative anatomy of fossil and living
hominoids, the paleobiogeography of land mammals
found in association with fossil apes from Europe and
Africa and the distribution of late Miocene fossil apes,
to test the African and European origins hypotheses.
Te earliest hominid (great apes and humans) known
from Eurasia is Griphopithecus and related thickly
enameled taxa. While there is debate on the age of
Griphopithecus from Turkey, the Griphopithecus-
like specimen from Engelswies is clearly over 17 Ma
(Heizmann & Begun 2001; Bohme et al., 2011).
Between 17 and 14 Ma thickly enameled hominids are
widespread in Europe, from Germany to Turkey, and
are also found in Kenya, although their frst appearance
in Africa is about two Ma later than in Europe (Begun,
2009). Tese taxa, which I refer to informally as the
griphopiths, are all hominid-like in dental attributes
but Proconsul-like (primitive stem hominoid)
postcranially. Te dispersal of griphopiths into Eurasia
(probably from an Afropithecus-like ancestor) is
accompanied at 17-17.5 Ma by other African taxa,
such as proboscideans, suids and girafds, as well
as the Pliopithecoidea, whose origin is either Asian
or African. However, most of the infux of taxa into
Europe in MN5 was from Asia (Nargolwalla, 2008).
Dryopithecins (Dryopithecus, Pierolapithecus,
Hispanopithecus, Rudapithecus, Neopithecus,
Udabnopithecus and Ouranopithecus) frst appear in the
fossil record at 12.5 Ma, and most likely evolved from
a griphopith. Pierolapithecus, from 11.9 Ma sediments
from Barranc de Can Vila 1, in the Valls-Peneds of
Catalonia, shares characters with the African apes that
appear for the frst time in this taxon. Tese include
a stepped subnasal fossa and a frontal sinus probably
derived from the ethmoidal sinus. Te dentition is
thinly enameled and the canines are compressed, as
in extant African apes. Pierolapithecus also preserves
the earliest evidence of adaptations for specialized
climbing, orthogrady and probably some degree of
suspensory locomotion, characteristic of all modern
hominoids. Other less well preserved specimens from
additional localities in the Valls-Peneds extend back
to 12.5 Ma or older, and are dentally almost identical to
Pierolapithecus, which in turn is most similar dentally
to Dryopithecus from the Valls-Peneds and the type
locality of Saint Gaudens, France.
In the Vallesian more modern hominines appear
that share additional characters with extant taxa.
Hispanopithecus from Can Llobateres (Valls-
Peneds), includes a well preserved partial skeleton
with well-defned highly suspensory characters of the
phalanges and limb proportions. Rudapithecus, from
Rudabnya (Hungary) also preserves unambiguous
indications of well-developed suspensory capabilities
as well as cranial evidence of afnities with the
hominines. Tese include, in addition to the
stepped subnasal fossa and ethmoid frontal sinus
found in Pierolapithecus, incipient development of
the brow ridges (also found in Hispanopithecus),
fusion of the tympanic and articular portions of the
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temporal bone, an elongated neurocranum and a
klinorhynch (ventrally defected) face relative to the
neurocranium. In Rudapithecus the brain case is
sufciently well preserved to estimate cranial capacity
in two specimens. Taking body mass estimate into
account, the brain of Rudapithecus is well within the
range of variation of extant chimpanzees. No fossil
apes known from the time interval between 13.5 and
9.8 Ma in Africa (af. Proconsul, Samburupithecus,
Chororapithecus, Nakalipithecus) have any of these
features, although all but Samburupithecus are known
only from isolated teeth and a lower jaw fragment.
In the fossil record of the Hominoidea, characters
exclusive to extant hominoids frst appear in Europe
(thickly enameled teeth, modern dental proportions,
suspensory adaptations, large brains). While is it
true that the fossil record of hominoids in Africa is
poor in the time interval of interest, suggesting that
the `true`ancestor of the hominines may in fact
be African and yet to be discovered, this does not
account for the large number of hominine characters
of the dryopithecins. In particular, the combination
of numerous suspensory characters along with
unusual cranial attributes strongly suggests that both
the hominids (great apes and humans) and hominines
frst appear in Europe.
In the late Vallesian (ca. 9 Ma) signifcant land
mammal dispersal is documented from Eurasia to
Africa, including equids, suids, bovids, girafds,
carnivores and a number of micromammals. We
suggest that the ancestor of crown hominines was
among the mammals entering Africa at this time,
derived from a European dryopithecin.
It is obvious that we need to establish the geographic
origins of the Homininae if we are to understand
the ecological circumstances, and by inference, the
selective pressures that led to the appearance of our
clade. Te recovery of more specimens, with hominine
afnities, from African localities older than the earliest
known hominines from Europe, will contribute to the
falsifcation of the European origins hypothesis.
References
Begun D. R., 2009. Dryopithecins, Darwin, de Bonis,
and the European origin of the African apes and
human clade. Geodiversitas 31, 789-816
Bhme, M., et al. 2011. Bio-magnetostratigraphy
and environment of the oldest Eurasian hominoid
from the Early Miocene of Engelswies (Germany).
J. Hum. Evol. 61, 332-339.
Heizmann, E. & Begun, D.R. 2001. Te oldest
European Hominoid. J. Hum. Evol. 41, 465-481.
Nargolwalla, M. 2008. Eurasian middle and late
Miocene hominoid paleobiogeography and
the geographic origins of the homininae. Ph.D.
Dissertation, University of Toronto, pp. 1-259
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FORAMINIFERA ASSEMBLAGES ASSOCIATED TO EARLY
MIOCENE SEA-LEVEL CHANGES FROM THE NORTH-
WESTERN TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN (ROMANIA)
Beldean, C.
1
, Szkely, S-F.
1
, Filipescu, S.
1
& Ssran, E.
1
1
Babe-Bolyai University, Department of Geology, 1 Mihail Koglniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania,
e-mail: beldean_claudia@yahoo.com; szablocs@yahoo.com; sorin.flipescu@ubbcluj.ro; emanoil.sasaran@ubbcluj.ro
Keywords: Early Miocene, Transylvanian Basin,
Central Paratethys, foraminifera assemblages
Te Transylvanian Basin, as part of the Central
Paratethys Sea underwent a continuous change
in connections with the oceans. Its evolution is
expressed in the preserved sedimentary sequences.
Consequently the succession of fossil assemblages
shows some peculiarities in relation to the sea-level
changes connected to the regional evolution.
Te foraminifera assemblages from the north-
western part of the Transylvanian Basin are related
to a major faunal change associated to Early Miocene
megasequence (Krzsek & Bally, 2006). Te
interpretation of depositional events in the studied
sections is as follows:
1. Coarse grained deposits of the Coru Formation
represents the frst term of the Early Miocene
transgression and preserve a typical Mediterranean
assemblage of bivalves (Moisescu & Popescu 1980) in
beach environments;
2. Te glauconitic facies form the base of the Chechi
Formation (about 0,5-2 m thick) can be associated to
the maximum fooding surface of the transgression.
3. Te sedimentation continued on a narrow shelf
associated with fan-deltas during the highstand.
During this interval, the foraminifera assemblage
became abundant and diverse. Te identifed
calcareous benthic foraminifera are typical for
the Chechi Formation (Rusu & Popescu, 1965,
Popescu, 1970, 1975) with high abundance of
lagenids (Marginulina, Lenticulina, Planularia,
Amphicoryna) and buliminids (Uvigerina). Te
agglutinated foraminifera are representative to shelf
environments with species of Spirorutilus, Vulvulina,
Semivulvulina sp. Planktonic foraminifera belong
to the Globigerinoides trilobus Biozone (Popescu,
1975). Similar planktonic and benthic assemblages
were identifed in the Lower Miocene from Austria
(Rgl & Nagymarosi, 2004), which suggests open-sea
connections of the Transylvanian Basin to the west.
4. Following the deposition of the Chechi Formation
the basin was flled during the remaining Early
Miocene with turbidites associated to the fan deltas
of the Hida Formation. In the studied area this
deposits preserve lower abundance and diversity of
foraminifera assemblages, mainly with agglutinated
forms (Cyclammina sp., Bathysiphon sp.) and very rare
calcareous benthic species. Planktonic assemblages
contain small-sized trochospiral foraminifera
(Tenuitella sp., Tenuitelinata sp., Globigerina dubia,
Globigerina tarchanensis) associated to areas with
high organic-matter supply.
Acknowledgements
Tis work was possible with the fnancial support
of the Sectorial Operational Programme for
Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-
fnanced by the European Social Fund, under the
project number POSDRU 89/1.5/S/60189 with
the title Postdoctoral Programs for Sustainable
Development in a Knowledge Based Society.
References
Krzsek, C. & Bally, A.W., 2006. Te Transylvanian
Basin (Romania) and its relation to the Carpathian
fold and thrust belt: Insights in gravitational salt
tectonics. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 23, 405-42.
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Moisescu V. & Popescu, G., 1980. Chattian
Badenian biochronology in Romania by means
of molluscs. Anuarul Institutului de Geologie i
Geofzic, LVI, 205-224.
Popescu, G., 1970. Foraminiferele planctonice din
stratele de Hida (nord-vestul Transilvaniei). Studii
i cercetri de geologie, geofzic, geografe. Geologie,
15(1), 240-253.
Popescu, G., 1975. tudes des foraminifres du
Miocne infrieur et moyen du nord-ouest de la
Transylvanie. Mmoires - Institut de Gologie et de
Gophysique, XXIII, 1-121.
Rgl, F. & Nagymarosy, A., 2004. Biostratigraphy and
correlation of the Lower Miocene Michelstetten
and Ernstbrunn sections in the Waschberg
Unit, Austria (Upper Egerian to Eggenburgian,
Central Paratethys). Courier Forschungsinstitut
Senckenberg, 246, 129-151.
Rusu, A. & Popescu, G., 1965. Contribuii la
stratigrafa Miocenului Inferior din nord-vestul
Bazinului Transilvaniei. Studii i cercetri de geologie,
geofzic, geografe. Geologie, 10(2), 467-473.
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THE ONSET OF THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS FROM
MARGINAL TO DEEP WATER SETTINGS (TERTIARY
PIEDMONT BASIN, NW ITALY): RELATIONSHIP WITH
GYPSUM DEPOSITION.
Bernardi, E.
1
, Dela Pierre, F.
1
, Lozar, F.
1
, Violanti, D.
1
, Gennari, R.
2
& Natalicchio, M.
1

1
Torino University, Department of Earth Science, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy, e-mail: elisa.bernardi@unito.it
2
Parma University, Department of Earth Science, Parco Area delle Scienze 157A, 43100 Parma, Italy
Keywords: micropaleontology, foraminifers,
paleoenvironmental reconstruction, gypsum facies
Introduction and geological setting
Te Tertiary Piedmont Basin (TPB) preserves the
northernmost record of the Messinian salinity
crisis (MSC). During the Messinian the TPB was
a wide wedge top basin, developed on basement
units juxtaposed during the main phases of Alpine
orogenesis. Te Messinian strata are presently exposed
on the northern (Torino Hill and Monferrato domain)
and southern (Langhe domain) basin margins and
comprise pre-evaporitic muddy sediments, followed
by primary sulphate evaporites of the Primary Lower
Gypsum unit (PLG). Te succession ends with fuvio-
deltaic and lacustrine sediments with Lago Mare
fossil assemblages.
Te lateral transition between marginal and deep
water successions (Dela Pierre et al., 2011) is preserved
in this basin, emphasized by variations in facies and
thickness of the Messinian sediments. Tis provides
a well-suited case study to describe the environmental
conditions in marginal, intermediate and distal
settings.
In this work we focus on the pre-evaporitic sediments
heralding the onset of the MSC. Quantitative
micropaleontological analyses on planktonic and
benthic foraminifers were performed on four sections
located both in the southern margin (Govone
and Pollenzo) and in northern one (Banengo and
Moncalvo). Te results of these studies allowed to
obtain a detailed chronostratigraphic framework of
the paleoenvironmental changes related to the onset
of MSC in diferent palaeogeographic settings.
Results
Micropaleontological data show a general trend
towards more impoverished assemblages in all the
sections. Te planktonic assemblages are well or
moderately abundant and diversifed in the lower part
of the studied sections; upward they are dominated
by stress tolerant taxa (Turborotalita quinqueloba,
T. multiloba, Globigerinella spp.) indicating a
stressed pelagic domain. Te benthic foraminiferal
assemblages show the same trend with progressive
increase of stress tolerant infaunal taxa (Bolivina
dilatata, B. etrusca, B. spathulata, Bulimina echinata)
suggesting increase of disoxia and water column
stratifcation. Te high abundance of opportunistic
taxa, related to progressive more stressed conditions,
partially obliterate the paleoenvironmental signal
hampering detailed paleobathimetric estimations.
Te northern and southern successions are however
characterized by diferent foraminiferal assemblages
and evaporitic facies, related to diferent depositional
conditions.
Te southern margin of TPB
At Pollenzo and Govone pre-evaporitic sediments
consist of a rhythmic alternation of laminated shale-
homogeneous marl couplets. Te lithologic cyclicity
is mirrored by regular fuctuation in microbiological
assemblages, testifying to the infuence of precession-
controlled climate changes. An open marine pelagic
environment is documented by plankton-dominated
assemblages. Detailed biomagnetostratigraphic
studies carried out at Govone has been used as the
starting point for the astrochronological calibration
to 65N summer insolation and precession indexes
of the La2004 solution (Laskar et al., 2004) and
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for correlation with other Mediterranean reference
sections.
Benthic foraminiferal assemblages typical of
outer shelf (Pollenzo) and upper slope (Govone)
palaeoenvironment generally do not contain shallow
water taxa, testifying deposition in open marine
settings; Tey are dominated by taxa adapted to high
nutrient availability and poorly oxigenated bottom
water conditions (Melonis spp., Cibicidoides spp.,
Uvigerina peregrina, Hanzawaia boueana).
Te onset of the MSC in these sections is not
recorded by gypsum deposition and is placed in a
muddy succession (the deep water counterpart of
the PLG unit) without lithological evidence of this
oceanographic event. Te gypsum precipitation starts
later than in marginal settings: the gypsum layers are
represented by laminated beds that become thinner
and richer in a terrigenous component toward deeper
settings.
Te northern margin of TPB
In the Banengo and Moncalvo sections the precession-
controlled cyclicity is very poorly expressed from
both the lithological and microbiological point
of view. Detailed cyclostratigraphic correlations
are thus hampered. However the presence of some
foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil taxa
characteristics of Messinian assemblages (B. echinata,
T. quinqueloba, T. multiloba; A. primus, A. delicatus)
allow to constrain the time interval immediately
preceding the onset of MSC. Te P/(P+B) ratio is
very low and the benthic assemblages are dominated
by shallow water epiphytic taxa (Elphidium spp.,
Rosalina spp., Discorbis spp., Glabratella spp.).
Siliceous spicules and microscleres of Demosponges
are also abundant.
Micropaleontological data indicate deposition in a
shallow water setting, probably on inner-outer shelf
bottoms. Te PLG unit is characterized by thick beds
(from 20 to 50 m) of massive and banded selenite,
comparable to gypsum facies described in other
sections of the Mediterranean basin (Lugli et al.,
2010).
References
Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E., Cavagna, S., Clari, P.,
Gennari, R., Irace, A., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Manzi,
V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M. & Violanti, D.
(2011) - Te record of the Messinian salinity crisis
in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Te
Alba section revisited. Palaeogeogr.,Palaeoclim.,Pa
laeoecol.,310, 238-255.
Laskar, J., Robutel, P., Gastineau, M., Correia,
A.C.M. & Levrard B. (2004) - A long term
numerical solution for the insolation quantities of
the Earth. Astron. Astrophys. 428, 261 285.
Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri & M., Schreiber,
B.C., 2010. Te Primary Lower Gypsum in the
Mediterranean: a new facies interpretation for
the frst stage of the Messinian salinity crisis.
Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclim., Palaeoecol., 297, 8399.
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MIOCENE PALAEO-ENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS
Bhme, M.
University Tbingen (Germany), Institute for Geoscience, Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tbingen,
email: m.boehme@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de
Te reconstructions of continental palaeo-
environments based on fossils play an important role
in geoscientifc research and publicity.
In research because environmental parameters
involving biotic (evolution, ecosystem function,
biodiversity, etc.) and abiotic (climate, landscape,
erosion, etc.) processes, which interactions are
basic objects of geo-research. In publicity, because
the transfer of palaeo-environmental knowledge
require and produce reconstructions at diferent
states of complexity. Despite of rational approaches,
palaeoenvironmental reconstructions produce images
and by this transport our subjectivity.
Based on historic and actual examples from continental
Miocene of Europe the lecture will illustrate recent
advances in this feld and argue in favour of four theses,
all of them restrain the eforts of palaeoenvironmental
reconstruction. 1) Te fossil record display commonly
time-averaging, 2) past environments could have
changed fast, 3) diferent preservation potential of
plants and animals bias reconstructions, and 4) the
basinal setting of fossiliferous sediments strongly
bias our understanding of continental environmental
evolution during the Neogene.
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HOLOCENE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN
THE NW BLACK SEA
Briceag, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
2
, Melinte-Dobrinescu, M. C.
1
& Oaie, G.
1
1
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: andrei.briceag@geoecomar.ro; melinte@geoecomar.ro; goaie@geoecomar.ro
2
University of Bucharest, Department of Geology, 1
st
Nicolae Balcescu Bld., Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: marius.stoica@g.unibuc.ro
Keywords: Ostracods; Foraminifera; Calcareous
nannoplankton; sea-level fuctuation.
During Holocene times, the Black Sea basin sufered
a major shif from a brackish water environment to a
marine one. Tere are two main hypotheses regarding
the Holocene Black Sea sea-level rising: catastrophic
and gradual. Te scenario concerning the catastrophic
fooding of the Black Sea was advanced by Ryan et al.
(1997), attracting the greatest attention and arousing
a great deal of controversy and further research.
Another scenario, agreed by many scientists (Panin,
1997; Grr et al., 2001 and Yanko-Hombach et
al., 2007), indicates that no catastrophic fooding
of the Black Sea has occurred, and the Neoeuxinian
Lake gradually transformed into a marine basin. Tis
work is focused on the fuctuation in composition
and abundance of microfaunas (foraminifera
and ostracoda) and nannoforas (calcareous
nannoplankton), encountered in several drillings
performed in the Romanian Black Sea shelf area.
In the Holocene deposits of the Black Sea, Ross and
Degens (1974) recorded three stratigraphic units
(from young to old): Unit I (the microlaminated
coccolith ooze, deposited under marine conditions),
Unit II (the sapropel mud, corresponding to a
brackish, anoxic phase), and Unit III (the lacustrine
lutite deposited during the freshwater or oligohaline
stage).
Based on the lithological and sedimentological, as
well as microfaunal and nannoforal changes, we
identifed in the deepest analysed core, situated at 200
m water depth, two lithological units, respectively the
youngest Unit I (Coccolithic Mud) and the oldest
Unit III (Lacustrine lutite). Between them there is
an erosional surface and Unit II is missing. From a
lithological point of view, the investigated cores are
mainly characterized by the deposition of a grey mud,
alternating with thin cm sands and coquina layers;
mainly broken shells of molluscs, such as Modiolus and
Mytilus, together with small gastropods, are present.
A detailed lithology of the investigated cores was
published by Oaie & Melinte-Dobrinescu (2010).
Based on the microfaunal and nannoforal
assemblages, we identifed two distinct assemblages:
(i) Te base of the core is characterised by a brackish
or even lacustrine ostracod assemblage, with
a high diversity of taxa and by the absence
of foraminifera and very scarce calcareous
nannoplankton (the few occurrences, most
probably are reworked). In this interval, the most
abundant ostracod species are represented by taxa
belonging to Candonidae and Loxoconchidae.
In the lower part of the core, we assume that a
lowering of temperature took place due to the
occurrence of the ostracod Fabaeformis candona.
Tis assemblage tolerates a salinity comprised
between 3-8 .
(ii) In the upper part of the core there is a shif from the
lacustrine assemblage to a marine one, as indicated
by the presence of ostracods with Mediterranean
origin (i.e., Hiltermannicythere rubra) and by a
bloom of the calcareous nannoplankton species
Emiliania huxleyi. Notably, foraminiferal species
occurs (i.e., Ammonia spp.), with a very high
abundance, but showing a low diversity, Te
ostracods from this assemblage tolerate salinities
comprised between 17-21 and characterise a
sublitoral environment. Te occurrence of this
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type of microfaunal association is indicative for
the Late Holocene reconnection of the Black
Sea with the Mediterranean.
Besides the above-described core of deeper part of
NW Black Sea, several cores from a very shallow
setting (water depth between 12 and 60 m) were
analysed. Our investigations indicate that, above the
fresh-water clays of Unit III (sensu Ross and Degens,
1974), which is the single lithological unit recognised
both in shallow and deep marine environment of the
Black Sea, a layer that contains fresh-water, brackish
and marine molluscs was deposited. Above this level,
blooms of the calcareous nannoplankton species
Braarudosphaera bigelowii, followed by blooms of
Emiliania huxleyi, were recorded. In the youngest
deposits of marine Unit I of Ross & Degens (1974),
as well as in its shallower correspondent (i.e., the
Shallow Unit, sensu Giunta et al., 2007), the calcareous
nannoforas contain almost exclusively (above 95 %)
Emiliania huxleyi (Melinte-Dobrinescu & Briceag,
2011). Te increasing abundance of Emiliania
huxleyi (the dominant calcareous nannoplankton
species in contemporaneous assemblages of the Black
Sea) slightly preceded the occurrence of marine
microfaunas on the Romanian Black Sea shelf.
Te fuctuation in the composition of the microfaunal
assemblages and calcareous nannoplankton suggests
a progressive salinity increase in the Black Sea during
Holocene times, from a brackish setting to a marine
one. Tis observation is true, in our opinion, only for
deeper parts of the Black Sea (with water depth below
200 m), while in a very shallow marine setting of the
basin a rapid salinity increasing could be assumed.
In Late Holocene times, stable marine conditions
established, with salinity close to nowadays,
allowing the proliferation of marine microfaunal
and nannoforal assemblages, characterised by high
abundance, but low diversity, a feature that is still
present nowadays in the Romanian Black Sea shelf.
References
Giunta,

S., Morigi, C., Negri, A., Guichard,

F.,
Lericolais, G., 2007. Holocene biostratigraphy
and paleoenvironmental changes in the Black
Sea based on calcareous nannoplankton. Marine
Micropaleontology 63, 91-110.
Grr, N., agatay, M.N., Emre, .B., Alpar, M.,
Sakin, Y., Islamoglu, O., Algan, T., Erkal, M.,
Keer, M., Akkk, R., Karlik, G., 2001. Is the
abrupt drowning of the Black Sea shelf at 7150yr
BP a myth? Marine Geology 176, 6573.
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C., Briceag, A., 2011.
Holocene calcareous nannoplankton in the inner
shelf of the NW Black Sea. Acta Palaeontologica
Romaniae 7, 238-248.
Oaie, G., Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C., 2010. Holocene
litho- and biostratigraphy of the NW Black Sea
(Romanian shelf ). Quaternary International
261,146-155.
Panin, N., 1997. On the geomorphologic and
geologic evolution of the river Danube - Black Sea
interaction zone. GeoEcoMarina 2, 31-40.
Ross, D.A., Degens, E.T. 1974. Recent sediments
of the Black Sea. In: Degens E.T. and Ross D.A.
(Eds.), Te Black Sea: Geology, Chemistry,
and Biology. American Association of Petroleum
Geologists, 183-199.
Ryan, W.B.F., Pitman, W.C., Major, C.O., Shimkus,
K., Moskalenko, V., Jones, G.A., Dimitrov, P.,
Grr, N., Sakin, M. & Ycel, H. 1997. An abrupt
drowning of the Black Sea shelf. Marine Geology:
138, 119-126.
Yanko-Hombach, V., Gilbert, A.S., Panin, N. &
Dolukhanov, P.M. (Eds.), 2007. Te Black Sea
Flood Question: Changes in Coastline, Climate and
Human Settlement. Springer, Dordrecht, 971 pp.
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BADENIAN SALT SEDIMENTATION IN THE CARPATHIAN
FOREDEEP BASIN (POLAND) BASED ON GEOCHEMICAL AND
ISOTOPIC RESEARCH
Bukowski, K.
AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environment Protection, Al. Mickiewicza 30,
30-059 Krakow, Poland, e-mail: buk@agh.edu.pl
Keywords: Miocene, evaporites, rock salt,
geochemistry, stable isotopes, Central Paratethys
One of the distinct changes of the paleoenvironment
in the past dozen of millions of years that has not
been studied adequately is the Badenian salinity
crisis. During that crisis, a complex of climatic,
environmental and geological conditions caused the
occurrence of a continuous series of evaporate deposits
on a large area of Central and Southern Europe. Te
goal of the present study is to build a reliable model of
the saline basin development. Te western part of the
Carpathian Foredeep (southern Poland) was selected
for detailed studies. Te research area is located along
the present-day edge of the Carpathians, between
Rybnik in the west and Dbica in the east (Bukowski
2011).
Te geochemical study results as the studies of
the bromine content in halite, chemistry of fuid
inclusions, isotopic composition of stable isotopes of
oxygen and sulphur from anhydrites occurring in the
salt series, and isotopic composition of oxygen and
hydrogen in fuid inclusions were used for drawing
conclusions on the origin of brine and access of
continental waters as essential components of chloride
facies evaporate sedimentation.
Salt crystallization in the studied area was initiated
in the sea basin containing water whose chemical
composition was similar to present-day ocean water.
During halite crystallization, the saline basin was
supplied with seawater of normal salinity, as well
as meteoric water (infltration and surface water)
mixing with basins brine. Te water entering the
basin caused partial solution and redeposition of salt
from shallow and marginal parts of the salt basin.
Te analysis of the present-day range of the evaporate
facies in the western part of the Carpathian Foredeep
clearly indicates a direct relationship between the
intensity and type of evaporate sedimentation and
the morphology of pre-Badenian substrate, refecting
the existence of several morphologic thresholds in the
substrate. Te respective elevations produced shallow
areas on which sulphate crystallization occurred, and
moreover, the elevations divided the saline basin into
a number of smaller basins. Such thresholds produced
barriers that made the fow of heavy saturated brine
between particular basin sections difcult. Te supply
of terrigenous material, the traces of dissolved salt
and of volcanic activity indicate that the observed
cycle of salt series formation was caused by tectonic
phenomena. Halite precipitation from brine
delaminated in respect of density occurred in deeper
parts of the basin during the periods of tectonic peace.
Periodic episodes of tectonic intensity on the edges of
the saline basin relocated the deposits from marginal
sections of the salt pan and salt mud fat.
References
Bukowski, K., 2011. Badenian saline sedimentation
between Rybnik and Dbica based on geochemical,
isotopic and radiometric research (in Polish with
English summary), Dissertation Monographs 236,
1-184, AGH University of Science and Technology
Press, Krakow
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DEEP-SEA RECORD OF MEDITERRANEAN MESSINIAN
EVENTS (DREAM)
Camerlenghi, A.
1
, deLange, G.
2
, Flecker, R.
3
, Garcia-Castellanos, D.
4
, Hbscher, C.
5
,
Krijgsman, W.
2
, Lof, J.
6
, Lugli, S.
7
, McGenity, T.
8
, Manzi, V.
7
, Panieri, G.
9
, Rabineau, M.
10
,
Roveri, M.
7
& Sierro, F.J.
11
1
ICREA and University of Barcelona, Spain, e-mail:angelo.camerlenghi@icrea.es
2
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, e-mail: gdelange@geo.uu.nl
3
School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK, e-mail: r.fecker@bristol.ac.uk
4
ICTJA - CSIC, Barcelona, Spain, e-mail: danielgc@ictja.csic.es
5
Institute of Geophysics, University of Hamburg, Germany, e-mail: Christian.huebscher@zmaw.de
6
Gosciences Montpellier, University of Montpellier 2, France, e-mail: johanna.lof@gm.univ-montp2.f
7
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra - Universit degli Studi di Parma, e-mail: vinicio.manzi@unipr.it; marco.roveri@unipr.it
8
School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, UK, e-mail: tjmcgen@essex.ac.uk
9
MCNR-ISMAR, Bologna, Italy, e-mail: giuliana.panieri@bo.ismar.cnr.it
10
Domaines ocaniques, University of Brest, e-mail: marina.rabineau@univ-brest.f
11
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Salamanca, Spain, email:sierro@usal.es
Keywords: multiple-site drilling, evaporite, Chikyu,
Joides Resolution, MSP 5-6
Te discovery of the Messinian evaporites in
the Mediterranean is probably one of the major
achievements of the DSDP program. Following Leg
XIII in 1970, the frst fascinating, although debated,
Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) scenario has been
proposed. During the 40 years that have passed since
the formulation of this scenario, many works have
been dedicated to this event. Analysis of the onshore
outcrops, of ofshore seismic records and scattered
samples from DSDP and ODP drillings, as well as the
substantial efort of climate, chemical and geophysical
modelling, have however not been able to provide a
unifed conclusive interpretation of the Messinian
event. More than 1800 scientifc publications have
been produced, about 900 of which only in the last 10
years, but the Messinian event still remains one of the
longest-living controversy in Earth Science. Timing,
causes and chronology of the MSC are not yet fully
understood, although diferent scenarii have been
proposed to explain in details the modalities of this
catastrophic event.
Certainly, the ongoing discussion about not fully
conclusive interpretations are mainly linked to the
fact that so far, due to technical limitations and
safety issues (non-riser drilling vessel), only the few
upper meters of the deep buried basin sequence has
been recovered. Te greater part of the Messinian
succession that could provide a unique entire record
of the MSC still lacks lithological and stratigraphical
calibrations.
In 2007 a deep revision of the knowledge of the
Messinian event was performed in Almeria (Spain)
which produced the document: Te Messinian
Salinity Crisis from mega-deposits lo microbiology
- A Consensus report, 2008. N 33 in CIESM
Workshop Monographs (F. Briand Ed.), 168 pages,
Monaco. A number of open question were identifed
and the need for ultra-deep drilling was stressed
as: efort must be made to identify drill sites that
intersect the most complete evaporite sequences and those
that retain their sedimentological characteristics, i.e.
avoiding successions that have been strongly modifed
by salt fow. In addition, many researchers suggested
that, the full understanding of the Messinian event,
will come from the drilling of diferent depositional
settings, with specifc emphasis on the Western versus
Eastern basins.
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In this context, the DREAM proposal has been
submitted to the MagellanPlus Workshop Series
Program, designed to support European and
Canadian scientists in developing new and innovative
science proposals for submission to IODP and ICDP.
Te purpose of DREAM is to organise in spring 2013
a workshop gathering three generations of scientists
(those who participated in the discovery, those who
are presently actively involved in research, and the
next generation) in order to identify locations for
multiple-site drilling (including riser-drilling) in
the Mediterranean Sea that would allow to solve
the several open questions still existing about the
causes, processes, timing and consequence at local
and planetary scale of a outstanding case of natural
environmental change in the recent Earth history:
the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC).
Te product of the workshop will be the identifcation
of the embryonic structure of an experimental design
of site characterization, riser-less an riser drilling,
sampling, measurements, and down-hole experiments
that will be the core for at least one compelling and
feasible scientifc proposal. Particular focus will be
given to reviewing seismic site survey data available
from diferent research groups at pan-Mediterranean
basin scale, and on the need for additional site survey
activity including 3D seismics.
Tis project opens the perspective of a new intellectual
and scientifc adventure that we expect to be as rich
and exciting as the discovery of the MSC event was.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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THE RANGE AND EXTENT OF THE VALLESIAN CRISIS IN
ITS TYPE AREA
Casanovas-Vilar, I.
1
, Van den Hoek Ostende, L.W.
2
, Furi, M.
1
& Madern, P.A.
1,2

1
Institut Catal de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB s/n, 08193
Cerdanyola del Valls, Spain, e-mail: isaac.casanovas@icp.cat; marc.furio@icp.cat
2
Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, Te Netherlands,
e-mail: lars.vandenhoekostende@ncbnaturalis.nl; anneke.madern@ncbnaturalis.nl
Keywords: palaeodiversity, micromammals, Late
Miocene, Valls-Peneds basin, Catalonia, Iberian
Peninsula.
Te analysis of patterns and trends in past diversity
always has to deal with the undesirable biases that the
very nature of the fossil record may introduce. Such
record is uneven, so both the temporal spacing of the
sites and their quality varies. Quite ofen the richest or
better sampled sites (or time intervals) show a greater
diversity than less well known ones simply because
many more rare taxa are recovered. Terefore, a single
peak in the quality of the record would exaggerate the
recorded diversity as well as origination and extinction
rates. Robust diversity estimates must assess such
biases either by excluding those taxa know from just
one single site or time interval which is supposed to be
better sampled, or by taking into account the sample
size recovered in each locality and the probability of
sampling a particular taxon in subsequent localities.
Here we analyze the efects of the quality of the
small mammal record in our understanding of the
Vallesian Crisis, an important turnover event said
to have afected European mammal faunas by the
beginning of the Late Miocene. Te Vallesian Crisis
was initially recognized as a local event which implied
the extinction of certain rodent and artiodactyl
genera coinciding with the early/late Vallesian
boundary (at 9.7 Ma; Agust et al., 1984). Following
works increased the range and extent of this event
to encompass all Europe and involve a great number
of mammal taxa (e.g. Agust and Moy-Sol, 1991;
Fortelius & Hokkanen, 2001). Here we analyze the
Vallesian rodent and insectivore record of the Valls-
Peneds basin (Catalonia, Spain), where the crisis
was frst recognized. We show that the quality of the
record before the crisis is comparatively much better
than aferwards so diversity appears infated and
extinction rates are overemphasized. Accordingly,
we used the probability of sampling a given taxon
(following Barry et al., 2002 as modifed by Van der
Meulen et al., 2005) as well as rarefaction to calculate
new diversity measures independent of sample size.
Tese measures virtually eliminate the Vallesian
Crisis, showing that diversity somehow decreased
during the earliest late Vallesian and soon recovered
aferwards. Tis is because it cannot be discarded that
several rare taxa, customarily said to have disappeared
during the crisis, are in fact present. Amongst the
rodents and insectivores these taxa include genera
that are generally rare and show a discontinuous
record during the early Vallesian. Tese are presumed
specialists adapted to humid forested environments
such as fying squirrels, beavers or certain dormice,
most of them being only recorded when the sample
size is large enough. Some of them are in de facto
present in a few late Vallesian sites, thus supporting
our interpretation. Alternatively, these genera may
have been associated to very specifc habitats which,
for an unknown reason, are not sampled during the
late Vallesian. Our results cast serious doubts on the
very existence of the Vallesian Crisis suggesting that
rather than an abrupt event a series of extinctions
occurred during a longer time span. It has not been
evaluated whether the same pattern is observed in the
case of large mammals and in other areas, however,
previous approaches have generally omitted the bias
introduced by the quality of the record and, as shown
here they may importantly afect the calculations.
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References
Agust, J., Moy-Sol, S., 1991. Spanish Neogene
Mammal succession and its bearing on continental
biochronology. Newsl. Strat. 25, 91-114.
Agust, J., Moy-Sol, S., Gibert, J., 1984. Mammal
distribution dynamics in the eastern margin of the
Iberian Peninsula during the Miocene. Palobiol.
Cont. 14, 33-46.
Barry, J.C., Morgan, M.E., Flynn, L.L., Pilbeam, D.,
Behrensmeyer, A.K., Mahmood Raza, S., Khan,
I.A., Badgley, C., Hicks, J., Kelley, J., 2002. Faunal
and environmental change in the Late Miocene
Siwaliks of Northern Pakistan. Paleobiology 28
(supp. to num. 2), 1-71.
Fortelius, M., Hokkanen, A., 2001. Te trophic
context of hominoid occurrence in the later
Miocene of western Eurasia: a primate-free view.
In: De Bonis, L., Koufos, G.D., Andrews, P.
(Eds.), Hominoid Evolution and climatic change in
Europe. Volume 2: Phylogeny of Neogene Primates of
Eurasia. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
pp. 19-47.
Van Dam, J.A., Abdul Aziz, H., lvarez Sierra,
M.A., Hilgen, F.J., Van den Hoek Ostende,
L.W., Lourens, L.J., Mein, P., Van der Meulen,
A.J., Plaez-Campomanes, P. 2006. Long-period
astronomical forcing of mammal turnover. Nature
443, 687-691.
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ACINONYX PARDINENSIS (CROIZET ET JOBERT, 1828) FROM
THE EARLY PLEISTOCENE OF PANTALLA (CENTRAL ITALY)
Cherin, M.
1
, Iurino, D.
2
& Sardella R.
2
1
Universit di Perugia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Piazza Universit, 06123 Perugia, Italy
e-mail: marco.cherin@gmail.com
2
Sapienza Universit di Roma, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
e-mail: dawid84@tiscali.it; rafaele.sardella@uniroma1.it
Keywords: Acinonyx pardinensis, cheetah, fossil
mammals, Italy, Villafranchian
From the Early Pleistocene locality of Pantalla (about
30 km S to Perugia, central Italy) abundant remains
of Late Villafranchian continental mammals, mostly
represented by well-preserved skulls, were discovered.
Te site is located in the southwestern branch of the
Tiber Basin, a wide intermontane basin that was
flled by clastic (lacustrine, palustrine and fuvial) and
carbonate (travertines sensu lato) deposits since the
early Late Pliocene (Basilici, 1997).
Te Pantalla mammal fauna has been recovered in
1995 from a 15 m thick stratigraphic succession
referred to the Early Pleistocene Santa Maria di
Ciciliano Unit. Two fossil-bearing levels have been
identifed: the lower one is represented by fuvial silty
sands interpreted as crevasse-splay deposits; the upper
one by silty clays interpreted as a drained paleosol
(Gentili et al., 1997).
Te Late Villafranchian mammal assemblage from
Pantalla can be referred to the Olivola/Tasso Faunal
Units (~ 1.8-1.7 Ma) of the biochronological scale
and includes the following taxa: Apodemus cf.
A. dominans, Canis etruscus, Lynx issiodorensis,
Acinonyx pardinensis, Sus cf. S. strozzii, Axis nestii,
Cervidae indet. (big form); Leptobos af. L. furtivus,
Equus sp., Mammuthus cf. M. meridionalis.
Te present study is focused on the giant cheetah
Acinonyx pardinensis from Pantalla, that is
represented by two complete crania (SBAU 337624
and 337648) and a lef hemimandible (SBAU
337627).
Te crania show a very good state of preservation, even
if they have been deformed during the diagenesis, as
they have been plastically translated on the lateral side
(right side for 337624 and lef side for 337648).
Te specimens are very similar, both morphologically
and morphometrically. In lateral view, they appear
quite domed and antero-posteriorly compressed.
Tis is commonly considered a cheetah-like character
(Spassov, 2011). Te braincase is very wide respect
to total length, and bulkier than in Panthera. In
particular, both crania show a strong bulging of the
posterior part of the frontals. Tis character has been
pointed out as a synapomorphy of the closely related
genera Acinonyx, Puma and Uncia, but is particularly
strong in Acinonyx (Spassov, 2011). Even if the nasal
cavities have been slightly deformed and narrowed
during the diagenesis, they look very wide in anterior
view, as in the extant cheetah. Typical cheetah-like
characters are also recognizable in the upper teeth:
canines are small and stout; cheek teeth are very close
one another, as it normally occurs in big cats with
short skulls (Acinonyx and Puma); P4 is characterized
by the strong reduction of the protocone, as typical
for both extant and extinct cheetahs (e.g., Viret, 1954;
Martin et al., 1977; ORegan, 2002; Spassov, 2011).
337627 resembles a typical cheetah mandible in all
its morphological characters: it is short and slender
on the whole; in dorsal view, the long axis of the
condyle is inclined respect to the horizontal branch;
the symphysis and the diastema are very short; the
lower canine is short and stout; the cheek teeth show
the peculiar feur-de-lis morphology; in occlusal
view, cheek teeth are so close one another to appear
partially overlapped, as described for A. pardinensis
from Perrier-touaries (Schaub, 1949) and Saint
Vallier (Viret, 1954).
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For a more detailed analysis of these fossils, three-
dimensional images were obtained using CT scans
and a Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sofware. Imaging
of serial planes through an object (tomography)
allows to study both the inside and outside of 3D
fossils (Sutton, 2008); in this way, it is possible to
obtain a wealth of paleontological information that
otherwise it would not be possible to obtain with
conventional methods of investigation. In the present
work, 3D analysis was divided in two phases: frstly,
a targeted analysis of the objects internal structures
(morphology of the tooth roots, internal anatomy
of the cranium, shape of the inner ear, taphonomic
information) was carried out; secondly, the three
specimens were modelled using a 3D graphic
sofware for restoring their natural morphology. Te
hemimandible was cloned and mirrored, in order
to reconstruct with good approximation the whole
mandible. Te latter was fnally articulated with
337624 to show the possible aspect of a complete A.
pardinensis skull.
Fossil remains of cheetah are quite rare in Europe,
and sufciently complete cranial material has been
described only from Saint Vallier, France (Viret,
1954), Untermassfeld, Germany (Hemmer, 2001),
and Montopoli, Italy (Ficcarelli, 1984). For this
reason, the new remains from Pantalla are of great
importance because they ofer the opportunity to
deepen the knowledge on the cranial anatomy of this
carnivore.
Because of the scarce fossil material, the history of
cheetahs in Europe is still unclear. Hemmer et al.
(2008) propose to place the European cheetahs
within the macrospecies A. pardinensis, that has been
represented by three successive subspecies during the
Plio-Pleistocene: A. p. pardinensis (Cr. et Job., 1828),
for the late Pliocene-early Early Pleistocene; A. p.
pleistocaenicus (Zdansky, 1925) for the late Early
Pleistocene (Epivillafranchian); A. p. intermedius
(Tenius, 1954), for the Middle Pleistocene.
Te giant cheetah was a specialized hunter adapted to
open spaces, a top predator in the Eurasian terrestrial
ecosystems and, as pointed out by Hemmer et al.
(2011), A. pardinensis could be considered a top
carcass producer, a very important source of food for
other mammal species.
References
Basilici, G., 1997. Sedimentary facies in an
extensional and deep-lacustrine depositional
system: the Pliocene Tiberino Basin, Central Italy.
Sedimentary Geology, 109, 73-94.
Gentili, S., Ambrosetti, P., Argenti, P., 1997. Large
carnivores and other mammal fossils from the
early alluvial plain of the Tiberino Basin (Pantalla,
Central Italy). Preliminary reports. Bollettino
della Societ Paleontologica Italiana, 36, 233-240.
Ficcarelli, G., 1984. Te Villafranchian cheetahs
from Tuscany and remarks on the dispersal and
evolution of the genus Acinonyx. Palaeontographia
Italica, 73, 94-103.
Hemmer, H., 2001: Die Feliden aus dem
Epivillafranchium von Untermassfeld. In: Kahlke,
R.-D. (Ed.), Das Pleistozn von Untermassfeld bei
Meiningen (Tringen), Teil 3. Monographien
des Rmisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums
Mainz, 40 (3), 699-782.
Hemmer, H., Kahlke, R.D., Keller, T., 2008.
Geparde im Mittelpleistozn Europas: Acinonyx
pardinensis (sensu lato) intermedius (Tenius,
1954) aus den Mosbach-Sanden (Wiesbaden,
Hessen, Deutschland). Neues Jahrbuch fr
Geologie und Palontologie, Abhandlungen, 249
(3): 345-356.
Hemmer, H., Kahlke, R.D., Vekua, A.K., 2011.
Te cheetah Acinonyx pardinensis (Croizet et
Jobert, 1828) s.l. at the hominin site of Dmanisi
(Georgia) - A potential prime meat supplier in
Early Pleistocene ecosystems. Quaternary Science
Reviews, 30: 2703-2714.
Martin, L.D., Gilbert, B.M., Adams D.B., 1977.
A cheetah-like cat in the North American
Pleistocene. Science, 195 (4282), 981-982.
ORegan, H., 2002. Defning cheetahs, a multivariate
analysis of skull shape in big cats. Mammal Review,
32 (1), 58-62.
Schaub, S., 1949. Revision de quelques carnassiers
villafranchiens du Niveau des Etouaries (Montagne
de Perrier, Puy-de-Dme). Eclogae Geologicae
Helvetiae, 42, 492-506.
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Spassov, N., 2011. Acinonyx pardinensis (Croizet et
Jobert) remains from the Middle Villafranchian
locality of Varshets (Bulgaria) and the Plio-
Pleistocene history of the cheetahs in Eurasia.
Estudios Geolgicos, 67 (2), 245-253.
Sutton, M.K., 2008. Tomographic techniques
for the study of exceptionally preserved fossils.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 275 (1643),
1587-1593.
Viret, M.J., 1954. Le loess a bancs durcis de Saint-
Vallier (Drme) et sa faune de mammifres
villafranchiens. Nouvelles Archives du Museum
dHistoire Naturelle de Lyon, 4, 1-195.
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CONSTRAINING THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS IN THE
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (ADANA BASIN, TURKEY)
Cosentino, D.
1
, Cipollari, P.
1
, Darba, G.
2
, Gliozzi, E.
1
, Grossi, F.
1
, Grbz, K.
3
,
Nazik, A.
3
& Radef, G.
1

