DOCSLIB.ORG

The Palynology of the Cerrejon Formation (Upper Paleocene) of Northern Colombia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Palynology of the Cerrejon Formation (Upper Paleocene) of Northern Colombia THE PALYNOLOGY OF THE CERREJON FORMATION (UPPER PALEOCENE) OF NORTHERN COLOMBIA CARLOS A. JARAMILLO1 GUY J. HARRINGTON GERMAN BAYONA School of Geography Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 0948 Earth and Environmental Sciences APO AA 34002-0948, U.S A. The University of Birmingham 'corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom ANDRES PARDO-TRUJILLO GERMAN MORA Universidad de Caldas Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences Facultad de Ciencias Iowa State University Departamento de Ciencias Geologicas Ames, Iowa 50011-321, U.S A. Calle 65, Number 26-10 Manizales, Colombia MILTON RUEDA VLADIMIR TORRES Biostratigraphy Team Colombian Petroleum Institute AA 4185 Bucaramanga, Colombia Abstract A palynological study of the Cerrejon Formation was conducted in order to date the formation and understand the floristic composition and diversity of a Paleocene tropical site. The Cerrejon Formation outcrops in the Cerrejon Coal Mine, the largest open cast coal mine in the world. Two cores (725 m) were provided by Carbones del Cerrejon LLC for study. Two hundred samples were prepared for palynology, and at least 150 palynomorphs were counted per sample where possible. Several statistical techniques including rarefaction, species accumulation curves, detrended correspondence analysis, and Anosim were used to analyze the floristic composition and diversity of the palynofloras. Palynomorph assemblages indicate that the age of the Cerrejon Formation and the overlying Tabaco Formation is Middle to Late Paleocene (ca. 60-58 Ma). Major structural repetitions were not found in the Cerrejon Formation in the Cerrejon coal mine, and there is little floral variation throughout. The floral composition, diversity, and lithofacies do not change significantly. Lithofacies associations and floral composition indicate deposition fluctuating from an estuarine-influenced coastal plain at the base to a fluvial- influenced coastal plain at the top. There are, however, significant differences in the composition and diversity of coal and siliciclastic samples. Coal palynofloras have fewer morphospecies, and a distinct and more homogeneous floral assemblage compared to assemblages from the intervening sisliciclastic strata, suggesting that tropical swampy environments supported fewer plant species and had a distinct vegetation adapted to permanently wet environments. Key words: Paleocene; tropics; pollen; diversity; coal; paleoecology; South America. INTRODUCTION The coals are heavily exploited, representing a large por- tion of the economies of these regions. In Colombia alone, The Neotropics during the Paleocene were characterized coal reserves represent 6556 million tons of high-quality, by a warm and wet climate. This is indicated by the low-ash, low-sulphur, non-caking, high-volatile bitumi- widespread accumulation of coal, mostly in coastal to nous B coal (Ingeominas, 2004). This extensive coal depo- upper fluvial plain environments from Colombia, to Ven- sition formed several million years after the biotic mass ezuela and Guyana (Leidelmeyer, 1966; Wijmstra, 1969; extinction across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, al- Villamil, 1999; Monies et al., 2005; Jaramillo et al., 2006). though its effect has not been studied in the tropics. How- AdyWogy, 37 (2007).- 75J-789 © 2007 by AASP Foundation ISSN 0191-6122 154 PALYNOLOGY, VOLUME 31 - 2007 ever, the extinction of several biostratigraphic markers 1990) (Text-Figure 1). The Manantial and Cerrejon forma- suggests a major floral change, and recent analysis seems tions have been dated as Paleocene using mollusks (Etayo- to confirm this (Jaramillo and de la Parra, 2006). The Serna, 1979) and pollen (Van derKaars, 1983). The age of Neotropical Paleocene flora contains many modern ele- the Tabaco and Palmito formations has been considered to ments (Romero, 1993; Wing etal., 2004), such as Araceae be Eocene on the basis of their stratigraphic positions and Palmae. The tropical Paleocene flora has been called (Caceres etal., 1980). The nomenclature of coal seams used the 'Palmae Province' due to the dominance of the Palmae in this paper is taken from Carbones del Cerrejon LLC. and Araceae (Herngreen and Chlonova, 1981; Romero, 1993; Jaramillo and Dilcher,2001). During the Late Creta- METHODS ceous and Early Paleogene the Neotropical flora was iso- lated, with limited connections to North America (0.7% of Two cores were studied, WRV04752 and WRV04774, pollen similarities), Africa (11.5% of pollen similarities, drilled by Carbones del Cerrejon LLC through the Cerrejon see Jaramillo and Dilcher, 2001), and southern South Formation. These include coal seams 45 to 155; the seams America. Pollen with tropical affinity has been found in the are numbered from old to young. Core WRV04774 was floral assemblage of southern South America and is termed drilled to 357.59 m and includes coal seams 45 to 110. It is the Mixed Flora (Romero, 1993). The two cores