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Zeitschrift/Journal: Zitteliana - Abhandlungen der Bayerischen Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Histor. Geologie
Jahr/Year: 1993
Band/Volume: 20
Autor(en)/Author(s): Strauss Christoph, Elstner Franz, Chene Roger Jan du, Mutterlose Jörg, Reiser Herbert, Brandt Karl-Heinz
Artikel/Article: New micropaleontological and palynological evidence on the stratigraphic position of the "German Wealden" in NW-Germany 389-401 389 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Zitteliana | 20 Hagn/Herm-Festschrift 389-101 München, 31. 12. 1993 ISSN 0373-9627
New micropaleontological and palynological evidence on the stratigraphic position of the ,German Wealden* in NW-Germany
By CHRISTOPH STRAUSS, FRANZ ELSTNER, ROGER JAN DU CHF.NE, JÖRG MUTTERLOSE, HERBERT REISER & KARL-HEINZ BRANDT*)
With 6 Text-figures and 2 Plates
KURZFASSUNG
Als Ergebnis mikropaläontologisch-palynologischer Unter höheren .Wealden 5‘ und den .Wealden 6‘ an den Ammo suchungen eines relativ vollständigen Profiles der Bückeberg nitenzonen des (höchsten?) Untervalangins von Boreal und Folge in Beckenfazies werden neue Hinweise für deren präzise Tethys möglich. Aufbauend auf die jüngsten chronostrati- Korrelation mit den stratigraphischen Standardskalen des graphischen Gliederungsvorschläge für die tethyale Unter Boreais und der Tethys vorgestellt. Alterszuordnungen für den kreide werden mit Hilfe lithologischer und palynofazieller Be obersten .Wealden 3‘ und den untersten .Wealden ¥ sind durch funde erste Vorschläge für eine künftige Chronostratigraphie Kalibrierung von Dinozysten- und Ostrakodenbefunden an des .Deutschen Wealden“ erläutert. der Oberrjazan-Ammonitenzonierung des Boreais und für den
ABSTRACT
An integrated micropaleontological and palynological in (Late?) Early Valanginian age is assumed for the interval from vestigation of a fairly complete section of the Biickcberg For the upper .Wealden 5“ to the top of .Wealden 6“ by calibrating mation provided new evidence for its precise correlation with dinocyst range bases with Boreal and Tethvan ammonite the Boreal and Tethvan stratigraphic standard scales. For the zones. In the light of a new chronostratigraphic approach of uppermost .Wealden 3“ and lowermost .Wealden 4“ a Late the Tethyan Lower Cretaceous a preliminary sequence Ryazanian age can be assumed by calibrating dinocyst and stratigraphic subdivision is given based on lithological and ostracode data with the Boreal ammonite zonation. Similarly, a palynofacies data.
1. INTRODUCTION
The .German Wealden“ has repeatedly been a subject of Problems most commonly discussed are the biostratigraphic biostratigraphic investigation, in particular of micropaleon subdivision of the German .Wealden“ and the position of tological and palynological analyses (e. g. M artin 1940, 1961, Berriasian/Valanginian i. e. Ryazanian/Valanginian boundary Wicher 1940, Wolburg 1949, 1959, D oring 1965, B urger within the Early Cretaceous. 1966, K emper 1973, D orhofer 1977, Pelzer 1982, unpubl.).