1
Roma Tre University, Department of Geological Sciences, 1 L.go S. Leonardo Murialdo, I-00146 Rome, Italy, e-mail:
cosentin@uniroma3.it; cipollar@uniroma3.it; gliozzi@uniroma3.it; fgrossi@uniroma3.it; gradef@uniroma3.it;
2
Jeoloji Mhendislii Bolm, Kahramanmara St mam niversitesi, Avar Kamps, 46100 - Kahramanmara
Turkey, e-mail: guldemin@ksu.edu.tr
3
Jeoloji Mhendislii Bolm, ukurova niversitesi, Mimarlk Fakltesi Maden Mhendislii Blm 01330 Balcal
Adana, Turkey, e-mail: sedim@cu.edu.tr; anazik@cukurova.edu.tr
Keywords: late Messinian, Messinian Erosional
Surface, Lower Evaporites, Resedimented Lower
Gypsum, Lago-Mare biofacies
Introduction
Te Messinian salinity crisis (MSC), which happened
between 5.96 and 5.33 Ma, afected both deep
and marginal basins in the Mediterranean area. In
the ofshore domains of the Mediterranean Basin
diferences in the organization of the MSC seismic
markers have been shown between western and
eastern realms (Lof et al., 2011). In the western
Mediterranean realm, the Messinian trilogy,
including the Lower Unit (LU), the Mobile Unit
(MU), and the Upper Unit (UU) was recognized
throughout all the deep basins (Lof et al., 2011) and
was speculatively compared with the MSC deposits
in Sicily. On the contrary, on the seismic profles of
the eastern Mediterranean Basin the three Messinian
seismic units (LU, MU, and UU) have not been
identifed (Lof et al., 2011), suggesting diferences in
the organization of the MSC deposits in western and
eastern Mediterranean sub-basins.
Te MSC in the eastern Mediterranean Basin
Te easternmost MSC deposits of the Mediterranean
Basin have been recently signalled in the onshore
Adana Basin, southern Turkey (Darbas and Nazik,
2010; Cosentino et al., 2010; Cipollari et al., in press).
Te MSC afected southern Turkey in marginal
basins connected with the late Miocene evolution
of the Taurus Mountains and the more external
Kyrenia Range and Misis Mountains. Te Adana
Basin, which developed as a Miocene episutural
basin in a tectonically active area of the easternmost
Mediterranean region, is one of the best onshore
basins of southern Turkey for exposing the efects of
the MSC.
According to the Neogene stratigraphy of the Adana
Basin as for the literature, the Messinian stage is
recorded either within the lower part of the Handere
Fm or by the Adana group. Te base of the Handere
Fm, or conversely the base of the Adana group,
which according to the authors corresponds to the
base of the Messinian stage, rests conformably on
the Tortonian Kuzgun Fm. Accordingly, Messinian
gypsum beds related to the MSC are signalled either
in the Handere Fm (Gkkuyu Mbr) or at the top of
the Adana group. Following both the results of a feld
work carried recently out on the Handere Fm and
the preliminary results of the micropaleontological
analyses, the Handere Fm should be emended at least
for its chronostratigraphic signifcance.
In the western part of the basin (Karayayla and Topu
sections), a cyclical succession of anhydrites and
black shales record the main evaporative event of
the Mediterranean (Primary Lower Gypsum). In the
Karayayla section the anhydrites with black shales
seem to lie conformably on pre-evaporitic Messinian
marls. Most gypsum deposits that crop out in diferent
sections of the Adana Basin (Topu, Tepeaylak,
Gkkuyu, Adana, etc.) pertain to a unit characterized
by Resedimented Lower Gypsum. Te base of this unit
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corresponds to a spectacular erosional surface cutting
down to either the Primary Lower Gypsum (Topu
section) or the pre-evaporitic Tortonian-early
Messinian deposits (Gkkuyu and Adana sections).
Tis erosional surface correlates with the MES of
the Mediterranean area. Te Resedimented Lower
Gypsum of the Adana section contains Cyprideis
sp. and Loxoconcha mlleri, which pertain to the
Messinian early-Lago-Mare biofacies (L. mlleri
Zone). A younger erosional surface (MES
2
) afects
the Messinian succession of the Adana Basin. Above
the MES
2
a continental unit consisting mainly of
fuvial coarse-grained deposits lies unconformably on
Primary Lower Gypsum (Karayayla), Resedimented
Lower Gypsum (Topu, Tepeaylak, Adana), and
pre-evaporitic marls (Gkkuyu). Some fne-grained
intercalations both at the base and at the top of
those mainly channelised fuvial deposits contain
ostracods with Paratethyan afnities pertaining to the
Messinian late-Lago-Mare biofacies (Loxocorniculina
djafarovi Zone). Although they are considered
Pliocene in age, these fndings allow us to refer to the
latest Messinian Lago-Mare event the thick fuvial
conglomerates pertaining to the Handere Fm.
Te geohistory of the Adana Basin, as reconstructed
by using seismic profles and well logs, shows an
increase in the subsidence rate at about 5.59 Ma,
during the deposition of the Resedimented Lower
Gypsum. It corresponds to a period of increased
sedimentation rate right afer the drawdown of
the Mediterranean base level and the formation of
the MES. In the Adana Basin, a major increase in
subsidence rate is recorded at about 5.45 Ma, above
the MES
2
, with the deposition of up to 1.6 km of
fuvial deposits (conglomerates and marls of the
Handere Fm).
Conclusions
Although in the ofshore seismic profles of the
eastern Mediterranean Basin the organization of the
MSC deposits is quite diferent from the western one
(Lof et al., 2011), no major diferences were fgure
out between the MSC deposits of the Adana Basin
and other marginal basins of the Mediterranean
area. Te general organization of the MSC deposits
cropping out in the easternmost Mediterranean
region (Adana Basin) shows the occurrence of
deposits related with the main Messinian stages of
the MSC: 1) Primary Lower Gypsum; 2) Halite; 3)
Resedimented Lower Gypsum; 4) Lago-Mare deposits.
In the Adana Basin, the same organization of the
outcropping MSC deposits were recognized on the
seismic profles crossing the basin.
References
Cipollari, P., Cosentino, D., Radef, G., Schildgen,
T. F., Faranda, C., Grossi, F., Gliozzi, E., Smedile,
A., Gennari, R., Darba, G., Dudas, F. ., Grbz,
K., Nazik, A., Echtler, H.P. 2012. Easternmost
Mediterranean evidence of the Zanclean fooding
event and subsequent surface uplif: Adana Basin,
southern Turkey. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ. 372,
Cosentino, D., Darba, G., Grbz, K. 2010. Te
Messinian salinity crisis in the marginal basins
of the peri-Mediterranean orogenic systems:
examples from the central Apennines (Italy) and
the Adana Basin (Turkey). Geophysical Research
Abstracts Vol. 12, EGU2010-2462, 2010. EGU
General Assembly 2010.
Darba, G., Nazik, A., 2010. Micropaleontology and
paleoecology of the Neogene sediments in the
Adana Basin (South of Turkey). Journal of Asian
Earth Sciences 39, 136-147.
Lof, J., Devrchre, J., Gaullier, V., Gillet, H., Gorini,
C., Guennoc, P., Loncke, L., Maillard, A., Sage, F.,
I. Tinon, 2011. Atlas of the Messinian seismic
markers in the Mediterranean and Black seas,
Mm. Soc. gol. f., n.s., 179, and World Geological
map Commission, 72p.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
- 40 -
MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF BADENIAN/SARMATIAN
(EARLY SERRAVALLIAN) BOUNDARY POSITION IN
THE EASTERN CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP (POLAND):
PRELIMINARY REPORT
Czapowski, G.
1
, Gsiewicz, A.
1
, Bukowski, K.
2
, Chang, L.
3
, De Leeuw, A.
3
, Gadzicka, E.
1
,
Krijgsman, W.
3
, Paruch-Kulczycka, J.
1
, Sant, K.
3
& Studencka, B.
4
1
Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warsaw, Poland,
e-mail (corresponding author): grzegorz.czapowski@pgi.gov.pl
2
Museum University of Mining and Metallurgy, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland, e-mail: buk@agh.edu.pl
3
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD,
Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail (corresponding author): krijgsma@geo.uu.nl
4
Museum of the Earth in Warsaw, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Na Skarpie 20/26, 00-488 Warsaw, Poland,
e-mail: bstudencka@go2.pl
Keywords: Late Miocene, Badenian-Sarmatian
boundary, Central Paratehtys-Polish Carpathian
Foredeep
Te boundary between the Badenian and the
Sarmatian (B/S) stages in the Paratethys area is
associated with a major turnover in faunal assemblage,
defned as the Badenian-Sarmatian Extinction
Event (BSEE - Harzhauser & Piller, 2007). Tere is
a controversy as to the cause of the B/S in the semi-
isolated Paratethys Sea and most probably is related to
isolation of the Eastern Paratethys from ocean water.
Te Upper Badenian to the Lower Sarmatian
(Late Serravallian stage Piller et al., 2007) marine
succession (Machw Fm), up to 3 km thick in the
Central Paratethys area (Polish part of Carpathian
Foredeep Fig. 1) is underlain by the widespread
evaporate series. Te succession consists of
monotonous fne siliciclastics (dominantly clays to
silts) with varying amounts of carbonate fraction. Te
siliciclastics are locally interbedded by thin to thick,
fne to medium sand lenses and thin volcanoclastic
material (tufte) both dispersed or concentrated as
locally correlatable layers. Te Badenian-Sarmatian
deposits were deposited mainly from suspension (silts-
clays) and by ephemeral turbidite fows (sands) in the
open shelf basin with local anoxic bottom conditions
(Czapowski, 1994).
Because of no evident lithological and faunistic
markers, a high faunistic and nannoplankton
endemism and its very local importance, and usually
palaeontologically dumb of the upper unit, the
boundary between the Badenian and the Sarmatian
series is highly ambiguous (Gsiewicz et al., 2004).
In order to defne the B/S boundary in this region a
multidisciplinary approach has been applied. Four
cored profles of the Machw Fm. (Fig. 1), over 200 m
thick, were studied in details to defne the Badenian/
Sarmatian (B/S) boundary in the northern part of the
Central Paratethys.
Te recognition of the B/S boundary transition in
this area is based on faunistic (macrofauna-bivalves),
microfauna (forams) and nannoplankton analyses,
geochemical (stable carbon and oxygen isotopes,
major + trace elements and TOC contents) and
paleomagnetic data. Te results of the undertaken
integrated study are as follows: 1/ sedimentological
analyses indicate that the Badenian-Sarmatian
transition in all well cores represents a continuous
fossil record; 2/ palaeomagnetic data (transition from
normal C5AAn to reversed C5A3.3r polarity chrones
could be dated as 12.8 Ma) locate B/S boundary just
below the microfaunistic B/S marker (mfB/S), 3)
the upper one (T2) of two tufte correlated horizons
locates above and in the top of mfB/S interval, 4/
geochemical (both isotopic and chemical) changes
occur higher (from several up to several tens m)
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
- 40 - - 41 -
above the registered faunal and foral changes linked
to the B/S turnover (Fig. 1); 5/ both the faunistic-
nannoplankton and geochemical changes occurred in
deeper and open marine basin and before an interval
with signifcant turbidite episodes; 6/ as a one and
common change of a basinal extent and nature, the
B/S boundary fossil record in the area studied is still
indefnite and depends on the method used for its
identifcation.
Fig. 1. Position of Badenian/Sarmatian boundary in
studied profles from the Polish part of Carpathian
Foredeep. Paratethys palaeogeography and evaporates
distribution of the Upper Badenian (Late Serravallian) age
(afer Bukowski, 2011).
References
Bukowski, K., 2011. Badenian saline sedimentation
between Rybnik and Dbica based on geochemical,
Isotopic and radiometric research (in Polish with
English Summary). Dissertations, Monographs of
AGH. 260, 1-184.
Czapowski G., 1994. Sedimentation of Middle
Miocene marine complex from the area near
Tarnobrzeg (north-central part of the Carpathian
Foredeep). Geological Quarterly, 38 (3), 577-592.
Gsiewicz A., Czapowski G., Paruch-Kulczycka
J., 2004. Badenian-Sarmatian boundary in
geochemical record in the Carpathian Foredeep
area: stratigraphic implications (in Polish with
English Summary). Przegld Geologiczny, 52,
413-420.
Harzhauser M., Piller W.E., 2007. Integrated
stratigraphy of the Sarmatian (Upper Middle
Miocene) in the western Central Parathetys.
Stratigraphy, 1, 65-86.
Piller W. E., Harzhauser M., Mandic O., 2007.
Miocene Central Paratethys stratigraphy
current status and future directions.
Stratigraphy, 4, 151-168.
B/Sboundary
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96-97 m
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240,0-244,0 m
Biv B/S
Ch
170,0-171,5 m
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POB
POB
POB
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B
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242,5 m
Ch
206,5-
207,5 m
Ch
136-137 m
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154,5-160,5 m
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101,4-117,5 m
Fr B/S
110,8 m
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Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
- 42 -
PALAEONTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF THE LATEST
MESSINIAN-LOWER PLIOCENE DEPOSITS IN THE
APENNINES: NEW INSIGHTS FROM MOLISE
(SOUTHERN ITALY)
DAmico, C.
1
, Bracone, V.
2
, Esu, D.
3
, Frezza, V.
1, 3
& Guerrieri, P.
4
1
Informal Group of Micropaleontological and Malacological Researches, www.girmm.com, e-mail: carminedamicot@libero.it
2
Molise University, Department of Biosciences and Territory, c.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (Isernia), Italy,
e-mail: vito.bracone@unimol.it
3
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Earth Sciences, 5 Piazzale Aldo Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy,
e-mail: daniela.esu@uniroma1.it; virgilio.fezza@uniroma1.it
4
Saint-Gobain PPC Italia S.p.A, 6 via Ettore Romagnoli, 20146, Milano, Italy,

e-mail: pietro.guerrieri@saint-gobain.com
Keywords: Messinian salinity crisis, Lago-Mare,
Zanclean, Facies analysis, Foraminifers, Molluscs
Introduction. In the last decades, several stratigraphic
and paleontological investigations on Upper
Messinian-Lower Pliocene deposits cropping out in
Italian Apennines contributed signifcantly to the
knowledge of the palaeoenvironmental changes related
to the Mediterranean Messinian salinity crisis and the
following Early Pliocene marine re-fooding from the
Atlantic Ocean (Roveri et al., 2008 and references
therein).
Te formation of the Apennines, which took place
mainly between Early Miocene and Early Pleistocene,
caused the deformation of the main palaeogeographic
domains of the African continental margin (Patacca
& Scandone, 2007). In the early stages of the Late
Miocene, in the central-southern Apennines the
Sicilide Units, originally deposited in a Tethys-facing
basin along the African passive margin, overrode the
outermost units of the Apenninic edifce defning a
tectonic mlange with top-thrust basin deposits made
up of Messinian evaporites, marls and clays of Lago-
Mare and Early-Middle Pliocene sands and clays,
respectively (Vezzani et al., 2010).
Aim of this work is to detail the sedimentological and
palaeoecological features of the Lago-Mare deposits
cropping out along the orogenic wedge of the Molise
Apennines and to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental
evolution of this area at the transition between Late
Miocene and Early Pliocene.
Materials and methods. Field survey was carried out
to the direct acquisition of stratigraphic data and a
detailed facies analysis was performed on a sedimentary
succession developed on Messinian evaporites cropping
out in a quarry district near Guglionesi (Molise
Region). Within selected stratigraphic intervals, several
samples were collected for palaeontological analysis. A
representative study section has been reconstructed.
Results. In the study section the Messinian evaporites
are about 40 m thick; at the top these deposits are
characterized by an irregular palaeotopography and
Terre Rosse locally occur. Evaporites are overlain by 4
m thick grey laminated and well stratifed marls with
ostracods and foraminifers (abundant planktonic:
Neogloboquadrina acostaensis, Turborotalita
quinqueloba, Globorotalia miotumida; rare benthic:
Bolivina spp.). Tis deposit is overlain by green-grey
clays, 1 m thick, with ostracods, planktonic foraminifers,
micromammal remains, and a typical Lago-Mare
molluscan fauna with Dreissena ex gr. rostriformis,
Euxinicardium subodessae, Pontalmyra bollenensis,
Pontalmyra incerta chiae, Melanoides curvicosta,
Melanopsis narzolina, Saccoia sp. and Teodoxus sp. Also
the bivalve Mactra sp., and terrestrial gastropods such as
Cepaea sp., Hygromiidae indet., Limacidae indet. and
Parmacella sp. were recovered. Te top of this deposit
is characterized by a black clayey layer, 30 cm thick,
with ostracods, foraminifers (abundant planktonic:
Globigerina bulloides, N. acostaensis, G. miotumida;
rare benthic: Ammonia tepida), micromammal
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
- 42 - - 43 -
remains and fragmentary molluscs of the same species
of the underlying level. Follow 1-1.5 m thick matrix-
supported gravels, which pass laterally to coarse sands
with planar cross stratifcation. Tese deposits are
overlain by 2 m thick green-grey to red laminated
clays with ostracods, planktonic foraminifers and rare
fragmentary and decalcifed molluscs (Dreissena);
an intercalated level, 5-10 cm thick, with rounded
clasts (mm to cm) and decalcifed valves of Dreissena
and Lymnocardiinae can be observed. Te top of this
deposit is made up of a black clayey layer 30 cm thick.
Above this deposit vertically alternations of four units
comprising sands, clays with ostracods, foraminifers
(abundant planktonic: Globigerinoides trilobus, G.
bulloides, Globorotalia conomiozea, N. acostaensis,
Orbulina suturalis; rare benthic: A. tepida, Elphidium
sp.) and rare Characeans, and some coquina beds
(Dreissena, Lymnocardiinae) can be observed. Each
unit is bounded at the top by thin black silty layers with
specimens (Limacidae) and fragments (Hygromiidae)
of terrestrial molluscs associated with fragments of
Dreissena and Lymnocardiinae. On the whole the four
units are about 12 m thick and overlain by dark grey
clays, 3 m thick, with mixed non-marine (Dreissena
ex gr. rostriformis; P. incerta chiae, Limacidae indet. M.
curvicosta, M. narzolina, Saccoia fontannesi, Saccoia
oryza, Prososthenia cfr. meneghiniana, Teodoxus
mutinensis) and marine molluscs (Anomia sp.,
Glycymeris sp., Turritella sp., Pectinidae indet., Pinna
sp., Ostreidae indet.), benthic foraminifers (Elphidium
sp.), planktonic foraminifers (G. bulloides, Globorotalia
scitula, N. acostaensis, T. quinqueloba, Orbulina
spp., rare Globorotalia margaritae), marine anellids
(Ditrupa), echinids, balanids and some fsh otoliths.
Tis deposit is overlain by gravels, 1-1.5 m thick,
with marine molluscs (Pectinidae indet., Ostreidae
indet.). Te succession is closed up by yellow silty-
sands, 4 m thick, with marine molluscs (Pectinidae
indet., Ostreidae indet.), benthic (Elphidium spp.,
Lobatula lobatula) and planktonic foraminifers
(Globoturborotalita apertura, Globigerinoides spp., G.
bulloides, N. acostaensis, rare G. margaritae).
Discussion and conclusions. Te reconstructed
stratigraphic section allows to defne the characteristics
in term of fauna and sedimentology of the latest
Messinian Lago-Mare episode and the following
Early Pliocene marine transgression.
Te lower and the middle portions of the section register
the latest Messinian Lago-Mare episode. In particular
the lower laminated grey marls indicate the presence
of a brackish lake-type palaeoenvironment evolving
upper-section to fuvio-deltaic palaeoenvironments
settled by typical Lago-Mare molluscan assemblages
of hypo- and oligohaline gastropods (M. curvicosta,
M. narzolina, Saccoia spp. and T. mutinensis) endemic
of Mediterranean, and bivalves (Lymnocardiinae
and Dreissenidae) of Paratethyan origin (Esu,
2007). Planktonic foraminifers ofen abundant,
but represented mainly by small tests, are very likely
reworked.
In the upper portion of the section, marine
transgression is evidenced frstly by clay deposits with
mixed Lago-Mare, very likely reworked molluscs
and marine fauna, then by the overlying gravels
with marine molluscs, and fnally by the yellow silty
sands containing marine elements. Te record of
G. margaritae (MPl2-MPl3 biozones: Iaccarino &
Premoli Silva, 2007) allows the attribution of these
latter deposits to the Zanclean (Early Pliocene).
References.
Esu, D., 2007. Latest Messinian Lago-Mare
Lymnocardiinae from Italy: Close relations with
the Pontian fauna from the Dacic Basin. Geobios 40,
291-302.
Iaccarino, S. & Premoli Silva, I., 2007. Practical manual
of Neogene planktonic Foraminifera. International
School on Planktonic Foraminifera, VI Course:
Neogene, Perugia (Italy) February 19-23, 2007.
Patacca, E. & Scandone, P., 2007. Geology of the
Southern Apennines. Boll. Soc. Geol. It., Spec. Issue
7, 75-119.
Roveri, M., Bertini, A., Cosentino, D., Di Stefano,
A., Gennari, R., Gliozzi, E., Grossi, F., Iaccarino,
S.M., Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Taviani, M., 2008. A
high resolustion stratigraphic framework for the
latest Messinian events in the Mediterranean area.
Stratigraphy 5(3-4), 323-342.
Vezzani, L., Festa, A., Ghisetti, F., 2010. Geology and
tectonic evolution of Central-Southern Apennines,
Italy. Geol. Soc. Am. Special paper, 469, 1-58.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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COMPARISON OF MIOCENE FORAMINIFERA FROM NORTH
OF CENTRAL IRAN (TETHYS) TO NORTH FLANKS OF
ALBORZ MOUNTAINS (PARATETHYS) IN IRAN
Daneshian, J.
1
& Derakhshani, M.
2
1
Kharazmi University, Department of Geology, 43 Mofatteh Avenue, 15614 Tehran, Iran, e-mail: daneshian@tmu.ac.ir
2
Kharazmi University, Department of Geology, 43 Mofatteh Avenue, Tehran, Iran, e-mail: derakhshani_82@yahoo.com
Introduction. Miocene marine sediments have been
studied in north of central Iran by several authors (e.g.
Daneshian and Ramezani Dana, 2007; Daneshian and
Chegini, 2007: Daneshian and Derakhshani, 2008)
.Tat is in the vicinity of south fanks of Alborz. On the
basis of foraminifera record, the youngest strata belong
to probably early Burdigalian. Whereas, the Miocene
sediments do not exist in south fanks of Alborz. Also,
in north fanks, Lower Miocene sediments have not
been reported. Only middle Miocene deposits have
been observed in part of north fank. On the other
hand, it seems south beach of Caspian sea and north
fanks of Alborz are part of south east Paratethys (Cited
in Rohbakhsh, 2008).
Methodology. Studied area is located in west part of
Dasht-e-Kavir, southeast Tehran, capital of Iran. Te
section (Ghasr-e- Bahram) is situated in northern lati-
tudes 34
,
45to 34
,
49and eastern longitudes 52
,
5to
52
,
15. Tis section consists mainly of limestone, ar-
gillaceous limestone, marl and gypsy marl with a thick
359m. Totally 191 samples, including 144 hard and 47
sof sample were collected.
Results. A few investigations have been achieved about
foraminifera record from north fanks of Alborz (e.g.
Azoji, 2005). A comparison of foraminifera record
from Ghasr-e- Bahram section located in north of cen-
tral Iran to the sections which have been studied by
Azoji (2005) in north fanks of Alborz , indicate that
some families, genera and species in north of central
Iran ( studied section) and north fanks of Alborz are
similar. Accordingly, this similarity between foramin-
ifera taxa shows relation between Tethys and Paratethys
and existence a sea way between them in near to or in
Iran.
Conclusions: Te investigation of foraminifera taxa
in the examined section led us to identifying 50 genera
and 79 species which mostly are benthic . A comparison
of age between this section and those which studied by
Azoji (2005), show an Early Miocene age in mentioned
section and Middle and early Late Miocene in Azoji
,
s
section. Hence, it is no existence a sea way in central
part of north and south fanks of Alborz and north of
central Iran. Tis relation should be where in northwest
of Iran or out of borders of Iran. Terefore, the lacking
of sufcient data especially about foraminifera assem-
blages suggest study of Miocene foraminifera of north
fanks of Alborz and south of Caspian sea.
References:
Azoji, H., 2005. Miocene biostratigraphy and sedimen-
tary environment of Miocene sediments in south of
Ghaem Shahr and south of Sari, Tesis M.Sc., Sha-
hid Beheshti Univ.
Daneshian, J., Chegini, A., 2007. Biostratigraphy of the
Qom Formation in the Northwest and Southeast of
Semnan, Scientifc Quart. Jour. Geosci., 16(62), 72-
79 (in persaian).
Daneshian, J., Ramezani Dana, L., 2007. Early Mio-
cene benthonic foraminifera and biostratigraphy
of the Qom Formation, Deh Namak, Central Iran;
Jour. Asian Earth Sci.e, 29(.5-6), 844-858.
Daneshian, J., Derakhshani, M., 2008. Paleoecology
of foraminifera of the Qom Formation in Ghasr-
e- Bahram section, northwest part of Siakuh, south
Garmsar, Res. Jour. Univ. Isfahan, 30(1), 1-16 (in
persaian).
Mousavi Rohbakhsh, S. M., 2008. Stratigraphy and pe-
troleum geology of Caspian sea. Agricalt. Sci. Iran
publ., 246 p.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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BIG BACTERIA FILAMENTS IN THE EUXINIC SHALE FROM THE
PRIMARY LOWER GYPSUM UNIT (PIEDMONT BASIN, NW ITALY):
VESTIGES OF MESSINIAN CHEMOTROPHIC MICROBIAL MATS
Dela Pierre F.
1
, Clari P.
1
, Natalicchio M.
1
, Bernardi E.
1
, Lozar F.
1
, Lugli S.
2
, Violanti D.
1
1
Universit di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino - Italy,
e-mail: fancesco.delapierre@unito.it
2
Universit di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, P. S. Eufemia 9, 41100 Modena - Italy
Keywords: microbial flaments, sulphide-
oxidizing bacteria, Messinian salinity crisis,
Piedmont Basin
Introduction
Microbial flamentous remains are a common
component of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC)
stratigraphic record. Tey were frst reported from
bottom grown selenite gypsum crystals of the
Northern Apennines (the spaghetti-like structures;
Vai and Ricci Lucchi, 1977), and identifed as
fossilized cyanobacteria (Scytonema sp.; Panieri
et al., 2010), thus providing evidence for shallow
water depositional conditions (but see also Lugli et
al., 2010). Similar structures were later described in
carbonate deposits just below the frst gypsum bed;
these deposits were considered as stromatolites,
recording basin shallowing and restriction heralding
the onset of the MSC (Oliveri et al., 2010). In this
work we report the result of a study carried out on
flamentous remains found in laminated euxinic shale
deposits belonging to the Primary Lower Gypsum
unit of the Piedmont basin (NW Italy). Te study of
these features, that are more frequent than previously
known, ofers the opportunity to discuss the role of
microbial activity in modulating the stratigraphic
architecture of the MSC sedimentary record in the
Piedmont Basin.
Geological setting
Te Primary Lower Gypsum unit (PLG) was
deposited at the margins of the Mediterranean basin
during the frst MSC stage (5.96-5.60 Ma; CIESM,
2008). In the Piedmont Basin this unit consists of up
to 14 cycles composed of laminated shale/gypsum
couplets, overlying marine muddy sediments also
displaying a cyclic stacking pattern. In the deeper part
of the basin, the lower gypsum beds are transitional
to thin carbonate-rich beds that are interbedded to
laminated euxinic shales (Dela Pierre et al., 2011).
Te PLG unit is overlain by resedimented and chaotic
evaporites, deposited during the second MSC stage
(5.60-5.55 Ma; CIESM, 2008) in turn followed by
fuvio deltaic and lacustrine deposits representing the
third MSC stage (5.55-5.33 Ma; CIESM, 2008).
Filaments in the PLG unit
A large amount of flamentous bacteria remains
was found in the shale deposits of the PLG unit;
in particular: 1) in the euxinic shales representing
the deep water counterpart of the marginal gypsum
beds, and 2) in the shale intervals interbedded to the
gypsum beds. Te flament remains are more easily
recognizable where later carbonate precipitation
entombed them in dm-thick carbonate-rich beds
but are equally visible in the unconsolidated shale
intervals. In both cases, the flaments are found in
laminated layers consisting in the alternation of
mm-thick dark grey terrigenous-rich and whitish
carbonate-rich laminae. Te terrigenous laminae are
normally graded and ofen contain diatom frustules
and coccoliths. Te whitish laminae are instead made
up of curved, interwoven flaments up to 150 m
across and few mm long. In the carbonate-cemented
beds the flaments can be observed in more detail
and in most cases they are composed of micron-sized
carbonate crystals. In few layers the flaments enclose
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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abundant pyrite framboids grouped together to
outline the flament shape.
Discussion and conclusions
Te flaments preserved in the euxinic shale deposits
of the PLG unit may be interpreted as remains of
Beggiatoa-like sulphide-oxidizing bacteria (and not
cyanobacteria) on the basis of their size, shape and
the lack of associated shallow water biota remains
(Dela Pierre et al., 2012). On this basis, the laminated
deposits containing them are interpreted as the
product of lithifcation of chemotrophic microbial
mats dominated by sulphide-oxidizing bacteria.
Tese microbialites do not provide any evidence of
sea level lowering at the onset of the MSC because
sulphide-oxidizing bacteria are not light dependent
and can live at any depth. Teir development was
sustained by an upward fux of hydrogen sulphide
generated by degradation of organic matter via
bacterial sulphate reduction in underlying sediments.
Bacterial sulphate reduction was also responsible for
the local precipitation of carbonate cement in the
sediment pore spaces. A prerequisite for the growth
and preservation of these mats was the establishment
of anoxic conditions at the sea bottom, in turn related
to density stratifcation of the water column and/
or to enhanced biological productivity in the water
column. Te defnition of the mutual relationships
of the described flament remains with the spaghetti
structures preserved in the gypsum crystals is strongly
needed, in order to clarify the possible infuence of
microorganisms in modulating the stratigraphic
architecture of the PLG unit, that shows impressive
similarities in facies and thickness across the diferent
Mediterranean sub-basins (Lugli et al., 2010).
References
CIESM, 2008. Te Messinian salinity crisi: from
mega-deposits to microbiology a consensus
report. In: Briand F. (ed.), CIESM workshop
monographs N. 33, Monaco, 168 pp.
Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E., Cavagna, S., Clari, P.,
Gennari, R., Irace, A., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Manzi,
V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M., Violanti, D., 2011.
Te record of the Messinian salinity crisis in the
Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Te Alba
section revisited. Palaeo3, 310, 238-255.
Dela Pierre, F., Clari,P., Bernardi, E., Natalicchio,
M., Costa, E., Cavagna, S., Lozar, F., Lugli, S.,
Manzi, V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M., Violanti,
D., 2012. Messinian carbonate-rich beds of the
Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): microbially-
mediated products straddling the onset of the
salinity crisis. Palaeo3 344-345, 78-93.
Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Schreiber, B.C., 2010.
Te Primary Lower Gypsum in the Mediterranean:
a new facies interpretation for the frst stage of the
Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeo3, 297, 83-99.
Oliveri, E., Neri, R., Bellanca, A., Riding, R., 2010.
Carbonate stromatolites from a Messinian
hypersaline settings in the Caltanissetta Basin,
Sicily: evidence of microbial activity and related
stable isotope and rare element signatures.
Sedimentology 57, 52-64.
Panieri, G., Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Schreiber,
C.B., Palinska, K.A., 2010. Ribosomal RNA gene
fragments from fossilized cyanobacteria identifed
in primary gypsum from the late Miocene, Italy.
Geobiology 8, 101-111.
Vai, G.B., Ricci Lucchi, F., 1977. Algal crusts,
autochtonous and clastic gypsum in a cannibalistic
evaporite basin; a case history from the Messinian
of Northern Apennine. Sedimentology 24, 211-
244.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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CHRONOLOGY OF THE BADENIAN SALINITY CRISIS OF
THE CENTRAL PARATETHYS
De Leeuw, A.
1
, Bukowski, K.
2
, Krijgsman, K.
3
, Kuiper K. F.
4
, Stoica, M.
5
& Tulbure, M.
5
1
CASP, West Building, 181A Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DH, United Kingdom,
e-mail: arjan.deleeuw@casp.cam.ac.uk
2
Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, A.
Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland, email: buk@agh.edu.pl
3
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands,
e-mail: w.krijgsman@uu.nl
4
Isotope Geochemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands,
email: klaudia.kuiper@falw.vu.n
5
Bucharest University, Department of Geology, Balcescu Bd. 1, 010041 Bucharest, Romania,
email: marius.stoica@g.unibuc.ro, tulbure_maria@yahoo.com
Keywords: Radio-isotopic ages;
Magnetostratigraphy; Catastrophic event; Causal
relationships; Climate variability; Evaporites;
Mediterranean region; Miocene; Oxygen isotope
records; Volcanic tufs
Hydrological changes had a profound infuence on
environmental conditions within the Paratethys.
Water exchange through the shallow gateways
connecting this land-locked sea to the open ocean
was frequently obstructed, either due to ongoing
tectonism or as a result of global sea-level changes.
Tis brought about large fuctuations in water
chemistry, which led to a number of regional
extinction events, multiple expansions of highly
endemic faunas, and the deposition of some world-
class source rocks. A strong increase in salinity during
the regional Badenian stage led to the extinction of
a large number of species and triggered deposition
of up to 300 m thick evaporites in large parts of
the Central Paratethys. Tis so-called Badenian
Salinity Crisis was arguably one of the most severe
environmental catastrophes striking this aquatic
ecosystem. A scarcity of absolute age data has,
nevertheless, hampered a thorough understanding
of this event.
In this presentation, we will focus on constructing a
reliable chronology for the Badenian Salinity Crisis.
Radio-isotopic (
40
Ar/
39
Ar) ages for volcanic tuf
layers from below the evaporites in southern Poland
show that evaporite deposition started shortly afer
13.81 0.08 Ma (de Leeuw et al., 2010). New
radio-isotopic and paleomagnetic results from the
Radiolarian Shales in the Carpathian Foredeep
in Romania indicate that the Badenian Salinity
Crisis ended shortly afer 13.4 Ma. Tis is in good
agreement with the 13.60 0.07 Ma age obtained
for a volcanic tuf within the salt and with the
recently published 13.06 0.11
40
Ar/
39
Ar age for a
tuf in the Pecten Beds overlying the evaporites in
southern Poland (Sliwinski et al., 2012).
We will use this improved chronology of evaporite
deposition to place the Badenian Salinity Crisis in
a regional as well as global context, and discuss its
potential forcing mechanisms.
References
De Leeuw, A., Bukowski, K., Krijgsman, W., & Kuiper,
K. F., 2010. Age of the Badenian Salinity Crisis;
impact of Miocene climate variability on the circum-
Mediterranean region. Geology, 38(8), 715-718.
liwiski, M., Bbel, M., Nejbert, K., Olszewska-
Nejbert, D., Gsiewicz, A., Schreiber, B. C.,
Benowitz, J.A., Layer, P., 2012. Badenian-Sarmatian
chronostratigraphy in the Polish Carpathian
foredeep. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology, 326-328, 12-29.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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PALEOMAGNETIC AND GEOCHRONOLOGIC
CONSTRAINTS ON THE GEODYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF
THE CENTRAL DINARIDES
De Leeuw, A.
1
, Mandic, O.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, Kuiper, K. F.
4
& Hrvatovi, H.
5
1
CASP, West Building, 181A Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DH, United Kingdom,
e-mail: arjan.deleeuw@casp.cam.ac.uk
2
Department of Geology & Palaeontology, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria,
e-mail: oleg.mandic@nhm-wien.ac.at, thomas.neubauer@nhm-wien.ac.at, mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
3
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands,
e-mail: w.krijgsman@uu.nl
4
Isotope Geochemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
e-mail: klaudia.kuiper@falw.vu.nl
5
Federal Institute for Geology - Sarajevo, Ustanika 11, 71210 Ilida, Bosnia and Herzegovina, e-mail: hharish@bih.net.ba
Keywords: Paleomagnetic Review, Chronostratigraphic
Review, Post Orogenic Evolution, Intra-montane basins,
Dinaride Lake System, Rotation, Magnetostratigraphy
Te Dinaride Mountains of South-eastern Europe
once separated the Paratethys from the Mediterranean.
Tey formed a barrier for the exchange of species
between these two seas, which led to large scale
endemism in the Paratethys. Te mountain chain
on the contrary facilitated the exchange of mammal
species between central Europe, Africa and Asia.
Te Dinaride Mountains consequently played an
important biogeographic role. Te geodynamic
evolution of this orogen is, however, relatively poorly
understood, especially in comparison with the
neighbouring Alps and Carpathians.
We use recently obtained paleomagnetic and
40
Ar/
39
Ar age results to construct a chronology for
the evolution of a number of the intra-montane
basins in the Central Dinarides and distinguish two
phases of basin formation (de Leeuw et al., 2012).
Te constructed time-frame also provides increased
insight in the evolution of the Dinaride Lake System
and lays the foundation for a regional biochronologic
framework based on lacustrine molluscs (Mandic et
al., this volume; Mandic et al., 2011; de Leeuw et al.,
2011). It furthermore pinpoints the ages of the Sinj
and Banovici mammal faunas whose compositions
testify to the above-mentioned migration events (de
Leeuw et al., 2010, 2011a, 2011b).
Our paleomagnetic results moreover indicate that the
Dinarides did not experience any signifcant tectonic
rotation since the late Oligocene (de Leeuw et al.,
2012). Te Dinaride orogen must consequently have
accommodated signifcant shortening. A review of
paleomagnetic data from the Adria plate, which plays
a major role in the evolution of the Dinarides as well
as the Alps, constrains its rotation since the Early
Cretaceous to 48 10 counterclockwise (CCW)
and indicates 20 of this CCW rotation took place
since the Miocene. Te amount of rotation within the
Adria-Dinarides collision zone increases with age and
proximity of the sampled sediments to undeformed
Adria.
Tese results signifcantly improve our insight in the
post-orogenic evolution of the Dinarides and resolve
the existing apparent controversy between structural
geological and paleomagnetic rotation estimates for
the Dinarides as well as Adria (Ustaszewski et al.,
2008; Marton et al., 2002, 2003). Tey moreover
elucidate the paleogeographic evolution of this part
of southeastern Europe and help to appreciate its
important paleobiogeographic role.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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References
Mrton, E., Drobne, K., osovi, V., and Moro,
A., 2003. Palaeomagnetic evidence for Tertiary
counterclockwise rotation of Adria. Tectonophysics
377, 143-156.
Mrton, E., Paveli, D., Tomljenovi, B., Avani, R.,
Pami, J., and Mrton, P., 2002. In the wake of a
counterclockwise rotating Adriatic microplate:
Neogene paleomagnetic results from northern
Croatia. International Journal of Earth Sciences 91,
514-523.
Mandic, O., De Leeuw, A., Neubauer, T.A.,
Harzhauser, M., Krijgsman, W., 2012. Dinaride
Lake System - Miocene diversity hotspot revisited.
Tis volume.
Mandic, O., de Leeuw, A., Vukovi, B., Krijgsman,
W., Harzhauser, M., Kuiper, K.F., 2011.
Palaeoenvironmental evolution of Lake Gacko (NE
Bosnia and Herzegovina): impact of the Middle
Miocene Climatic Optimum on the Dinaride
Lake System. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology 299, 475492.
De Leeuw A., Mandic O., Vranjkovi A., Paveli
D., Harzhauser M., Krijgsman W., Kuiper K.F.,
2010. Chronology and integrated stratigraphy of
the Miocene Sinj Basin (Dinaride Lake System,
Croatia). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology 292, 155167.
De Leeuw A., Mandic O., de Bruijn, H., Markovi,
Z., Reumer, J., Wessels, W., ii, E., Krijgsman
W., 2011a. Magnetostratigraphy and small
mammals of the Late Oligocene Banovii basin
in NE Bosnia and Herzegovina. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 310, 400-412.
De Leeuw, A., Mandic, M., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper,
K.K., Hrvatovi, H., 2011b A chronostratigraphic
framework for the Dinaride Lake System deposits
of the Livno-Tomislavgrad Basin in Bosnia-
Herzegovina. Stratigraphy 8, 28-49.
De Leeuw A., Mandic O., Krijgsman W., Kuiper
K.F., Hrvatovi, H., 2012, Paleomagnetic and
geochronologic constraints on the geodynamic
evolution of the Central Dinarides. Tectonophysics
530-531, 286298
Ustaszewski, K., Schmid, S.M., Fgenschuh, B.,
Tischler, M., Kissling, E., Spakman, W., 2008, A
map-view restoration of the Alpine-Carpathian-
Dinaridic system for the Early Miocene. Swiss
journal of Geoscience 101, 273-294.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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MAEOTIAN / PONTIAN OSTRACOD BIOSTRATIGRAPHY
FROM THE SOUTH CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP (BADISLAVA
TOPOLOG AREA)
Floroiu, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
2
, Vasiliev, I.
2
& Van Baak, C.
2
1
Department of Geologyy, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: foroiualina@yahoo.
com; marius.stoica@g.unibuc.ro;
2
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail: krijgsma@geo.
uu.nl; vasiliev@geo.uu.nl; C.G.CvanBaak@uu.nl
Keywords: Maeotian / Pontian Boundary,
Ostracods, Dacian Basin, Paratethys.
Te paleogeographical and geological evolution of
the Dacian Basin (and Eastern Paratethys, in general)
during the Late Maeotian and Pontian is frequently
discussed in the geological literature, because at this
time interval in the Mediterranean area experienced
its so-called Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). Many
authors consider that this event had dramatical
efects in adjacent basins of the Paratethys including
the Dacian Basin. Te main efects of changing the
connections or disconnections of Paratethys with
the open seas consist in changing the bathymetry and
salinity of Paratethyan basins. We have established
a high-resolution ostracod biochronology for
the Maeotian-Pontian interval by integrating
biostratigraphic and palaeomagnetic data, allowing
a detailed correlation to the Mediterranean MSC
event.
Te Mio-Pliocene sedimentary successions are
very well exposed in the northern part of the Getic
Depression, especially in the Topolog Valley. Late
Maeotian and Pontian sedimentary sequences from
the investigated area are integrated into a large
monoclinal structure with 15
o
-20
o
plunge