studied located at 11° 3' 57.011"N, 72° 41' 34.12"W at 108.95 m here from the Cerrejon coal mine represent most of the elevation. Core WRV04752 was drilled to 367.74 m and Cerrejon Formation, and represent 725 m. The distribution includescoal seams 103-155. Itis located at 11°3'23.106"N, of the palynoflora found is presented here, with an analysis 72° 41' 3.673"W at 111.12 m elevation. The cores were of age, diversity and floral composition. drilled 1.3 km apart. Other cores and outcrops in the mine were also used to assess the stratigraphy and lithofacies of REGIONAL SETTING the upper Manantial, Cerrejon and Tabaco formations, although extensive palynological analyses were not under- The Cerrejon coal mine is located in the Rancheria taken. River Valley, Colombia (11 ° 3'N, 72° 41' W). It is bounded One sample approximately every 3.5 m was collected to the north by the Oca Fault, to the west by the eastern and processed for palynology from the two cores; two foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), hundred samples were processed. The samples were pre- and to the east by the northwest-verging thrust belt system pared by digesting 30 g of sample in HC1 and HF, then of the Perija Range (Text-Figure 1). The strata in the oxidizing if necessary (Traverse, 1988). The fuming HN03 Cerrejon coal mine have a regional dip to the southeast, technique was used to prepare the coals. Light microscopy and are locally folded and faulted (Text-Figure 1). North- was used for routine palynological analyses, and at least west-verging basement-involved uplift of the SNSM and 150 palynomorphs per sample were counted where pos- Perija Range has been dated as Pliocene-Pleistocene sible. The relatively low number of 150 grains, as opposed (Kellogg and Bonini, 1982). However, the SNSM has to the standard 200-300 grains, was used because the main been considered to be the northernmost elevation of the aim was to obtain an overall view of the palynofloras of the ancestral Central Cordillera since the latest Maastrich- Cerrejon formation. Resources were not available to count tian-Early Paleocene (Villamil, 1999) or Late Paleocene to 200-300 grains. The relatively low count level will not (Montes etal., 2005). The depositional systems migrated help to reject the Null hypotheses. These are that there are toward Lake Maracaibo to the east (Van Andel, 1958; no differences among samples, a statistical error type II, Villamil, 1999). The SNSM includes sedimentary and and the error of failing to observe a difference when there metamorphic rocks of Precambrian, Paleozoic, Triassic is one. Low counts would be a problem if they led to a and Jurassic ages (Tschanz et al., 1974), and has a struc- statistical error type I, i.e. observing a difference when tural relief of 12 km (Kellogg and Bonini, 1982). By there is none. contrast, the Perija range exposes sedimentary and low- Twenty-five samples from the coal seams and eighty- grade metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age, as well as eight samples from the inter-coal sediments from core Mesozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks (Kellogg, 1984; WRV04752 were processed. Seventeen samples from coal Ujueta and Llinas, 1990). seams and seventy samples from the inter-coal sediments The Cerrejon Formation, which is 1 km thick, conform- from core WRV04774 were processed. Samples from the ably overlies the 170 to 440 m thick Manantial Formation two cores were combined into a single range chart using with a gradational contact. The formation is separated from coals 110, 105 and 103 as correlation guides, in order to the overlying 0-75 m thick Tabaco and 300 m thick Palmito obtain a composite succession of the Cerrejon Formation, formations by a disconformity (Haught etal.,1944; Ramos, from coal seams 45 to 155. C.A. Jaramillo et al.: Palynology of the Cerrejon Formation (Upper Paleocene) of northern Colombia 155 Y ,1 DTP Pal mi to Fm. AM = Merida Andes SM = Santander massif • T. Tabaco Fm. CC = Cordillera Central SMM = Santa Marta massif TC Cerrejon Fm. PR = Perija range • T„, Manantial Fm. Th Halo Nuevo Fm K, Molino Fm. B Crerejdn coal mine 60 km Palmito and Tabaco Cerrejon Formation formations (Upper Paleocene) Tabaco- meters 100 CD C CD O O J)_CD 200 CO Q. CD Q. Q_ D 300 c o o 400 LL c -O CD Hato Nuevo Formation CD (Maastrichtian-Paleocene) Text-Figure 1. A) Regional geologic o 500 setting and map of the region studied (after Cerrejon, 1956a, B) Geological cross section • coal 600 -sandstone across the Cerrejon Basin, Perija I sandy mudstone-siltstone Sierra, and northwestern claystone-shales Maracaibo Basin. C) General- ^ limestones ized stratigraphic section of Pa- 700 well control leocene strata of the Cerrejon outcrop control Basin (after Haught et al., 1944; Ramos, 1990; Cerrejon, 2003b). 156 PALYNOLOGY, VOLUME 31 - 2007 Morphologic characteristics of the specimens were com- permutations were done and the Sorensen similarity index pared with illustrations from the literature on tropical was used as a metric of comparison (Magurran, 2004).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Toxic Plants Affecting Both Large and Small Animals Are a Major Concern