*) Dr. C hristoph Strauss, Dr. H erbert Reiser, BEB E rdgas und Institut für Geologie, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße Erdöl G mbH, Riethorst 12, D-30659 Hannover, Germany; Dr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany; Dr. K arl-H einz B randt, S. C. Franz Elstner, Sorgenser Straße 25, D-31303 Burgdorf, Ger M ineralien E rschliessungs-G mbH, Am Schützenplatz 1A, D-30938 many; Dr. Roger J an du C hene, 3, Square du Pomerol, Domaine Burgwedel, Germany de Beausoleil, F-33170 Gradignan, France; Dr. J örg Mutterlose, 390 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
The absence of marine macrofossils, especially of ammo subdivided into the Obernkirchen Member (lower part) and nites, is caused by the predominantly fluvio-lacustrine to the Osterwald Member (upper part). The Osterwald Member shallow lagoonal depositional environment of the .German is overlain by the marine Platylenticeras beds (Hilston Forma Wealden' sediments. This excludes a direct calibration of the tion), which are commonly thought to be of Early Valanginian succession with the orthostratigraphic standard scales of the age in terms of the Boreal standard scale (H oedemaeker 1987, Boreal or Tethys Realm. A distinctive provincialism caused by ^ H en & W imbledon 1991). Although a detailed ostracode the paleogeographic isolation of almost all groups of marine zonal subdivision of the Biickeberg Formation exists (K emper micro- or macrofossils which are present around the Jurassic/ et al. 1978), for practical reasons the classical, well log related Cretaceous boundary makes the correlation of standard chro- ,Wolburg zonation' (Wealden 1-6) is up to now commonly nostratigraphic units of the Tethys and the Boreal Realm used in the German oil industry. Therefore this zonation is very difficult (e. g. B artenstf.in 1959, A llen & W imbledon mainly referred to in the present paper. 1991). Previous studies have correlated the lower part of Biickeberg The sediments of the .German Wealden' contain agglu Formation (including its transition into the Late Jurassic) with tinated foraminifera and at some levels even calcareous the type Purbeck (Wessex Subbasin; compare Fig. 6). The foraminifera as well as rather abundant freshwater molluscs correlation of palynological events and ostracode assemblages and larger plant debris. Freshwater to brackish ostracodes and indicates an age equivalence of the brackish Serpulite Member palynomorphs, however, have been proven to be most suitable with the English Cinder Beds and of the basal Biickeberg for a regional biostratigraphic subdivision (e. g. zonations of Formation (.Wealden l-?4‘) with the upper Middle or Upper Wolburg 1959, D orinc, 1965). Purbeck (higher Ryazanian of the Boreal stage nomenclature; compare M artin 1940, Wolburg 1959, Burger 1966, H ern- In summarizing and discussing previous papers K f.mper grefn ct al. 1980). (1973) and K emper et. al. (197S) stressed the different stra tigraphic ranges covered by the English Wealden Group and Ffowever, no precise data are available concerning the exact the former German .Wealden Formation'. Consequently, the position of the base of the Valanginian within the Biickeberg term .Biickeberg Formation' was introduced replacing the old Formation, which is conventionally placed at the base of the term .Wealden Formation'. The Biickeberg Formation was Osterwald Member (base .Wealden 5' sensu Wolburg 1959). Paleogeographic Map of German 'Wealden1' - Basin ( acc.to T'HART 1969, KEMPER et.al. 1978, slightly altered )
Fig. 1: Berriasian/Ryazanian palaeogeography of Northern Germany with position of well Isterberg 1001 and of other localities referred to in the text. 391 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
This problem is closely related to difficulties in correlating In order to obtain further evidence on the exact position of both Berriasian and Ryazanian stages between the Boreal the Ryazanian/Valanginian boundary, special emphasis was region and the Tethys. paid to the investigation of the first known major marine In 1980/1981 the well Isterberg 1001, situated in the western transgression into the German Wealden Basin, which was part of the central Wealden Subbasin on the flank of the previously described by M artin (1961) from the basal Bentheim anticline (Fig. 1), cored a more than 350 m thick .Wealden 4“ of the western Subbasin (Emlichheim-West 1 well, succession of typical lacustrine-lagoonal Wealden facies with Figs. 1, 5). From this interval additional samples have been predominantly organic rich dark shales. The organic rich shales studied for calcareous nannoplankton. attracted the attention of the M inf.ralien F.rsciilies- In the light of a new multidisciplinary approach to Tithonian sungs-G mbII concerning their character as potential hydro to Berriasian sequence stratigraphy in the Vocontian Trough carbon-source rocks and as oil shale to be mined for car (Jan DU C hene et al., in press) a preliminary' sequence strati bonizing at low temperature. The completely cored .German graphic interpretation of the studied section is given, taking Wealden“ section of the well Isterberg 1001 provides the into account previously published data on Wealden paleo- possibility of a multidisciplinary paleontological analysis of the ecology (e. g. B atten 1974, 1982, W ii.de & Pelzer 1987). All Biickeberg Formation in a basinal facies. Preliminary available lithological and paleoecological data from well Ister unpublished ostracode data supplied by the above mentioned berg 1001 have been considered within the scope of this company suggested a rather complete Biickeberg Formation interpretation. (,Wealden 1-6“) with transitions into the Scrpulite at the base and into the Platylenticeras beds at the top being present. The authors gratefully acknowledge support by the Federal The objective of the multidisciplinary paleontological ana Geological Survey and the S. C. M ineralien Erschliessungs- lysis of well Isterberg 1001 was to create a palynological re G mbH, which supplied the cores, the core description and ference scale based on marine palynomorphs (dinoflagellate further unpublished material on the Isterberg 1001 well. Wc cysts) in combination with the existing local freshwater especially thank Dr. Idiz (Hannover) for critically reviewing ostracode subdivision and to correlate this with Boreal (or the manuscript. The study was generously sponsored by BEB Tethyan) ostracode or dinocyst standard zonations. E rdgas und E rdöl G mbH.