to the
SSE. Based on detailed mapping and sampling of the
Maeotian and Pontian sequences from this area we try
to reconstruct the evolution of palaeoenvironments
and ostracod assemblages for this time interval.
Te Upper Maeotian deposits from the Badislava-
Topolog area reach up to 250 m in thickness and are
developed in a fuviatile-deltaic facies with frequently
continental type intercalations. Te ostracods
assemblage is represented by few species of fresh water
ostracods: Candoniella sp., Candona sp., Paracandona
albicans (Brady), Ilyocypris bradyi Sars. In the Dacian
Basin, these species populated unstable environments,
lakes and rivers with temporary existence and food-
plains. Tis scarce Maeotian ostracod fauna from this
section difers essentially from the diversifed one of
the same stage from the areas that evolved in basinal
conditions. Te mollusk assemblages from this
stage are also poor and are represented only by few
badly preserved shells of continental or fresh water
gastropods and bivalves (Stoica et al., 2007).
Te top of the Maeotian sequence is marked by an
erosional surface. Te overlaying Pontian deposits
have a transgressive character and are represented by
a fning-upward sequence that starts with coarsed to
medium-grained pebbles and sands in the lower part,
passing to predominant pelitic deposits to the upper
part. Tese pelitic sediments provided a rich ostracods
fauna represented by: Amplocypris dorsobrevis Sokac;
Scottia sp.; Cypria tocorjescui Hanganu; Candona
(Caspiocypris) ex. gr. alta (Zal.); Candona (Caspiolla)
ossoinae Krst.; Candona (Caspiolla) venusta (Zal.);
Candona (Pontoniella) acuminata striata Mandelstam;
Candona (Pontoniella) excellentis Olteanu; Candona
(Pontoniella) sp.; Candona neglecta Sars; Bakunella
dorsoarcuata (Zal.); Bakunella sp.; Cyprideis sp.1;
Cyprideis sp. 2; Tyrrhenocythere flipescui (Hanganu);
Tyrrhenocythere motasi Olteanu; Tyrrhenocythere
sp.1; Tyrrhenocythere sp.2; Leptocythere (Amnicythere)
palimpsesta Liv.; Leptocythere picturata Liv.;
Leptocythere (Amnicythere) multituberculata (Liv.);
Leptocythere sp.; Leptocythere ex. gr. bosqueti (Liv.);
Loxoconcha babazananica Liv.; Loxoconcha schweyeri
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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Suzin; Loxoconcha petasa Liv.; Loxoconcha sp. Tis
ostracods assemblage is more abundant and is
characteristic for the Upper Pontian (Bosphorian
sub-stage). Some of these species continue to exist
in the Lower Dacian (Getian). Te Upper Pontian
(Bosphorian) sediments from our area contain also
a rich mollusk assemblages represented by brackish
water bivalves and gastropods (Stoica et al., 2007).
Te Maeotian / Pontian boundary on Badislava
Valley section is marked by an erosional event. Te
Upper Pontian deposits discordantly overlying the
Late Maeotian sediments. Tere are no indications
for the presence of the Lower and Middle Pontian
(Odessian and Portaferrian) substages. Tis
stratigraphical discontinuity can also be noticed on
the interpretations of seismic lines (Leever, 2007;
Leever et al., 2009).
References:
Leever, K.A. 2007. Foreland of the Romanian
Carpathians controls on late orogenic
sedimentary basin evolution and Paratethys
paleogeography. PhD thesis, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam.
Leever, K.A., Matenco, L., Rbgia, T.,Cloetingh, S.,
Krijgsman, W. and Stoica, M. 2009. Messinian sea
level fall in the Dacic Basin (Eastern Paratethys):
palaeogeographical implications from seismic
sequence stratigraphy. Terra Nova, 22, 12-17.
Stoica, M., Lazar, I., Vasiliev, I. and Krijgsman, W.
2007. Mollusc assemblages of the Pontian and
Dacian deposits from the Topolog Arges area
(southern Carpathian foredeep Romania).
Geobios, 40, p. 391-405.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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BADENIAN SULPHATIC EVAPORITIC SEQUENCES
FROM PIATRA VERDE
(SLNIC-TEIANI, PRAHOVA COUNTY)
Frunzescu, D.
Geology-Geophysics Department, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680, Ploiesti, Romania,
e-mail: dfunzescu@yahoo.com
Keywords: Southern side of Eastern Carpathians,
Tarcu nappe, Slnic molasse, gypsum facies
modelling.
Geological setting
Within Slnic and Drajna synclines, the Slnic
Molasse unit (tefnescu and Mruneanu, 1980)
contains (Grujinschi, 1972): a tuf and lower gypsum
subunits and asalt and Upper sulphur subunits (Early
Badenian = Late Langhian in age), as well as and
brecia and grey lutitic units of Radiolarians Shales
and Spiratella Marls (Late Badenian = Kossovian).
Te Breccia Unit is discordantly disposed on the
Globigerina Marls and Slanic Tuf. Its stratigraphic
thickness and clast frequency decrease from the outer
side to the inner side. Te breccia matrix is marly-clayey,
while clasts are reworked from subjacent formations,
such as the Rchitau type calcareous sandstones,
grey marly-limestones, bituminous carbonatic
laminites or bituminous shales, Lithothamnium
limestones, sands, green volcanic tuf (Slnic Tuf),
and globigerina marls. Te limestones from the reef
levels that are suprajacent to the tufs have been
eroded. In the Piatra Verde outcrop, approximately 8
m above the Slnic Tuf, the breccia is replaced by the
sulphatic evaporites (gypsum).Te gypsum appears as
a 40-50 m in thickness megasequence, divided into
two piles of sulphatic lithons, separated from breccia,
each lithons having obvious reworking features. Te
older sulphatic pile shows features of some kind of
gravity fow stages with few breaks of algal/clastic
rhythmic accumulation. Te younger sulphatic pile
contains algal/clastic rhythmites, followed by 20 m of
clastic debris.
Methodology
In the Piatra Verde outcrop, a few clastic gypsum
lithofacies were identifed. Tese clastic gypsum
lithofacies are supplied from some reworked sulphatic
material, which was previous or contemporary to the
resedimentation and was adjacent to the sedimentation
area. Various lithofacies have been stated and they
have been coded, defned and interpreted (Frunzescu,
1998) as disturbed facies in tufaceous siltolutites =
dLST, dolomitic carbonatic shales = l-D, laminitic
clastic gypsum = c-la-g, banded clastic gypsum =
c-b-g, gypsum slumps structures = sl-g, gypsum ball
and pillow structures = b-p-g, gypsum debris-fow
structures = DF-g, gypsum mud-fow structures =
MF-g, gypsum Bouma type structures = TS-g, as well
as mud-fow structures = MF.
Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy
Te lithofacies from Piatra Verde outcrop are
incorporated ABC, etc., type parasequences of some
deep settings (Warren, 2006). Tese parasequences
are dominated by the clastic gypsum lithofacies that
are supplied from the sedimentation of a previous
or contemporary adjacent sulphatic material. Te
parasequences bathymetry is ranged between: A =
basin foor (of salinas = mud fow with scattered
alabastrin gypsum clastorudites, turbiditic gypsum);
B = distal slope proximal slope (debris fow or
slumps); C = subtidal intertidal mouth creek
(banded clastic gypsum, laminitic clastic gypsum
associated with faser structures or disturbed facieses).
Some parasequence show deepening upward trends.
At the beginning of the sulphatic accumulation, the
basin palaeography is marked by tectonic balances
with uplif in Carpathian areas and the water
transgression over foreland clif, on the outer side,
generalizing the lagoon system separated by islands
or shoals barriers. Te emerged areas ridges of Lera-
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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Vleni-Butenari or Homorciu spurs are toward
the inner side of the Carpathians and the pointed
islands sills are toward the exterior side. Te slopes
are light, due to the fact that the morphology has
been attenuated by the previous high-stand deposits:
tuf, siliciclastics, or Lithothamnium reefs limestones
and by their erosion during the low-stand successive
episode, contemporary to the evaporites. Te
evolution of the sulphur sedimentation is diferent
and, seldom is diachronic between the border areas (of
foreland) and the inner areas (Carpathian areas). Te
parasequences correspond to a low-stand system tract
of a cycle of 3
rd
or 4
th
ranks, which is characterized
by high amplitude of the lower and medium terms
to the superior term. Te parasequences from Piatra
Verde have got an agradational-stocking pattern for
the lower pile and a back stepping stocking pattern
for the upper pile.
Discussion and conclusions
Te megasequence from Piatra Verde is dominated
by allohtonous gypsum. On the inner emergent
ridges, sulphatic evaporites periodically fooded
sabkha types are generated. Disturbed facieses clasts
which are multiple reworked are accumulated on
the margin of the basin (salinas, playa), under the
form of laminitic clastic gypsum or banded clastic
gypsum. Te rapid accretion, but most of all the
tectonic instability balance that takes place afer the
Early Styrian folding phase generates drastic erosion
efects on the area margins and also bathymetry
increases into the basin, accompanied by low-stand
wedge accumulation. Te fows are primed by seismic
or storm mechanical shock, and the entire range of
gravity fows is recorded: from incipient stages or from
lamina level or lithon scale to deposits assemblage.
Creep, slide, slump, debris fow, mud fow, turbidite
stages are noticed, similar feature observed in other
Carpathian area (i.e., the Polish Carpathians, Peryt
and Kasprzyk, 1992; Peryt, 1995). Tese stages are
associated with faser or load casts structures. Te fow
efects are emphasized by the horst/graben tectonics,
which increases the subsidence in Slnic fallen
sector. On the top of the megasequence dissolution
collapse breccia are recorded too. Te megasequence
has got two piles: a lower one, which is accumulated
in the deep sea realm and another upper one which
is accumulated in subtidal/intertidal realm. Te
source area can be found in Lera-Vleni-Butenari
emergent spur area. On the Northern Carpathian
border, contemporary to the evaporitic fows the
accumulations of some aluvial cone ruditic deposits
are quoted: Btrni and Vrful Benii conglomerates
(Grujinschi, 1972). Te megasequence from Piatra
Verde only corresponds to the upper part of the
typical column from Poland. Te lack of the lower
part of its correspondent from Poland is related to
the non-sedimentation on the emergent areas, but
most of all it is caused by a lowstand type drastical
erosion, which is advanced lower than the evaporite
level; e.g. the erosion could be advanced at the level of
the Lithothamnium limestones marine sequence and
even at the subjacent level of globigerina marls and
tufs formation.
References
Frunzescu, D, 1998. Stratigraphycal and
sedimentological study of Miocene evaporites
between Buzu Valley and Teleajen Valley. Ph.D.
Tesis. Bucharest University, 278 pp. (in Romanian
with English abstract).
Grujinschi, C., 1972. Observaiuni asupra
discordanei din ivirea de sare de la Baia Baciului
(Slnic Prahova), Buletinul Institutului de Petrol si
Gaze, Geologie, 17, 33-38.
Peryt, M.T., Kasprzyk, A., 1992. Earthquake
induced resedimentation in the Badenian
(middle Miocene) gypsum of southern Poland.
Sedimentology, 39, 235-249.
Peryt, M.T., Petrichenko, I.O., Pobergski, V.A.,
1995. Sedimentary history of the middle Miocene
Badenian gypsum in the Carpathian Foredeep of
West Ukraine. Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy,
76, supplement no. 7 (10
th
R.C.M.N.S. Congress)
Bucharest.
tefnescu,, M., Mruneanu, M., 1980. Age of the
Dofana Molasse. Dri de Seam ale Sedinelor
Institutului de Geologie si Geofzic, LXV/4, 169-182.
Warren, J.K., 2006. Evaporites - sediments, resources
and hydrocarbons. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg
New York.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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BADENIAN SULPHATIC EVAPORITIC SEQUENCES FROM
VALEA REA SALT BRECCIA
(ISTRITA HILL, BUZAU COUNTY)
Frunzescu, D.
Geology-Geophysics Department, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680, Ploiesti, Romania,
e-mail: dfunzescu@yahoo.com
Keywords: the Southern side of Eastern
Carpathians, lower molasse of the Carpathian
Foredeep, gypsum facies modeling
Geological setting
Te sulphatic evaporites in Valea Rea basin appear in
the clay matrix of the salt breccia (namely the Cosmina
Formation) in the form of 5-6 blocks of 3-6 m size
and more submetrical blocks which contain distinct
sulphatic facies, which are unique in the Romanian
evaporitic realm (Frunzescu, 1998), but similar as
component parts of sulphatic sequences which are
described in Northern Carpathian Foredeep in
Southern Poland, Eastern Galitia, Podolia, Bucovina
(Peryt and Jasionowski, 1994).
In the Valea Rea anticlyne core of Istria Hill,
Buzu district, several molasses formations such
the Burdigalian Dofana Formation, the Langhian
Cmpinia Formation (made up of globigerina
marls and tufs = Slnic tuf) (Sndulescu et al.,
1980) and the Langhian age Cosmina Breccia = high
evaporitic formation crop out. Te salt breccia of the
Cosmina Breccia is associated with saline springs and
eforescences and is made up of grey-blackish clay
matrix, in places bituminous, siltic, micaceous with
clastorudite levels vaguely layered. Breccia clasts have
a fne ruditic facies, being represented by lithic pebbles
(marl and grey-greenish clay), grey fne micaceous
calcareous sandstones, gypsum and gipsiferous
sandstones, black shales and globigerina tufaceous
marls and, rarely, fne green schist clastorudites. At
the bottom and at diferent levels (as lenticular or
wavy beds lithons) there are sulphatic evaporites
as gipsiferous marls, and alabastrin clastic gypsum
laminites. Te salt is impure and the salt piles are in
fact zones with a higher salty concentration.
Results
Te sulphatic evaporitic sequence in Valea Rea is made
of diferent lithofacies that can be seen in diferent
blocks which are kept in a succession by referring
to a typical megasequence. With some uncertainty
which refers to the correlation of internal facies with
external facies and to some peculiarity of an excessive
development of breccias, the sequence in Valea Rea
corresponds to the low part of the megasequence
which is typical for Southern Poland (Peryt et al.,
1995). We may also add that Piatra Verde (Teiani-
Slnic) sequence corresponds to the high part of
the same megasequence. Te Valea Rea litofacies
parasequences show the following settings: A-shallow
water (selenite in gigantic twins, skeletal gypsum
debris, skeletal gypsum domal packages); B-shallower
subtidal (sabre-like selenite, bended selenite (the
bends are made of carbonatic laminae and grass-like
clastoruditic selenitic gypsum ); C-intertidalsubtidal
(laminitic criptalgal gypsum, sabre-like nucleation
cones gypsum in a context of cyanobacteria mats).
Discussion and conclusions
From a paaleogeographic point of view, the evaporitic
basin of Subcarpathians is an integral part of the
Foredeep Badenian basin of the Carpathians (s.l.),
which is bordered by barriers and which have a
zonal facies distribution. Te globicerina marl
and tufs deposition mark a high sea level stand
and the communication between the Tethyan
and Paratethyan realms. Te accumulation of
piroclastites and sea deposits, as globigerina marls
and then a correspondent of Baranow beds from
the Northern Carpathian Foredeep uniformed the
morphostructural relief of Sub-Miocen basement.
Siliciclastits and Lithothamnium limestones of
Baranow beds from the Northern Carpathian
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Foredeep (Peryt et al., 1995) existed in this Southern
sector too, as can be seen in the reworks in Rchitau-
type sandstones (e.g. Vispeti - in Istria Hill).
At the beginning of the Badenian evaporitic
sedimentation, the Early Styrian tectonic phase
determines a change of the tectonic balance with
an internal uplif and water transgression over
foreland. On the Moesian and Eastern European
platforms extended areas appear; they are favourable
to the generation of contemporary sulphates with
the accumulation in foredeep. From one spot to
another, on the inner border, to the emergent sides
of the Carpathians, halite is accumulated in several
more subsidence basins. Regionally, a system of
interconnected Salinas formed, extended in shallower
water, and separated by island barriers or accumulative
banks. Te foor surface has slight inclinations
towards the centre. On the external border we can see
more or less carbonatic ramps. Te sulphate deposits
were deposited in front and under the carbonatic
shelf, which are partially covered by Lithothamnium
reefs. Te sulphatic deposits facies variation refects
the ramp morphology, to such an extent that we may
distinguish diferent bathymetrical zones, such as.
1. Te subtidal zone includes low energy lagoonal
(salinas) environments and high energy banks
which may be exposed to the ebb. Some salinas may
communicate with the open sea by a zone of external
shelf. Te low energy fats may be frontally delineated
by bioclastic or sulphatic sand beaches (during storms,
the sand may be brought by the wind through creeks,
salt pans or from the adjacent seafoor);
2. Te intertidal zone is a high energy area where
microbian algal mats are developed, which are
periodically disturbed and which may be by subtidal
creeks or periodically saline or brackish ponds.
Te hypersaline pools may contain unspecifc,
periodically numerous populations. Te creeks
have metric depths and are very large (sizing in tens
of metres) and they contain a lag of semi-litifed
intraclasts, which are eroded and transported from
the neighbouring fats. Tey may also contain levee
or point-bar gipsum-arenit facies and all of them may
laterally migrate considerably.
3. Te supertidal zone contains the sabkha area with
algal mats more frequently disturbed (mud-creek,
intraclasts and chips) in which nodular sulphates may
precipitate and that may be cemented with aragonite,
high-magnesium calcite, microcrystalin dolomite,
gypsum (lamina, pavements broken in intraclasts).
Te sabkha area is larger in the external side of the
Badenian evaporitic basin.
Te evolution of the sulphatic sedimentation is based
on the interpretation of the lithofacies, which show
a remarkably lateral continuity, fact that allows the
correlation of diferent profles and their integration
into a typical succession which was previosuly
described in the Northern Carpathians Foredeep
(Peryt et al., 1995). Te megasequence from Valea
Rea (Istria Hill) corresponds to the low part of this
succession, and the one from Piatra Verde (Slnic)
corresponds to the high part of the above mentioned
section.
References
Frunzescu, D, 1998. Stratigraphycal and
sedimentological study of Miocene evaporites
between Buzu Valley and Teleajen Valley. Ph.D.
Tesis. Bucharest University, 278p (in Romanian
with English abstract).
Peryt, T.M., Jasionowski, M. 1994. In situ formed
and redeposited gypsum breccias in the Middle
Miocene Badenian of Southern Poland.
Sedimentary Geology. vol. 94, 153-163.
Peryt, T.M., Petrichenko, I.O., Pobergski, V.A., 1995.
Sedimentary history of the Middle Miocene
Badenian gypsum in the Carpathian Foredeep of
West Ukraine. Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy.
vol. 76, Supplement no.7, X
-th
RCMNS Congress,
Bucharest.
Sndulescu, M., Micu, M., Popescu, B. 1980. La
structure et la paleogeographie des formations
miocenes des Subcarpathes Moldaves. Procc.
Assoc. Geol. Carp-Balk., 184-197, Kiev.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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DISPERSAL EVENTS OF THE PARATETHYAN OSTRACOD
SPECIES IN THE PALAEO-MEDITERRANEAN DOMAIN
DURING THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS
Gliozzi, E., Grossi, F.

& Cosentino, D.
Roma Tre University, Department of Geological Sciences, 1 L.go S. Leonardo Murialdo, I-00146 Rome, Italy,
e-mail: gliozzi@uniroma3.it; fgrossi@uniroma3.it; cosentin@uniroma3.it
Keywords: Palaeobiogeography, brackish ostracods,
Paratethys, Palaeo-Mediterranean, late Messinian
Introduction
Te Neogene period records the major
palaeoceanographic events that turned the Tethys
Ocean into the present Mediterranean Sea. Four main
phases of change can be envisaged: 1) the complete
isolation of the Western Tethys from the north-eastern
Tethys, occurred around the late Serravallian, due to
the ongoing African-Eurasian collision (Rgl, 1998);
2) a gradual transition during Tortonian from cold,
deep, oceanic water-mass to warm, dense and saline
one, driven by tectonic and climate causes (Benson,
1986). Both of those phases marked the setting of
two palaeo(bio)geographic domains, the Palaeo-
Mediterranean and the Paratethys; 3) the variation
of the Atlantic/Palaeo-Mediterranean water-balance
due to the progressive closure of the Bethic and Rif
Corridors, started 5.96 Ma and ended around 5.59
Ma, that triggered the onset of the Messinian Salinity
Crisis (Krijgsman et al., 1999; CIESM, 2008); 4)
the restoration of the western connection with the
Atlantic Ocean and the consequent fooding of
full marine waters in the Mediterranean Sea (the
so-called Zanclean Deluge of Benson, 1986).
Te palaeoceanographic and palaeohydrological
changes caused, as well, the modifcation of the
Palaeo-Mediterranean marine fauna that, during the
Messinian Salinity Crisis, was afected by a regional
mass disappearance (Monegatti & Raf, 2010) and
was replaced, during the short Lago-Mare interval, by a
brackish fauna made by molluscs and ostracods mainly
of Paratethyan origin (Esu, 2007 with refs.; Gliozzi et
al., 2007 with refs.). What a few years ago seemed to
have been an abrupt colonization by the Paratethyan
taxa, now it seems to have occurred progressively,
through three colonization phases.
Te frst colonization phase (ca. 5.59-5.398 Ma):
the Paratethyan ostracod pioneers
Few outcropping sections located in the eastern Palaeo-
Mediterranean (Adana Basin, Turkey; Iraklion Basin,
Crete) and in the central Palaeo-Mediterranean (Majella
Mt., central Apennines, Italy) record the frst phase of the
colonization of Paratethyan ostracods. Te examined
sections rest upon the Messinian Erosional Surface
(MES), thus, according to age model for the Messinian
Salinity Crisis, are younger than 5.59 Ma (Krijgsman
et al., 1999). In central Apennines a volcanic layer
correlatable to the Maccarone ash layer (5.5550.06
Ma; Cosentino et al., 2009), intercalated between the
fossiliferous levels, is consistent with the age proposed
for the beginning of the frst colonization phase. Te
recovered ostracods are scarce but, together with the
Palaeo-Mediterranean endemic Cyprideis agrigentina,
few valves of the Paratethyan species Loxoconcha
mlleri and Loxoconcha eichwaldi were collected,
accompanied by very sporadic Tyrrhenocythere sp. juv.
Te very low ostracod frequencies in the assemblages
and their oligotipy testifes for a difcult colonization
of an aquatic environment that slowly grew favourable
for life.
Te main colonization phase (5.398-5.346): the
arrival of the Paratethyan ostracod contingent
More than ffy localities from Gibraltar (Malaga Basin,
Spain) to the west, to Cyprus and Adana Basin to the
east, on both the northern and southern coasts of the
Palaeo-Mediterranean record this phase of colonization.
Among them, the sedimentary successions of Fonte
dei Pulcini and Maccarone (central Apennines, Italy)
were calibrated astrochronologically (Cosentino et
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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al., 2012; Cosentino et al., in progress), providing
a scheme of detailed ages for the appearance of the
Paratethyan ostracods in the Palaeo-Mediterranean.
Te following nineteen species characterise the Lago-
Mare ostracod assemblages from 5.398 to 5.346 Ma:
Zalanyiella venusta, Pontoniella pontica, Caspiocypris
pontica, C. alta, Lineocypris sp. 1, Camptocypria
sp. 1, Amnicythere palimpsesta, Amnicythere sp.
2, Amnicythere sp. D, A. propinqua, A. accicularia,
A. saluta, Euxinocythere (Maeotocythere) bacuana,
E. (M.) praebaquana, Loxoconcha rhombovalis, L.
cf. L. schweyeri dacica, Loxocorniculina djafarovi,
Tyrrhenocythere pontica, Loxocauda limata and
Cytherura pyrama. Te high diversity of the recovered
assemblages (up to 15 species) testify well oxygenated
aquatic brackish environments, referable to diferent
salinities and depths.
Te last colonization phase (5.346-5.337): the
arrival of the straggles species
Many of the previously studied localities record
also the last colonization phase. Beyond the two
pioneer species and the nineteen species of the main
colonization phase, from 5.346 Ma the following
ten Paratethyan species reached the Palaeo-
Mediterranean domain during the last 14 kyr of the
Messinian Lago-Mare event: Pontoniella verrucosa,
Amnicythere multituberculata, A. costata, A. litica, A.
subcaspia, Euxinocythere (Maeotocythere) praebosqueti,
Tyrrhenocythere ruggierii, T. cf. T. taurica. Loxoconcha
kochi and L. cf. L. ludica.
Conclusions
On the whole, thirty-one Paratethyan ostracod
species migrated in the Palaeo-Mediterranean during
the Lago-Mare event, which characterizes the last step
of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Fourteen of them
have been recovered also in the coeval sediments
of the Dacic Basin (upper Pontian lowermost
Bosphorian, started 5.5 Ma, Krijgsman et al., 2010),
while only four common species have been recognized
in the Upper Pontian of the Euxinic Basin (Taman
Peninsula). It could be reliable to hypothesize that the
Paratethyan ostracods migrated from the Dacic Basin
into the Palaeo-Mediterranean through a connection
in the Macedonian area (Strimon Basin), during
the Bosphorian transgressive phase that afected the
Dacic Basin (Krijgsman et al., 2010).
References
Benson, R.H., 1986. Messinian Salinity Crisis.
Enciclopedia of Earth System Science 3, 161-167.
CIESM, 2008. Te Messinian Salinity Crisis from
Mega-Deposits to Microbiology: A Consensus
Report. CIESM Workshop Monograph 33, 1-168.
Cosentino, D., Cipollari, P., Faranda, C., Florindo,
F., Gennari, R., Gliozzi, E., Grossi, F., Laurenzi,
M.A., Lo Mastro, S., Sampalmieri, G., Sprovieri,
M., 2009, Integrated analyses of the Maccarone
section (northern Apennines, Italy): 13th Congress
RCMNS, 2nd-6th September 2009, Naples, Italy.
Acta naturalia de LAteneo Parmense v. 45 (1-4),
p. 338-339.
Cosentino, D., Bertini, A., Cipollari, P., Florindo, F.,
Gliozzi, E., Grossi, F., Lo Mastro, S., Sprovieri M.,
2012. Orbitally-forced palaeoenvironmental and
palaeoclimate changes in the late post-evaporitic
Messinian stage of the central Mediterranean
Basin. Bull. Amer. Geol. Soc. 124(3-4), 499-516.
Esu, D., 2007. Latest Messinian Lago-Mare
Lymnocardiinae from Italy: Close relations with
the Pontian fauna from the Dacic Basin. Geobios
40, 291-302.
Gliozzi, E., Ceci, M.E., Grossi, F. & Ligios, S., 2007.
Paratethyan ostracod immigrants in Italy during
the Late Miocene. Geobios 40, 325337.
Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F.J., Raf, I., Sierro, F.J.,
Wilson, D.S., 1999. Chronology, causes and
progression of the Messinian salinity crisis. Nature
400, 652-655.
Krijgsman, W., Stoica, M., Vasiliev, I., Popov, V.V.,
2010. Rise and fall of the Paratethys Sea during the
Messinian Salinity Crisis. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
290, 183-191.
Monegatti, P., Raf, S., 2010. Te Messinian marine
molluscs record and the dawn of the eastern Atlantic
biogeography. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol.,
Palaeoecol. 297, 1-11.
Rgl, F.,1998. Palaeogeographic considerations for
Mediterranean and Paratethys seaways (Oligocene
to Miocene). Ann. Naturhistor. Mus. Wien 99, 279-
310.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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MIOCENE PLIOCENE CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENTS, AND
CONNECTIVITY
OF THE EASTERN PARATETHYAN DOMAIN
Grothe, A.
1
; Sangiorgi F.
1
; Krijgsman, W.
2
; Vasiliev, I.
2
; Reichart, G-J.
3
; Stoica, M.
4
&
Brinkhuis, H.
1,5