    Toxic Plants of Veterinary and Agricultural Interest in Colombia Gonzalo J. Diaz Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia Corresponding author: Gonzalo Diaz, [email protected] Abstract Colombia has the second largest plant biodiversity of any country in the world, with about 25,000 species of vascular plants. This is due in part to its equatorial location, and large variation in elevation and associated gradients in temperatures and rainfall. Livestock in Colombia graze vast tracts of land with a wide variety of herbaceous and woody plants. Although the annual cattle mortality from plant poisoning in Colombia is estimated at 130,000, the economic impact on the entire livestock industry has not been fully evaluated. Information on toxic plants is scarce in Colombia, and livestock poisoning by plants is seldom documented. This review presents the current knowledge on the identity of plants known to have poisoned livestock in Colombia and on research conducted into these toxic plants. To the extent known, the toxic component(s), major clinical signs and circumstances of poisoning, location, and environmental factors are discussed. Many of the plants identified in Colombia are considered toxic on the basis of world literature, but toxicosis in Colombia has not always been documented. The information on toxic plant chemistry in Colombia is mostly limited to the plant’s nitrate or cyanide content. Research is needed to determine not only which plants represent a potential risk for animal health and production but also their phytochemistry and toxicology. It is strongly recommended that veterinarians document plant poisoning cases through government reporting services and that university and government veterinarians, scientists, and extension agents investigate episodes of plant toxicosis and publish their findings.
    [Show full text]
  • The Journal Ol the Department Ot Agriculture
    TheJournal olthe Department otAgriculture OF PORTO RICO Puhlished ltuartcrly: January, April, July and October of each year l\IELVILLE T, COOK, Ennon VoL. XIV OCTOBER 1030 No. 4 MYCOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS OF COLOMBIA. C.\.RLOS E. CIT,\RDOX antl Il.\1".U:L A. TORO rrhe scope of the pre<:,ent paper is to hring up to-date our present knmvleclge of the fungus flora of Colomhia, by revie"·ing the litera­ ture on the subject, fol101vedby a critical study, in collaboration with various specialists, of collections made by the authors during the years 1926-29, and the preparation of a preliminary host index. It would 1'e pretentious for the ,niters to attempt to coYer the entire fiel<l of ·systematic mycology of such a Yast and little explored country m; Colombia. with such varied topographical and climatological features ·which explain it~ enormously rich flora. All that ma} lJe accomplished here is to more- or less superficially coYer som,::· groups of fungi, in an attempt to make this paper a starting­ point for the study of thr fnugous f-\ora of Colombia, wltfr·h may l,0 helpful to students subsequently interested in the 'sub.ject. A few species from Panam{l, collected by the senior writer, are also ineluded in this paper. The senior ·writer became interested in Colombia in 1926. At the invitation of the governor of the department of Antioquia, Ii visit was made to l\Iedellin, to reorganize the '' Escuela Superior de Agricultura y Veterinarin ". This first trip is shown in the enclosed map (Fig:. I).
    [Show full text]
  • Edmundo Murray Associate Editor: Claire Healy
    VOLUME 4 - NUMBER 2 March 2006 Eagle-shaped pectoral in gold ca. AD 600-1700, Ipiales (Nariño), 15.1 x 16.2 cm. The inverted triangle represents positive and negative forces in nature. Museo del Oro, Bogotá (Banco de la República, Colombia) Editor: Edmundo Murray Associate Editor: Claire Healy www.irlandeses.org ISSN 1661-6065 Society for Irish Latin American Studies Maison Rouge 1268 Burtigny, Switzerland Irish Migration Studies in Latin America Vol. 4, No. 2: March 2006 www.irlandeses.org TABLE OF CONTENTS The Irish in Colombia 35 Crusaders for Liberty or Vile Mercenaries? The Irish Legion in Colombia, by Matthew Brown 37 Rum, Recruitment and Revolution: Alcohol and the British and Irish Legions in Colombia’s War for Independence, 1817-1823, by Karen Racine 45 William Duane and his 'Visit to Colombia' of 1823, by David Barnwell 54 Glimpses of the Irish in Nineteenth-Century Bogotá, by Edward Walsh 59 Explosive Journey: Perceptions of Latin America in the FARC-IRA Affair (2001-2005), by Edmundo Murray 68 Sources: William Ferguson's 'Journal From Lima to Caracas' 80 John Devereux (1778-1854), army officer and recruiter for the Irish Legion in Simón Bolívar's army 93 Daniel Florence [Florencio] O'Leary (c.1802-1854), army officer in the South American Wars of Independence 95 William Owens Ferguson (1800-1828), army officer in the South American wars of independence 97 i Irish Migration Studies in Latin America Vol. 4, No. 2: March 2006 www.irlandeses.org The Irish in Colombia By Edmundo Murray The only South American country with coasts on both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, Colom- bia was part of the Spanish viceroyalty of New Granada.
