ALBERT

Description:    Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Štramberk-type reef limestones are known from some parts of the Southern Carpathians in Romania. The Upper Jurassic deposits mainly consist of massif reef limestones including a variety of microbialites associated with micro-encrusters. They played an important role in the formation and evolution of the reef frameworks and thus are of significant importance for deciphering the depositional environments. For our study, the most important encrusting organisms are Crescentiella morronensis, Koskinobullina socialis , Lithocodium aggregatum, Bacinella -type structures, Radiomura cautica , Perturbatacrusta leini , Coscinophragma sp., and crust-forming coralline sponges such as Calcistella . Based on microscopic observations, microbial contribution to reef construction is documented by the abundance of dense micrite, laminate structures, clotted, thrombolithic or peloidal microfabrics, constructive micritic cortices, biogenic encrustations and cement crusts, as well as by other types of microbial structures and crusts. Most of the investigated carbonate deposits can be classified as “coral-microbial-microencruster boundstones” which are characteristic for the Intra-Tethyan domain. Their paleogeographical significance is indicated by the presence of many features comparable with carbonate deposits of rimmed platform systems from the Northern Calcareous Alps or Central Apennines. Based on the distribution of the facies and facies associations within the carbonate sequences under study we can distinguish slope and external shelf margin environments. The microbial crusts, the encrusting micro-organisms, and in some cases the syndepositional cements have stabilized and bound the carbonates of the slope facies types. Subsequently, the stable substrate favored the installation of coral-microbial bioconstruction levels. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-30 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0325-1 Authors George Pleş, Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Cristian V. Mircescu, Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Ioan I. Bucur, Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Emanoil Săsăran, Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Neomeris (Lamouroux, 1816 ) is an extant taxon, the origin of which can be tracked back into Early Cretaceous times. The introduction of a new mid-Cretaceous species from Brazil, i.e., Neomeris srivastavai n. sp., offers the opportunity to review the subdivision of the genus into three subgenera, to complete the catalogue of the fossil calcareous algae of Brazil, and to point out the huge stratigraphic gap and lack of documentation between the first occurrence of the dasycladacean model of reproduction, i.e., choristospory, and the oldest record so far known of an undescribed fossil Neomeris (from Portugal). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0322-4 Authors Bruno Granier, Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Univers, UFR des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France Dimas Dias-Brito, Departamento de Geologia Aplicada, UNESPetro, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, IGCE, Caixa-Postal 178, av. 24 A 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil Ioan I. Bucur, Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Str. M. Kogalniceanu nr.1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    In the Argolis, the Basal Sequence, constituting the eastern Pelagonian margin which bordered the Maliac-Vardar oceanic domain, includes shallow-water carbonates of Late Triassic-Early Jurassic, condensed pelagic limestones of Early-Middle Jurassic, radiolarian cherts of late Middle-Late Jurassic age and siliceous mudstones and sandstones rich in ophiolite fragments. Up-section, coarse breccias, including clasts of boninites derived from the ophiolite obducted onto the Pelagonian margin in Late Jurassic times crop out. Near Angelokastron a small quarry exposes pervasively sheared dark reddish-brown, radiolarian-bearing cherty shales with disrupted fragments of chert and chert nodules impregnated by ferro-manganese oxides. These shales occur in the footwall of a thrust bringing them into contact with the Pantokrator Limestone of the Basal Sequence. We collected more than 30 samples of the chert fragments and the shaly matrix. Thirteen nodules and one matrix sample yielded determinable radiolarians. Low to non-detectable concentrations of trace metals such as Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb indicate a hydrothermal origin of the ferro-manganese mineralization. The radiolarian taxa found indicate four age groups for the nodules that are embedded in the siliceous shale matrix that yielded a Middle Jurassic age (middle Bathonian). The first group includes a nodule of Late Triassic age (late Norian to Rhaetian); the second group nodules of Early Jurassic age (late early to late Pliensbachian and probably middle-late Toarcian); the third group nodules of early Middle Jurassic age (Aalenian–Bajocian); the last group finally includes nodules of late Middle Jurassic age (Bajocian–Bathonian). The presence of Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic Mn-impregnated chert nodules in a Middle Jurassic matrix indicates a deep oceanic environment of deposition outside the Pelagonian realm (easternmost Adria Plate), which at that time was a shallow-water carbonate platform with a thin pelagic limestone cover. The chert nodules are with all certainty derived from the oceanic Maliac-Vardar domain and were, together with their host formation, tectonically emplaced onto the Pelagonian margin. We speculate that these nodules, more lithified than their matrix, were exhumed on the slope of an intra-oceanic accretionary wedge and were redeposited in the Middle Jurassic siliceous mudstones on the floor of the subducting Maliac-Vardar Ocean. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-34 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0314-4 Authors Marco Chiari, C.N.R.- Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy Peter O. Baumgartner, Institut de Géologie et Paléontologie, Université de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Daniel Bernoulli, Geologisches Institut, Universität Basel, Bernoullistrasse 32, 4056 Basel, Switzerland Valerio Bortolotti, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy Marta Marcucci, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy Adonis Photiades, Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), 13677 Acharnae, Greece Gianfranco Principi, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    The Cretaceous (Early Aptian, uppermost Bedoulian, Dufrenoyia furcata Zone) Zamaia Formation is a carbonate unit, up to 224 m thick and 1.5 km wide, which formed on a regional coastal sea bordering the continental Iberian craton. A high-resolution, facies-based, stratigraphic framework is presented using facies mapping and vertical-log characterization. The depositional succession consists of a shallow estuarine facies of the Ereza Fm overlain by shallow-water rudist limestones (Zamaia Fm) building relief over positive tectonic blocks and separated by an intraplatform depression. The margins of these shallow-water rudist buildups record low-angle transitional slopes toward the adjacent surrounding basins. Syn-depositional faulting is responsible for differential subsidence and creation of highs and lows, and local emplacement of limestone olistoliths and slope breccias. Two main carbonate phases are separated by an intervening siliciclastic-carbonate estuarine episode. The platform carbonates are composed of repetitive swallowing-upward cycles, commonly ending with a paleokarstic surface. Depositional systems tracts within sequences are recognized on the basis of facies patterns and are interpreted in terms of variations of relative sea level. Both Zamaia carbonate platform phases were terminated by a relative sea-level fall and karstification, immediately followed by a relative sea-level rise. This study refines our understanding of the paleogeography and sea-level history in the Early Cretaceous Aptian of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. The detailed information on biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy provides a foundation for regional to global correlations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-30 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0315-3 Authors Pedro Angel Fernández-Mendiola, Dpto. Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Apdo 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain Jone Mendicoa, Dpto. Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Apdo 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain Sergio Hernandez, Dpto. Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Apdo 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain Hugh G. Owen, Department of Earth Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK Joaquín García-Mondéjar, Dpto. Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Apdo 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    The Basal Choteč or jugleri Event, close above the Lower–Middle Devonian boundary, has been regarded as a minor but important eustatic transgressive event, which is characterized by significant environmental changes, faunal extinction, appearance of new forms, and maximum radiation, particularly among the goniatites. This study contributes to a more precise stratigraphic allocation of the event, and provides a reconstruction of paleoenvironmental settings in the type area of the event, the Prague Basin (Czech Republic). The beginning of a transgression is recorded already in the Třebotov Limestone ( partitus Zone, Eifelian, early Middle Devonian). The basin-wide change in the sedimentation pattern (onset of peloidal and crinoidal grainstones (calciturbidites) of the Choteč Formation) corresponding to the uppermost partitus and costatus conodont zones, base of Nowakia ( Dmitriella ) sulcata sulcata dacryoconarid Zone, and Pinacites jugleri goniatite Zone is interpreted here to be linked to a maximum flooding of the basin. A hypothesis of enhanced nutrient load during sedimentation of the Choteč Formation is suggested here as a triggering mechanism for intense micritization and peloid formation and prasinophyte blooms, which could be, along with a greater depositional depth, responsible for oxygen deficiency and consequent reduction of diversity and habitat tracking among benthic invertebrates. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-25 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0300-x Authors S. Vodrážková, Czech Geological Survey, P.O.B. 85, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic J. Frýda, Czech Geological Survey, P.O.B. 85, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic T. J. Suttner, CPSA, Austrian Academy of Sciences c/o Institute for Earth Science, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 26, 8010 Graz, Austria L. Koptíková, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Rozvojová 269, 16500 Prague 6, Czech Republic P. Tonarová, Czech Geological Survey, P.O.B. 85, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Previously unreported dasycladaleans and one morpho-taxon of assumed algal origin are described from Upper Turonian to Santonian rocks of the Lower Gosau Subgroup (LGS) of the Northern Calcareous Alps. A taxonomic inventory of green-algal/benthic foraminiferal assemblages shows that assemblages of “pure” carbonate environments are more diverse than those of siliciclastic and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate settings. A comparison of the taxonomic inventory of the LGS with assemblages in similar sedimentary successions of the Alpine-Mediterranean realm shows the highest similarity with the “Mirdita Zone” of the internal Dinarids. Comparability of assemblages, however, is limited due to narrow chronostratigraphic overlap and/or because of scarcity of data from areas outside the Alps. Although higher than previously known, the total diversity of the green-algal/benthic foraminiferal assemblage of the LGS is clearly inferior to that of the peri-Adriatic carbonate platforms. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-20 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0316-2 Authors Felix Schlagintweit, Lerchenauerstr. 