1
Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Marine Palynology, Laboratory of
Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail: a.grothe@uu.nl
2
Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk,
Utrecht, Te Netherlands
3
Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
4
University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Department of Geology, Bucharest, Romania
5
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg, Te Netherlands
Keywords: dinofagellate cysts, pollen, Messinian
Salinity Crisis, salinity
During the Cenozoic, a large epicontinental sea
named Paratethys stretched from central Europe
into western Asia, afecting e.g., regional climate,
ecosystems, and the hydrological budget of the
Eurasian continent. Due to tectonic evolution
and eustatic sea level fall, the once large Eocene
Paratethys shrunk substantially, with the Black Sea,
the Caspian Sea and the Aral Lake representing its
present-day relicts. As a consequence of this retreat,
the Paratethyan basins evolved from fully marine
systems into more restricted marine/brackish water
environments and became, at times, freshwater-
dominated.
During the fnal stages of its demise (late Miocene
Pliocene), the Paratethys possibly played an
important role in the Mediterranean water budget.
During the late Miocene, the connection(s) between
the Mediterranean Basin and the Atlantic Ocean
deteriorated, which culminated in thick evaporite
deposits in the Mediterranean Basin during the
so-called Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC, 5.96
5.33 Ma). Te youngest sediments of the MSC are
characterized by brackish water conditions (so-called
Lago Mare-facies). It has been proposed that this
brackish water signature originated from freshwater
overspill of the Paratethys into the Mediterranean.
However, the complex interplay of connections and
paleocirculation between the Mediterranean and
Paratethyan basins and their role during the MSC
are still largely unknown. Timing and nature of
the water exchange between the Paratethys and the
Mediterranean is a crucial, yet poorly understood,
and highly controversial component of the MSC.
Here we present marine palynological data
(dinofagellates cysts, pollen and spores) from two
sections of the Eastern Paratethys, viz.: from the
Taman Peninsula (Russia) and from DSDP Leg
42b - Site 380a (Black Sea). Our results allow us to
reconstruct climatic and environmental evolution of
the Eastern Paratethys during the late Miocene and
early Pliocene and to understand its connectivity
with the Mediterranean Sea at times of the MSC.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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STRATIGRAPHIC CONSTRAINTS FOR THE OLIGOCENE-
EARLY MIOCENE NORTH ALPINE FORELAND BASIN:
BEYOND REGIONAL CONCEPTS AND TOWARDS
CORRELATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TIME SCALE
Grunert, P.
1
, Piller, W. E.
1
, Soliman, A.
1
, ori, S.
2
, Hinsch, R.
3
, Harzhauser, M.
4
1
Institute for Earth Sciences, University of Graz, Heinrichstrae 26, A-8010 Graz, Austria;
e-mail: patrick.grunert@uni-graz.at; ali.soliman@uni-graz.at; werner.piller@uni-graz.at
2
Geological Survey of Austria, Neulinggasse 38, A-1030 Vienna, Austria; e-mail: stjepan.coric@geologie.ac.at
3
Rohl-Aufsuchungs AG, Schwarzenbergplatz 16, A-1015 Vienna, Austria; e-mail: ralph.hinsch@rohoel.at
4
Geological-Paleontological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria;
e-mail: mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
From Oligocene to Early Miocene the North
Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) was one of the main
sedimentary basins of the Central Paratethys and
acted as its primary connection to the Mediterranean
Sea. Te dynamic interplay of paleogeography and
eustatic sea-level controlled 1) faunal exchange
and consequently evolutionary patterns and
paleobiogeography, and 2) the distribution of the
(in many cases organic rich) deposits in both, the
Paratethys and Mediterranean seas. Tis drew the
attention of geologists and hydrocarbon industry alike
on the NAFB over a hundred years ago. Surprisingly,
stratigraphy remains poorly constrained until today,
being largely based on lithostratigraphic correlation
and focusing on regional biostratigraphic correlation.
Te relation to the international time scale is tentative
as robust tie points are missing.
New attempts have been made over the past years
to address these problems by joint projects between
academia and industry. In order to achieve the
primary objective, the improvement of the correlation
of NAFB deposits to the international time scale,
diferent methods including magneto-, chemo-,
cyclo- and sequence stratigraphy have been applied
to drill-sites and outcrops from the central part of
the basin and integrated with new biostratigraphic
constraints from calcareous nannoplankton and
dinofagellate cysts. Trends in Rupelian to Aquitanian
carbon isotope records are in good agreement with
the global isotopic records; stable isotope analysis
in combination with organic geochemistry further
reveal regional trends and events that can be used for
stratigraphic correlation within the basin, especially
of its imbricated southern margin. Sequence
stratigraphic analysis of the Burdigalian deposits
implies a primary control of eustatic sea-level on the
terminal marine NAFB and allows a correlation with
global 3
rd
-order sequences Bur 1-3.
Te preliminary results demonstrate that the
integration of diferent stratigraphic techniques is a
promising way to achieve a more precise stratigraphy
for the NAFB. Te improved correlation will
be fundamental by facilitating the evaluation of
teleconnections between the Paratethys and the
Mediterranean seas. It will further contribute to
the establishment of the Paratethys as a recorder
of Oligocene and Early Miocene climatic trends in
Europe.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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HIGH RESOLUTION ANALYSIS AND THE LIMITS OF
PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS
Harzhauser, M.
1
,

Kern, A.K.
1
, Piller, W.E.
2
& Soliman, A.
2
1
Natural History Museum Vienna, Geological-Paleontological Department, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria,
e-mail: mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
2
University Graz, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heinrichstrasse 26, 8010 Graz, Austria
Keywords: Lake Pannon, Palynology, Miocene,
sub-Milankovitch, Climate
During the last decade continental sedimentary
records have shown to be as accurate as marine ones
concerning time resolution. Astronomical forcing
was deciphered in many long continental sections
and even bed-to-bed correlation with marine sections
was performed. Aside from solving stratigraphical
questions, these studies provide fundamental insights
into the interplay between astronomically originated
climatic change and shifing biota. Tis big leap
allows Miocene and even Oligocene records to be
resolved in equally as Pleistocene and Holocene ones.
Nevertheless, there is still a major lag in understanding
pre-Pliocene records in terms of sub-Milankovitch
scales.
Aside from geophysical and geochemical
measurements, one of the most adequate methods to
gain information on past climate and ecosystems is the
analysis of the terrestrial and aquatic palynomorphs.
Few studies on pre-Quaternary successions ever aimed
for stratigraphic resolution to get a grip on centennial
or even decadal scale. Typically, these focus on
laminated maar-lake deposits with seasonal changes in
sedimentation. Such records, however, are extremely
scarce unlike continuous successions of other lake
types, where high-resolution studies are commonly
not considered as a high sample density is requited.
By using bulk-samples, representing an undefned
amount of years or decades of sedimentation, are
usually used for analysis resulting in gross values.
Tese give useful results for calculations on a scale
of 105-106 years but are unable to capture climate
dynamics on a sub-millennial scale.
Herein we present high resolution multi-proxy
analyses, detecting shifs in diferent environmental
parameters, such as precipitation, vegetation, lake
level and surface water productivity on a decadal-to
centennial-scale within the Miocene. Even during the
Tortonian climatic optimum rapid fuctuations of
the mean annual precipitation can be detected. Te
repetitive nature of such environmental shifs may
allow a correlation with various sub-Milankovitch
cycles. We assume that these small-scale patterns
of climate fuctuations are strongly infuencing the
Miocene environments, but remain completely
overlooked so far. However, to link the observed cyclic
shifs in the proxy data to certain climatic parameter,
is still highly complicated.
Tis study is supported by the FWF grant
P21414-B16.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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PARATETHYS PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS
Harzhauser, M.
1
, Piller, W.E.
2
, Reuter, M.
2
, Grunert, P.
2
1
Natural History Museum Vienna, Geological-Paleontological Department, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria,
e-mail: mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
2
University Graz, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heinrichstrasse 26, 8010 Graz, Austria
Keywords: Paleogeography, Paleoclimate, Reefs,
marine Benthos, Mediterranean Sea
Stratigraphy and the problems of reliable correlations
are central topics of the RCMNS-members working
in the Paratethys area. Still, the boundaries of many
of the various regional stages are poorly defned and
ofen are conceptual rather than data-based. Te exact
dating of all these boundaries will remain a task for
many future studies. Hence, whilst the drawers of
the stratigraphic-cabinet are somewhat vague in
several cases, their paleontological contents are quite
well known. A refned resolution of the geological
archives allows describing the paleoenvironmental
changes and plaeoclimatic developments of the
Western/Central Paratethys in much detail, whilst
the eastern part remains enigmatic for most western
workers. Paleontological data clearly document
that throughout its history, the Western/Central
Paratethys experienced only three basic states:
1. as an appendix of the Mediterranean Sea, 2. as an
appendix of the so much bigger Eastern Paratethys
and 3. being a fully isolated waterbody. State 1 was
realized during the Aquitanian and early Burdigalian,
the late Burdigalian, most parts of the Langhian
and during a short episode of the Serrvallian. Te
corresponding biotic assemblages were highly
diverse, displayed low endemicity and polytaxic reef
structures could develop. Coral carpets and reefs are
restricted to this state. Te origin of the species is
ofen difcult to evaluate. Frequently, the Paratethyan
deposits yield the most diverse assemblages for the
time slice in the circum-Mediterranean area and the
vector of migration is unclear. Te rather abrupt
appearance of the species in the Paratethys afer
phases of endemic developments suggests rather
immigrations from the adjacent bioprovinces than
an autochthonous development in the Paratethys
Sea. State 2 is typically represented by the Sarmatian
corresponding to the late Serravallian but also in earlier
phases e.g. during the Early Oligocene. Te marine
life was low diverse and endemicity increased. Reef
structures were typically dominated by few species,
such as polychaets, bryozoans and/or foraminifers.
Eutrophication and phytoplankton blooms were
also common phenomena in this state and oolite
formation was frequent. Tere is very little or even
no evidence for successful emigration of any endemic
marine benthos species from the Paratethys Sea into
the Mediterranean Sea. Surprisingly, state 3 is rather
the exception and was realized probably only during a
short phase in the middle Burdigalian (Ottnangian),
during the end-Langhian (Badenian) for some areas,
and especially during the Late Miocene (Pannonian).
Carbonate factories collapsed regularly when the
Paratethys Sea went through this state.
Interestingly, events typical for states 2 and 3 ofen
recall and predate counterparts that developed in
the Mediterranean area at other times. Te most
outstanding one is of course the Badenian Salinity
Crises versus the Messinian Salinity Crises. Another,
yet undocumented parallel are the mid-Sarmatian
oolite phase, with a fourishing endemic mactrid-
cardiid assemblage, and its 5-ma-younger pendant
in early Messinian lagoons of the Mediterranean
Sea. In the proposed talk we will focus on the
typical ecosystems of each of the Paratethys states
and especially on the striking but diachronous
Paratethyan-Mediterranean-counterparts.
Tis abstract contributes to the FWFProject
P23492: Mediterranean OligoMiocene
stratigraphy and palaeoecology.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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ATNTS2012
Hilgen, F.
1
, Lourens, L.
1
, Van Dam, J.
2
, Beu, A.
3
, Boyes, A.
4
, Cooper, R.
3
, Krijgsman, W.
1
,
Ogg, J.
5
, Piller, W.
6
& Wilson, D.
7
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te Netherlands,
email: filgen@geo.uu.nl; llourens@geo.uu.nl
2
Univ. Wageningen, jan.vandam@wur.nl
3
GNS Science, Post Offce Box 30368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, e-mail: a.beu@gns.cri.nz, r.cooper@gns.cri.nz
4
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
5
Purdue University, e-mail: jogg@purdue.edu
6
Institute for Geology and Palaeontology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Heinrichstrasse 26, A-8010 Graz, Austria,
email: werner.piller@kfunigraz.ac.at
7
Department of Earth Science, University of California, 1006 Webb Hall - MC 9630, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9630,
email: dwilson at geol.ucsb.edu
ATNTS2012 is presented in the Neogene chapter
of GTS2012, which just appeared as a two volume
book published by Elsevier. It is the successor
of ATNTS2004. Te changes with respect to
ATNTS2004 are relatively minor as might be
expected from a time scale that is largely underlain
by astronomical tuning. Te Serravallian Global
Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) has now been
defned at the boundary between the Globigerina
Limestone and Blue Clay Formations in the Ras-il-
Pellegrin section on Malta and coincides with the
termination of the Mi3b isotope shif; ongoing studies
are further directed to defne the Langhian GSSP close
to the C5Cn/C5Br boundary and the Burdigalian
GSSP at or close to the Helicosphaera ampliaperta
FO in a deep marine core in the open ocean. In
addition to the global chronostratigraphic scale,
regional subdivisions for New Zealand and the
Paratethys have been added, and detailed mammal-
based chronological units and calcareous plankton,
dinofagellate and radiolarian biozonal schemes
included.

Te age calibration of ATNTS2012 is based on


astronomical tuning for the interval younger than
15 Ma, whereby reversal ages of the marine Monte
Corvi section replace ages based on the continental
Orera section. For the interval between 15 and 23
Ma, age calibration is still based on interpolation
of spreading rates from 5 high spreading rate plate
pairs in the Pacifc, but these will likely be replaced
in the future by tuned ages coming from ongoing
studies of deep-sea cores recovered during (I)ODP
Legs. Important issues are further the proposed use
of unit stratotypes instead of GSSPs (only), and the
application of Milankovitch cycles as chrono zones,
i.e. formal chronostratigraphic units of a smaller scale
than (sub)stages.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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ASTROCHRONOLOGY OF THE BURDIGALIAN-LANGHIAN
IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: UNDERSTANDING CLIMATIC
AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Hsing, S.K.
1
, Hilgen, F.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, Turco, E.
4
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail: S.K.Husing@uu.
2
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail: F.J.Hilgen@uu.nl
3
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands, e-mail: W.Krijgsman@uu.nl
4
Dip. di Scienze della Terra, Universita di Parma, Parma, Italy, e-mail: elena.turco@unipr.it
Keywords: Miocene, sedimentary cycle pattern,
magnetobiostratigraphy, astronomical tuning,
geochemical elements
Te confguration of the present-day Mediterranean
Sea resulted from a sequence of closing marine
connections. Te middle Miocene (19-14 Ma) closure
of the gateway to the Indian Ocean had presumably
the most profound climate implications because it
interrupts a direct marine connection between Africa
and Eurasia forcing ocean currents to pass south of
Africa. Tis closure has been put forward to explain
the dramatic climatic change that took place from
Earths last major warm episode 17-15 Ma (the Mid-
Miocene Climate Optimum) to the much colder
ice house state (Wodruf and Savin 1989) and the
development of a permanent East Antarctic ice cap as
a consequence of circulation changes (van der Zwaan
and Gudjonsson 1986, Zachos et al. 2001, Miller et
al. 2005). Te major climatic cooling step at 13.8 Ma,
the Mi3b oxygen isotope event, gave rise to a much
enlarged ice volume (Miller et al. 2005, Miller et al
1991, Wright et al. 1992, Abels et al. 2005), but
the age of this dramatic cooling step is in serious
contrast with the available age constraints on the
initial gateway closure at ~19 Ma. Te latter age is
mostly based on African-Eurasian mammal migration
via the Gomphotherium (elephant) Landbridge
(Rgl and Steininger 1983, Steininger 1999). Several
distinct waves of mammal migration and marine
biogeographic evolution in the Proto-Mediterranean
and Indo-West-Pacifc region suggest intermittently
short-lived marine connections - possibly related
to sea-level rise during the Mid-Miocene Climate
Optimum - until it was permanently closed at ~14
Ma (Rgl and Steininger 1983, Steininger 1999,
Harzhauser et al. 2007). However, precise dating of
any of these events is seriously hampered by the lack of
well-dated mammal- or invertebrate-bearing sections.
Pre-requisites for a thorough understanding of cause-
and-efects relationships associated with the complex
Mediterranean-Indian Ocean gateway closure are
the development of an accurate chronology. For
this purpose, we need marine sequences in the
Mediterranean covering the Miocene. Te La Vedova
composite section in northern Italy seems perfectly
suitable for our study, as the interval between 13.3
and 15.2 Ma has already been tuned (Hsing et al.
2010, Mourik et al. 2010). We have extended the
section into the older part of the Miocene and have
now constructed a magnetobiostratigraphic age
model back to 16.72 Ma. Te frst-order astronomical
tuning of this interval is to the 400kyr-and 100kyr
eccentricity cycle based on the sedimentary pattern.
Te tuning, however, needs to be refned using
geochemical proxies. Te sedimentary and elemental
patterns become more complex in the interval of the
so-called megabeds (Montanari et al. 1997). Tese
are fve prominent and two less prominent intervals
of about 4 m that are dominated by thick indurated
limestones. Tese intervals are also represented by
distinct shifs in the elemental ratios and magnetic
susceptibility record. Below this interval, cycle
pattern remain complex and indicate pronounced
infuence of precession-obliquity interference in the
system. In total these pattern span from the top of
the Burdigalian to the base of the Langhian and mark
an intriguing environmental and/or climatic time
interval in the Mediterranean.
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RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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References
Abels, H.A., Hilgen, F.J., Krijgsman, W., Kruk, R.W.,
Raf, I., Turco, E., and Zachariasse, W.J., 2005,
Long-period orbital control on middle Miocene
global cooling: Integrated stratigraphy and
astronomical tuning of the Blue Clay Formation
on Malta, Paleoceanography, 20, 1-17
Harzhauser, M., Kroh, A., Mandic, O., Piller, W.E.,
Ghlich, U., Reuter, M., and Berning, B., 2007,
Biogeographic responses to geodynamics: A key
study all around the Oligo-Miocene Tethyan
Seaway, Zoologischer Anzeiger. doi: 10.1016/j.
jcz.2007.05.001
Hsing, S.K., Hilgen, F.J., Kuiper, K.F., Krijgsman,
W., Turco, E., Cascella, A., and Wilson, D.,
2010, Astronomical dating of magnetic reversals,
calcareous plankton events and environmental
changes between 15.3 and 14.1 Ma at La Vedova,
northern Italy. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 290, 254-269
Miller, K.G., Wright, J.D., and Fairbanks, R.G., 1991,
Unlocking the Ice House: Oligocene-Miocene
oxygen isotopes, eustacy, and margin erosion,
Journal Geophysical Research, 96, 6829-6848
Miller, K.G., Wright, J.D., and Browning, J.V., 2005,
Visions of ice sheets in a greenhouse world, Marine
Geology, 217, 215-231
Montanari, A., Beaudoin, B., Chan, L.S., Coccioni,
R., Deino, A., De Paolo, D.J., Emmanuel, L.,
Fornaciari, E., Kruge, M., Lundblad, S., Mozzato,
C., Portier, E., Renard, M., Rio, D., Sandroni, P.,
and Stankiewicz, A., 1997, Integrated stratigraphy
of the Middle and Upper Miocene pelagic sequence
of the Conero Riviera (Marche region, Italy), In
Montanari, A., Odin, G.S., and Coccioni, R., eds.,
Miocene Stratigraphy: An Integrated Approach,
Volume Dev. Palaeontol. Stratigr., Vol.15, Elsevier,
409-450.
Mourik, A.A., Bijkerk, J., Hsing, S., Hilgen, F.J.,
Cascella, A., Turco, E., Van der Zwaan, G.J., 2010,
Astronomical tuning of the La Vedova High Clif
Section Implications for the timing of the main
Middle Miocene cooling step and the onset of
sapropel formation, Earth Plant. Sci. Lett., 297,
249-261
Rgl, F., Steininger, F.F., 1983, Vom Zerfall der
Paratethys zu Mediterran und Paratethys.Die
neogene Palogeographie und Palinspastik des
zirkum-mediterranen Raumes.Ann. Naturhist.
Mus. Wien 85/A, 135-163
Steininger, F.F., 1999, Te continental European
Miocene. In: Rssner, G., Heissig, K. (eds.), Te
Miocene Land Mammals of Europe. Dr. Fritz Pfeil
Verlag, Munich, 924
van der Zwaan and Gudjonsson, 1986, Middle
MiocenePliocene stable isotope stratigraphy
and paleoceanography of the Mediterranean,
Marine Micropaleontology, 10, 71-90
Wright, J.D., Miller, K.G., and Fairbanks, R.G.,
1992, Early and Middle Miocene stable isotopes:
implications for deepwater circulation and climate,
Paleoceanography, 7, 357-389
Woodruf, F., and Savin, S.M., 1989, Miocene
deepwater oceanography, Paleoceanography, 4,
87-140
Zachos, J., Pagani, M., Sloan, L., Tomas, E., and
Billups, K., 2001, Trends, rhythms, and aberrations
in global climate 65 Ma to present, Science, 292,
686-693
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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MOLLUSCAN ASSEMBLAGES AND ECOSTRATIGRAPHIC-
PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
EARLY PLIOCENE DEPOSITS FROM THE EASTERNMOST
MEDITERRANEAN REGION (HATAY BASIN, SE TURKEY)
slamolu, Y.
1
, Tekin, E.
2
, Varol, B.
2
& Szeri, K.
2
1
General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Mineral Research Department, 06520-Balgat, Ankara, Turkey,
e-mail: yesimislamoglu@yahoo.com
2
Ankara University, Engineering Faculty, Department of Geological Engineering, 06100-Tandoan, Ankara, Turkey,
e-mail: tekin@eng.ankara.edu.tr; varol@eng.ankara.edu.tr; koray.sozeri@eng.ankara.edu.tr;
Keywords: Zanclean, tropic-subtropic molluscan
ecobiostratigraphy, biogeography, brackish- marine
depositional environments
Hatay Neogene basin consists of small depressions
separated by structural highlands, which experienced
one of the most complex trains of the neotectonic
regime in the easternmost margin of the Mediterranean
region so that sedimentary history and faunal
content was mainly afected by variety of complex
tectonic movements (Boulton et al. 2006, Boulton
& Robertson, 2007, 2008). Although, many studies
were carried out in this critical area, especially focused
on Late Miocene evaporates, Miocene- Pliocene
transition ( Tekin et al., 2011) and the re-establishing
of marine conditions (Tekin et al., 2011). Knowledge
on molluscs is still very limited. In the previous works,
the molluscan assemblages of the Samanda subbasin
were dated to Tortonian or Piacenzian in age
(Ernal Erentz, 1958; Karaku & Taner (1994).
According to latest biostratigraphical data obtained
from the Samanda and skenderun subbasins, the
mollusc-bearing Pliocene deposits were assigned to
MPL-1 and MPL-2 zones corresponding to Zanclean
(Early Pliocene) (slamolu et al. 2009).
Since the knowledge on the molluscs of the
easternmost Mediterranean region has not been
well-known yet, a detailed understanding of the
Early Pliocene molluscan assemblage of the Hatay
Graben basin is crucial to understanding of their
biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography. It is also
important to compare their biostratigraphical interval
corresponding to recently suggested ecostratigraphic
units for the Western - Central Mediterranean and
Eastern Atlantic, which are a chronological series of
molluscan extinction events in the Mediterranean
and Atlantic Plio-Pleistocene as a succession of
faunal units (MPPMUs) (Raf & Monegatti, 1993;
Monegatti & Raf, 2001, 2007; Landau et al. 2011).
Up to now, total 166 molluscan species are recorded.
Te assemblage is typically Pliocene as found in the
West Mediterranean-East Atlantic deposits. Te
presence of Mitrella (Clinurella) minima (Sacco,
1890), Niso terebellum pygmaea (Sequenza, 1876),
Clathurella spreafci Bellardi, Pyrgolampros cf.
ligusticoterebralis Sacco, Columbella (Mitrella) cf.
erythrostoma (Bellardi), Cingulella (Ceratia) proxima
(Alder), Roxania utriculus (Brocchi, 1814), Tricolia
pullus pullus (Linnaeus, 1758), Turbonilla densecostata
(Philiippi), Cerithium (Tericium) crenatum
(Brocchi, 1814), Gibbula (Gibbula) magus (Linnaeus,
1758), Daphnella (Daphnella) textile (Brocchi,
1814), Nassarius nitidus ( Jefreys, 1867), Bullaria
subampulla dOrbigny, 1852 from the gastropods
and Nuculana (Lembulus) pella (Linn), Nuculana
(Jupiteria) concava (Bronn), Barbatia (Barbatia)
empolensis Micheli & Torre, 1966, Palliolum excisum
(Bronn, 1848, Donax (Serrula) trunculus (Linn),
Glans (Centrocardita) intermedia (Brocchi, 1814)
from the bivalves indicate Zanclean age.
It is known that the taxonomic diversity and particularly
the presence of thermophilic taxa Strombus coronatus
Defrance, Conidae, Terebridae, Cypraidae and
Veneridae is characteristic for MPPMU1 between
5.0-3.0 Ma (Raf & Monegatti, 1993; Monegatti &
Raf, 2001; Landau et al. 2011). Tus, the previous
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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fndings of Ernal-Erentz (1958) [Strombus
(Strombus) coronatus Defrance, 1827 (in: Landau et
al. 2004a), Bolma (Ormastralium) fmbriata (Borson,
1821)(in: Landau, Marquet & Grigis, 2003), Phalium
(Phalium) cypraeiformis (Borson), Bufonaria (Aspa)
marginata (Gmelin, 1791) (in: Landau et al. 2004b),
Vexillum (Vexillum) plicatula (Brocchi), Conus
(Lithoconus) sp., Conus (Dendroconus) pseudo-textilis
Grateloup var. pliocenica Ernal Erentz, Conus
(Chelyconus) pyrula Brocchi, Conus (Chelyconus)
pyrula Brocchi var. mucronata, Conus (Chelyconus)
curtus Ernal Erentz, Conus (Conospirus)
antediluvianus Bruguire, Terebra acuminata
Borson var. pergranularis Sacco, Pitaria (Callista)
italica (Defrance), Meretrix gigas (Lamarck), Venus
(Clausinella) scalaris (Bronn), Venus (Ventricolodiea)
multilamella (Lamarck)] seem also to support the
Zanclean age as a key-taxons for the characterisation
of MPPU1 in the Mediterranean.
In the eastern part of the basin, new Pliocene
molluscan data is obtained including some brackish-
fresh water molluscs such as Neritina, Hydrobia and
Mytilopsis, associated with the infralitoral marine
species [Cerithium (Tericium) crenatum (Brocchi,
1814), Tricolia pullus pullus (Linnaeus, 1758),
Turbonilla densecostata (Philiippi), Nassarius nitidus
( Jefreys, 1867), Bullaria subampulla dOrbigny,
1852, Nuculana (Lembulus) pella (Linn), Donax
(Serrula) trunculus (Linn) ]. Tis fnding represents
a faunal mixing and presence of brackish - marine
environments in the earliest Zanclean time in that
area, indicating the Early Pliocene subtropic sea
much wider than that of previously thought.
Trough the Zanclean, diferent type depositional
environments are observed changing from brackish
to normal marine conditions in the study area. Short
period brackish water conditions were established
depend on the fresh water invasion into the marine
environment such as local lagoon or estuary and
incised valley where resulted from lago-mare type
sedimentation. Some brackish molluscs from the Late
Miocene deposits of the Samanda subbasin were
reported in the previous works (Ernal - Erentz,
1958: Melanopsis callosa curta Locard, Melanopsis
klenei and Melanopsis cf. obesa) supporting a Lago-
Mare environment likely in the latest Messinian -
earliest Zanclean time. Strong neotectonic activity
in the study region, which was induced by nearby
tectonic regimes (Dead-Sea Fault and Cyprus
Arc), infuenced composition of the sub-basinal
developments (Hatay, skenderun and Altnz)
with diferent fossil assemblages and sedimentations.
Due to changing basinal confguration and unstable
environmental conditions rapidly, our faunal fndings
are not represented by higher percentage of warm-
water taxons as found in the most of the deposits
of the western Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic
Early Pliocene (Raf & Monegatti, 1993; Monegatti
& Raf, 2001; Landau et al. 2011). However, it is
thought that the molluscan species are diverse enough
and fnding of some key-taxons can be used as proxy
data for correlating to the ecobiostratigraphic units.
Tus, we consider that the Hatay Zanclean molluscan
assemblages to fall within the MPPMU1, and similar
tropical - subtropical climatic conditions occurred
in that area as a part of the tropical Mediterranean -
West African palebiogeographical bioprovince, even
though local ecological conditions are variable.
References
Boulton, S. J. & Alastair H.F. Robertson, A.H.F.,
2007. Te Miocene of the Hatay area, S
Turkey:Transition from the Arabian passive
margin to an underflled foreland basin related to
closure of the Southern Neotethys Ocean.
Sedimentary Geology. 198, 93124.
Boulton, S. J. & Alastair H.F. Robertson, A.H.F.,
2008. Te NeogeneRecent Hatay Graben, South
Central Turkey: graben formation in a
setting of oblique extension ( t r a ns t e ns i on)
related to post-collisional tectonic escape,
Geological Magazine. 145 (6), 800821
Boulton, S.J., Robertson, A.H.F., nlgen,
U. 2006. Tectonic an sedimentary evolution
of the Cenozoic Hatay Graben,
Southern Turkey: A two-phase, foreland
basin then transtensional basin model.
In: Robertson, A. H.F. & Mountrakis, D.
(eds), Tectonic Development of the
Eastern Mediterranean. Geological Society,
London, Special Publications. 260, 613-634.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Ernal- Erentz, L., 1958. Mollusques du Nogne
des Bassins de Karaman, Adana et Hatay (Turquie).
Publications de lInstitut dEtudes et de Recherches
minires de Turquie (C) 4, 1-232, Ankara.
slamolu, Y., Varol, B., Tekin, E., Aka, N.,
Hakyemez, N., Szeri, K., Herece, E. 2009. New
paleontological data and integrated
approach for the analysis of Messinian
Zanclean deposits from the Eastern
Mediterranean region (skenderun Hatay
subbasins, SE Turkey). 13th congress of RCMNS
(Regional Committee on Me di t e r r a ne a n
Neogene Stratigraphy) 2-6.September.2009,
Napples (Italy) Earth System and
Evolution and the Mediterranean area from 23 Ma
to the present, Abstracts, 49-52.
Karaku, K., Taner, G. 1994, Samanda
formasyonunun (Antakya havzas) yai ve molluska
faunasna bal paleoekolojik zellikleri. Trkiye
Jeoloji Kurumu Blteni, 37/2, 87-109.
Landau, B., Marquet, R. & Grigis, M., 2003. Te Early
Pliocene Gastropoda (Mollusca) of Estepona,
Southern Spain, Part 1: Vetigastropoda. Paleontos,
3: 1-87.
Landau, B., Marquet, R. & Grigis, M., 2004a. Te
Early Pliocene Gastropoda (Mollusca) of Estepona,
Southern Spain, Part 2: Orthogastropoda,
Neotaenioglossa. Paleontos, 4: 1-108.
Landau, B. Beu, A. & Marquet, R. 2004b. Te Early
Pliocene Gastropoda (Mollusca) of Estepona,
Southern Spain, Part 5: Tonnoidea, Ficoidea,
Paleontos, 5: 35-102.
Landau, B., Silva, C. M. da, Mayoral, E. 2011. Te
Lower Pliocene Gastropods of the Huelva Sands
formation, Guadalquivir basin, southwestern
Spain, Paleofocus, 4, 1-90.
Monegatti, P. & Raf, S. 2001. Taxonomic
diversity and stratigraphic distribution of
Mediterranean Pliocene bivalves. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 165, 171-193.
Monegatti, P. & Raf, S. 2007. Mediterranean
- Middle Eastern Atlantic Faade: Molluscan
Biogeography and Ecobiostratigraphy throughout
the Late Neogene, Aoreana. Supl. 5, 126-139.
Raf, S., Monegatti, P. 1993. Bivalve taxonomic
diversity throughout the Italian Pliocene a s
a tool for climatic- oceanographic and
stratigraphic inferences. Procc. 1st
R.C.A.N.S. Congress, Lisboa, 1992. Cincias da
Terra (UNL). Lisboa, 12, 45-50.
Tekin, E., Varol, B., Szeri, K., slamolu, Y.,
Akay, N., Herece, E., 2011. skenderun
Hatay Neojen havzas Pliyosen yal serilerin
sedimantolojik incelemesi ve J e o d i n a m i k
geliimi, TBTAK AYDAG 108 Y181
(2008-2010), Ankara (unpublished).
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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LATE PALEOGENE THRACE BASIN AS A PALEO(BIO)
GEOGRAPHIC TURNOVER AREA: A SYNTHESYS
slamolu Y.
1
and Harzhauser M.
2
1
General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Mineral Research Department, 06520-Balgat- Ankara, Turkey,
yesimislamoglu@yahoo.com
2
Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria, mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
Keywords: Late Eocene, Early Oligocene, Western
Tethys, Eastern Paratethys, marine - brackish
depositional environments, mollusca
Te Trace Basin, located at a crucial geographic
position between the Tethys and Paratethys, is a
forearc (Grr & Okay 1996) or transtensional
(Siyako & Huvaz 2007) basin that had formed during
the Paleogene as consequence of convergent collisional
plate motions. Marine sedimentation deepening
eastwards is represented by diferent facies during
early Eocene to early Oligocene times, controlled
by subsidence, uplif tectonism and eustasy (Turgut
& Eseller 2000). Te late Eocene early Oligocene
depositional history and faunal composition of
the basin document a complex biogeographic and
paleogeographic development at the two diferent
marine realms interface (Western Tethys to Eastern
Paratethys: slamolu et al. 2010). Te Late Eocene
fauna is represented by tropical stenohaline molluscs
(Cepatia cepacaea, Campanile giganteum, Kuphus
melitensis, Pycnodonte brongniarti, Spondylus
cisalpinus, Chlamys (Aequipecten) thunensis),
echinoderms (Eupatagus rogeri), benthic foraminifers
(Pararotalia armata, Stomatorbina toddae, Queraltina
epistominoides, Eorupertia incrassata, Nummulites cf.
fabianii, Nummulites cf. incrassatus, Chapmanina
gassinensis) and corals (Antiguastraea michelotti,
Phyllocoenia peculaus) . Tese occur in the shallow
marine units (Koyunbaba and Sogucak formations),
indicating a clear Tethyan infuence (slamolu &
Taner 1995, slamolu et al. 2010). Te orogeny
of the Alpidic thrust belt and a glacio-eustatic
regression caused emerged areas in the northern
Tethys area during the latest Eocene (Rgl, 1998;
Popov et al. 2002, 2004). At that time, a change in
depositional environments from reefal carbonates
towards siliciclastic coastal systems occurred in
the Trace Basin. Up to the earliest Oligocene,
however, a Tethyan type faunal afliation is obvious
(Macrocallista exintermedia, Nummulites fchteli,
Nummulites vascus (Sirel & Gndz 1976, slamolu
et al. 2010).
Te Lower Rupelian transgressive succession,
resting unconformably on the Upper Eocene reefal
limestones, is known from the eastern Trace Basin
(Karaburun-Yeniky area/ stanbul) containing
Tethyan type benthic and planktic foraminifera (N.
vascus, N. fchteli, Globigerina ampliapertura) (Sakn
1994, Oktay et al. 1992). Continued tectonism and
eustasy caused the gradual retreat of the Tethys,
indicated by the evidence of fuvial sediments along
the northern margin (Dolhan village/ Krklareli:
slamolu et al. 2010) and delta plain and fuvial facies
along the eastern margin of the basin (Karaburun
Yeniky/ stanbul: Sakn 1994, Oktay et al. 1992).
Tis continental phase, followed by a renewed
transgression possibly from the north connected the
basin with the Eastern Paratethys as indicated by
the presence of a fully endemic Solenovian mollusc
fauna (Lenticorbula sokolovi slussarevi, Cerastoderma
chersonensis. Parvicardium popovi, Nucula comta,
Janshinella) (slamolu & Taner 1995; slamolu et
al. 2010) and Paratethyan type Oligocene ostracods
(Gken 1973). In general, brackish water conditions
and estuarine water circulation patterns are proposed
for the huge Solenovian basin (Popov et al. 1985,
2004; Meulenkamp et al. 2000). However, the basin
was seperated into two parts based on the diferent
depositional character (carbonate-rich facies such
as calcerous clays- marls: early Solenovian basin and
noncarbonate clays: late Solenovian basin) (Stolyarov
1999, Stolyarov & Ivleva 1999). Te data obtained
from the Trace Basin indicate that an active
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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carbonate factory became established, refected by
oolite shoals (Pnarhisar, Erenler village/ Krklareli)
which is comparable to the Early Solenovian basin.
However, this kind of carbonate oversaturated facies
is unknown among the Paratethyan basins, except for
the Sarmatian deposits (Piller & Harzhauser 2005).
Following the oolite formation, common manganese
ore mineralization occurred in the northern and
eastern part of the Trace Basin (ztrk & Frakes
1995, Gltekin 1998), which is also widespreaded in
the circum-Eastern Paratethyan region during the late
phase of Early Solenovian (Stolyarov 1999, Stolyarov
& Ivleva 1999, Popov et al. 2004). Te Late Solenovian
in the basin is represented by marine lagoons and
mangrove swamps accompanied by volcanism,
refecting the retreat of the Eastern Paratethys sea
(Kean- Malkara area, SW of the basin). Te faunal
assemblages include mangrove plants (Avicennia),
euryhaline brackish molluscs (Polymesoda
subarata, Melanopsis impressa, Mytilopsis aralensis,
Tympanotonos margaritaceus, Anomalinorbina),
Eastern Paratetyan type ostracods (Cytheromorpha
zinndorf, Hemicyprideis istanbulensis) and dinocysts
(Wetzeliella gochtii) (Bat et al. 1993, slamolu et al.
2010). During the Chattian, freshwater swamps with
fresh water molluscs (Tinnyea escheri, Unio, Lymnaea,
Planorbarius) replaced the marine coastal swamps
and the continentalisation of the Trace Basin was
completed. Despite the clear paleobiogeographic
afliation, the paleogeographic position of seaways
connecting the Eastern Paratethys and Trace Basin
remained enigmatic. Herein, a northwest connection
is proposed that might have existed via a narrow
intramountain corridor between the Rhodops and
the Balkanids (from the Krklareli to Edirne towards
the southern Bulgaria), based on the afnities of the
Eastern Paratethyan biota and the lithostratigraphic
units (Kojumdgieva & Dikova 1980; Kojumdgieva &
Sapundgieva 1981; slamolu et al. 2010).
References
Bat, Z., Erk, S., Aka, N.. 1993. Trakya havzas
Tersiyer birimlerinin palinomorf, foraminifer
ve nannoplankton biyostratigrafsi. Turkish
Petroleum Corporation, Report No: 1947
(unpublished).
Gken, N. 1973. Pnarhisar formasyonunun ya
ve ortamsal artlarnda grlen yanal deiimler
(kuzey-kuzeydou Trakya): Cumhuriyetin 50.
Yl Yerbilimleri Kongresi Teblileri, MTA Genel
Mdrl, Ankara, 128143.
Gltekin, A.H. 1998. Geochemistry and origin of
the Oligocene Binklc Manganese deposits;
Trace basin, Turkey. Turkish Journal of Earth
Sciences 7:1124
slamolu, Y. Harzhauser, M., Gross, M., Jimnoz-
Moreno, G., Coric, S., Kroh, A., Rgl, F., &
Made, J.V.D. 2010, From Tethys to Eastern
Paratethys: Oligocene depositional environments,
paleoecology and paleobiogeography of the Trace
Basin (NW Turkey), International Journal of
Earth Sciences (IJES), 99: 183-200.
slamolu, Y., Taner, G. 1995. Pnarhisar (Trakya) ve
cevresinin mollusk faunas ile Tersiyer stratigrafsi.
Bulletin of Mineral Research and Exploration
Institute, 117:149169
Kojumdgieva, E., Dikova, P. 1980. Paleogene
sediments of Borehole R-1, Svilengrad. Geologica
Balcanica 10:107110
Kojumdgieva, E., Sapundgieva, V. 1981.
Biostratigraphie de lOligocene du bassin de la
Haute dapres les mollusques. Geologica Balcanica
11:93114
Meulenkamp JE, Sissingh W, Londeix L, Chahuzac
B, Calvo JP, Daams R, Studencka B, Kovac M,
Nagymarosy A, Rusu A, Badescu D, Popov SV,
Scherba IG, Roger J, Platel JP, Hirsch F, Sadek A,
Abdel-Gawad GI, Yaich C, Ben smail-Lattrache
K & Bouaziz S. 2000. Late Rupelian (32 29
Ma). In: Dercourt J, Gaetani M, Vrielynck B,
Barrier E, Biju-Duval B, Brunet MF, Cadet JP,
Crasquin S, Sandulescu M (eds) Peri-Tethys Atlas,
Paleogeographic maps with explanatory notes, 171
178, Paris.
Oktay, F.Y.; Eren, R.H. ve Sakn, M., 1992,
KaraburunYeniky (istanbul) evresinde Dou
Trakya Oligosen Havzasnn Sedimenter Jeolojisi:
Trkiye 9. Petrol Kongresi, Abstracts, 92-101

Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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ztrk, H.& Frakes, L.A. 1995. Sedimentation and
diagenesis of an Oligocene manganese deposit in a
shallow subbasin of the Paratethys: Trace basin,
Turkey. Ore Geology Reviews 10: 117132.
Piller, W.E., Harzhauser, M. 2005. Te Myth of the
Brackish Sarmatian Sea. Terra Nova 17: 450455.
Popov, S.V., Iliana, L.B., Nikolayeva, I.A. 1985.
Molluscs and ostracodes of the Oligocene
Solenovisky Horizon in Eastern Paratethys.
Paleontological Journal 1:2841
Popov, S.V., Akhmetiev, M.A., Bugrova, E.M.,
Lopatin, A.V., Amitrov, O.V., Andreyeva-
Grigorovich, A.S., Zaporozhets, N.I., Zherikhin,
V.V., Krasheninnikov, V.A., Nikolaeva,
I.A., Sytcevskaya, E.K., Shcherba, I.G. 2002
Biogeography of the Northern Peri-Tethys from
the Late Eocene to the Early Miocene, Part 2. Early
Oligocene.Paleontological Journal 36: 185259
Popov, S.V., Rgl, F., Rozanov, A.Y., Steininger,
F.F., Scherba, I.G., Kovac, M. 2004. Lithological-
Paleogeographic maps of the Paratethys
(10 maps Late Eocene to Pliocene). Courier
Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg 250:146
Rgl, F., 1998. Paleogeographic considerations for
Mediterranean and Paratethys Seaways (Oligocene
Miocene). Annalen Naturhistorischen Museums
Wien 99:279310
Sakn M., 1994. Karaburun (Istanbul) denizel
Oligosenin stratgirafsi ve paleontolojisi. Bulletin
of Mineral Research and Exploration Institute,
116:914
Sirel, E., Gndz, H. 1976. Krklareli yresi (Kuzey
Trakya) denizel Oligoseninin stratigrafsi ve
Nummulites trleri. Trkiye Jeoloji Kurumu
Blteni 19:155158
Siyako, M. ve Huvaz, O. 2007. Eocene stratigraphic
evolution of the Trace Basin, Turkey. Sedimentary
Geology, 198, 75-91.
Steininger, F. 1999. Chronostratigraphy,
Geochronology and Biochronology of the
Miocene European Land Mammal Mega- Zones
(ELMMZ) and the Miocene Mammal-Zones
(MNZones). In: Rssner G, Heissig G (eds)
Te Miocene Land Mammals of Europe, 924,
Mnchen (F. Pfeil)
Stolyarov, A.S., 1999. Solenovian Rocks of the
Lower Oligocene in the Ciscaucasia, Volga-Don,
and Mangyshlak Regions (Central Part of the
Eastern Paratethys): Communication 2. Facial-
Paleogeographic Deposition Environments.
Lithology and Mineral Resourches 36:370380
Turgut, S. & Eseller, G. 2000. Sequence stratigraphy,
tectonics and depositional history in eastern
Trace Basin, NW Turkey. Marine and Petroleum
Geology, 17:61100.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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FAUNAL MIGRATION VERSUS SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION
IN THE DACIAN BASIN.
PASSAGEWAYS, ROUTING AND MECHANISMS
Jipa, D. C.
1
& Lubenescu, V.
2
1
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: jipa@geoecomar.ro
2
Str. Apusului No.67, 062282, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: lubevico@yahoo.com
Keywords: Pannonian Basin, Euxinian Basin,
migration routes, sediment transport.
Due to their setting between two water basins of
the Paratethys domain, the Dacian Basin faunal
assemblages were severely infuenced by the migration
processes. Te Dacian Basin was the meeting space
of the migration routes started from the west
(Pannonian Basin) and from the east (Euxinian
Basin). Te attempt to make evident these migration
routes reveals connecting passageways between the
Dacian Basin and the neighboring Paratethyan basins.
Te Euxinian Basin fauna migrated through the large
seaway named by Saulea et al. (1969) the Galai
channel. Abundant faunal elements of the Dacian
Basin show Euxinian afnities pointed out by Ebersin
et al. (1966) Andreescu (1971), Papaianopol (1995)
and other scientists.
Te Pannonian migrant fauna initially populated the
western part of the Dacian Basin (Marinescu, 1978;
1989). Muller & Magyar (1992, in Muller et al.,
1999) emphasized the invariable east to west trend of
the migration process. Tis fact supports the Leever
et al. (2010) idea that the Pannonian Basin area was
morphologically more elevated than the western
Dacian Basin.
Although the immigration of the Pannonian fauna
into the Dacian Basin area is a well established fact,
there is no plausible indication regarding a supply of
sediments through any of the passageways used by the
migrant fauna.
From the sediment accumulation viewpoint, during
its evolution the Dacian Basin behaved as a land-
locked sea ( Jipa and Olariu, 2009). A discrepancy
exists among the Dacian Basin sediment entrapping
behavior and the apparently unrestricted faunal
migration across the basin. Tis indicates the two
categories of processes were driven by diferent
mechanisms and were active in diferent basin
environments.
References
Andreescu, I., 1971. Faciostratotipul Malvensianului
din zona de curbur a Carpailor Orientali. D.,S.
Inst. Geo., LVIII/4:157-176.
Ebersin, A. G., Motas, I.C., Macarovici, N., and
Marinescu, F., 1966. Afniti panonice i euxinice
ale Neogenului superior din Bazinul Dacic. Studii
Cercetari Geol. Geof. Geogr., seria Geol., 11, 463-
481.
Jipa, D.C. and Olariu, C., 2009. Dacian Basin.
Depositional architecture and sedimentary history
of a Paratethys sea. Geo-Eco-Marina. Special
Publication no. 3. Geoecomar. Pp. 264.
Leever. K.A., Matenco, L., Garcia-Castellanos,
D., Cloetingh, S.A.P.L., 2010. Te evolution
of the Danube gateway between Central and
Eastern Paratethys (SE Europe): Insight from
numerical modelling of the causes and efects of
connectivity between basins and its expression
in the sedimentary record. Tectonophysics,
doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2010.01.003
Marinescu, F., 1978, Stratigrafa Neogenului superior
din sectorul vestic al bazinului Dacic. Ed. Acad.
RSR, 155 pp., Bucuresti
Marinescu, F.,1989. Elements de palogographie
de la Paratthys durant le Pontian. In Malez,
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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M.,Stevanovic, P. (eds.), Chronostratigraphie und
Neostratotypen. Pliozn Pl.1 Pontian. VIII: 94-
97. Zagreb-Beograd.
Mller, P., Geary, D.H, Magyar, I., 1999. Te
endemic molluscs of the Late Miocene Lake ,
Pannon: their origin, evolution, and family-level
taxonomy. Lethaia 32/1:47-60.
Papaianopol, I., 1995. La region de passage vers
le Bassin Euxinique (entre la Paratethys central
et la Paratethys orientale). In: Marinescu,F.
and Papaianopol, I. Chronostratigraphie und
Neostratotypen. Pl1 Dazien, Editura Academiei,
96-97.
Saulea, E., Popescu, I, Sandulescu, J., 1969, Atlas
litofacial. VI Neogen, 1:200.000 (in Romanian
and French). Insitutul Geologic. Bucharest.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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DACIAN BASIN SEDIMENTARY HISTORY.
STATE OF THE ART
Jipa, D. C.
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: jipa@geoecomar.ro
Keywords: source-areas, accumulation
areas,paleoenvironments.
Te Dacian Basin (Fig.1) appeared as a distinct
geomorphologic entity within the Paratethys domain,
during the Middle (upper part) and Late Sarmatian
(s. l) (Saulea et al. 1969). For most of its existence
(Maeotian-Early Dacian) it functioned as a semi-
enclosed basin. During and the Late Dacian time the
basin was flled out and became a fuvial accumulation
area.
Te Dacian Basin clastic material has the source area
in (1) Carpathians (Eastern and Southern), (2) Do-
brogea, and (3) Balkans (Fig. 1). Te constant basin-
wide southward and eastward thinning of the accu-
mulated sediments confrms the Carpathian origin of
the most part of the Dacian Basin sediments.
Te detrital Carpathian infow was stored within
two sediment accumulation areas of the Dacian
Basin, positioned according to the areal setting of
the Carpathian source-areas (Fig. 1). Te two basin
depocenters were located in the proximity of the two
Carpathian source-areas. Teir positions have been
also controlled by tectonic subsidence processes.
Romanian Carpathians and the Dacian Basin
developed as a well defned source-to-sink system.
While functioning as a brackish sea the Dacian
Basin behaved autonomously, as a landlocked
basin, withholding the incoming Carpathian clastic
material. Tis prevented sedimentary way-out fuxes
aimed at to the larger and deeper Black Sea, in spite
of the shallow marine connection between the two
basins. Afer the Late Dacian time (4 Ma), when the
Dacian Basin was flled and Danube River formed,
the Romanian Carpathians turned into a Black Sea
sediment source-area.
Te northern part of the Dacian Basin was
extensively flled with fuvial deposits. Shallow marine
environment characterized the central part of the
basin (Fig. 2). Te westernmost part of the Dacian
Basin was a deep marine depression, with at least
300 m depths. Te distribution of the major facies
is diferent for the Dacian basin transgressive or
regressive system.
S
O
U
T
H
C
A
R
P
AT
HIANS
E
A
S
T
C
A
R
P
A
T
H
I
A
N
S
D
O
B
R
O
G
E
A
B
A
L
K
A
N
S
600
400
1
0
0
300
200
8
0
0
Bucharest
Iasi
A
B
D
WESTERN
DEPOCENTER
EAS
TE
R
N
D
E
P
O
C
E
N
T
E
R
6
0
0
2
0
0
4
0
0
1
0
0
C
Fig. 1. Source-areas and sedimentation areas
(main depocenters) in the Dacian Basin.
Legend:
A- Eastern Carpathian source-area.
B-Southern Carpathians source-area.
C-Balkan source-area.
D- Dobrogea source area.
The figure shows the Dacian Basin during the
Maeotian (after Saulea et al. 1969) as an example.
Isopach lines in meters.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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During its seven million year sedimentary evolution,
the brackish marine Dacian Basin size stayed roughly
constant. Te most important variation of this kind
was a moderate, but long time southward areal
extension of the basin, which generated a large-scale
stratal onlap.
References:
Jipa, D. C., Olariu, C. 2009. Dacian Basin.
Depositional architecture and sedimentary history
of a Paratethys sea. Geo-Eco-Marina Special
Publication 3, 264 pp.
Jipa, D.C., Olariu, C., (2012). Sediment routing
in a semi-enclosed epicontinental sea: Dacian
Basin, Paratethys domain, LateNeogene,
Romania, Glob. Planet. Change, doi:10.1016/j.
gloplacha.2012.06.009
Magyar, I., Geary, D. H. , Mller, P., 1999.
Paleogeographic evolution of the Late Miocene
Lake Pannon in Central Europe. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 147, 151167.
Popov, S.V., Rgl, F., Rozanov, A.Y., Steininger,
Fritz F., Shcherba, I.G., Kovac, M. (eds) 2004.
Lithological-Paleogeographic maps of Paratethys.
Late Eocene to Pliocene. 46 pages, maps 1-10
(annex). Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg,
Band 250. Frankfurt am Main,
Saulea, E., Popescu,I., Sndulescu, J., 1969. Atlas
litofacial. VI Neogen, 1: 200.000. 11 maps, 2
plates (text in Romanian and in French). Institutul
Geologic. Bucureti.
D
A



E
a
s
t
e
r
n

C
a
r
p
a
t
h
i
a
n
s

s
o
u
r
c
e
-
a
r
e
a
Sout hern
Carpathians
source-area
Balkan source-area


D
o
b
r
o
g
e
a
s
o
u
r
c
e
-
a
r
e
a
N
W N
Fig. 2. Schematic representation of the Dacian Basin
paleoenvironments and physiography during the
Maeotian time (transgressive setting). Not to scale.
Modified, after Jipa and Olariu (2012)
Legend: A-Fluvial. B- Shoreline. C- Shallow marine
(C1-delta; C2-prodelta). D-Deep marine water (with
clinoforms).
A B
D
A
B
D
C
C
C C
1
2
1 2
W
C
B
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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MIDDLE AND UPPER MIOCENE PALEODANUBE DELTA
SYSTEM HISTORY
Kov ,M.
1
, Hudkov, N.
1
, Halsov, E.
1
, Kovov, M.
1
, Hlavat, J.
2
, Pereszlnyi, M.
3
,
Sopkov, B.
3
, Synak, R.
1
1
Department of Geology and Palaeontology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Mlynsk dolina G, 842 15
Bratislava, Slovakia, e-mail: kovacm@fns.uniba.sk
2
Oil and Gas company - Nafa a.s., 900 68 Plaveck tvrtok, Slovakia
3
Petroleum Consulting & Geosciences Ltd., Jana Stanislava 47, 84105 Bratislava, Slovakia
Keywords: Vienna & Danube basins, seismic lines &
attributes, well logs, sedimentology, micropalaeontology
Miocene sedimentary record of the Vienna and
Danube basins was a subject of intensive geological
research for more than a century due to oil, gas and
geothermal energy prospection. Te very well known
basin fll is mainly composed of shallow and deep
water marine, brackish and freshwater deposits, a
great amount of which represent deltaic sediments of
various age and facies. It is more or less certain that
the dominant role in the central part of both basins
(territory of Slovakia) played the delta of the paleo
Danube River. Apart from the paleo Danube delta
also other deltas of various size and character have
been entering the Pannonian Basin realm from the
North.
Te paleo Danube entered the Vienna Basin from West
(Zaya graben in Austria) during the Middle Badenian.
Te deltaic lobes prograded relatively fast across the
basin, reaching its eastern margin during the Upper
Badenian (about 70 km). Deltaic system persisted
till the Pannonian, ofen switching the active lobes in
various directions. Bypass of transported sediments
toward East (Danube Basin) can be considered frst
from the Sarmatian and in the Lower Pannonian.
Besides tectonics, delta building processes had been
afected by relative sea level and climatic changes.
Te retreat of the Lake Pannon coastal line in Upper
Miocene (successor of the Central Paratethys Sea in
this area) was followed by alluvial plain development.
Multidisciplinary research of deltaic body involved
all suitable methods of geophysics, geology and
palaeontology. Well cores, outcrops (sedimentology
and palaeontology), well logs and seismic lines
have been analysed. Besides standard 2D and 3D
seismic data interpretation, on selected surfaces
seismic attribute analysis has been used. Data set was
processed in programs Petrel, Geographic Discovery,
OpendTect.
Te deltaic sedimentary system in the Vienna Basin
deposited approximately from the Early Badenian
(16Ma) to the Early Pannonian (9Ma) and reaches
a thickness of more than 2 3 km (Kov et al.
2004). At the end of this period (about 12 10 Ma)
the distal parts of the delta lobes crossed eastern
boundary of the basin and entered the Danube Basin
western margin. During the latest Middle and early
Upper Miocene a confuence of the paleo Danube
River and rivers running from the uplifing Western
Carpathians has been documented. Te sediments
were transported into the Danube Basin from the
West and North. In the basin axial part the individual
transports of material joined and gradually reached
the southward direction, and the delta front (delta
paleoslope) shifed into the Pannonian Basin area
(Magyar et al. 1999). During Upper Pannonian (9 to
6 Ma) large alluvial plains developed at the northern
margins of the Vienna and Danube Basin. Te total
thickness of Upper Miocene sediments in the Danube
basin reaches more than 3 4 km (Kov et al. 2011).
Te type of deltaic deposits is changing in time and
space and depends on the position of sedimentary
environment. Sediments of subaerial upper and lower
delta plain (topset), subaqueous delta plain deposits:
delta front (foreset) and prodelta sediments were
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documented. Analysis of sedimentary facies and
paleoenvironments of the deltaic system helped us to
recognize the existence of a bird foot to lobate delta
with many distributaries in the Vienna Basin. In the
delta plain have been distinguished the environments
of lagoon and marsh, tidal fats, coastal plains, lobes
with active and abandoned channels. Te subaqueous
part of the delta contains slope deposits with foreset
macro-forms and prodelta deposits with various
amount of bioturbation, depending on either
proximal or distal position toward the source area.
Benthic foraminifera assemblages (Vienna Basin
sedimentary record, case study area) represent
distinctive biofacies that have shown to vary in species
composition and population count as a function of
sedimentation rate, salinity, water depth, mechanical
energy and food supply. Foraminifera biofacies
have been documented for a wide array of marine
environments such as intertidal marsh and mudfat
(Miliammina, Ammonia tepida); interdistributary
bay and estuary (Ammonia vienensis, Elphidium,
Haynesina); salt wedge of active distributary channels,
delta-front sands and barrier islands; prodelta;
turbulent inner shelf (Cibicides, Asterigerinata),
middle shelf and outer shelf (Bulimina, Bolivina).
Information about climate and relief development in
the terrestrial areas of the delta hinterland (e.g. river
catchment) is well documented by the results of the
palynological analyses (Kovov et al. 2011).
Results achieved by the research of the huge body of
deltaic sediments in the Vienna and Danube basins
and their comparison with recent development of
deltas (e.g. Danube delta) have drawn our attention
to more precise study of the constructive and
destructive phases in delta building processes lasting
several million years. Terefore, in the future, we
should pay attention to study the relative sea level
changes depending on basin connections with the
open sea; infuence of orbital forcing on the process of
deposition and facial changes (precession, obliquity
and eccentricity), climatic variations control, as
well as the impact of local tectonic pulses in various
geological scales.
Acknowledgements: Te authors wish to express their
gratitude to the Oil and Gas Company Nafa a. s. for
providing core samples for sedimentary research and
micropaleontology as well as geophysical data. Te
work was fnancially supported by the Slovak Research
and Development Agency under the contracts No.:
APVV 0099-11, APVV-LPP-0120-60, APVV 0280-
07, APVV 0158-06 & ESF-EC-0006-07.
References
Kov M., Synak R., Fordinl K., Joniak P., Toth Cs.,
Vojtko R., Nagy A., Barth I., Maglay J. & Minr
J. 2011: Late Miocene and Pliocene history of
the Danube Basin: inferred from development of
depositional systems and timing of sedimentary
facies changes. Geol. Carpathica 62, 6, 519-534.
Kov, M., Barth, I., Harzhauser,M., Hlavat, I.
& Hudkov, N. 2004: Miocene depositional
systems and sequence stratigraphy of the Vienna
Basin. Cour. Forsch. Inst. Senkenberg, Frankfurt
am Main, 246, 187-212.
Kovov, M., Dolkov, N. & Kov, M. 2011:
Miocene vegetation pattern and climatic change
in the northwestern Central Paratethys domain
(Czech and Slovak Republic). Geol. Carpathica,
62,3, 251-266.
Magyar I., Geary D.H. & Mller P. 1999:
Paleogeographic evolution of the Late Miocene
Lake Pannon in Central Europe. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 147, 151-167.
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SEISMIC ATLAS OF THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS
MARKERS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEAS
VOLUME 2
Lof, J.
Gosciences Montpellier, University of Montpellier 2, Place Eugne Bataillon, France,
e-mail: johanna.lof@gm.univ-montp2.f
Keywords: book, illustration, evaporites, map
Te Messinian Salinity Crisis is a huge outstanding
succession of events that deeply modifed the
Mediterranean area within a short time span at
the geological scale. In 2011, a seismic atlas of the
Messinian markers in the Mediterranean and Black
seas has been published (Lof et al., 2011) (see also:
http://ccgm.free.fr & http://sgfr.free.fr). Tis
collective work summarizes, in one publication with
a common format, the most relevant seismic features
related to this exceptional event in the ofshore
domain. Troughout 13 study areas (see black boxes
below), the seismic facies, geometry and extend of the
Messinian markers (surfaces and depositional units)
are described. Interpreted seismic data were carefully
selected according to their quality, position and
signifcance. Raw and interpreted seismic profles are
available on CD-Rom.
Volume 2 is under preparation with the objectives
to : (1) image the Messinian seismic marker from
margins and basins that have not been illustrated in
the previous volume (see red boxes above) and (2)
complete the extension map of the MSC marker in
the ofshore domain, and also possibly onshore.
Anybody willing to contribute to this project is
welcome. At the present time, 4 new sites have been
identifed and 8 are under consideration.
Tis contribution to the RCMNS meeting is
supported by the Actions Marges French program.
References
Lof, J., Dverchre, J., Gaullier, V., Gillet, H., Gorini,
C., Guennoc, P., Loncke, L., Maillard, A., Sage, F.,
Tinon, I, 2011. Atlas of the Messinian Salinity
Crisis seismic markers in the Mediterranean and
Black seas. CCGM / Mmoires de la SGF, n.s., 179,
pp. 72
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CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSIL BIOEVENTS HERALDING
THE ONSET OF THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS IN THE
TERTIARY PIEDMONT BASIN: A CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC
TOOL AT THE BASIN SCALE?
Lozar F.
1
, Bernardi E.
1
, Dela Pierre F.
1
, Gennari R.
2
, Natalicchio M.
1
, Violanti D.
1
, Clari P.
1
1
Universit di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino Italy,
e-mail: fancesca.lozar@unito.it
2
Universit di