2. PALYNOLOGY
2.1 DINOFLAGFLLATF CYSTS AND OTHER incursions alternating with more continental conditions sub PALYNOMORPHS divide the major second order cycle and could thus be tentatively related to third order transgressive systems tracts The core between 404.8 m and 12.4 m was sampled at an (inch maximum flooding surfaces) sensu H aq et al. (1987, see average sample interval of 2-3 m (in sum more than 200 chapter 4, Fig. 6). samples). After preliminary screening, 120 samples were selected for palynological preparation and examination. In the basal half of the section (404.8 m-243.5 m; Fig. 6) marine microfossils are rare, their occurrences being restricted Samples were selected in priority where abundant macro to a few specimens at 312.2 m (upper .Wealden 2“) and 276.1 m fauna (principally molluscs) were reported in the core des (lower .Wealden 3“). These first rare dinocysts probably appear cription provided by the above mentioned company. These at maximum flooding surfaces of third order transgressive intervals were supposed to be more favourable for dinoevst events on a large coastal plain with predominant brackish to concentration. However, only a minority of slides contained freshwater conditions. significant amounts of dinoflagellate cysts (Fig. 6). The strati Muderongia tabulata and Aluderongia spp. (fragments) are graphic distribution of selected species is summarized in Fig. 2, the lowest recorded dinocyst species in the section (312.2 m). taking into account only the dinocyst containing samples. The range base of M. tabulata is related to the Calpionellids The palynomorph assemblages are generally of low zone B at the base of Berriasian type section in the Vocontian diversity, often dominated by biostratigraphically non Trough (M onteii. 1991). Consequently, in terms of Boreal diagnostic pollen and spores (e. g. bisaccate types, Cyatbidites stage nomenclature the age of the upper .Wealden 2“ flooding group, Classopollis spp.). Many samples are characterized by event could be as old as Latest Volgian. However, from the age abundant highly degraded terrestrial organic matter. The state assignment of overlying strata, a Ryazanian age is most likely. of preservation of the palynomorphs is generally poor. At a second minor flooding phase (276.1 m) Cantulodinium The palynomorph distribution reflects a general progressive speciosum shows its first occurrence and a first short abundance increase of marine environmental influence from the base to peak. A Late Ryazanian age is indicated for the lower .Wealden the top of the section. This trend can be related to a major 3“ flooding event, since the range base of the species second order transgressive trend sensu H aq et al. (1987). Mari corresponds to the base of Stenompbcdus ammonite zone in the ne palynomorphs (dinocysts) are restricted to relatively short Boreal area (C osta & D avey 1991). However, the first intervals (flooding phases), the assemblages being often occurrence of Cantulodinium speciosum doesn’t seem to be strongly dominated by very few species. These rapid marine properly known yet. Piasecki (1984: 147) emphasizes that „no 392 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Boreal Dinocyst Sample Depths Dinoflagellate cysts Stages Zonation ( DAVEY 1982 ) I
ilfillllllTIT
S.ramosua / P.pallllorum Lower Valanglnlan - zone ''“iIVii; ______LU______L Lower vaiangman ______- Upper Ryazanian I I I I I I I I I P.pellllerum - zone Upper Ryazanian
G.vlllosa - zone
Fig. 2: Biostratigraphic distribution chart of selected dinoflagellate cyst taxa in the Isterberg 1001 well. reports of significant numbers of C. speciosum have been coastal plain without any significant paleomorphological published so far. This reflects that either the species is restricted differentiation and a warm humid to semiarid climate reflec geographically or that brackish/freshwater sediments (e. g. ted by the hinterland flora (Vakhrameev 1982, Wilde & Purbeck-Wealden) have been neglected . . . “. Pelzer 1987). The low hydrodynamic/energetic sedimentary Cantulodinium speciosum, found at different depths in the setting as expressed by the lithological succession may favour Isterberg 1001 core, may be an excellent index species for the the ,in situ“ alteration of abundant continental organic matter German .Wealden Formation“. However, its range base is and prevent the dispersion and mixing of continental probably strongly determined by the second order cycle microflora. environmental succession of the section. Accordingly, it may A first major transgressive event is recorded at 240.9 m appear significantly later in a more proximal depositional (Fig. 6) indicated by the presence of abundant Muderongia setting further to the east than in the distal western part of simplex microperforata. The rare dinocysts recorded between central Wealden Subbasin (compare record of lower flooding 237.1 m and 236.2 m may also be related to the same