    [Show full text]
  • Rapid Inventories 29 RAPID BIOLOGICAL and SOCIAL INVENTORIES a FIELD MUSEUM PUBLICATION Rapid Inventories 29 Rapid Biological and Social Inventories
    rapid inventories 29 RAPID BIOLOGICAL and SOCIAL INVENTORIES A FIELD MUSEUM PUBLICATION rapid inventories 29 rapid biological and social inventories rapid biological and social inventories 30 Colombia: Bajo Caguán-Caquetá Colombia: Bajo Caquán-Caquetá Instituciones participantes/Participating Institutions Field Museum Fundación para la Conservación y Desarrollo Sostenible (FCDS) Gobernación de Caquetá Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Sur de la Amazonia (CORPOAMAZONIA) Amazon Conservation Team-Colombia Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia ACAICONUCACHA ASCAINCA The Nature Conservancy-Colombia Proyecto Corazón de la Amazonia (GEF) Universidad de la Amazonia Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Universidad Nacional de Colombia Wildlife Conservation Society World Wildlife Fund-Colombia Esta publicación ha sido financiada en parte por el apoyo generoso de un donante anónimo, Bobolink Foundation, Hamill Family Foundation, Connie y Dennis Keller, Gordon and Betty Moore Inventories Social and Biological Rapid Foundation y el Field Museum./This publication has been funded in part by the generous support of an anonymous donor, Bobolink Foundation, Hamill Family Foundation, Connie and Dennis Keller, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Field Museum. Field Museum Keller Science Action Center Science and Education 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496, USA T 312.665.7430 F 312.665.7433 www.fieldmuseum.org THE FIELD MUSEUM THE FIELD ISBN 978-0-9828419-8-3 90000> 9 780982 841983 INFORME/REPORT NO. 30 Colombia: Bajo Caguán-Caquetá Nigel Pitman, Alejandra Salazar Molano, Felipe Samper Samper, Corine Vriesendorp, Adriana Vásquez Cerón, Álvaro del Campo, Theresa L. Miller, Elio Antonio Matapi Yucuna, Michelle E. Thompson, Lesley de Souza, Diana Alvira Reyes, Ana Lemos, Douglas F.
    [Show full text]
  • VOL. 10, No. 2-3 DECEMBER 2010
    ISSN 1409-3871 VOL. 10, No. 2-3 DECEMBER, 2010 C RIBB The orchid collections and illustrations of Consul Friederich C. Lehmann The orchid collections and illustrations of Consul Friederich C. Lehmann The orchid PHILLIP CRIBB Vol 10, No. 2-3 — December 2010 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORCHIDOLOGY INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORCHIDOLOGY Lanksteriana 10(1) PORTADA.indd 1 10/29/10 13:08 PM ISSN 1409-3871 VOL. 10, No. 2-3 DECEMBER 2010 The orchid collections and illustrations of Consul Friederich C. Lehmann PHILLIP CRIBB INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORCHIDOLOGY LANKESTERIANA 10(2-3) part 1.indd 3 10/29/10 13:08 PM LANKESTERIANA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORCHIDOLOGY Copyright © 2010 Lankester Botanical Garden, University of Costa Rica © Phillip Cribb and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Effective publication date: December 12, 2010 Layout: Jardín Botánico Lankester. Cover: Maxillaria augustae-victoriae F. Lehm. & Kraenzl. Painting of the type by F. C.Lehmann. Printer: Litografía Ediciones Sanabria S.A. Printed copies: 500 Printed in Costa Rica / Impreso en Costa Rica R Lankesteriana / International Journal on Orchidology No. 1 (2001)-- . -- San José, Costa Rica: Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica, 2001-- v. ISSN-1409-3871 1. Botánica - Publicaciones periódicas, 2. Publicaciones periódicas costarricenses TALBLE OF CONTENTS Foreword, by Calaway Dodson I Acknowledgements 1 Preface 1 Vegetation and orchid diversity 5 The life and travels of Friederich Carl Lehmann 9 Lehmann itineraries and collection numbers 31 Lehmann’s illustrations 53 Species accounts 143 Bibliography 181 Biographies 183 Index of names 207 Index of scientific names 209 CRIBB — Orchid collections and illustrations of Friederich C. Lehmann 5 ANDEAN VEGETATION AND ORCHID DIVERSITY The majority of Lehmann’s active plant hunting took place in the northern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador.
    [Show full text]