Parma, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Parco Area delle Scienze 157A 43100 Parma - Italy
Keywords: phytoplankton, environmental change,
Late Miocene, Mediterranean basin.
Introduction
Te onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC)
has been dated at 5.96 Ma (Krijgsmann et al., 1999)
and thought to be synchronous at the Mediterranean
scale. Recently, a diachronous onset of gypsum
deposition has been demonstrated from marginal
to distal environment (Manzi et al., 2007; Roveri et
al., 2008; Dela Pierre et al., 2011). In the Tertiary
Piedmont Basin (TPB) the record of the onset of
the MSC is preserved in distal, intermediate, and
marginal settings. Messinian sediments record the pre-
evaporitic phase (SantAgata Fossili Marls, SAF) and
are followed by primary evaporites (Primary Lower
Gypsum = PLG; Roveri et al., 2008, Dela Pierre et al.,
2011) deposited during the frst MSC stage. Orbital
(precessional) forcing, resulting in a strong climatic
alternation, controlled lower Messinian sedimentation
and produced a very distinctive cyclic depositional
pattern, evidenced by laminated shale/marl couplets,
and by the cyclic abundance of Foraminifers and
Calcareous Nannofossils (CN; Lozar et al., 2010).
In general, the climate-driven control on Messinian
assemblage composition is superimposed by regional
tectonic control that led to the step-wise closure of
the Atlantic/Mediterranean connection, strongly
infuencing the paleoceanography of the basin and its
benthic and planktonic populations (Kouwenhoven
et al., 2006, Lozar et al., 2010). In this work we
analyse the Calcareous Nannofossils responses to this
palaeoceanographic event in the TPB. We focus on the
time frame of diferent bioevents, in order to provide
their (absolute) age constrain and to investigate their
basin-scale reliability. Tis will allow placing the onset
of the MSC in distal, intermediate, and marginal
settings independently from gypsum deposition.
Methods
Several stratigraphic sections have been studied
in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (TPB), both in
the southern and northern margin. Quantitative
micropaleontological analyses were performed on
closely spaced samples from marginal (Banengo,
northern margin) and intermediate (Pollenzo,
southern margin) settings, allowing the identifcation
of bioevents marking the progressive increase of the
environmental stress before the onset of the MSC and
the fnal disruption of normal marine environment.
Lithostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic
constraints allow the precise dating of the precessional
cycles recognized in the sections, thus allowing the
cyclostratigraphic dating of the recognized bioevents.
Results
CN assemblages record high abundances of placoliths
thriving in the upper photic zone (Reticulofenestra
spp., Umbilicosphaera spp., C. pelagicus) in the marl
semicouplet and lower photic zone taxa (Discoaster
spp.) in the laminated shale. Tis pattern is very
strongly expressed in distal to intermediate settings,
but it is slightly obliterated by coastal infuences in
marginal sections, such as Banengo, where coastal
taxa (U. rotula, B. bigelowi) are common. Few events
are ubiquitous in the TPB and occur at the same
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stratigraphic position in both distal and marginal
settings. Tese are (from older to younger):
1- the peak abundance of P.japonica and R. procera
(frst peak);
2- the peak abundance of S. abies and the acme begin
of deformed (early growth) C. pelagicus;
3- the peak abundance of H. carteri, U. rotula, and R.
procera (second peak).
According to magnetostratigraphic dating of the
Pollenzo section (Chron C3Ar, Lozar et al. in prep.)
and lithofacies correlation of the 6
th
evaporitic cycle,
synchronous at the basin scale (Lugli et al., 2010, Dela
Pierre et al 2011), the S. abies abundance peak occurs
in the laminated shale of the frst MSC precessional
cycle, marking the fnal disruption of normal marine
conditions at about 5.96 Ma. In several sections,
where gypsum deposition is delayed with respect
to the onset of the MSC, younger paleoecological
signals record stressed ecological conditions in the
upper water column (event 3), whereas in marginal
sections calcareous plankton disappears above this
level. In particular, the S. abies peak has been found
in several sections in the Appenines (Fanantello core,
Manzi et al., 2007), in Algeria (Djebel Ben Dourda
section, Mansouri et al., 2008) and in the Eastern
Mediterranean basin (Pissouri section, Kouwehoven
et al., 2006), but its chronostratigraphic value
has been underestimated. We propose to use this
event that records indeed a basinwide ecological
signal as a reliable biomarker of the onset of MSC.
Te basin-wide disruption of the water column is
further supported by the composition of younger
assemblages (event 3), recording anomalous
stressed conditions and completely overwhelming
the primary paleoclimatic signal, very strong in the
underlying cycles.
Conclusions
Te occurrence of a sharp high abundance peak of the
CN S. abies in the studied sections, both in marginal
and intermediate settings, and its cyclostratigraphic
constrain, confrm the importance of this event as the
best paleobiological proxy of the onset of the MSC
in the TPB. Since this event has been recognized in
several reference sections across the Mediterranean
basin, it could be considered as a basin-wide event
independently from the paleogeographic position
of the depositional site. In the near future it will be
important to test if this event is also recognizable in
the Western Mediterranean, since so far it was not
reported in that area.
References
Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E., Cavagna, S., Clari, P,
Gennari, R., Irace, A., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Manzi,
V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M., Violanti, D.,
2011. Te record of the Messinian salinity crisis
in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy):
Te Alba section revisited. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 310, 238-255.
Kouwenhoven, T.J., Morigi, C., Negri, A.,
Giunta, S., Krijgsman, W., Rouchy, J.-M., 2006.
Paleoenvironmental evolution of the eastern
Mediterranean during the Messinian: Constraints
from integrated microfossil data of the Pissouri
Basin (Cyprus). Marine Micropaleontology 60,
1744.
Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F.J., Raf, I., Sierro, F.J.,
1999. Chronology, causes and progression of the
Messinian salinity crisis. Nature 400, 652656.
Lozar, F., Violanti, D., Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E.,
Cavagna, S., Clari P., Irace, A., Martinetto, E.,
Trenkwalder, S., 2010. Calcareous nannofossils
and foraminifers herald the Messinian salinity
crisis: the Pollenzo section (Alba, Cuneo; NW
Italy). Geobios 43, 21-32.
Lugli et al., 2010, Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri,
M., Schreiber, B.C., 2010. Te Primary Lower
Gypsum in the Mediterranean: a new facies
interpretation for the frst stage of the Messinian
salinity crisis. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology 297, 83-99.
Mansouri, M., Bessedik, M., Aubry, M.P., Belkebir,
L., Mansour, B., Beaufort, L., 2008. Contributions
biostratigraphiques et paloenvironnementales
de ltude des nannofossiles calcaires des dpts
tortono-messiniens du bassin du Chlif (Algrie).
Geodiversitas 30, 5977
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Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Gennari, R., Bertini, A., Bif,
U., Giunta, S., Iaccarino, S.M., Lanci, L., Lugli, S.,
Negri, A., Riva, A., Rossi, M.E., Taviani, M., 2007.
Te deep-water counterpart of the Messinian
lower evaporites in the Apennine foredeep: Te
Fanantello section (Northern Apennines, Italy).
Paleogeography Paleoclimatology Paleoecology 251,
470499.
Roveri, M., Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Schreiber, B.C., 2008.
Te Messinian Sicilian stratigraphy revisited: new
insights for the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Terra
Nova 20, 483-488.
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THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS: A FACIES PERSPECTIVE
Lugli S.
1
, Gennari R.
2,3
, Manzi V.
2,3
Roveri M.
2,3
& Schreiber C.
4
1
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Largo S. Eufemia 19, 41100 Modena,
Italy. e-mail: stefano-lugli@unimore.it
2
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi di Parma, V.le G.P. Usberti 157/A, 43100 Parma, Italy. e-mail:
rocco.gennari@gmail.com, vinicio.manzi@unipr.it, marco.roveri@unipr.it
3
Alpine Laboratory of Paleomagnetism (ALP), Via Madonna dei Boschi 76, 12016 Peveragno (CN), Italy.
4
Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, PO Box 351310, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. e-mail:
geologo1@u.washington.edu
Keywords: evaporite facies, Mediterranean, gypsum,
halite
Te Messinian salinity crisis is one of the most complex
geological events that happened on our planet. Te
degree of complexity of this biologically-catastrophic
event is well represented by the many diferent
alternative hypotheses that have been proposed by
scientists to unravel its origin and evolution. Te
consequence has been a scientifc controversy that
lasted since the discovery of the evaporite sequences
buried below the Mediterranean foor (Hsu et al.,
1973; Rouchy & Caruso, 2006).
One of the potentially most comprehensive approach
to the understanding of the crisis is to unravel the
intricate evaporite facies array that was deposited in
the diferent Mediterranean areas.
Although we are aware that no modern analogues
are available to permit comparison of shallow versus
deep depositional settings, the Messinian facies
architecture is at a frst glance surprisingly similar to
what one would expect just by simple evaporation of
seawater. Evaporite deposits range from carbonate (the
frst to precipitate from seawater) to gypsum, halite,
kainite and fnally bishofte (the last to precipitate), a
rather rare very soluble salt that has an extremely low
potential of preservation in the rock record.
Yet a simple facies comparison with modern evaporites
forming in the Mediterranean, both natural (sabkhas
and associated Salinas in North Africa) and artifcial
(commercial solar works), reveals many profound
diferences, suggesting that other mechanisms may
have infuenced precipitation to some degree in the
past. One of these processes is probably the vast
input of freshwater into the basin during gypsum
deposition, as revealed by the Sr isotope geochemistry
(Flecker & Ellam 2006; Lugli et al., 2010) and fuid
inclusion data (Natalicchio et al., this volume).
Another important factor may be the organic matter
associated to the minerals, as prokaryotes are included
in most of the evaporite products, especially gypsum
(Panieri et al., 2010).
Even more diferent and unexpected is the facies
association and architecture of these deposits that
are arranged in a fashion that exclude the reasonable,
but simplistic, view that diferent evaporite mineral
facies should tend to form lateral equivalent deposits,
one adjacent to the other, as in a modern solar work.
Tis because the deposition of gypsum is strongly
infuenced by anoxia and, in turn, by brine depth (De
Lange & Krijgsman, 2010; Lugli et al., 2010) and was
probably limited to relatively shallow settings (less
than 200 m). Te lateral equivalent of gypsum in
deep settings is not necessarily halite but, as indicated
by cyclostratigraphy, shale and carbonates in the
frst salinity crisis phase (Manzi et al. 2007; 2011).
To complete the crisis interpretation complexity,
the biological remains also are in some instances
contradictory, as both marine and brackish fossils are
documented in the same sequences.
Te architectural facies approach is based on a few
concepts that were applied to the Messinian crisis for
the frst time:
a) the concept of evaporite event (Hardie, 1984),
indicating that dm-scale layers of halite and m-scale
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gypsum layers represent a complete evaporite cycle
that may be independent from the previous and the
following layer;
b) the cyclicity of the evaporite bodies that range
from precession (21 ka; Krijgsman et al., 1999) to
very high frequency (annual to pluriannual);
c) the widespread and thick clastic evaporite facies,
which are not very common in the rock record
elsewhere, but are pivotal to understand the salinity
evolution;
d) the possibility that some of the evaporite deposits
formed by brine mixing (Raup, 1970) and not only
by simple evaporation.
According to the above criteria and waiting for the
possibility to fnally drill through the entire sequence
in the deep Mediterranean settings, the most reliable
stratigraphic frameworks for the salinity crisis is a
three-steps model proposed by CIESM (2008) and
recently refned by Roveri et al. (2008); Manzi et al.
(2011):
1) Te frst stage (5.96-5.6 Ma) is dominated by
the deposition of massive bottom-grown selenite
(Primary Lower Gypsum; Roveri et al., 2008) in
semi-isolated sub-basins, whereas only organic-rich
shale and dolomitic limestone accumulated in deeper
and/or more open settings (Manzi et al., 2007).
2) the second stage is the salinity crisis acme (5.6-5.55
Ma) with the deposition of carbonates (Manzi et al.,
2011) and NaCl-K salts during a phase of erosion
and tectonic activity producing clastic deposits
(Resedimented Lower Gypsum; Roveri et al., 2008)
from erosion and resedimentation of previous stage
deposits; huge primary halite bodies were mainly
deposited in the deeper settings.
3) Te third stage (5.55-5.33 Ma) is mainly
characterized by CaSO
4
evaporites (Upper Gypsum)
in both shallow and deep settings alternating with
hypohaline sediments (Lago Mare; Manzi et al.,
2009).
References
CIESM, 2008. , Te Messinian Salinity Crisis mega-
deposits to microbiology - A consensus report:
CIESM Workshop Monographs 33, 7382,
Monaco.
De Lange, G.J. and Krijgsman, W., 2010. Messinian
Salinity Crisis: a novel unifying shallow gypsum/
deep dolomite formation mechanism. Marine
Geology, 275, 273277.
Flecker, R. and Ellam, R.M., 2006. Identifying Late
Miocene episodes of connection and isolation in
the Mediterranean-Paratethyan realm using Sr
isotopes. Sed. Geol., 188189, 189203.
Hardie L.A., 1984. Evaporites: marine or non
marine? Am. J. Sci., 284, 193-240.
Hs, K.J., Ryan, W.B.F. & Cita, M.B., 1973. Late
Miocene desiccation of the Mediterranean.
Nature, 242, 240-244.
Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F.J., Raf , I., Sierro, F.J., &
Wilson, D.S., 1999. Chronology, causes, and
progression of the Messinian salinity crisis. Nature,
400, 652655.
Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., And Schreiber,
B.C., 2010. , Te Primary Lower Gypsum in the
Mediterranean: A new facies interpretation for the
f rst stage of the Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeo3,
297, 8399.
Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Gennari, R., Bertini, A., Bif,
U., Giunta, S., Iaccarino, S.M., Lanci, L., Lugli, S.,
Negri, A., Riva, A., Rossi, M.E., & Taviani, M.,
2007. Te deep-water counterpart of the Messinian
Lower Evaporites in the Apennine foredeep: Te
Fanantello section (northern Apennines, Italy).
Palaeo3, 251, 470499.
Manzi V., Lugli S., Roveri M. & Schreiber B.C., 2009.
A new facies model for the Upper Gypsum (Sicily,
Italy): chronological and palaeoenvironmental
constraints for the Messinian salinity crisis in the
Mediterranean. Sedimentology, 56, 19371960.
Manzi V., Lugli S., Roveri M., Schreiber B.C. &
Gennari R., 2011. Te Messinian Calcare di
Base (Sicily, Italy) revisited. Geological Society of
America Bulletin, 123; 347-370
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Natalicchio, M., Dela Pierre, F., Lugli, S., & Ferrando,
S.A, this volume. Fluid inclusion study of the
primary lower gypsum of the Piedmont basin
(Italy): precipitation from evaporated seawater?
Panieri G., Lugli S., Manzi V., Roveri M., Schreiber
C. B. & Palinska K. A. 2010. Ribosomal RNA
gene fragments from fossilized cyanobacteria
identifed in primary gypsum from the late
Miocene, Italy. Geobiology, 8, 101-111.Raup,
O. B., 1970. Brine Mixing: an Additional
Mechanism for Formation of Basin Evaporites.
AAPG Bulletin, 54, 22462259.
Rouchy, J.M. and Caruso, A., 2006. Te Messinian
salinity crisis in the Mediterranean basin: a
reassessment of the data and an integrated scenario.
Sed. Geol., 188189, 3567.
Roveri, M., Lugli, S., Manzi, V., & Schreiber,
B.C., 2008. Te Messinian Sicilian stratigraphy
revisited: toward a new scenario for the Messinian
salinity crisis. Terra Nova, 20, 483488.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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DINARIDE LAKE SYSTEM - MIOCENE DIVERSITY HOTSPOT
REVISITED
Mandic, O.
1
, De Leeuw, A.
2
, Neubauer, T.A.
1
, Harzhauser, M.
1
& Krijgsman, W.
3
1
Department of Geology & Palaeontology, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria,
e-mail: oleg.mandic@nhm-wien.ac.at, thomas.neubauer@nhm-wien.ac.at, mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.ac.at
2
CASP, West Building, 181A Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DH, United Kingdom,
e-mail: arjan.deleeuw@casp.cam.ac.uk
3
Paleomagnetic LaboratoryFort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands,
e-mail: w.krijgsman@uu.nl
Keywords: ancient palaeo-lakes, freshwater
carbonate and coal basins, integrative stratigraphy
and palaeo-environmental analysis, mollusc
evolution, palaeobiogeography, Middle Miocene
Climate Optimum, Southeastern Europe
Te Dinaride Lake System (DLS) was a huge system
of long-lived freshwater basins stretching along
the Dinaride-Anatolian Island that separated the
Paratethys from the proto-Mediterranean Sea. With
more than 200 recorded aquatic mollusc species it
represented the most prominent evolutionary hotspot
in Europe during the Early and Middle Miocene. Te
obscure stratigraphic settings, however, hindered to
date the time-related analysis of environmental and
evolutionary patterns in the lakes and understanding
of their relation to other synchronous terrestrial and
marine environments. Terefore, the main goal of
the present investigation is providing an integrative
stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental model for
the DLS and based on that, information to interpret
the origin and evolution of its unique fossil mollusc
record (Harzhauser & Mandic, 2008).
Extensive feld work comprising 14 basins (De Leeuw
et al., 2012) allowed establishment of a regional
stratigraphic model based on magnetostratigraphy,
Ar/Ar isotope geochronology and biostratigraphy.
Additionally, fne-scale stratigraphic investigations
have been carried out by means of gamma-ray and
magnetic susceptibility measurements. Tese allowed
the correlation of sedimentary packages to orbital
cycles at minimum scale of 100-kyr-eccentricity. Te
resulting age model defned the DLS initiation at
about 18 Ma and its end at about 14 Ma, with optimum
development between 17 Ma and 15 Ma, correlating
apparently well with the two-folded pattern of the
Miocene Climatic Optimum. Te younger part,
characterized by a taxonomically rich mollusc record,
coincided exactly with the Middle Miocene warming
interval. Very detailed environmental analyses
including studies on carbonate microfacies and coal
petrology showed that the DLS was composed of
alkaline, hard water lakes (e.g. Mandic et al., 2009).
Stable isotope studies of mollusc shells demonstrated
furthermore the pure freshwater composition of
the lakes (Harzhauser et al., 2012). Finally, detailed
palynological studies pointed out the interchange
of warm-dry and cold-wet periods during generally
warm, subtropical climate conditions (Jimnez-
Moreno et al., 2008, 2009).
Te taxonomic analyses proved the DLS mollusc fauna
as 98% endemic. Two successive evolutionary faunas
have been detected, whereas the changeover between
both coincides with the Early-Middle Miocene
transition (De Leeuw et al., 2010, 2011). Te older
fauna comprised - enigmatic clivunellid gastropods
and a primitive dreissenid bivalve assemblage with
Mytilopsis kucici. Subsequent to their extinction,
peculiarly fattened, orbicular, and prominently large-
sized species evolved within the Mytilopsis drvarensis
clade. Within the younger phase, eye-catching events
of morphological evolution were recorded for species
lineages of the gastropods Melanopsis and Prososthenia,
lasting over more than 200 kyr (Neubauer et al.,
2011). Correlating with palaeoenvironmental
perturbations these were followed by extinction
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events reducing the species-rich faunal content to
few pioneer species. Tis pattern clearly shows the
accumulation mechanism behind the high species
richness recorded in DLS. Similarly to Lake Pannon,
the longevity of the single lakes was the crucial
mechanism that facilitated accumulation of species,
produced by iterative radiation and extinction events.
Te palaeogeographic distribution of widespread taxa
implies that faunal exchange was strongly controlled
by geographic distance (Neubauer et al., 2012). Te
fact that closer basins share larger percentages of
the faunal content confrms that the DLS primarily
consisted of largely isolated lacustrine environments
getting only occasionally and locally into contact.
Such events occurred preferably during humid climate
periods when the regional lake levels increased,
allowing easier faunal exchange (Mandic et al., 2011).
Te hypothesis that the DLS shrank in its younger
phase through southward marine transgression of the
Central Paratethys onto the Dinaride Island has been
largely disproved (Mandic et al., 2012). According to
present data, including both marine biostratigraphy
and Ar/Ar dating of lake deposits, there were still at
an age of 15 Ma coexisting lakes from the Adriatic
Sea up to the Pannonian basin. Still, most of the lakes
disappeared already before the marine fooding at
14.8 Ma. Te latter coincides with the start of tectonic
activity in the area largely disrupting lake deposition.
Finally, although the DLS was not coeval with Lake
Pannon, Late Miocene lacustrine sedimentation
follows on DLS deposits in several basins such as
Livno and Tomislavgrad, representing a possible
niche for shared endemic genera (e.g. Orygoceras).
References
De Leeuw, A., Mandic, O., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper,
K., Hrvatovi, H., 2012. Paleomagnetic and
geochronologic constraints on the geodynamic
evolution of the Central Dinarides. Tectonophysics
530-531, 286-298.
De Leeuw, A., Mandic, O., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper,
K., Hrvatovi, H., 2011. A chronostratigraphy for
the Dinaride Lake System deposits of the Livno-
Tomislavgrad Basin: the rise and fall of a long-
lived lacustrine environment in an intra-montane
setting. Stratigraphy 8/1, 29-43.
De Leeuw, A., Mandic, O., Vranjkovi, A., Paveli,
D., Harzhauser, M., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper, K.F.,
2010. Chronology and integrated stratigraphy of
the Miocene Sinj Basin (Dinaride Lake System,
Croatia). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology 292, 155-167.
Harzhauser, M., Mandic, O., 2008. Neogene lake
systems of Central and South-Eastern Europe:
Faunal diversity, gradients and interrelations.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
260/3-4, 417-434.
Harzhauser, M., Mandic, O., Latal, C., Kern, A.
2011 Stable isotope composition of the Miocene
Dinaride Lake System deduced from its endemic
mollusc fauna. Hydrobiologia 682/1: 27-46.
Jimenez-Moreno, G., de Leeuw, A., Mandic, O.,
Harzhauser, M., Pavelic, D., Krijgsman, W.,
Vranjkovic, A. 2009. Integrated stratigraphy
of the early Miocene lacustrine deposits of Pag
Island (SW Croatia): palaeovegetation and
environmental changes in the Dinaride Lake
System. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology 280/1-2, 193-206.
Jimnez-Moreno, G., Mandic, O., Harzhauser, M.,
Paveli, D., Vranjkovi, A. 2008. Vegetation and
climate dynamics during the early Middle Miocene
from Lake Sinj (Dinaride Lake System, SE Croatia
). Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 152,
270-278.
Mandic, O. Pavelic, D., Harzhauser, M., Zupanic,
J., Reischenbacher, D., Sachsenhofer, R.F., Tadej,
N., Vranjkovic, A. 2009. Depositional history of
the Miocene Lake Sinj (Dinaride Lake System,
Croatia): a long-lived hard-water lake in a pull-
apart tectonic setting. Journal of Paleolimnology
41, 431-452.
Mandic, O., de Leeuw, A., Vukovic, B., Krijgsman,
W., Harzhauser, M., Kuiper, K.F., 2011.
Palaeoenvironmental evolution of Lake Gacko (NE
Bosnia and Herzegovina): impact of the Middlle
Miocene Climatic Optimum on the Dinaride
Lake System. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoecology, 299/3-4, 475-492.
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Mandic, O., De Leeuw, A., Buli, J., Kuiper,
K., Krijgsman, W., Jurii-Polak, Z., 2012.
Paleogeographic evolution of the Southern
Pannonian Basin: 40Ar/39Ar age constraints
on the Miocene continental series of northern
Croatia. International Journal of Earth Sciences
101, 1033-1046.
Neubauer, T.A., Mandic, O., Harzhauser, M., 2011.
Middle Miocene Freshwater Mollusks from
Lake Sinj (Dinaride Lake System, SE Croatia;
Langhian). Archiv fr Molluskenkunde 140/2,
201-237.
Neubauer, T.A., Mandic, O., Harzhauser, M.,
Hrvatovic, H., 2012 (in press). A new Miocene
lacustrine mollusc fauna of the Dinaride
Lake System and its palaeobiogeographic,
palaeoecologic, and taxonomic implications.
Palaeontology.
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AGE REFINEMENT OF THE ONSET OF THE MESSINIAN
SALINITY CRISIS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Manzi V.
1,2
, Gennari R.
1,2
, Lugli S.
3
, Roveri M.
1,2
, Hilgen F.J.
4
, Krijgsman W.
5
, Sierro F.J.
6
1
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 157/A, 43100 Parma, Italy
2
Alpine Laboratory of Paleomagnetism (ALP), Via Madonna dei Boschi 76, 12016 Peveragno (CN), Italy.
3
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Piazza S. Eufemia 19, 41100
Modena, Italy
4
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands
5
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
6
Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
e-mail: vinicio.manzi@unipr.it
Keywords: Messinian salinity crisis, stratigraphy,
cyclostratigraphy, eveporites
Te onset of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC)
has been dated at 5.960.02 Ma by Krijgsman et al.,
1999a, based on a high-resolution cyclostratigraphic
framework reconstructed for the pre-MSC
Mediterranean successions, which deposition
has proved to be controlled by astronomical
forcing (Krijgsman et al., 2004). Tis stratigraphic
framework could be only tentatively extended into
the MSC interval due to the absence of clear bio-
magnetostratigraphic events (Krijgsman et al., 2001).
Recently, detailed sedimentologic and stratigraphic
studies on the Messinian evaporites as well as on
continuous open-marine sections in the Atlantic
margin of Morocco led to the reconstruction of a
robust high-resolution stratigraphic framework for
the evaporite-bearing MSC successions (Hilgen et al.,
2007; Manzi et al., 2009; Lugli et al., 2010).
Te new chronostratigraphic framework for the MSC
(CIESM, 2008; Roveri et al., 2008; Manzi et al., 2009;
2011) comprises three stages.
Stage 1: thick primary shallow-water evaporites
(Primary Lower Gypsum, PLG) accumulated in
semi-closed marginal basins; in the deep settings only
euxinic shale/dolostone were deposited (Manzi et
al., 2007; 2011; deLange and Krijgsman, 2010; Dela
Pierre et al., 2011).
Stage 2: an acceleration of tectonic activity,
likely coupled with a cooler climate (TG12 and
TG14), caused the large-scale erosion and en-mass
resedimentation in the deeper portions of the basins of
PLG; this unit (RLG, Resedimented Lower Gypsum)
includes huge volumes of primary halite recording the
acme of the MSC.
Stage 3: the Mediterranean was characterized by a
diluted superfcial water mass hosting hypohaline
Paratethyan faunal assemblages and by the local and
periodic precipitation of sulphatic evaporites (UG,
Upper Gypsum) suggesting of connections with the
global ocean (Manzi et al., 2009).
Following the recent sedimentologic and stratigraphic
revisitation of the PLG evaporites (Lugli et al., 2010),
we propose a revised age calibration of the onset of the
Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) in the Mediterranean
based on detailed re-analyses of the transitional
interval to the Primary Lower Gypsum (PLG) in
two classical sections: Perales (Sorbas basin, Spain;
Sierro et al., 2001) and Monticino (Vena del Gesso
basin, Italy; Vai, 1988).
Here we show that the frst PLG evaporitic cycle is
actually located three precessional cycles above the
C3r/C3An magnetic reversal (base of the Gilbert
Chron), correlating to the summer insolation peak at
5.971 Ma.
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Fig. 1. Te Messinian salinity crisis stratigraphic framework
(modifed afer CIESM, 2008; Roveri et al., 2008; Manzi
et al., 2011).
References
CIESM - Commission Internationale pour
lExploration Scientifque de la mer Mditerrane,
2008, Te Messinian Salinity Crisis from Mega-
deposits to Microbiology A Consensus Report
(Ed. F. Briand), CIESM Workshop Monographs,
33, 168 pp.
Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E., Cavagna, S., Clari, P,
Gennari, R., Irace, A., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Manzi,
V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M., Violanti, D.,
2011. Te record of the Messinian salinity crisis
in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Te
Alba section revisited. Palaeo3, 310, 238-255.
De Lange de Lange, G.J., Krijgsman, W., 2010.
Messinian salinity crisis: a novel unifying shallow
gypsum/deep dolomite formation mechanism.
Marine Geology, 275, 273277.
Hilgen, F.J. and Krijgsman, W., 1999.
Cyclostratigraphy and astrochronology of the
Tripoli diatomite Formation (pre-evaporite
Messinian, Sicily, Italy). Terra Nova, 11, pp. 16-22.
Hilgen, F.J., Kuiper, K., Krijgsman, W., Snel, E., and
van der Laan, E., 2007. Astronomical tuning as the
basis for high resolution chronostratigraphy: Te
intricate history of the Messinian salinity crisis.
Stratigraphy, 4, 231238.
Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F.J., Langereis, C.G.,
Santarelli, A., Zachariasse, W.J., 1995. Late
Miocene magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy
and cyclostratigraphy in the Mediterranean.
EPSL, 136 (3-4), 475-494.
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Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F.J., Raf, I., Sierro, F.J. and
Wilson, D.S., 1999a, Chronology, causes and
progression of the Messinian salinity crisis. Nature,
v. 400, pp. 652655.
Krijgsman, W., Hilgen, F. J., Marabini, S., Vai, G. B.,
1999b. New paleomagnetic and cyclostratigraphic
age constraints on the Messinian of the Northern
Apennines (Vena del Gesso Basin, Italy). Mem.
Soc. Geol. It., 54, 25-33.
Krijgsman, W., Fortuin, A.R., Hilgen, F.J., and Sierro,
F.J., 2001, Astrochronology for the Messinian
Sorbas basin (SE Spain) and orbital (precessional)
forcing for evaporite cyclicity. Sedimentary
Geology, 140, 4360.
Krijgsman, W., Gaboardi, S., Hilgen, F.J., Iaccarino,
S., de Kaenel, E., van der Laan, E., 2004. Revised
astrochronology for the Ain el Beida section
(Atlantic Morocco): no glacio-eustatic control
for the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis.
Stratigraphy, 1, 87-101.
Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Schreiber, B.C., 2010.
Te Primary Lower Gypsum in the Mediterranean:
a new facies interpretation for the frst stage of the
Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeo3, 297, 83-99.
Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Gennari, R., Bertini, A., Bif,
U., Giunta, S., Iaccarino, S.M., Lanci, L., Lugli, S.,
Negri, A., Riva, A., Rossi, M.E. and Taviani, M.,
2007. Te deep-water counterpart of the Messinian
Lower Evaporites in the Apennine foredeep: Te
Fanantello section (Northern Apennines, Italy).
Palaeo3, 251, 470499.
Manzi, V., Lugli, S., Roveri, M. and Schreiber,
B.C, 2009. A new facies model for the Upper
Gypsum of Sicily (Italy): chronological and
palaeoenvironmental constraints for the Messinian
salinity crisis in the Mediterranean. Sedimentology,
56-7, 1937-1960.
Manzi, V., Lugli, S., Roveri, M., Schreiber, B.C.,
Gennari, R., 2011. Te Messinian Calcare di
Base (Sicily, Italy) revisited. GSA Bulletin, 123,
347-370.
Roveri, M., Lugli, S., Manzi, V. and Schreiber,
B.C., 2008, Te Messinian Sicilian stratigraphy
revisited: toward a new scenario for the Messinian
salinity crisis. Terra Nova, 20, 483488.
Sierro, F.J., Hilgen, F.J., Krijgsman, W. and Flores,
J.A., 2001. Te Abad composite (SE Spain): a
Messinian reference section for the Mediterranean
and the APTS. Palaeo3, 168 (12), 141169.
Vai, G.B., 1988, A feld trip guide to the Romagna
Apennine geology - Te Lamone valley. In:
Proceedings of the international workshop on
Continental faunas of the Miocene/Pliocene
boundary. Eds. De Giuli C., Vai G.B. 7-37. Societ
Paleontologica Italiana. Modena, Italy.
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THE ABRUZZO-APULIAN (CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN
ITALY) FOSSIL FAUNA, NEW CHALLENGES FOR
PALEONTOLOGISTS AND PALEOBIOGEOGRAPHERS
Masini, F.
1
, Savorelli, A
2
. & Mazza, P
3
.
1
University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Sea Science, Via Archiraf 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy,
e-mail: federico.masini@unipa.it
2
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy, e-mail: andrea.savorelli@unif.it
3
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy, e-mail: paul.mazza@unif.it
Keywords: Insular vertebrates, insular colonization,
endemicity, Miocene, Italy
Te Abruzzo-Apulian Platform was an endemic
Neogene paleobioprovince. Its relics can be found
at the south-east of the Italian Peninsula. Geological
and paleontological traces of this past land crop out
both in the central Apennines, Maiella (Scontrone
fossiliferous site), as well as in the Gargano
Promontory.
Te Scontrone paleofauna
Scontrone is placed on the southern borderline
of the Abruzzo National Park, Central-Southern
Apennine. Te bone-bearing sediments are coastal-
tidal-fat calcarenites stratigraphically dated to the
Lower Tortonian. Tey yielded remains of terrestrial
mammals, which include the bizarre ruminant
Hoplitomeryx and the giant insectivore Deinogalerix,
of a large terrestrial bird, and of large crocodilians and
chelonians. At present, Hoplitomeryx, Deinogalerix
and the crocodilians represent the elements in
common with the Gargano community.
Te fauna is endemic and quite unbalanced. Six species
of Hoplitomeryx have been described until now, but
other species are adding to the list as new specimens
are being freed from the calcarenites. Deinogalerix
seems also represented by more than a single species.
No mammal carnivores nor small mammals were
found until now.
Te Gargano paleofauna
A very diversifed endemic fauna is contained in soil
deposits (Terre Rosse) that fll an extensive karst
system at the north-western slopes of Mount Gargano
(Southern Italy). Te fossil assemblages include
both large and small mammals, birds, reptiles, and
amphibians, and are highly unbalanced. Te small
mammal component is mainly made of rodents,
lagomorphs, and insectivores. Larger mammalian
taxa are less abundant and are represented by
Hoplitomericidae, Deinogalerix. And the sea otter
Paralutra garganensis.
Te fssure fllings have been arranged in a bio-
chronological sequence based on their diferent faunal
composition and evolutionary degree. During the
time period documented by the fssure deposits the
faunal diversity changed and several taxa underwent
signifcant evolutionary modifcations, giving rise to
numerous adaptive radiations.
Taxa weakly- or non-modifed compared to their
continental counterparts characterize the oldest
assemblages. Tey likely represent the youngest
dispersal phase from the mainland into the insular
domain, suggesting a polyphasic origin of the
community.
Evidence of apparently the oldest faunal settlement in
Gargano was found in the recently discovered fssure
M013. It contains remains of a new murid, which is
manifestly the ancestor of Mikrotia (the endemic and
widespread murid of the Terre Rosse), together with
those of a new Cricetodontinae, which resembles
primitive early Miocene representatives. Tese
occurrences, in addition to the absence of Apodemus
and Prolagus, two ubiquitous taxa of the Terre Rosse
fllings, confrm that the assemblages are the result of
a set of successive bioevents.
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Te age and paleogeography of Scontrone and
Gargano: the Abruzzo-Apulian domain
Te Early Tortonian age of the Scontrone fauna is
unequivocally proven not only by solid geologic
evidence, but also by the Hoplitomeryx representatives,
which are comparatively more primitive than their
Gargano counterparts. Te same might apply to the
Deinogalerix specimens from the two localities, but
analyses are still under way to check this aspect.
Te Gargano fssure fllings are tentatively dated to
the Late Miocene on the basis of paleontological
inferences, namely the occurrence of Apodemus,
which is supposed to be not older than MN12 in the
European mainland.
Te Garganos younger age possibly refects the
fact that the Gargano palaeo-islands formed stable
structural high, while the Scontrone area was involved
in the Apennine build-up and gradually sunk. Tus,
the faunas from Scontrone and Gargano represent
two diferent time slices within the same bioprovince.
Te colonization of the Abruzzo-Apulia domain
Te existence, from the Late Oligocene to the
Langhian, of a trans-Adriatic structural high between
Dalmatia and the Gargano Peninsula, through the
present day Tremiti Islands, was ascertained based
on the seismostratigraphic analysis of more than
6000 kilometers of refection seismic profles from
the Adriatic ofshore, but also on several tens of
deep wells. Te major 29-30 Ma global sea-level fall
caused the generalized surfacing of this structure
across the Adriatic. Te trans-Adriatic isthmus was
originally in the form of stripe of land. Ten, as the
sea level turned growing at the transition to the
Early Miocene, the structural high likely gave rise
to an archipelago of gradually shrinking islands. Te
isthmus defnitively sank at the end of the Langhian,
i.e. around 14.8 Ma, and the Abruzzo-Apulian area
remained cut of from any near mainland for the
next 7 million years. Dalmatia and the Gargano were
connected again during the Messinian sea lowstand.
Tereafer, the sea level turned gradually to rise again,
at frst isolating the Abruzzo-Apulian area and then
fnally submerging it entirely at the very end of the
Messinian. Te possible ways of colonization used by
the Messinian colonizers is still passionately debated.
Although many steps have been made in the direction
of improving our understanding of the history of
the Abruzzo-Apulian Platform and of its faunal
communities, yet many issues are still unanswered.
Settling these issues will not only give us a better
insight into the development of the Abruzzo-
Apulian faunas per se, but will also lead us to a better
understanding of the geo and biodynamics of paleo-
islands in general.
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NEW INSULAR TAXA FROM THE OLDEST TERRE ROSSE
FISSURE FILLING (GARGANO, SOUTHEASTERN ITALY)
Masini, F.
1
, Rinaldi, P.M.
2
, Savorelli, A
3
. & Pavia, M.
4
.
1
University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Sea Science, Via Archiraf 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy,
e-mail: federico.masini@unipa.it
2
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy,
e-mail: paolomaria.rinaldi@gmail.com
3
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy,
e-mail: andrea.savorelli@unif.it
4
University of Torino, Department of Earth Science, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy,
e-mail: marco.pavia@unito.it
Keywords: Late Neogene, Endemic Fauna, Rodents,
Insectivores, Biochronology, Paleogeography
A rich amount of fossil remains of a highly
diversifed vertebrate fauna, known as Mikrotia
fauna, has been retrieved from the red soil deposits
(Terre Rosse) which fll the extensive palaeokarst
network that afects the Mesozoic limestone
along the north-western slopes of Mount Gargano
(Southern Italy). Te faunal assemblages reveal
a rather complex history of bioevents such as
dispersals and extinctions, which occurred when
the area was isolated. Tese reconstructions were
based on the materials collected during the seventies
and the eighties of the last century.
Forty years afer its discovery, the Gargano Terre
Rosse fnally yielded evidence of an older faunal
settlement.
Te peculiar assemblage of the M013 fssure allows
to explain some of the controversial aspects of the
Gargano faunal history, namely, the matter of the
biochronology of the older fssure fllings and the
issue of the arrivals of the taxa in the insular domain.
Te taxonomic study of the small mammal
assemblage from fssure M013, sampled by a team
of the University of Torino during the 2005-09
excavations in the DellErba Quarry (Apricena,
Foggia), is here presented. Insectivores include
a small-sized endemic Galericinae Apulogalerix
cf. pusillus, together with a Crocidosoricinae,
Lartetium cf. dehmi. Gliridae are well represented
by the endemic species Stertomys simplex and S.
lyrifer. Cricetids (l.s.) are represented by a single
remain belonging to the endemic Hattomys cf.
nazarii, but also by a new genus and species of
an endemic and rather primitive Cricetodontinae.
Te latter shows a very hypsodont dental crown,
stocky cusps and tubercle-like crests. Some of its
features are typical of the continental genera of
Cricetodontinae (i.e. large size, thick and crenulated
enamel), however the very large size and the very
high hypsodonty indicate the endemic nature of
this taxon. Te occlusal pattern appears rather
primitive due to the very low, poorly developed,
interrupted ectolophs and share some features with
the primitive species of the genus Cricetodon.
Murids include Mikrotia parva together with a
second larger species, which is not yet identifed.
A third Murinae rodent is quite abundant, and
belongs to a new genus and species. Its dentition
is more brachyodont than in Mikrotia parva, the
upper teeth are stephanodont and, accordingly, the
transversal crests are joined by a longitudinal crest in
the lower molars. Tubercle t7 is absent in the upper
molars, t2bis is always present, while t1bis is usually
absent in the frst upper molar. Tubercle t1 is placed
in a distal position respect to the t3, the posterolabial
tubercle t12 is well-developed. Tubercles t3, t6
and t9 are roughly equidistant forming a regular
pattern: a character that is found in Mikrotia and
not in the other murid species, in which t6 is closer
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to t9. Tis morphological characters reveal a close
relationship with Mikrotia, but they do not occur
jointly in any of the Late Miocene-Earliest Pliocene
European genera of murids, thus the phylogenetic
origin of this new genus is still unclear.
Te occurrence of this new Murinae and of a
Cricetodontinae distinguishes M013 from all
the other Terre Rosse fssure fllings of Gargano.
Stertomys lyrifer and S. simplex were previously
known only from the very ancient fssure Rinascita
1. Because both taxa characterize M013 and
Rinascita 1, the two fssures are believed to be very
close chronologically. Also the Crocidosoricinae
characterises the older fssure fllings. In contrast,
M013 is the only fssure lacking Apodemus and
Prolagus, which are otherwise present in all the
other Gargano infllings.
Te accumulated evidence indicates M013 as the
oldest of Garganos faunal assemblages, despite
the occurrence of Hattomys cf. nazarii, Mikrotia
cf. parva and Mikrotia sp1, which most probably
results from infltrations from younger fssure
fllings. Te M013 assemblage is an absolute novelty
for the Abruzzo-Apulian Palaeobioprovince and
opens a new perspectives for the timing and mode
of dispersal of the forerunners of the Gargano
fauna.
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HOPLITOMERYCIDAE (RUMINANTIA, CENTRAL-
SOUTHEASTERN ITALY): WHOM FROM?
Mazza, P.
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy,
e-mail: paul.mazza@unif.it
Keywords: Endemic artiodactyls, insular
colonization, paleogeography, Oligocene-Miocene,
Adriatic Sea
A recent cladistic analysis of Hoplitomeryx, the
mysterious ruminants from the Abruzzo-Apulian
Platform (central- and south-eastern Italy), was
based on a character-taxon matrix of 121 features (48
cranial, 51 dental and 22 postcranial characters). Te
matrix was set up based on direct observation and
the literature, to infer the interrelationships between
Hoplitomerycidae and an ingroup of twelve past
and six living ruminant taxa. Te type specimens
had been found in the 1970s in karstic fssure
fllings, most likely of Messinian age, in the Gargano
promontory (Apulia, southeastern Italy). During the
1990s a rich amount of Hoplitomeryx remains were
discovered in Lower Tortonian layered calcarenites
outcropping near Scontrone (Abruzzo, central Italy).
Hoplitomerycids had originally been linked more
closely with Cervids, and thus accommodated in
the Cervoidea, only for their possessing two lacrimal
orifces and closed metatarsal gulleys.
Te cladistic analysis stems hoplitomerycids either
between antilocaprids and bovids, or antilocaprids
and girafds. Tey can be the sister group of
two clades, one including Bovidae, Cervidae,
Moschidae, and Palaeomerycidae, the other formed
by Antilocapridae, Girafdae, and Climacoceridae.
Contrary to what is normally believed, they were not
found to be linked directly with cervids, despite their
possessing two lacrimal orifces and closed metatarsal
gulleys. But these characters are possessed also by
numerous other ruminants.
Because of its sharing an assortment of characters with
many other ruminants, Hoplitomerycidae is believed
to be descendant of a primitive ruminant stock that
should be placed somewhere at the basal divergence
of Pecora. Geological evidence from Abruzzo-Apulia
to far of the Adriatic shore shows that 29-30 Ma
the Abruzzo-Apulia platform was connected with
the Balkans by a stripe of land across the Adriatic
Sea, approximately where the Tremiti islands are
today. Te forerunners of Hoplitomeryx spread into
Abruzzo-Apulia from the Balkans crossing this trans-
Adriatic landbridge. Ten the land connection sank,
leaving the ruminants isolated for a few million years.
Living in insularity hoplitomerycids thus radiated
into a variety of species, developing autapomorphic
homoplasies that masquerade as homologies which
near them to antilocaprids and bovids, or even to
girafds, rather than to cervids, as previously believed.
For this reason they cannot be easily accommodated
in any of the superfamilies of higher ruminants.
But the point is: who were the ancestors of these
weird ruminants? Character polarities are obscured
by hoplitomerycids already advanced endemic
transformations and are therefore problematic
to establish. Comparative and developmental
morphology may nonetheless assist in pinpointing
plesiomorphies that contribute to the identifcation
of the familys potential forerunners, to the
reconstruction of its true history, as well as to
the detection of its possible area of provenance.
Comparisons with Tragulina and higher ruminants
show that hoplitomerycids display mosaic evolution,
combining primitive cranial characters with fairly
advanced dental and postcranial traits. Tis is not
surprising, considering the quite more intense
adaptive pressures to which teeth and limbs are
exposed compared to skulls. Hoplitomerycids cranial
plesiomorphies are therefore preserved traces of their
past which can be pursued to track their ancestry.
Preliminary results seem leading somewhere towards
Early Oligocene Tragulina, possibly Gelocidae or
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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Lophiomerycidae. Tese potential ancestral taxa
were dispersed in Eurasia when two favorable
paleogeographical circumstances were met for the
colonization of the Abruzzo-Apulian area: 1) the
formation of the trans-Adriatic landbridge; 2) the
almost complete isolation of Paratethys, which was
linked to the Mediterranean only in the far west,
and to the North Sea through the Rhine Graben.
Hence, landways formed for a limited time period
connecting the Abruzzo-Apulia paleoprovince with
both eastern European and Asian areas.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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BADENIAN CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSIL FLUCTUATION
IN EASTERN CARPATHIANS: PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C
1
. & Stoica, M.
2
1
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: melinte@geoecomar.ro
2
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology & Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Blcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest, Romania,
e-mail: marius.stoica@g.unibuc.ro
Keywords: nannoforal assemblages;
biostratigraphy; palaeoecology; Eastern
Carpathians; Middle Miocene.
During the Badenian Paratethyan stage, a signifcant
increase in salinity is known to occur, expressed in
the Middle Badenian Salinity Crisis (Bbel, M.,
2004, Peryt, 2006, Piller et al., 2007, among many
others). Te evaporate deposition related to the
above-mentioned event was described since long time
from several regions of the Romanian territory (i.e.,
Romanian Carpathians and Transylvanian areas) and
was placed (Mruneanu et al., 2000; Chira, 2001) in
the NN6 calcareous nannoplankton zone of Martini
(1971), as in other Carpathian regions, i.e. the Polish
Carpathian Foredeep (liwiski et al., 2008).
Te Eastern Carpathians display several Badenian
complete sections, well dated based on their
microfaunal content (i.e., foraminifera, ostracoda and
calcareous nannofossils). Te section presented herein
is situated towards the southern end of the Eastern
Carpathians (i.e., the bend area of the Romanian
Carpathians), N of the Slnic-Prahova locality. Te
investigated deposits are mainly made by grey clays and
marl, interbedded with thin evaporites (i.e., salt and
gypsum); the section includes also thin cm tuf levels.
De Leeuw et al. (2012) reported that the age of the
youngest volcanic tuf layer identifed in the section
is 13.4 Ma; hence, it is possible that the termination
of the Badenian Salinity Crisis was situated, in the
Eastern Carpathians, shortly afer 13.4 Ma.
Several samples were collected for calcareous
nannoplankton analysis, 3 m stratigraphically
bellow the youngest tuf level and 2 m above. Both
qualitative and quantitative studies were achieved.
All the studied samples belong to the NN6 calcareous
nannoplankton zone of Martini (1971), interval
placed between the LO (last occurrence) of the
nannofossil Sphenolithus heteromorphus and the FO
(frst occurrence) of the nannofossil Discoaster kugleri.
Te LO of Sphenolithus heteromorphus is situated,
according Raf et al. (2006), at 13.54 Ma in the W
Atlantic and 13.64 Ma in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Taking into account these data, we may assume that
the studied samples are younger than 13.5 Ma that
is in agreement with the age of 13.4 Ma given by De
Leeuw et al. (2012) for the youngest tuf level of the
section.
In the encountered nannoforal assemblages are also
present signifcant biostratigraphical nannofossils,
such as: common Cyclicargolithus foridanus (with
the LCO, last common occurrence at 13.29 Ma),
Calcidiscus premacintyrei (LCO at 12.45 Ma) and
Coronocyclus nitescens (LO at 12.25) - all the absolute
ages are given in Raf et al., 2006).
Interestingly, 2 m below the tuf level dated as 13.4.
Ma (De Leeuw et al., 2012) a remarkable increase in
pentaliths such as Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which
reaches almost 20 % of nannoforal assemblages was
observed. Previously studies of other Paratethyan
areas (i.e., Slovenia) reported a signifcant frequency
of pentaliths such as Braarudosphaera bigelowii and
Micrantholithus vesper in Early Miocene deposits
(Bartol et al., 2008). Tis nannoforal event,
coincident with a decrease in isotope d
13
C values
is linked by the above-mentioned authors to short-
lived episode of hyposaline conditions. Possibly, in
the Badenian deposits studied by us, the shif in
Braarudosphaera bigelowii percentages is related to
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the end of the Badenian Salinity Crisis, and therefore
a decrease in the salinity of surface-water together
with a signifcant infux of fresh water into the basin
of the Carpathian Foredeep.
References
Bbel, M., 2004. Badenian evaporite basin of the
northern Carpathian Foredeep as a drawdown
salina basin. Acta Geologica Polonica 54, 313337.
Bartol, M., Pavi, J., Dobnikar, M., Bernasconi,
S.M., 2008. Unusual Braarudosphaera bigelowii
and Micrantholithus vesper enrichment in the
Early Miocene sediments from the Slovenian
Corridor, a seaway linking the Central Paratethys
and the Mediterranean. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 267, 77-88.
Chira, 2001. Te Badenian calcareous
nannoplankton from Turda and Ocna Dej salt
mines (Transylvanian Basin, Romania). Studia
Univ. Babe-Bolyai, Geol.-Geogr., 66, 141-150.
De Leeuw, A., Bukowski, K., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper,
K.F., Stoica, M., Tulbure, M., 2012. Chronology
of the Badenian Salinity Crisis of the Central
Paratethys. Abstract RCMNS Colloqium,
Bucharest, 27
th
-28
th
Sept. 2012.
Martini, E., 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary
calcareous nanoplankton zonation. Proceeding of
2nd Planktonic Conference, Roma 1970, Roma, p.
739-785.
Mruneanu, M., Crihan, M., Chira, C., 2000.
Badenian nannofossil zonation the Carpathian
area. Acta Palaeontologica Romaniae, 2, 261-267.
Peryt, T.M., 2006. Te beginning, development and
termination of the Middle Miocene Badenian
salinity crisis in Central Paratethys. Sedimentary
Geology 188/189, 379-396
Piller, W.E., Harzhauser, M., Mandic, O., 2007.
Miocene Central Paratethys stratigraphy - current
status and future directions. Stratigraphy 4, 151
168.
Raf, I., Backman, J., Fornaciari, E., Plike, H., Rio, D.,
Lourens, L., Hilgen, F., 2006. A review of calcareous
nannofossil astrobiochronology encompassing the
past 25 million years. Quaternary Science Reviews
25, 31133137.
liwiski, M., Maciej Bbel, M., Nejbert, K.,
Olszewska-Nejbert, D., Gsiewicz, A., Charlotte
Schreiber, B., Benowitz, J.A., Layer, P., 2008.
BadenianSarmatian chronostratigraphy in the
Polish Carpathian Foredeep. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 326-328, 1229.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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THE OLIGOCENE-MIOCENE BOUNDARY IN ROMANIA:
STATE OF THE ART
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C.
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053 Bcuharest, Romania,
e-mail: melinte@geoecomar.ro
Keywords: Paleogene/Neogene boundary;
lithostratigraphy, calcareous nannofossils,
Romanian Carpathians and Transylvanian Basin.
In the Eastern Carpathians, the Oligocene-Lower
Miocene sediments crop out in several areas, belonging
to (i) the sedimentary cover of the Moldavid Nappes
(Outer Flysch Zone), (ii) the post-tectonic cover
of the Outer Dacid Nappes, and (iii) the Pieniny
Kippes. Within the Moldavids, in the outer (eastern)
part of the central and southern Eastern Carpathians,
the Oligocene-Lower Miocene formations crop out
in the Tarcu, Vrancea and Subcarpathian nappes,
where they display two main lithofacies, namely (1)
the Bituminous Kliwa Facies, in the external part
and (2) the Fusaru-Pucioasa Facies, in the inner
part. Oligocene sandy turbidites are followed by
shaly turbidites of the Vinetiu Formation in the
inner facies, and Podu Morii Formation in the outer
facies (the later unit shows in addition to the former
prominent convolute sandstones). Towards the base
of the Vinetiu Formation, as well as at the base of the
Podu Morii Formation, a thin cm green tuf level was
identifed (tefnescu et al., 1993). Te calcareous
nannofossil assemblages identifed just below this
tuf level (Melinte, 1993; 2005) belong to the NN1
nannoplankton zone of Martini (1971), based on
the co-occurrence of Sphenolithus capricornustus
and Sphenolithus delphix, situated at around 23 Ma
(Berggren et al., 1995; Raf et al., 2006), at the base
of the Aquitanian stage and, respectively within
the Egerian Paratethyan stage. In the Podu Morii
Formation, a younger 50 cm white tuf level was
reported (tefnescu et al., 1993), placed, according
to Melinte (1993), in the NN2 nannofossil zone of
Martini (1971). Te nannoforas contain, besides
the index species of NN2, Discoaster druggii, the
nannofossils Helicosphaera carteri and H. euphratis.
Te cross-over of the two latter above-mentioned
nannofossils is situated, according to Raf et al.
(2006), at 20.89 Ma, within the Late Aquitanian,
close to the boundary between the Egerian and
Eggenburgian Paratethyan stages.

In the Southern Carpathian Foredeep (i.e., Getic
Depression), pelitic bituminous sediments were
deposited during the Oligocene. Tis facies, which
yielded lithological similarities with the Eastern
Carpathians bituminous deposits of the Outer
Flysch area, extends in some sections within the Early
Miocene, i.e., Aquitanian-Early Burdigalian interval
(Roban and Melinte, 2006), as it is proved by the
calcareous nannofossil assemblages belonging to the
NN1 and NN2 zones of Martini (1971). Te top
of the bituminous formations is overlain, towards
W, by the Muiereasca Formation, mainly made by
sandstones as well as thin grey clays and marls. Towards
E, the Srata Formation, composed by evaporites
(mainly gypsum) started to be deposited within the
Early Miocene interval. A tuf level was identifed
towards the lower part of the Muiereasca formation
(tefnescu, 1995). Below this tuf, the nannoforas
contain, among other taxa, Helicosphaera carteri and
H. euphratis, co-occurrence that is indicative for a
Late Aquitanian age, as stated above.