167, 80935 Munich, Germany Diethard Sanders, Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Martin Studeny, Institute of Palaeontology, Geozentrum University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Ongoing microbialite formation is described at two previously unreported sites in southern Sinai, Egypt. Samples were collected in the peritidal tropical environment of Nabq Bay and Hidden Bay (southern Sinai, Egypt). Field observations and sample analyses show evidence of both sediment trapping and biostabilization in bacterial mucilaginous sheaths and microbially induced mineralization, producing a suite of increasingly lithified material: from agglomerated, consolidated sand to lithified crusts and oncoids. Thin-sections show evidence of bacteria (cyanobacteria and sulphate-reducing bacteria) among the constituent grains in the form of gelatinous filaments (green and red sheaths), and microalgal colonies along the outer edge, accompanied by a very high grade of clast alteration. The alternation of planar to irregular dark, superposed layers, and clastic layers is visible at the surface and/or inside some crusts. Widespread filaments of Schizothrix among grains have been identified, as well as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), sheaths stabilizing particles, and calcareous tubular encrustations around cyanobacteria filaments. Carbonate precipitates include diffuse micrite, microcrystals of high-Mg calcite precipitating in the EPS matrix, and acicular aragonite as isopachous rims around grains. Cementation is accompanied by partial dissolution and progressive alteration of original grain boundaries. We describe four microbialite categories on the basis of their macroscopic morphology combined with different texture and lithification grade. The occurrence of the southern Sinai microbialites is explained by the interplay of local sedimentary dynamics and accommodation space in a peritidal tropical environment undergoing large temperature and salinity variations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0330-4 Authors Daniela Basso, Section of Geological Sciences and Geotechnologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.za della Scienza 4, 20126 Milan, Italy Valentina Alice Bracchi, Section of Geological Sciences and Geotechnologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.za della Scienza 4, 20126 Milan, Italy Andrea Noemi Favalli, Section of Geological Sciences and Geotechnologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.za della Scienza 4, 20126 Milan, Italy Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description: Erratum to: Early Ordovician reefs in South China (Chenjiahe section, Hubei Province): deciphering the early evolution of skeletal-dominated reefs Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0318-0 Authors Natsuko Adachi, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Haidian, Beijing, 100871 People’s Republic of China Jianbo Liu, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Haidian, Beijing, 100871 People’s Republic of China Yoichi Ezaki, Department of Geosciences, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585 Japan Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Integrated analyses of ferruginous laminated crusts and macro-oncoids associated with Middle Jurassic (Bathonian-Callovian) hardgrounds and condensed horizons cropping out in the Bucegi Mountains (Southern Carpathians) allowed an assessment of their microbial origin and the paleoenvironmental context of their genesis. The ferruginous microstromatolites reveal different morphological types (or macrofabrics): ferruginous microstromatolites representing the hardgrounds crusts, ferruginous endostromatolites and oncoidal ferruginous microstromatolites. The last are associated with ooidal bioclastic grainstone, ooidal bioclastic grainstone-packstone, bioclastic ooidal packstone-grainstone, oncoidal floatstone and rudstone, stromatolitic bindstone, bioclastic wackestone-packstone and bioclastic wackestone microfacies. The host mineral of the ferruginous microbialites is calcite, but microbially induced iron oxyhydroxides (goethite and magnetite) prevail in the ferruginous laminae. Petrographical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations revealed that these ferruginous microstromatolites were formed by the activity of microbial mats dominated by putative bacterial and fungal filaments. Locations with reduced or no sedimentation, in relatively deep-water, open-marine shelf environments, below fair-weather wave base or near to storm wave base, within the deep euphotic zone, were favorable for the hardening of the seafloor and the development of the microbial mats. The scarcity of an autochthonous benthic fauna and of burrowing, as well as the presence of framboidal pyrite suggest dysaerobic conditions. In such an environment, iron would have been in its soluble state (Fe 2+ ) and the activity of micro-aerophylic iron-oxidizing bacteria appears to have been particularly intensive at the dysoxic-anoxic interface, inducing the precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides and the formation of diverse ferruginous microstromatolites. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-32 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0313-5 Authors Iuliana Lazăr, Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, 1 N. Bălcescu Bd, 010041 Bucharest, Romania Mihaela Grădinaru, Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, 1 N. Bălcescu Bd, 010041 Bucharest, Romania Lucian Petrescu, Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, 1 N. Bălcescu Bd, 010041 Bucharest, Romania Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Previous taxonomic studies have shown that polyconitid rudists have a characteristic arrangement of the myocardinal system with an ectomyophoral cavity on the posterior side of the left valve. The specific arrangement of the myophores and associated cavities defines the different genera. However, there has been little research on the three-dimensional spatial distribution and size of the internal features, for want of a technique that is suitable for large and low density-contrast specimens. The tomographic technique described herein is based on automatic serial grinding and serial scanning; the resulting images are treated with biomedical image software. The technique has been applied to a pair of well-preserved specimens of Polyconites verneuili from the Upper Aptian of Spain. Fifteen quantitative characters have been obtained using multiplanar virtual cuts, volume-rendering, and isosurfaces reconstructions. The study revealed the shape, size, and distribution of the ectomyophoral, body and accessory cavities, the lengths and volumes of the teeth, and the arrangement of the myophores. We conclude that this technique facilitates the description of rudist bivalves and is suitable for other fossils; moreover, it has the potential to be used in other fields of geology. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0310-8 Authors Enric Pascual-Cebrian, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Dominik K. Hennhöfer, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Stefan Götz, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179