In the NW Transylvanian Basin, three distinct
Paleogene sedimentation areas (Gilu, Mese and
Preluca) were distinguished (Rusu, 1970). In the later
one, several continuous sections across the Oligocene-
Miocene boundary interval were described (Rusu,
1970), based on nannoforal assemblages (Rusu et
al., 1996; Melinte-Dobrinescu and Brustur, 2008).
Te above-mentioned interval is characterized by the
sedimentation of the Buza Formation, mainly made
by alternating sandstones, clays and marls, followed
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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by the hemipelagic Vima Formation. Towards NE,
the Vima Formation was progressively replaced the
Buza Formation. In some exposures from NW
Transylvanian basin, towards the lower part of the
Vima formation a 50 cm white volcanic tuf was
identifed (Rusu et al., 1996), situated at the lower
part of the NN2 zone of Martini (1971), Late
Aquitanian in age, that approximates the boundary
of the Egerian and Eggenburgian Paratethyan stages.
Summarising, complete sections across the
Oligocene/Miocene boundary occur in the Romanian
Carpathians (Eastern Carpathian Outer Flysch Zone
and Foredeep of the Southern Carpathians), as well
as in the Transylvanian Basin. From lithological point
of view, the successions are characterised either by a
turbidite deposition, or by molasse sedimentation
and even hemipelagic successions. Te calcareous
nannoforas, belonging to the NP25, NN1 and NN2
zones of Martini are indicative for a continuous
deposition across the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
A thin, up to 20 cm, green tuf level was deposited
within the basal Aquitanian (in the Egerian) of
the Eastern Carpathians, being a good lithological
marker of the Oligocene/Miocene boundary in
the Outer Flysch Zone. A younger white tuf level,
around 50 cm in thickness, was observed in the
Eastern Carpathians outer structures, as well as in
the Getic Depression and in the Transylvanian basin.
Tis volcanic tuf was deposited in the lower part of
the NN2 calcareous nannoplankton zone of Martini
(1971), in the Late Aquitanian, being therefore a
good lithological marker in Romania of the boundary
between the Egerian and Eggenburgian Paratethyan
stages.
References
Berggren, W.A., Kent, D.V., Swisher, CC., Aubry,
M.P., 1995. A revised Cenozoic geochronology
and chronostratigraphy. Society of Economics
Paleontologists and Mineralogists Special
Publication 54, 129- 212.
Martini, E., 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary
calcareous nanoplankton zonation. Proceeding of
2nd Planktonic Conference, Roma 1970, Roma, p.
739-785.
Melinte, M.C., 1993. Contributions at the
establishment of the Oligocene/Miocene
boundary in the Tarcu Nappe from the Buzu
Valley, based on calcareous nannoplankton
associations. Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy, 75,
91-96.
Melinte, M.C., 2005. Oligocene palaeoenvironmental
changes in the Romanian Carpathians, revealed
by calcareous nannofossil fuctuation. In Tyszka
J., Oliwkiewicz-Miklasinska M., Gedl, P. and
Kaminski, M.A. (eds), Methods and Application
in Micropalaeontology. Studia Geologica Polonica,
124, 15-27.
Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C., Brustur, T., 2008.
Oligocene-Lower Miocene events in Romania.
Acta Palaeontologica Romaniae 6, 203-217.
Raf, I., Backman, J., Fornaciari, E., Plike, H., Rio, D.,
Lourens, L., Hilgen, F., 2006. A review of calcareous
nannofossil astrobiochronology encompassing the
past 25 million years. Quaternary Science Reviews
25, 31133137.
Roban, R., Melinte, M.C., 2006. Paleogene litho-
and biostratigraphy of the NE Getic Depresssion.
Acta Palaeontologica Romaniae 5, 223-249.
Rusu, A., 1970. Corelarea faciesurilor Oligocenului
n regiunea Treznea-Bizua (NV Bazinului
Transilvaniei). Studii i Cercetri Geologice,
Geofzice i Geografce, Seria Geologie 15/2, 513-
525.
Rusu, A., Popescu, G., Melinte, M.C., 1996. Oligocene-
Miocene Transition and Main Geological Events in
Romania. Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy, 76, 1,
3-47.
tefnescu, M. (1995). Stratigraphy and structure of
Cretaceous and Paleogene fysch deposits between
Prahova and Ialomia valleys. Romanian Journal of
Tectonics and Regional Geology, 75, Supplement 1,
49 pp.
tefnescu, M., Popescu, I., tefnescu, M., Ivan,
V., Melinte, M., Stnescu, V., 1993. Aspects of
the possibilities of the lithological correlation of
OligoceneLower Miocene deposits of the Buzu
Valley. Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy, 75, 83
91.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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HOW DRY WAS THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS? A
MOLECULAR STUDY OF THE ERACLEA MINOA SECTION
(SICILY)
Mezger, E. M.
1
, Vasiliev, I.
1,2*
, Lugli, S.
3
, Roveri, M
4
., Manzi, V.
4
, Reichart, G. J.
1,5
,
Sangiorgi, F.
6
, Krijgsman, W.
2
& Van Roij, L.
1
1
Organic Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherland,
email: i.vasiliev@uu.nl
2
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
3
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia
3
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universita di Parma
5
Alfed Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Biogeosciences, Bremerhaven, Germany
4
Biomarine Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
Keywords: hydrogen isotopes, Paratethys,
connectivity
Te Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC; 5.96-5.33 Ma)
is considered one of the most enigmatic episodes
of paleooceanographic change. Kilometres-thick
evaporites were deposited in the Mediterranean
basin, during periods when the connections between
the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean basin were
restricted. Te development through time of this
crisis is still under debate. Although it is generally
accepted that the MSC was a dry period with higher
evaporation than precipitation and runof, how dry
climate was and how saline the water, has not yet
been quantifed accurately. Samples from the Upper
Evaporites (MSC stage 3; 5.53 - 5.33 Ma) and from
gypsum cumulate - time equivalent to the halite unit
(MSC stage 2; 5.61-5.55 Ma ) - were collected from
the Eraclea Minoa section, Sicily, to measure the
compound specifc hydrogen isotopic composition
(D) of organic molecules from the gypsum, marls
and halite. Hydrogen isotopes, being closely related
to the hydrological cycle and build into organic
molecules, ofer the opportunity to reconstruct past
changes in the hydrological cycle and salinity during
the MSC. Te D of terrestrial n-alkanes (C
25
C
31
)
mainly records the D of precipitation, modifed
by meteoric conditions and evapotranspiration in
leaves. Te D of long-chain alkenones, produced
by benthic haptophyte algae, depends on the D of
the water, salinity and to some degree growth rate.
Both long chain n-alkanes with a high odd over
even predominance (higher plants) and long chain
alkenones were found, recording heavy (deuterium
enriched) hydrogen isotopic values. Te magnitude of
the hydrogen isotopic excursion indicates high rates
of evaporation. Furthermore, presence of alkenones
in the Upper Evaporites suggests that the connections
between Atlantic and Mediterranean, despite reduced,
were active also during the stage 3 of the MSC.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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A FLUID INCLUSION STUDY OF THE PRIMARY
LOWER GYPSUM OF THE PIEDMONT BASIN (ITALY):
PRECIPITATION FROM EVAPORATED SEAWATER?
Natalicchio, M.
1
, Dela Pierre, F.
1
, Lugli, S.
2
, & Ferrando, S.
1
1
Torino University, Department of Earth Sciences, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy,
e-mail: marcello.natalicchio@unito.it
2
Modena and Reggio Emilia University, Department of Earth Sciences, largo S. Eufemia 19, Modena, Italy
Keywords: selenitic gypsum, microthermometry,
salinity, diluted water, Messinian
Introduction
Te stratigraphy, petrography, and geochemistry of
the Messinian Lower Evaporites (Primary Lower
Gypsum unit, PLG; Lugli et al., 2010) have been
extensively studied. However the chemo-phisical
parameters (salinity, temperature, composition) of
the fuids from which the thick sequence of gypsum
formed are still virtually unknown. In this work we
present a fuid inclusion study of the PLG exposed
in the Banengo and Moncucco quarries (Piedmont
Basin, NW, Italy).Te aim is to document the salinity
of the brines from which gypsum precipitated.
Te Primary Lower Gypsum
In the Piedmont Basin, up to 14 PLG cycles, deposited
during the frst stage of the Messinian salinity crisis
(5.96-5.60 Ma), are exposed on both the Southern
and Northern margins (Dela Pierre et al., 2011); the
Banengo and Moncucco quarries are located on the
northern basin margin. At Banengo, four gypsum beds
are present, 15 to 30 m-thick, overlying pre-evaporitic
emipelagic sediments. Te lowermost 3 beds consist
of massive selenite and the 4
th
bed is represented by
banded selenite, composed of cm-sized crystals. Te
crystals size generally decreases from the 1
st
to 4
th

bed. At Moncucco, only three massive selenite beds
showing analogous characteristics of those of Banengo
are recognized. Te crystals are up to few decimetres
across and their size generally decreases toward the
top of the beds. No banded selenite has been observed
here. In both the quarries, an intricate network of
curved flaments can be observed within the gypsum
crystals (Dela Pierre et al., this volume). Tese features
correspond to the spaghetti-like structures (Vai and
Ricci Lucchi, 1977), that were recently identifed as
fossilized cyanobacteria (Panieri et al., 2010).
Methodology
Te samples have been collected for fuid inclusion
study at the base, in the middle, and at the top of the
gypsum beds. Microthermometry observations have
been performed using mm-size cleavage fragments cut
along the (010) cleavage plane. Following the method
proposed by Attia et al. (1995) the inclusions were
quickly cooled up to -90C and immediately heated
up to +30C. Tis process induced the formation of a
bubble in many inclusion, thus reducing metastability
efect. Te bubbles were then cooled again up to
-70C and slowly heated at 1-2C per minute and at
0.5C per minute near the melting temperatures.
In order to verify the reliability of this methodology
and to compare the Messinian salinities with the
present-day ones, two selenite crystals formed in
modern solar works (Cagliari, Sardinia) have been
investigated using the same methodology.
Fluid inclusion data results
In the Messinian samples the primary aqueous fuid
inclusions are 10 to 100 m in size, show three- to
six-sided geometrical shapes, and are mostly aligned
parallel to the growth direction of selenite crystals.
Fluid inclusions mostly consist of monophase liquid,
though bi-phase inclusions (liquid + vapour), due to
crystal stretching, are also present. Daughter minerals
were not observed. Te eutectic temperatures (Te)
was of about -35C, the melting temperature of
hydrohalite (Tm
Hhl
) of about -25C, and the fnal ice
melting (Tm
ice
) occurred between -4.9 and -0.1C.
Te modern selenite is up to 3 cm across, untwinned
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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and contains primary elongated fuid inclusions with
triangular shape. Tree types of fuid inclusions are
recognised: bi-phase (liquid + vapour) characterized
by Te @ -40C, Tm
ice
@ -21C, Tm
Hhl
< 0C, bi-
phase (liquid + vapour) showing Te @ -40C, Tm
ice

@ -21C, Tm
Hhl
@ 0C, fnal halite melting (Tm
Hl
)
<+40C, and tri-phase (liquid + vapour + halite)
showing Te @ -40C, Tm
ice
@ -21C, Tm
Hhl
@ 0C,
Tm
Hl
was not reached because of gypsum dehydration
at +120C.
Discussion and conclusions
Microthermometric data obtained from the modern
gypsum crystals are consistent with salinities present
in the modern salt works. Tese data allow to
attest the validity of microthermometry studies on
gypsum crystals because no metastability efects were
recorded during the measurements.
Te comparison between Messinian and modern
gypsum fuid inclusion data indicates that the
crystals precipitated from two diferent brines. In
the modern crystals, Te, Tm
ice
and the presence of
halite daughter crystals suggest their precipitation
from very concentrated Ca-Na-K brines (> 23 Wt%
NaCleq), formed by the well known operation
procedures of modern salt works. Completely
diferent fuid inclusion data were obtained from
the Messinian crystals indicating: i) fuids marked
by the presence of Mg and/or Fe besides Na and K,
and by a moderate to low salinity (between 0.2 and
7.7 Wt% NaCleq); ii) a progressive increase in fuid
salinity during the growth of a single crystal and
from the bottom (average value 1.2 Wt% NaCleq)
to the top of some gypsum beds (average value 2.7
Wt% NaCleq). Moreover the prevalence of single
phase liquid fuid inclusions indicates T< 40-50C
for gypsum precipitation. Remarkably, these data
unequivocally suggest that in the Messinian samples
the salinity of the parent fuids was very low, not
only with respect to evaporated seawater (> 10 Wt%
NaCleq) but also to normal marine seawater (3 Wt%
NaCleq). However, the increase of salinity recorded
during single crystal growth bands as well as during
formation of the gypsum beds, indicates a progressive
enrichment of ion concentrations in parent fuids,
which is in turn correlated with the slight crystals size
reduction observed along the beds.
Additional microthermometric data are necessary to
quantify the contributions of high and low salinity
waters in order to propose a reliable genetic model
for gypsum precipitation during the frst MSC stage.
References
Attia, O.E., Lowenstein, T.K., Wali, A.M.A., 1995.
Middle Miocene gypsum, Gulf of Suez: marine or
nonmarine? Jour. Sed. Res., A65-4, 614-626.
Dela Pierre, F., Bernardi, E., Cavagna, S., Clari, P.,
Gennari, R., Irace, A., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Manzi,
V., Natalicchio, M., Roveri, M., Violanti, D., 2011.
Te record of the Messinian salinity crisis in the
Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Te Alba
section revisited. Palaeo3 310, 238-255.
Dela Pierre, F., Clari, P., Natalicchio, M., Bernardi,
E., Lozar, F., Lugli, S., Violanti, D., 2012. Big
bacteria flaments in euxinic shales of the Primary
Lower Gypsum unit (Piedmont Basin, NW Italy):
vestiges of Messinian chemotrophic microbial
mats. RCMNS RCANS Interim Colloquium,
Bucharest.
Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Schreiber, B.C., 2010.
Te Primary Lower Gypsum in the Mediterranean:
a new facies interpretation for the frst stage of the
Messinian salinity crisis. Palaeo3. 297, 83-99.
Panieri, G., Lugli, S., Manzi, V., Roveri, M., Schreiber,
C.B., Palinska, K.A., 2010. Ribosomal RNA gene
fragments from fossilized cyanobacteria identifed
in primary gypsum from the late Miocene, Italy.
Geobiology 8, 101-111.
Vai, G.B., Ricci Lucchi, F., 1977. Algal crusts,
autochtonous and clastic gypsum in a cannibalistic
evaporite basin; a case history from the Messinian
of Northern Apennine. Sedimentology, 24, 211-
244.
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RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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DIAGENETIC HISTORY OF THE VILOB GYPSUM UNIT
(VALLS PENEDS BASIN, MIOCENE, NE SPAIN): AN
EXAMPLE OF FRACTURED AND CEMENTED EVAPORITE
DEPOSIT
Play, E.
1
, Moragas, M.
2
, Martnez, C.
1
, Baqus, V.
1
, Trav, A.
1
, Ort, F.
1
& Alas, G.
1
1
Department of Geoqumica, Petrologia i Prospecci Geolgica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB). Mart i Franqus, s/n,
08028 Barcelona (Spain), e-mail: eplaya@ub.edu, tina@vallat.net, vbaques@ub.edu, f.orti@ub.edu, atrave@ub.edu,
galias@ub.edu
2
Group of Dynamics of the Lithosphere (GDL), Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera, ICTJA CSIC. Llus Sol
Sabaris, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, e-mail: mmoragas@ictja.csic.es
Keywords: Upper Burdigalian evaporites,
anhydritization, secondary gypsum textures,
fragil deformation, isotopy.
Geological setting
Te evaporitic deposit of Vilob (Barcelona province,
NE Spain) shows petrological, sedimentological and
diagenetic features of interest. Te Vilob Gypsum Unit
is located in the Valls-Peneds half-graben, which is
located in the Catalan Coastal Ranges (NE Spain). Te
Catalan Coastal Ranges are mainly constituted by a NE-
SW oriented horst and graben system developed during
the Neogene extension. Te thickness of the Neogene
sediment fll of the Valls-Peneds basin reaches up to
4000 m. As a consequence of the rifing stage, several
transgressive pulses in the Upper Burdigalian and in the
Langhian led to a partial fooding of the western part
(Peneds) of the basin. Te marine episode was fnished
by the end of Lower Serravallian time. Te basin exhibits
a heterogeneous sediment fll with non-marine clastics,
marine deposits including reefs buildups and sabkha-
salina gypsum sediments.
Gypsum unit
Te upper Burdigalian Vilob Gypsum Unit is a
succession of 60 metres in thickness composed of a
thick, lower interval of secondary gypsum (coming from
the hydration of precursor anhydrite) and an upper, thin
(few metres thick) interval of primary (depositional)
gypsum at the top. Tis evaporite succession is laying on
non-marine grey shales and limestones, and is overlain by
non-marine red and grey shales and marine calcarenites
(Langhian) (Ort & Pueyo, 1976; Bitzer, 2004).
Te secondary gypsum interval is formed by three
diferent textural varieties that progressive change to each
other, although they always preserve the depositional
lithofacies of the deposit (laminated-to-banded gypsum
alternating with thin carbonate laminae) (Ort & Pueyo,
1976). Te lowest part of this interval (up to 30 meters
thick) is texturally formed by fne-grained alabastrine
secondary gypsum, in which nodules and micronodules
can be distinguished. Te middle part (up to 20 meters
thick) is formed by radial aggregates with diameters up
to 10 cm. In the upper part, the radial aggregates become
larger enough (several tens of cm in length) to allow the
identifcation of the individual crystals forming them:
elongated, lenticular crystals crosscutting the bedding.
Some enterolithic beds are intercalated throughout this
secondary gypsum interval. Under the microscope, all
the textural varieties show anhydrite relics within the
gypsum crystals indicating the secondary character
of the gypsum. Sulphur (
34
S) and oxygen (
18
O)
isotope analyses of gypsum samples display a range of
compositions from +20.9 to +22.31 and from +12.89
to +16.21, respectively, indicating a marine origin of
the brines. Ort & Pueyo (1976) interpreted this deposit
as formed in a coastal salina (laminated-to-banded
gypsum lithofacies), which continuously evolved to a
sabkha environment (enterolithic and nodular anhydrite
lithofacies). Bitzer (2004) suggested that the evaporite
precipitation occurred in the most distant zones to the
open sea, related to non-marine environments, but the
isotopic composition of the sulphate reveals at least a
primitive marine origin.
Te upper interval (4 m thick) of the succession is
formed by primary gypsum characterized by laminated-
to-banded (gypsarenites and microselenites) lithofacies.
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Te contact with the underlying thick interval is very
sharp. Isotopic values of this gypsum are between
+15.62 and +18.65 for oxygen, and between +17.81
and +21.8 for sulphur. According to Ort & Pueyo
(1976), this upper interval was deposited in a coastal
salina environment. Moreover, the sharp contact at
its base can be interpreted as an erosional-dissolution
surface, which would have afected the large aggregates
of secondary gypsum. Tis suggests that a complete
diagenetic cycle (salina primary gypsum; sabkha
anhydrite; rehydration to secondary gypsum) occurred
before the deposition of the upper interval of primary
gypsum.
Fracturation and cementation events
Te Vilob Gypsum Unit shows several fragile
deformation events producing several fracture sets
totally or partially inflled by gypsum cements; the
fractures are developed within a lithifed gypsum unit,
and afer the anhydrite rehydration, thus reinforcing
the idea of an early diagenetic transformation of the
whole unit. Te main fracturation and cementation
events are chronologically described, from older to
younger (Moragas et al. 2012, submitted):
Set 1 and 2 (S1 and S2) fractures consist of coeval
conjugate normal faults structures (S1, NE-SW,
and S2, NE-SW trending extensional faults). Such
fractures where generated during the early post-rif
stage (Langhian), afer the transformation to secondary
gypsum. All the fracture and cavern (enlarged
fractures) porosities are totally flled by fbrous and/
or macrocrystalline gypsum cement. Fibers grow
antitaxially and show curved morphology; such
cements are sintectonical.
34
S and
18
O values of fbers
are from +13-14 and +21-22.5, respectively, falling
within the area of the host-gypsum rocks compositions
as well as Tertiary marine evaporites; initial seawater-
related input during the precipitation of such cements
cannot be ruled out, although the most probable source
of sulphate is dissolution of the host-gypsum.
Set 4 (S4) is constituted by NE-SW trending thrust
faults NW or SE dipping and totally cemented by
gypsum fbres growing parallel to slightly oblique to the
walls of the S4 fracture planes. Isotopic compositions
are similar to those of the S1-S2 fbers. Te S4 faults
are the result of the reactivation of the previous S1-
S2 structures during the Upper Langhian-Lower
Serravalian minor compressive event.
Te last fracture sets (S5 and S6) comprise a main SE-
dipping system of joints. Fracture porosity can be totally
or partially flled by macrocrystalline gypsum cements,
or cements can be absent in the least penetrative
planes. Euhedral (lenticular), up to 20 cm, are found
isotropically distributed within S5-S6 joint planes.
Enlarged by dissolution fractures (creating cavern
porosity) can be totally cemented; such macrocrystals
can also cement the S1-S2 fractures.
18
O compositions
are +14-21 while
34
S are +22-25.5; thus, such
cements show isotopic enrichment with respect to
the host-gypsum and previous fbrous cement, due
to successive chemical recycling processes from the
host-gypsum, the fbrous cement and fnally the
macrocrystalline cements. Infuence of meteoric waters
cannot be rejected. Precipitation of macrocrystalline
cements was multiepisodic, since the Upper Langhian,
clearly postdating dissolution (karstifcation?) events
enlarging fracture porosity; a major dissolution event
can be attributed to the major Messinian erosive event.
Acknowledgments
Tis research was supported by the Spanish
Government Projects CGL2009-11096 and CGL2010-
18260, and the Grup consolidat de Recerca Geologia
Sedimentria 2009SGR-1451.
References
Bitzer, K., 2004. Estimating paleogeographic,
hydrological and climatic conditions in the upper
Burdigalian Valls-Peneds basin (Catalunya,
Spain). Geologica Acta 2, 321-331.
Moragas, M., Baqus, V., Martnez, C., Play, E., Trav,
A., Alas, G., 2012-submitted. Syn- and post-tectonic
gypsum cements in fractured gypsum rocks (Vilob
Gypsum Unit, Miocene, NE Spain). Geofuids.
Ort, F., Pueyo, J.J., 1976. Yeso primario y secundario
del depsito de Vilob (Provincia de Barcelona,
Espaa). Instituto de Investigaciones Geolgica 31,
5-34.
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SEA LEVEL CHANGES AND STORM SIGNATURES IN
PLIOCENE SEQUENCES FROM VINTIL VOD - NORTHERN
DACIAN BASIN, ROMANIA
Popa, L.V.
1, 2,
& Popa, L.M
1
1
Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology & Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Blcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest,
Romania,
2
National Institute for Research and DevelopmentGeoecomar, Department of Sedimentology and Marine Geology, 23-25
Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053, e-mail address: livius.popa2008@gmail.com
Keywords: Eastern Paratethys, Dacian, shallowing
upward, tempestites, weathering
Early to Middle Dacian coarsening upward, dominant
siliciclastic sedimentary sequences from the northern
part of Dacian Basin were logged in detail in a wide
section cropping out on the lef bank of the Slnicul
de Buzu river near Vintil Vod village. Te
studied deposits belong to the superior molasse phase
of the Eastern Carpathians foredeep and developed
during the third ( Jipa, Olteanu, 2006) Pontian-
Dacian-Romanian sedimentation cycle of Dacian
Basin evolution. Te post-collision foreland of the
Romanian Carpathians is paleogeographically known
as Dacian Basin (Schmid et al., 2008; Jipa, 2006) and
co-existed within the Paratethys Domain along with
Pannonian, Euxinic and Caspian realms ( Jipa, Olariu,
2009).
Following the principles of sequence analysis, the
main facies and their associations were identifed,
described and interpreted in order to develop the
depositional model for coarsening upward, storm-
dominated sequences of Vintila Voda section.
Repetitive, shallowing-upward sequences mainly
consisting of muddy to silty ofshore facies
associations, very fne to medium shoreface sands
and bioclastic sandstones (sensu Mount, 1984). Te
latter are reddish to yellowish weathered intervals
suggesting sub-aerial exposure during sea level
dropping episodes.
Very well exposed 120 meters-thick interval was
logged and 40 samples were collected. A special
attention was given to the sedimentary structures
study as a key to identify and interpret the main
depositional facies and their associations. Laser grain
size analysis was run for unconsolidated muddy to
sandy samples, corroborated with measurements of
particle size in thin sections for the cemented levels.
For petrographic study, 25 thin sections from the
cemented mixed siliciclastic-carbonate weathered
levels were studied using optical microscopy. Bulk
powdered samples were analysed by X-ray fuorescence
for major element geochemistry.
Te sedimentary succession from Vintila Vod
represents a repetition of almost identic complete or
incomplete shallowing upward sequences. Te main
depositional facies are: massive mudstone to massive
and parallel laminated siltstone alternation; massive
fne sands with bivalves and gastropods shell clusters;
horizontal and low angle laminated (hummocky)
sand with wave ripples on top; mudstone-siltstone
to fne arenites with storm induced deformational
structures (lenticular bedding, load casts, water escape
structures); wavy and faser bedded arenites; reddish
to yellowish weathered bioclastic sandstone. Te fnal
term of the ideal sequence is always represented by the
above mentioned Fe-rich bioclastic sandstone levels;
they predominantly consist of quartz, bioclasts and
extremely few lithic fragments. In most of the samples
the presence of authigenic glauconite is noticed.
Quartz clasts are angular, sub-angular, rarely sub-
rounded, medium to poorly sorted and cemented
by iron oxides and calcite. High concentration of
Al
2
O
3
(2-16%) and Fe
2
O
3
(3-33%) and chemical
weathering index (Yang et al., 2004) ranging between
33-80% are clearly indicating efects of weathering
processes.
A high amount of storm-induced deformational
structures is reported in the studied deposits. Tey
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developed before lithifcation in non-cohesive
sediments by liquefaction and/or fuidization (Alfaro
et al., 2002). Tese processes increase interstitial
pressure within the sediment which behaves as a
viscous fuid (Allen, 1982). Several trigger mechanisms
can form sof-sediment-deformation (earthquakes,
tsunamis, overloading and storm waves). As the
present deformational structures from our deposits
are always associated with tempestites, the efect of
cyclic stress induced by wave storm activity (Alfaro
et al., 2002) is considered to be responsible. Te most
favourable conditions for liquefaction under cyclic
efect of storm waves are water depth between 10 and
20 m and storm wave height up to 6 m (Alfaro et al.,
2002).
Te studied sedimentary deposits show severe base
water level oscillations and strong storm signatures.
A petrographic framework with absence of feldspar
and other lithic fragments, angular quartz clasts,
are suggesting an immature transport regime and
long chemical weathering in a warm-dry climate
for sub-aerial exposed intervals. Cumulated, these
sedimentary features may represent the picture of a
sof transition from the Late Pontian - Early Dacian
brackish marine to Middle/Late Dacian-Romanian
fresh water fuvial-lacustrine environment ( Jipa,
Olteanu, 2006; Jipa, Olariu, 2009).
References
Alfaro, P., Delgado, J., Estevez, A., Molina, J.M.,
Moretti, M., Soria, J.M., 2002. Liquefaction and
fuidization structures in Messinian storm deposits
(Bajo Segura Basin, Betic Cordillera, southern
Spain), International Journal of Earth Sciences,
91 pp. 505-513
Allen, J.R.L., 1982. Sedimentary structures: their
character and physical basis, Vol.1, Elsevier,
Amsterdam, 593 pp.
Jipa, D.C., Olteanu, R. 2006. Dacian Basin
environmental evolution during Upper Neogene
within the Paratethys Domain, Geoecomarina, 12,
pp.91-105
Jipa, D.C., Olariu, C., 2009. Dacian Basin-
Depositional arhitecture and sedimentary history
of a Paratethys Sea, Geo-Eco-Marina Special
publication no.3
Schmid, S.M., Bernoulli, D., Fugenschuh, B.,
Matenco, L., Schefer, S., Schuster, R., Tischler,
M. And Ustaszewski, K., 2008. Te Alpine-
Carpathian-Dinaridic orogenic system: corellation
and evolution of tectonic units, Swiss Journal of
Geoscienses, Vol.101,1, pp. 101-183.
Yang, S.Y., Li, C.X., Yang, D.Y., Li, X.S., 2004.
Chemical weathering of the loess deposits in the
lower Changjiang Valley, China, Paleoclimatic
implications, Quaternary International, 117, pp.
27-34.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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CLAY MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES AND THEIR ORIGIN IN THE
MIOCENE SALT DEPOSITS OF ROMANIA
Rdan, S.
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geoecology GeoEcoMar, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, 024053 Bucharest,
Romania, e-mail: radan@geoecomar.ro
Keywords: Neogene, Carpathian Foredeep,
Transylvanian Basin, clay mineralogy, evaporites
Te Neogene salt deposits have been formed in
Romania during two main periods: Lower Miocene,
with important salt formations developed exclusively
in Carpathian Foredeep Basin, and Middle Miocene,
with salt formations widespread in Carpathian
Foredeep and Transylvanian Basin as well.
Pelitic material contained within evaporitic sequences
is represented by clayey interbeds, breccia fragments
or fnely disseminated clay particles. Te mineralogy
of clays associated or contained within Miocene
evaporitic deposits, generally follows the distribution
pattern of the detrital sequences encompassing them.
Some earlier sedimentological investigations
concerning paleocurrent directions pointed out two
main source areas for the Miocene arenitic and ruditic
deposits: a western one, consisting of the emerging
areas of the East Carpathians, and an eastern one,
represented by the Foreland. X-ray difraction study
of the less than 2 microns fraction of the Miocene
pelitic deposits have revealed distinct lateral and
vertical variations in clay mineral composition. Tus,
in Moldavia, the lower part of the Lower Miocene
sequence is characterised by a clay mineral association
practically devoid of smectite, this one becoming a
permanent component only starting with the Grey
Formation deposition. Instead, in Muntenia, the
whole Miocene pile of deposits shows various but
always present, contents of smectite, even if it usually
does not exceed illite.
During Lower Miocene salt deposition, the Foreland
was the main source area for the Moldavian
segment of the Foredeep and, consequently, the
clays associated with, or included within salt and
potassium salt deposits are characterised by a binary
assemblage (illite + chlorite), or even a monomineral
one (illite), accompanied by various random mixed-
layer structures. Middle Miocene sedimentation
was controlled mainly by sedimentary supplies from
the Carpathian area, which determined a specifc
clay mineral assemblage consisting besides illite
(dominant) and chlorite (important), of smectite
as well. Te I/S random mixed-layers are practically
ubiquitous. As regards Middle Miocene salt deposits
of Transylvanian Basin, clay mineralogy shows
an illite-chlorite assemblage, with accidentally
signifcant amounts of kaolinite (!) and sometimes
smectite in some western salt deposits (Ocna Dej,
Ocna Sibiului), suggesting the weak infuence of the
volcanic material supplies and the intervention of the
emerged Paleogene kaolinite-rich formations from
the north-western edge of the basin.
Te peculiar evolution of the clay mineral assemblages
within Lower and Middle Miocene salt formations
emphasizes that clay fractions are mainly inherited
from the land, even some transformation and/
or neoformation processes are to be admitted, in
order to explain the presence of some rectorite-like
and corrensite-like minerals, or some smectite-rich
samples.
Te distribution patterns of clay minerals in the
Miocene detrital and evaporite deposits show a
good correlation with paleocurrent directions.
Clay mineralogy may become a valuable tool for
stratigraphic correlations of evaporite sequences, and
suggests, also, the possibility to determine the age of
the salt deposits involved in the complex nappe and/
or diapir fold tectonics of the Carpathians.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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TRANSITION FROM OUTER SHELF TO COARSE GRAIN
DELTAS ACROSS THE PALEOGENE/NEOGENE BOUNDARY
INTERVAL IN NE GETIC DEPRESSION, ROMANIA
Roban, R-D.
1,2
, Anastasiu, N.
1
, & Melinte-Dobrinescu M.C.
2
1
Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology & Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Blcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest,
Romania, e-mail: reludumitru.roban@g.unibuc.ro
2
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology Bucharest, Romania, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053
Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: melinte@geoecomar.ro
Keywords: foreland basin, wedge top/foredeep,
depositional environments, tectonic vs eustatic
control.
Litho- and biostratigraphy
Te Getic Depression is a foreland basin afected
by tectonic movements. Te analysed deposits
are located on the northern margin of the basin,
overlapping the wedge top and foredeep areas.
Although in the traditional approaches (Sndulescu,
1984) the Paleogene is a period of tectonic stability,
recent work (Rbagia et al., 2011) have argued
intra-Oligocene compressional and tranpressive
movements. Paleocene-lower Miocene deposits are
represented by the following formations: Climneti
Formation (Ypresian), predominantly composed
of conglomerates; Olneti Formation (Lutetian-
Proiabonian), consisting of shales with intercalations
of thin sandstones; Cheia (towards W of the basin)
and Corbi (at the E), composed of conglomerates and
sandstones. Te latter units are Oligocene in age, i.e.,
Rupelian- Chattian, intervals covered by the NP22-
NP24 and, respectively NP23-NP25 calcareous
nannofossil zones (Roban & Melinte, 2005). Between
these coarse sedimentary bodies and above them,
the Brdule Formation was deposited, composed
of bituminous shales with sandstone intercalations.
Te age of the above-mentioned unit is Rupelian-
Early Burdigalian, argued by the presence of NP23
up to NN1 nannofossil zones. Tis study intends to
estimate the sedimentary palaeoenvironments and
the control factors, such as eustatics vs. tectonics,
within the Paleogene/Neogene boundary interval,
following the facies analysis. Within the Early
Miocene, in the Late Burdigalian (i.e., upper part of
the NN2 calcareous nannofossil zone) an evaporitic
unit, described as the Srata Gypsum Formation, was
deposited in the Getic Depression area. Tis above-
mentioned unit is followed by coarse deposits, such
as the Lower Miocene conglomerates of the Mu
Formation.
Sedimentological features
In all, 26 depositional facies have been identifed,
separated according to their grain size and sedimentary
structures that mirrored both gravitational and
tractive processes. Tus, the coarse conglomerate
facies, suggest debris falls, debris fows and high
density turbidite currents. Tick sandy facies, such
as those found in the Corbi Formation, suggest high
density turbidity currents. Tinner sandy facies, cm
up to dm in thickness, are found as intercalations in
the Bradule and Olneti formations. Tey contain
parallel laminations and current ripples, linked to
tractive or low density turbiditic fows (Lowe, 1982).
Te shales that mainly constituted the Brdule and
Olneti formations suggest suspension settling. All
the encountered facies were grouped into fve facies
associations, interpreted in terms of sedimentary
bodies: (i) cohesionless debris cones (gravel), (ii)
cohesive debris cones (diamiction), (iii) channels
(gravel and sand); (iv) gravely, as well as (v) sandy
and muddy sheets. Tese associations suggest
several depositional environments: Olneti and
Brdule formations composed of muddy and sandy
sheets suggest outer deeper shelf, Cheia and Corbi
formations can be regarded as coarse deltaic systems
(fan deltas) developed at the margin of the shelf edge.
Palaeoenvironment
Te above-mentioned sedimentological features
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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suggest several depositional environments: the
Olneti and the Brdule formations composed
of muddy and sandy sheets are indicative for an
outer deeper shelf, while the Cheia and the Corbi
formations can be regarded as coarse deltaic systems
(fan deltas) developed at the margin of the shelf edge.
We can assume that, afer the initiation of the
oldest Paleogene shelf edge into the foreland basin,
represented by the thick (cca. 600 m) Olneti
Formation, across the Eocene-Oligocene boundary,
a drastic sea level fall took place. Te shelf became
exposed and two incised valleys occurred, which
supplied two coarse deltaic systems during Oligocene,
expressed in the deposition of the Cheia and Corbi
units. Above these coarse bodies, within the Late
Oligocene, the depth of the basin increased, and
a second shelf-edge was formed (i.e., the Brdule
Formation, with a maximum thickness of 800 m).
In the same interval, the coarse sedimentary bodies
progressively newer towards the eastern part of
the basin, suggesting a clear infuence of tectonic
factor compared to the eustatic one. A lagoon
palaeoenvironment probably established during the
Early Miocene, when evaporitic succession occurred
in the Getic Depression. Ten, again the area was
partly exposed, leading to a coarse sedimentation
within the Late Burdigalian.
References
Lowe, D.R., 1982. Sediment gravity fows: II
depositional models with special reference to the
deposits of high density turbidity currents. Journal
of Sedimentary Petrology, 52, 279297.
Rbgia, T., Roban, R.D., Trpoanc, M., 2011.
Sedimentary Records of Paleogene (Eocene to
Lowermost Miocene) Deformations near the
Contact between the Carpathian Trust Belt and
Moesia. Oil & Gas Science and Technology Rev.
IFP Energies nouvelles, 66 , 931-952.
Roban, R.D.,Melinte, M.C., 2005. Paleogene litho-
and biostratigraphy of the NE Getic Depression
(Romania). Acta Paleontologica Romaniae, 5, 423-
439.
Sndulescu, M., 1984. Geotectonica Romniei.
Editura Tehnic, Bucureti. 336 pp.
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MEDITERRANEAN-PARATETHYS CONNECTIONS:
INSIGHTS FROM ISOSTACY
Ryan, W.B.F.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA,
e-mail: billr@ldeo.columbia.edu
Keywords: Black Sea, evaporation, subsidence,
Messinian, Pontian, isotope geochemistry
During its long existence the Paratethys Sea has been
connected on and of with the external saltwater ocean.
In times of isolation the Paratethys concentrated its
waters into brine that precipitated thick deposits of
evaporites in desiccating saline lakes (de Leeuw et
al., 2010). At times of excess rainfall the Paratethys
transformed to brackish and even freshwater lakes
(Popov et al., 2006). Excess water was expelled
through downstream outlets that eventually reached
the neighboring Mediterranean Sea and possibly the
Indian Ocean.
Early in its history the western Paratethys consisted
of relatively deep depressions formed by back-
arc extension, associated crustal thinning, and
substantial thermally-driven subsidence, amplifed
by the weight of accumulating sediment. Te rising
Alps and Carpathian mountains led to the shedding
of substantial thickness of clastic sediment and the
shoaling of lake foors. Te Black Sea and Caspian
depressions are older, inherited from back-arc
extension already underway in the early Cretaceous.
Tus by Oligocene and Miocene time subsidence was
mostly driven by sediment accumulation. Te Black
Sea has always remained the deepest depression in
the Paratethys realm. It was only when the Dacian
depression flled that the Danube watershed was
able to discharge its sediment to the Black Sea. Te
chemistry and faunal composition of the Paratethys
has been infuenced, and perhaps almost entirely
controlled, by the combination of climate and the
widths/depths of the sills of the interconnecting
straits and the outlets to or inlets from the external
ocean.
Climate, as it relates to the balance between
precipitation and evaporation, will determine the
salinity of the water. Salinity has its own impact on
the weight of the water. Tis load of dissolved salt is
most infuential when the basin is deep. If evaporation
is sufcient to draw down the level of the water surface
(as occurred in the Black and Caspian Seas coincident
with the desiccation phase of the Mediterranean
Salinity Crisis), the weight of the water decreases and
the region rebounds (Bartol and Govers, 2009). But
if new water is supplied from the external ocean, the
arriving salt will concentrate into a brine and add to
the load. Tus the shape of basin and the associated
uplif or subsidence of its margins can infuence the
depth of the interconnecting sills and whether these
sills exist or are interrupted by land barriers (Ryan,
2011). Te isostatic consequences of loads from the
water column and arriving sediment are amplifed
in older basins where thermally-driven subsidence is
complete.
Te Messinian Salinity Crisis has provided the
opportunity to investigate the role played by the
combined weight of the water and the accumulating
sedimentary deposits and how the loading and
unloading change the shape of basins and infuence
the size, depth and even existence of inlets and
outlets. Te interactions between the Paratethys and
Mediterranean during the Odessian, Portaferrian
and Bosphorian regional stages of the Dacian Basin
and the corresponding Pontian and early Kimmerian
stages of the Black Sea (Krijgsman et al., 2010) will
be explored in the framework of isostatic loading and
unloading and in the context of regional and local
climates shifing back and forth from predominant
evaporation to predominant precipitation.
Te Pleistocene history of the Black Sea is recorded
in shells (Major et al., 2006) and in stalagmites
from coastal caves (Badertscher et al., 2011). Tese
repositories let us examine the composition and
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chronology of a deep body of water switching from
almost fully marine to almost purely freshwater
a dozen or more times in the past one million
years. Freshwater lakes develop their own thermal
stratifcation that isolates cold deep water from
warmer surface water. In comparison, the stratifcation
in brackish and salty inland seas is produced primarily
by gradients in salinity. Depending upon intensity
and duration, stratifcation may lead to deep-water
anoxia and the resulting accumulation of sapropel
mud rich in organic carbon with preserved lipids
and DNA (Coolen et al., 2006; van der Meer et al.,
2008). Sediment supply via runof in the Pleistocene
was inhibited by permafrost in watersheds during
glacial periods and enhanced by thaw in post-glacial
time. Te weight of the ice sheets created depressions
in the upper reaches of watersheds. As a result some
of these depressions were able to divert the outfow of
periglacial lakes away from the headwater tributaries
feeding the Black and Caspian Sea and deliver this
water instead to the Baltic and Arctic Seas.
Te Pleistocene Black Sea experienced episodes
of isolation when the level of its surface dropped
below its outlet. Margins were exposed as the lake
surface shrank. Tese margins were eroded and
then re-submerged, sometimes abruptly, following
connection with the external Mediterranean (Ryan
et al., 2003). Te arrival of salty Mediterranean
water into an expanding puddle above the foor of
the abyss served as a biological pump foating the
overlying lees-dense lake water towards the surface
along with its entrained nutrients to become food for
phytoplankton.
In summary this talk will focus on three interrelated
concepts concerning Mediterranean-Paratethys
connections: 1) the role played by the weight of water,
brine, ice and sediment and its ability to modify the
shape of basins, landscapes and the existence of straits,
inlets and outlets; 2) the contrasting behavior of fresh
and salt water in controlling the stratifcation and
degree of ventilation of the water column as observed
with isotope geochemistry, faunal/foral assemblages,
alkenones and DNA extracted from fossil algae, and;
3) the function of straits and climate in switching the
hydrologic water budget between positive to negative
and producing the observed changes in isotopic
fractionation in the water delivered to the lake as well
as in the water lef behind in the lake during periods
of enhanced evaporation.
References
Badertscher et al., 2011. Pleistocene water intrusions
from the Mediterranean and Caspian seas into the
Black Sea. Nature Geoscience, 13 March 2011,
doi:10.1038/NGEO1106.
Bartol, J. and Govers, R., 2009. Flexure due to the
Messinian-Pontian sea level drop in the Black Sea.
Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10(10).
Coolen, M. J. L., A. Boere, B. Abbas, M. Baas, S. G.
Wakeham, and J. S. Sinninghe Damste, 2006. Ancient
DNA derived from alkenone-biosynthesizing
haptophytes and other algae in Holocene sediments
from the Black Sea, Paleoceanography, 21, PA1005,
doi:10.1029/2005PA001188.
de Leeuw, A., Bukowski, K., Krijgsman, W., Kuiper,
K.F., 2010. Age of the Badenian salinity crisis;
impact of Miocene climate variability on the circum-
Mediterranean region. Geology, 38, 715-718.
Krijgsman, W., Stoica, M., Vasiliev, I. and Popov, V.V.,
2010. Rise and fall of the Paratethys Sea during the
Messinian Salinity Crisis. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,
290: 183-191.
Major, C.O. et al., 2006. Te co-evolution of Black Sea
level and composition through the last deglaciation
and its paleoclimatic signifcance. Quaternary Science
Review, 25: 2031-2047.
Popov, S.V. et al., 2006. Late Miocene to Pliocene
palaeogeography of the Paratethys and its relation
to the Mediterranean. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol.
Palaeoecol., 238: 91-106.
Ryan, W.B.F., Major, C.O., Lericolais, G. and Goldstein,
S.L., 2003. Catastrophic fooding of the Black
Sea. Annual Review Earth and Planetary Sciences.
31:525554.
Ryan, W.B.F., 2011. Geodynamic responses to a two-
step model of the Messinian salinity crisis. Bull. Soc.
gol. Fr., 182, no 2: 73-78.
van der Meer, M.T.J. et al., 2008. Molecular isotopic and
dinofagellate evidence for Late Holocene freshening
of the Black Sea. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 267: 426
434.
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NEOGENE BIVALVES OF THE NORTH WEST OF ALGERIA:
EXTINCTION OR FAUNA RENEWAL?
Satour, L.
1
, Belkebir, L.
1
& Bessedik, M.
2
1
Laboratory of Stratigraphic Paleontology and Paleoenvironment, University of Oran, Algeria, Satour.linda@univ-oran.dz
2
Laboratory of Stratigraphic Paleontology and Paleoenvironment, University of Chlef, Algeria
Keywords: mollusk, Upper Miocene, Pliocene,
Oran, macrofaunal stock.
Te Neogene outcrops (North West of Algeria) show
a high diversity in bivalve mollusks which allowed the
establishment of multidisciplinary studies. Tese have
highlighted the impact of environmental changes on
the spatial and temporal evolution of these organisms
especially during the Upper Miocene-Pliocene
transition.
Indeed, the systematic analysis of the macrofossil
content of the Mio-Pliocene deposits of the south
western regions of the Mediterranean Sea has indicated
a signifcant renewal of macrofauna which is quite
remarkable in various facies (marls, sandstone and
limestone). However, only 13% of the macrofaunal
stock passed away at the Upper Miocene. Tis is
composed particularly by the Pectinidae Chlamys
scabriuscula, Manupecten fasciculata, Chlamys
brussoni, Amussiopecten baranensis, Gigantopecten
albinus, the Gryphaeidae Neopycnodonte navicularis,
the Lucinidae Loripes lacteus dujardini and the
Veneridae Tapes basteroti. Te Pliocene cooling
climate seems to be the main factor causing this
renewal of fauna.
References
Satour L. & al, 2011. Les bivalves ptriomorphes du
Tortonien suprieur du Dahra: systmatique et
palocologie. Bull. O. R. G. M. n 22, pp. 119-139.
Satour L. & al. 2009. Diversity of the bivalves
(Mollusca) of the Neogene deposits of Sahaouria
(lower Chelif basin, Algeria)., 13th Congress
RCMNS., Naples., Italy., abstract book., Acta
Naturalia de LAteneo Parmense., Vol. 45., n 1/4.,
pp. 228.
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A HIGH-RESOLUTION BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC MARKER
AT 6 MA IN THE EASTERN PARATETHYS
Stoica, M.
1
, Crihan, I.M.
2
, Popescu, G.
1
, Floroiu, A.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
3
, van Baak, C.
3
,
Vasiliev, I.
3
, Lazr, I.
1
,& Melinte-Dobrinescu, M.C.
4
1
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology & Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Blcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest, Romania
2
Oil and Gas University, Ploiesti, Romania
3
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
4
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania
Keywords: Paratethys, Maeotian, Pontian, Miocene
foraminifera;
Te history of the Paratethys domain afer its birth
was largely infuenced by the opening and closure
of gateways with marine domains, mainly with the
Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. Te general
trend of decreasing salinity of the Paratethys water
induced the endemism in faunal association, even
between Paratethyan basins. Tis complicates
biostratigraphical correlations with the Mediterranean
domain, resulting in diferent chronostratigraphic
frames for the individual Paratethyan basins. Te
general trend towards lower salinities of Paratethys
water has been interrupted from time to time by
short invasions of salt water from adjacent marine
basins. Te brief reopening of gateways allows
some marine faunal immigrants to penetrate into
the Paratethys. Tis results in marker levels with
uniform marine paleontological content that can be
followed all over the Paratethys. One of these events
happened close to the Maeotian / Pontian boundary
at ~6 Ma, when endemic brackish and fresh water
fauna have been replaced with marine fauna that
include benthonic and planktonic foraminifera. Te
presence of agglutinated and calcareous foraminifera
of marine origin suggests that a major fooding event
by marine waters has taken place in the Eastern
Paratethys, probably by establishing a connection to
the Mediterranean or Indian Ocean. At the same
time, the Pannonian Basin reconnected with the
Dacian Basin, and endemic Pannonian mollusk fauna
migrated into the Eastern Paratethys.
Detailed biostratigraphic and paleomagnetic sampling
of Upper Miocene deposits from diferent parts of the
Eastern Paratethys (Krijgsman et al., 2010, Stoica et
al., 2012, Van Baak et al., in prep.) shows the presence
of this marker level from the Dacian Basin, to the
northeastern Black Sea Taman Peninsula and the
Caspian Sea, proving a widespread regional extent.
Tis level is situated at the uppermost part of the
Maeotian Stage, near the boundary with the Pontian
Stage and has been magnetostratigraphically dated at
6.04 Ma (Krijgsman et al., 2010, Vasiliev et al., 2011).
Te microfauna is dominated by benthonic calcareous
foraminifera (species of Ammonia, Porosononion
and Quinqueloculina) and especially by agglutinated
foraminifers (species of Ammotium). Te biserial
planktonic foraminifera genus Streptochilus is also
present in large numbers. Tese biserial planktonic
foraminifera were earlier described from the Upper
Maeotian deposits of the Western Caucasus and the
Taman peninsula (as belonging to the genus Bolivina
(Maissuradze, 1988)), and from Miocene sediments
of the Indian Ocean (Smart and Tomas, 2006,
2007). Te 6 Ma marker level is further characterized
by shell accumulations of the bivalve Congeria
(Andrusoviconcha) amygdaloides novorossica, a
biostratigraphical marker for the MaeotianPontian
boundary. Te marker level (samples from the Dacian
basin - Slanicul de Buzau section) provides a calcareous
nannofossils assemblage of the NN11 zone of Martini
(1971), based on the presence of Amaurolithus primus.
In addition, the presence of Nicklithus amplifcus,
having its LO (lowest occurrence) between 6.909 and
6.684 Ma, and its HO (highest occurrence) between
5.978 and 5.939 Ma (Raf et al., 2006) indicates
that the marker level is placed in the NN11b zone of
Berggren et al. 1995.
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References:
Berggren, W.A., Kent, D.V., Swisher III, C.C., Aubry,
M.-P., 1995. A revised Cenozoic geochronology
and chronostratigraphy. In: Berggren,W.A.,
Kent, D.V., Aubry, M.-P., Hardenbol, J. (Eds.),
Geochronology, Time Scales and Global
Stratigraphic Correlation: A Unifed Temporal
Framework for an Historical Geology. Special
Publication Society of Economic Paleontologists and
Mineralogists 54, 141212.
Krijgsman, W., Stoica, M., Vasiliev, I. & Popov, V.,
2010. Rise and fall of the Paratethys Sea during
the Messinian salinity crisis. Earth and Planetary
Science Letters. 290, 183191
Maissuradze, L.S., 1988. Foraminifery meotisa
zapadnoi Gruzii. Metzniereba, 73 pp., 32 pls.
Tbilisi.
Martini, E., 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary
calcareous nannoplankton zonation. Proceedings
of the 2nd International Conference on Planktonic
Microfossils, Roma 1970, 2, p. 739785.
Raf, I., Backman, J., Fornaciari, E., Plike, H.,
Rio, D., Lourens, L., Hilgen, F., 2006. A review
of calcareous nannofossil astrobiochronology
encompassing the past 25 million years.
Quaternary Science Review 25, 3113-3137.
Smart, C. W. and Tomas E., 2006. Te enigma
of early Miocene biserial planktic foraminifera.
Geology. 34: 1041-1044.
Smart C.W. & Tomas E. 2007: Emendation of the
genus Streptochilus Brnnimann and Resig, 1971
(Foraminifera), and new species from the lower
Miocene of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Micropaleontology 53, 12, 73103.
Stoica, M., Lazr. I., Krijgsman, W., Vasiliev, I., Jipa,
D & Floroiu, A., 2012. Palaeoenvironmental
evolution of the East Carpathian foredeep during
the late Miocene early Pliocene (Dacian Basin;
Romania). Global and Planetary Change, doi:
10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.04.004
Van Baak, C.G.C., A. Grothe, M. Stoica, E.
Aliyeva, I. Vasiliev, W. Krijgsman, (2012).
Paleo environmental reconstructions and
chronostratigraphic dating of the South Caspian
Basin Latest Miocene to recent, RCMNS
Interim Coll. Bucharest (this volume).
Vasiliev I., Iosifdi A.G., Khramov A.N., Krijgsman
W., Kuiper, K.F., Langereis C.G., Popov V.V.,
Stoica M., Tomsha V.A. and Yudin S.V. (2011).
Magnetostratigraphy and radiometric dating
of upper Miocene - lower Pliocene sedimentary
successions of the Black Sea Basin (Taman
Peninsula, Russia), Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol.
Palaeoecol., 310, 163-175.
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THE ESTABLISHED OF A NEOTYPE FOR
PARADOLICHOPITHECUS GETICUS NECRASOV, RDULESCU
& SAMSON 1961
tiuc E. & Petculescu, A.
Emil Racovita Speleological Institute of the Romanian Academy, str. Frumoasa, nr. 11, 78114, Bucuresti/Romania.
e-mail: stiucaemil@yahoo.com
Keywords: Paradolichopitecus, Plio-Pleistocene
border, Valea Graunceanului, neotype
Because the original bone remains who served to
original description of Paradolichopitecus geticus
(Necrasov, Rdulescu & Samson 1961) were not
found in any paleontological collections we prepare
this paper in order to describe the neotype.
Fossil bones used for this purpose belong to the
Emil Racovi Institute of Speleology with the
identifcation number VGr/398 3/402.
Tis bone, unlike of the original material, is a unitary
piece with frontal bone, and facial block belonging
to same individual gathering together the two basic
parts used in the original description.
Beside this material we used, as the initial description,
a very well preserved mandible who belonging to
Paleontological Laboratory from the Bucharest
University with the identifcation number LPB 300.
Beside those remains who represent the neotype, we
take account of other material belonging to the same
fossiliferous site. Now all the materials belonging to
Paradolichopitecus geticus, known from Romanian
collections (ISER, LPB and IAVP Archaeological
Institute Vasile Prvan), are measured and described
in this paper.
As we already mentioned all the remains come from
Valea Graunceanului (Tetoiu) Olte valley who at
his time was one of the richest fossil point in Europe.
From this point were described two new species and
exotic species like ostrich, pangolin and girafe (most
western location in Europe).
For a better knowledge about the anthropoid monkeys
was made more measurements and especially more
detailed morphological observations. Also, our
material was carefully compared with close forms
from Europe and especially Balkans.
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THE ISOLATION OF THE CENTRAL PARATETHYS:
HOW OROGENESIS AND SEA LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS
CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEMISE OF A LARGE INLAND SEA
Ter Borgh, M.
1
, Vasiliev, I.
2
, Stoica, M.
3
, Kneevi, S.
4
, Matenco, L.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
2
,
Rundi, L.
4
& Cloetingh, S.
2
1
Department of Earth Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Te Netherlands, email marten.ter.borgh@vu.nl;
2
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Te Netherlands;
3
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology & Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest,
Romania
4
Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Te Paratethys was a large network of inland seas that
once extended from central Europe to inner Asia. At
the beginning of the Late Miocene the Pannonian basin
and associated Central Paratethys basins were isolated
from the remainder of the Paratethys. In the basin, this
isolation is marked by a palaeoenvironmental change
from marine to fresh water conditions that caused the
regional Sarmatian-Pannonian Extinction Event. It
also had profound implications for the interbasinal
sediment transfer as products from the erosion of
the uplifing Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides were
trapped in the Pannonian basin. Te exact age of and
cause for the isolation are still subject to debate. Here,
we couple magnetostratigraphic dating to ostracod
and mollusc biostratigraphy to establish the isolation
age of the Pannonian basin. Samples were collected
from a Late Miocene section on the northern fank
of the Fruka Gora inselberg (northern Serbia). We
found an isolation age of 11.65 Ma for the Pannonian
basin. Tis is in line with recent results from the
Vienna basin but 0.35 My older than recent results for
the Transylvanian basin, suggesting that the isolation
took place in two steps. We conclude that the uplif of
the Carpathians caused the isolation and that eustatic
sea level fuctuations may have triggered it.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
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THE BADENIAN SARMATIAN TRANSITION IN THE
SOUTH CARPATHIANS FOREDEEP
Tulbure, M.
1,2
, Stoica, M.
2
, Krijgsman, W.
1,
Crihan, M.
3
&

Popescu, G.
2
1
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, Te Netherlands
2
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Bucharest University, Blcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Romania
3
University Petrol-Gaze, Geology and Geophysics Department, Bd Bucuresti 39, 100680 Ploiesti, Romania
Key words : foraminifera, paleoecology, Parathetys,
Middle Miocene
In the Romanian part of the Carpathian foredeep, the
Badenian stage is divided in three stratigraphic units
corresponding to a regional chronostratigraphic scale
- Lower Badenian: Moravian stage Globigerina
marls, Middle Badenian: Wielician stage - Slnic
Tuf - Evaporites and Upper Badenian: Kosovian
stage which is represented by Radiolarian shales and
Spirialis marls.
In this paper the main focus is on the Kosovian which
is developed in a detrital facies and is represented by
a sedimentation consisting of blue to gray marls with
some thin, brownish layers of oxidized pyrite with a
rich foraminifera fauna. Te Sarmatian deposits are
deposited concordantly over the Badenian, and consist
of a series of gray clays and silty clays with a tufaceous
intercalation. Tese deposits contain a diversity of
foraminiferal species that indicate relatively deep
open-marine waters during the Kosovian and brackish
marine environment in the Sarmatian.
Te aim of this study is to document the foraminiferal
fauna, benthic and planktonic, together with
ostracods fauna changes, to better understand the
paleoenvironmental and paleoecological changes that
took place during the Badenian-Sarmatian transition
and to compare the results from two section in the
South Carpathian foredeep: Cosmina Valley and
Morilor Valley located in the south of the Eastern
Carpathian foredeep and in the western side of the
Southern Carpathian foredeep, respectively. A total
number of 67 samples was taken to provide a dataset
for quantitative analysis. In order to get information
about the evolution of the foraminiferal assemblage,
diversity and dominance trends, distribution charts
have been made.
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PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS AND
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC DATING OF THE SOUTH
CASPIAN BASIN LATEST MIOCENE TO RECENT
Van Baak, C. G. C.
1
, Grothe, A.
1
, Stoica, M.
1,2
, Aliyeva, E
3
, Vasiliev, I.
1
, Krijgsman, W.
1
.
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
2
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1, 010041, Bucharest,
Romania
3
Geological Institute of Azerbaijan (GIA), H. Javid Av. 29A, AZ1143, Baku, Azerbaijan, email: C.G.C.vanBaak@uu.nl
Keywords: Magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy,
South Caspian Basin, Mio-Pliocene, Pontian,
Akchagylian
Te timescale for the Neogene South Caspian
Basin sufers from a lack of well-dated sections and
unclear nomenclature. As a result, no unambiguous
timescale for this economically important region
exists, which makes (1) correlation to a global
climatic curve highly speculative and (2) high-
resolution stratigraphical correlations throughout
the region very difcult. To improve the existing
record we will use an integrated approach combining
biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and Ar/Ar-
dating. We focus on two important transgressive
events in the stratigraphic record of Azerbaijan
which allow for Paratethys-wide correlation.
Te frst transgression is the boundary between
the Meotian and Pontian regional stages, which
is marked by an infux of marine waters into the
Paratethys. Tis has previously been dated in both
the Black Sea region and Dacian Basin of Romania
at 6.04 Ma. Our results from Azerbaijan show this
marine fooding also reached into the Caspian Sea.
Te second key-moment is the fooding of the South
Caspian Basin overlying the Productive Series, the
major reservoir unit in the area. Previous work at
this boundary has resulted in large age-diferences
between 4.2 Ma and 2.5 Ma. We will combine
magnetostratigraphic records from two sections to
determine the age of this boundary.
References
Krijgsman, W., Stoica, M., Vasiliev, I. & Popov,
V.V., 2010. Rise and fall of the Paratethys Sea
during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Earth
Planet. Sci. Lett., 290(1-2), 183-191.
Stoica, M., Lazar, I., Krijgsman, W., Vasiliev,
I., Jipa, D.C. & Floroiu, A., 2012.
Palaeoenvironmental evolution of the East
Carpathian foredeep during the late Miocene -
early Pliocene (Dacian Basin; Romania). Global
and Planetary Change, in press.
Van Baak, C.G.C., Vasiliev, I., Stoica, M., Kuiper,
K.F., Forte, A.M., Aliyeva, E. & Krijgsman,
W., 2012. A magnetostratigraphic time frame
for Plio-Pleistocene transgressions in the
South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan. Global and
Planetary Change, in press.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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NEGATIVE HYDROLOGICAL BUDGET OF THE BLACK
SEA DURING THE MESSINIAN SALINITY CRISIS OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN
Vasiliev, I.
1,2*
, Reichart, G. J.
1,3
, Sangiorgi, F.
4
, Krijgsman, W.
2
,
van Roij, L.
1
1
Organic Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te
Netherland, email: i.vasiliev@uu.nl
2
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, 3584
CD, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
3
Alfed Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Biogeosciences, Am Handelshafen 12 (E), D-27570 Bremerhaven,
Germany
4
Biomarine Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te
Netherlands
Keywords: hydrogen isotopes, Paratethys,
connectivity
During the Miocene and Pliocene, the Paratethys
represented a large restricted basin extending from
central Europe to inner Asia. Because of location
and restriction, the Paratethys was very sensitive
to fuctuations in the hydrological cycle. However,
until now these changes have been assessed mainly
through the reconstruction of relative salinity
and sea level. Here we present compound specifc
analyses of hydrogen isotope ratios (D), measured
on both terrestrial and aquatic biomarkers to
investigate changes in the hydrological budget of
the Paratethys during the Mio-Pliocene transition.
Organic geochemistry analyses of the Mio-Pliocene
succession in DSPD42B core 380A from the Black
Sea, drilled in the mid seventies, revealed both
long chain n-alkanes with a distinct odd over even
predominance originating from terrestrial plants,
and abundant long-chain alkenones originating
from haptophyte algae. Te D analyses of these
compounds together constrain precipitation and
sea surface salinity. Te D of the alkenones from
DSPD42B core 380A of the Black Sea shows a D
enrichment of ~70 at the end of the Miocene.
Te amplitude of this change implies a major shif
in sea water D, either caused by a doubling of
salinity or a switch in source water D. Tis shif in
D coincided with the Messinian Salinity Crisis in
the Mediterranean when kilometer thick evaporites
were deposited. Although the Paratethys did not
reach the saturation level required to generate
gypsum precipitation, the recorded deuterium
enrichment suggests a negative water budget in
the region with evaporation exceeding rainfall and
runof.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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MIO-PLIOCENE HERPETOFAUNA OF WESTERN SIBERIA
AND ITS PALAEOCLIMATIC SIGNIFICANCE
Vasilyan, D.
1
, Bhme, M.
1,2
, Zazhigin, V.
3
& Winklhofer, M.
4
1
Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Department for Geoscience, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076 Tbingen, Germany,
e-mail: davit.vasilyan@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de
2
Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoecology (HEP), Germany, e-mail: m.boehme@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de
3
Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky lane 7, 119017 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: zazhvol@gmail.com
4
Department of Earth- and Environmental Science, Ludwig-Maximillians-University Munich, Teresienstr. 41, 80333
Munich, Germany, e-mail: michael.winklhofer@geophysik.uni-muenchen.de
Keywords: terrestrial climate proxies, palaeo-
precipitation, Eastern Paratethys, climate evolution
Western Siberia comprises the drainage basin of the
major Siberian Rivers Irtysh and Ob, both fowing
into the Kara Sea of the Arctic Ocean. In this region
continuous sedimentation through Neogene could
be observed. Till now main paleontological studies
of the region are dedicated to study of Neogene
small mammal taxonomy (Zykin et al., 2007).
Due to this well-resolved regional small mammal
biostratigraphy of Neogene outcrops is available
(Zykin et al., 2008).
Te fossil material of these localities provides also
remains of herpetofaunal assemblage, which we
have studied from more than 30 localities of Middle
Miocene Early Pleistocene age. Te available
material allows us to distinguish members of 16
families (Proteidae, Salamandridae, Hynobiidae,
Cryptobranchidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, Hylidae,
Bombinatoridae, Palaeobatrachidae, Pelobatidae,
Lacertidae, Gekkonidae, Anguidae, Emydidae,
Boidae, Colubridae). Tis unexpected richness
signifcantly contributes to the understanding of
the evolution and biogeography of cool-temperate
amphibians and reptiles of Eurasia, but also to the
taxonomy of the certain groups, like Hynobiidae.
Miocene and Early Pliocene herpetofauna
assemblages are comparatively diverse and provide
up to 8 species per locality. In contrast, diversity
is less in the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene
localities.
Based on bio-climatic analysis of fossil herpetofauna
(amphibians and reptiles) (Bhme et al., 2006)
we develop a paleo-precipitation database for the
period from the latest Middle Miocene to the
Early Pliocene for West Siberia. Tese humidity
signals we compare and discuss with those existing
humidity proxies from Eastern Paratethys and
Western Europe (Bhme et al., 2008, 2011a, 2011b).
References
Bhme, M., Ilg, A., Ossig, A., Kchenhof, H., 2006.
New method to estimate paleo-precipitation
using fossil amphibians and reptiles and the
middle and late Miocene precipitation gradients
in Europe. Geology 34(6), 425-428.
Bhme, M., Ilg, A., Winklhofer, M., 2008. Late
Miocene washhouse climate in Europe.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimate, Palaeoecology
275, 393-401.
Bhme, M., Vasilyan, D., Winklhofer, M., 2011a.
Palaeoprecipitation in the Eastern Paratethys
region before, during and afer Messinian
salinity crisis. In: Sierro, F.J., Gonzlez-Delgado,
J.A., (Eds.), Abstracts book of Joint RCMNS-
RCANS Interim Colloquimum, Salamanca,
September 21-23, 2011. P. 77.
Bhme, M., Winklhofer, M., Ilg, A., 2011b.
Miocene precipitation in Europe: Temporal
trends and spatial gradients. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimate, Palaeoecology 304, 212-218.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Zykin, V. S., Zykina, V. S., Zazhigin, V. S., 2007.
Issues on separation and correlating Pliocene
and Quarternary sediments of Southwestern
Siberia. Archeology, Ethnology & Anthropology
of Eurasia 30, 24-40.
Zykin, V. S., Zykina, V. S., Orlova, L. A., 2008.
Late Cenozoic environmental and climate
changes of Western Siberia. In: Derevyanko,
A. P., (Ed.), Late Cenozoic global and regional
environmental and climate changes in Siberia.
Publishing house of Siberian section of Russian
Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, pp. 175-245.
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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THE NEOGENE MAMMAL LOCALITIES OF SOUTHERN
MEDITERRANEAN SIDE
Zouhri, S.
1
& Ben Moussa, A.
2
1
Laboratory of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences, University Hassan II-Casablanca. Km 8, route dEl Jadida, BP 5366
Marif, 20100 Casablanca, Marocco, e-mail: s.zouhri@fsac.ac.ma
2
Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essaadi, Ttouan Marocco
Keywords: Neogene, Mammal faunas, North Africa,
Te continental Neogene of the southern shore of the
Mediterranean Sea is relatively less documented than
in the north side or in comparison with East Africa.
Tis is probably due to the limited feld research
and the scarcity of Neogene terrestrial deposits in
North Africa. However, knowledge of the Neogene
of the southern Mediterranean side is needed to
provide a complete picture of climate, biological and
Geodynamics events has recorded the Mediterranean
region at this period. Te succession of many well-
dated Neogene fossil mammal localities ofers the
basis for a reliable continental biochronology and
paleobiogeography in Northern Africa.
Te early Miocene of North Africa is poor in mammal
localities. Two interesting localities: Moghara
and Siwa were reported in Egypt. Te Moghara
deposits may overlap in time with basal part of Jebel
Zelten in Libya, (equivalent in age to MN 45
of the European mammal zonation). Jebel Zelten
assemblages represent three periods in time and cover
approximately 4 Ma. In Africa, the mammalian faunas
from the early Miocene to early middle Miocene are
well-known to have undergone signifcant exchanges
with Eurasia. Te location of Moghra and Siwa,
physically closer to Eurasia than East Africa, provides
a unique perspective from which to view the nature
and extent of contact between early Miocene Eurasian
and African mammals.
Te middle Miocene mammal localities of North
Africa are few. With the exception of the Libyan basal
Middle Miocene locality of Jebel Zelten most of the
others known localities (Beni Mellal; Azdal 1, 3, 6, 7;
Pataniak 6 and Jebel Rhassoul) are in Morocco and
they are dated at the end of Miocene (equivalent to
the European zones MN6 - MN7/8). Tere are no
signifcant diferences between the large mammalian
faunas of North and East Africa in the Early and
Middle Miocene, in spite of the open character of the
poorly known late middle Miocene North African
faunal assemblages. Te middle Miocene faunas of
North Africa are generally dominated by rodents
that are immigrants from Eurasia or from the tropical
Africa.
Te late Miocene of North Africa is richer in mammal
faunas, including both Vallesian and Turolian
localities. Large Vallesian mammal localities are Bou
Hanifa and Oued Mya 1 in Algeria, and Beglia (Bled
Douarah) and Djebel Krechem EL Artsouma in
Tunisia. Te Vallesian rodents are known essentially in
Oued Zra, Oued Tabia and Afoud 6 in Morocco and
Sheikh Abdallah in Egypt. Te Turolian localities are
quite enough, especially that yielded small mammals.
During the middle and late Miocene, North African
faunas have evolved locally, acquiring an endemic
character. In the lower and middle Turolian, an
endemism is developed in North Africa with regard
to the fauna of small mammals. On the other side, in
the Upper Turolian, several localities yielded species
with south-western European afnities, while north-
western African species were discovered in south-
western European contemporaneous sites.
Te Pliocene is known essentially from many sites
in the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia).
Pliocene localities are interesting in the North Africa
for having alloctonous elements. Te lower Pliocene
faunas of North Africa display similarities with East
and Central Africa. During the late Pliocene, Eurasian
infuences have remained marginal, and most faunal
exchanges were done with the rest of Africa.
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Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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INDEX
Names Address e-mail
Afandiyeva
Malahat
Institute of Geology ANAS, AZ1143,Baku,Azerbaijan,G.
Javid av.,29A
m.efendiyeva@gia.ab.az
Agusti Jordi ICREA. Institut de Paleoecologia humana i Evoluci
social (IPHES). Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Pl. Imperial
Tarraco, 1. 43005-Tarragona. Spain
jordi.agusti@icrea.cat
Bbel Maciej Institute of Geology, University of Warsaw, 02-089
Warszawa, Al. wirki i Wigury 93, Poland,
m.babel@uw.edu.pl
Badura
Jaroszw
Polish Geological Institute, National Research Institute,
Lower Silesian Branch in Wrocaw, al. Jaworowa 19, 50-
122 Wrocaw, Poland
janusz.badura@pgi.gov.pl
Bartol Milo Ivan Rakovec Institute of Paleontology ZRC SAZU, Novi
trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
mbartol@zrc-sazu.si
Begun David University of Toronto, Department of Anthropology, 19
Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
begun@chass.utoronto.ca
Beldean
Claudia
Babe-Bolyai University, Department of Geology, 1 Mihail
Koglniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
beldean_claudia@yahoo.com
Bernardi
Elisa nu vine
Torino University, Department of Earth Science, Via
Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy
elisa.bernardi@unito.it
Bhme
Madelaine
University Tbingen (Germany), Institute for Geoscience,
Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tbingen
m.boehme@ifg.uni-tuebingen.
de
Briceag
Andrei
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology,
23-25 Dimitrie Onciul, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania
andrei.briceag@geoecomar.ro
Bukowski
Krzysztof
AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of
Geology, Geophysics and Environment Protection, Al.
Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
buk@agh.edu.pl
Casanovas-
Vilar Isaac
Institut Catal de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont,
Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB
s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Valls, Spain
isaac.casanovas@icp.cat
Cosentino
Domenico
Roma Tre University, Department of Geological Sciences,
1 L.go S. Leonardo Murialdo, I-00146 Rome, Italy
cosentin@uniroma3.it
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Names Address e-mail
Crihan
Monica
Oil and Gas University, Ploiesti, Romania crihanim@mail.upg-ploiesti.ro
D'Amico
Carmine
1Informal Group of Micropaleontological and
Malacological Researches, www.girmm.com
carminedamicot@libero.it
Daneshian
Jahanbakhsh
Kharazmi University, Department of Geology, 43
Mofatteh Avenue, 15614 Tehran, Iran
daneshian@tmu.ac.ir
Dela Pierre
Francesco
Universit di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra,
Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino - Italy
francesco.delapierre@unito.it
De Leeuw
Arjan
CASP, West Building, 181A Huntingdon Road,
Cambridge, CB3 0DH, United Kingdom,
arjan.deleeuw@casp.cam.ac.uk
Ferraro
Luciana
Istituto Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC)-CNR,
Calata Porta di Massa, Interno Porto di Napoli, 80133
Napoli
luciana.ferraro@iamc.cnr.it
Floroiu Alina Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
foroiualina@yahoo.com
Frunzescu
Dumitru
Geology-Geophysics Department, Petroleum-Gas
University of Ploiesti, 100680, Ploiesti, Romania
dfrunzescu@yahoo.com
Gliozzi Elsa Roma Tre University, Department of Geological Sciences,
1 L.go S. Leonardo Murialdo, I-00146 Rome, Italy
gliozzi@uniroma3.it
Grothe Arjen Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, Department
of Earth Sciences, Marine Palynology, Laboratory of
Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD
Utrecht, Te Netherlands
a.grothe@uu.nl
Grunert
Patrick
Institute for Earth Sciences, University of Graz,
Heinrichstrae 26, A-8010 Graz, Austria
patrick.grunert@uni-graz.at
Harzhauser
Mathias
Natural History Museum Vienna, Geological-
Paleontological Department, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna,
Austria
mathias.harzhauser@nhm-wien.
ac.at
Hilgen Frits Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University,
Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
f.j.hilgen@uu.nl
Hsing Silja Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University,
Utrecht, Te Netherlands
S.K.Husing@uu
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Names Address e-mail
slamolu
Yeim
General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration,
Mineral Research Department, 06520-Balgat- Ankara,
Turkey
yesimislamoglu@yahoo.com
Jipa Dan National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology,
23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053 Bcuharest,
Romania
jipa@geoecomar.ro
Kov
Michal
Department of Geology and Palaeontology, Faculty of
Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Mlynsk dolina
G, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
kovacm@fns.uniba.sk
Krijgsman
Wout
Paleomagnetic Laboratory Fort Hoofddijk, Department
of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Te
Netherlands
W.Krijgsman@uu.nl
Lazr Iuliana Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
iuliana.lazar@g.unibuc.ro
Lirer
Fabrizio
Istituto Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC) - CNR,
Calata Porta di Massa, Interno Porto di Napoli 80133
Napoli - Italy
fabrizio.lirer@iamc.cnr.it
Lof Johanna Gosciences Montpellier, University of Montpellier 2,
Place Eugne Bataillon, France
johanna.lof@gm.univ-montp2.
fr
Lozar
Francesca
Universit di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra,
Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino Italy
francesca.lozar@unito.it
Lubenescu
Victoria
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology,
23-25 Dimitrie Onciul, RO-024053 Bucharest, Romania
Lugli Stefano Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi
di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Largo S. Eufemia 19, 41100
Modena, Italy
stefano-lugli@unimore.it
Mandic Oleg Department of Geology & Palaeontology, Natural History
Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria
oleg.mandic@nhm-wien.ac.at
Manzi
Vinicio
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit degli Studi
di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 157/A, 43100 Parma,
Italy
vinicio.manzi@unipr.it
Masini
Federico
University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Sea
Science, Via Archiraf 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy
federico.masini unipa.it
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Names Address e-mail
Mazza Paul Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence,
Italy, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
paul.mazza@unif.it
Melinte-
Dobrinescu
Mihaela
National Institute of Marine Geology and Geo-ecology,
23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, RO-024053 Bcuharest,
Romania
melinte@geoecomar.ro
Natalicchio
Marcello
Torino University, Department of Earth Sciences, via
Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy
marcello.natalicchio@unito.it
Palcu Dan Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
dan.palcu@gmail.com
Play
Elisabet
Department of Geoqumica, Petrologia i Prospecci
Geolgica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB). Mart i
Franqus, s/n, 08028 Barcelona (Spain)
eplaya@ub.edu
Popa Livius University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, Department of Mineralogy, 1st Nicolae
Balcescu Bd., RO-010041 2
livius.popa2008@gmail.com
Popescu
Gheorghe
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
gippopescu@yahoo.com
Prieto
Jrme
Uni Tbingen, Sigwartstrae, 10 D-72074 Tbingen j.prieto@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Rdan Silviu National Institute of Marine Geology and Geoecology
GeoEcoMar, 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul Street, 024053
Bucharest, Romania
radan@geoecomar.ro
Roban Relu University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, 1 Nicolae Blcescu Blvd., Bucharest, Romania
reludumitru.roban@g.unibuc.ro
Roveri Marco Dept. of Earth Sciences - University of Parma,Parco Area
delle Scienze 157/A 43100 Parma, Italy
marco.roveri@unipr.it
Ryan
William
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA
billr@ldeo.columbia.edu
Satour Linda Laboratory of Stratigraphic Paleontology and
Paleoenvironment, University of Oran, Algeria
Satour.linda@univ-oran.dz
Savorelli
Andrea
University of Firenze, Department of Earth Science, Via
La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
andrea.savorelli@unif.it
Paratethys-Mediterranean Interactions: Environmental Crises during the Neogene
RCMNS Interim Colloquium
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Names Address e-mail
Stoica
Marius
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
marius.stoica@g.unibuc.ro
tiuc Emil Emil Racovita Speleological Institute of the Romanian
Academy, str. Frumoasa, nr. 11, 78114, Bucuresti/Romania
romanianspeleology@k.ro
Ter Borgh
Marten
Department of Earth Sciences, VU University
Amsterdam, Te Netherlands
marten.ter.borgh@vu.nl
Tulbure
Maria
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Balcescu Bd. 1,
010041, Bucharest, Romania
tulbure_maria@yahoo.com
Tunolu
Cemal
Hacettepe University, Engineering Faculty,Dept. of
Geological Eng. 06800 Beytepe/Ankara/Trkiye
tunay@hacettepe.edu.tr
Van Baak
Christiaan
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University,
Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht, Te Netherlands
C.G.C.vanBaak@uu.nl
Vasiliev
Iuliana
Organic Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences,
Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD, Utrecht,
Te Netherland
i.vasiliev@uu.nl
Vasilyan
Davit
Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Department for
Geoscience, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076 Tbingen, Germany
davit.vasilyan@ifg.uni-
tuebingen.de
Zouhri
Samir
Laboratory of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences, University
Hassan II-Casablanca. Km 8, route dEl Jadida, BP 5366
Marif, 20100 Casablanca, Marocco
s.zouhri@fsac.ac.ma
Zuppetta
Adriano
Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e
Ambientali SEZIONE DI SCIENZE DELLA TERRA
Universit di Catania , Corso Italia, 57 - 95129 Catania,
Italy
a.zuppetta@gmail.com
Zuppetta
Agostino
Universit degli Studi del Sannio / Dipartimento di
Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche, Ambientali, Via Dei
Mulini 59/A - 80100 Benevento _ Italy
zuppetta@unisannio.it
BUCHAREST, 27- 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 - RCMNS I NTERI M COLLOQUI UM
I SSN __ _ _- __ _ _

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