third order phases in chapter 3.1, Fig. 1). event (higher .Wealden 3“). Abundance peaks of Muderongia The poor assemblages recorded in the depth interval from simplex microperforata are known from the Late Ryazanian of 276.1 m-249.7 m are vaguely correlatable to the Boreal Late onshore Denmark, thus allowing a direct correlation with the Ryazanian Gochteodinia villosa biozone (Scriniodinium pharo Boreal Pseudoceratium pelliferum dinocvst biozone (D avey subzone) of D avfy (1982). This is also confirmed by further 1982). According to C osta & D avey (1991) the first ap yet unpublished palynological data from other North German pearance of Muderongia simplex microperforata can be dated localities, as indicated in Fig. 5. within the Boreal Stenomphalus ammonite zone. The presence of rare Tehamadinium daveyi at 236.2 m confirms the age Most of the diversified spore associations known from the dating of this flooding phase within a Late Ryazanian to German Wealden Basin (e. g. D oring 1965, D oring et al. 1966, Earliest Valanginian interval. D orhofer 1979) could not be recorded in the whole section. The paleovegetation seems to have been rather uniform over An important dinoflagellate cyst abundance and diversity large areas, microfloras being poorly diversified and strongly peak is recorded between 222.1 m and 220.6 m (base .Wealden dominated by gymnosperms and Classopollis spp. Further 4“). At this interval microfloras are strongly dominated by more Botryococcus spp., prasinophytic algae and Celyphus Muderongia simplex, Muderongia tabulata and Muderongia rallus are regular occurring microfloral constituents, parti simplex microperforata restricting the assemblages to a Late cularly within the phases of falling sea level (probably HST, Ryazanian age. Other species recorded at this depth partly chapter 4). This may confirm the setting of a large and swampy supporting the age assignment are: Egmontodinium torynum, 393 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Kleithriasphaendium fasaatum, Batioladinmm spp., Ampho- bv bisaccate pollen types. In a few samples Celyphus ralius and rula delicata, Pareodima ceratopbora, Systematopbora scoriacea Botryococcus spp., mostly associated with biodegraded terres and Sentusidinium spp. trial organic matter, are also found. The interval from 211.3 m to 162.1 m contains no diagnostic Some very important age diagnostic dinocyst taxa have their palynomorphs, comprising frequently barren samples with first occurrences in the uppermost, very distinct and thick abundant terrestrially derived, highly biodegraded, dull to transgressive interval, spanning a section including uppermost non-fluorescent organic matter (up to structureless and ,fluffy1 .Wealdcn 5‘ and .Wealden 6‘ from 120.0 m to the top of the disperse material). As mentioned above, this palynofacies type investigated profile (1S.2 m; Fig. 6). The most significant first is certainly related to shallow, restricted environmental con occurrences within this very rich interval are Muderongia ditions with in situ (?microbial) alteration of organic matter. tomaszoensis and Oligospbacridium spp. at 120.0 nr and Although probably no lowstand deposits are present in the Hystrichosphaerina schindewolfii at 85.3 m. The range base of whole Wealden section, the degradation processes, which have Muderongia tomaszoensis is known from the Pertransians affected the organic matter, might be similar to those which ammonite zone (late Lower Valanginian) of the Tethvs type have produced the large quantities of structureless terrestrial sections (M onteil 1991). According to C osta & D avey (1991) material within the Late Tithonian to Berriasian deep marine the base occurrence of Hystrichosphaerina schindewolfii is lowstand wedges of the Vocontian Trough (G orin & Steffen located at the base of the Paratollia ammonite zone (Lower 1991). Valanginian of the Boreal Realm). The assemblages, recorded This interval is overlain by another obvious marine trans in the thick uppermost transgressive interval, correspond gression between 156.5 m and 14S.7 m (around the base of roughly to the Boreal Spiniferites ramosus/Pseudoceratium .Wealden 5‘, probably corresponding to the base of the Oster pelliferum dinoevst biozone of D avey (1982). All calibrations wald Member of the Biickeberg Formation). The assemblages are concordant to indicate a (?Late) Lower Valanginian age for with dinocyst diversity and abundance peaks are characterized the uppermost part of the Istcrbcrg 1001 core. by the dominance of Muderongia simplex and Muderongia A succession of several third order cycles may occur within tabidata. Other commonly occurring taxa are a yet undes the 120.0 m-18.2 m interval. However, their recognition by cribed species with a morphology close to Jansonia (tentatively palynofacies trends or by a succession of abundance and/or named Jansonia wealdensis' in Fig. 2) and Sentusidinium spp. diversity peaks of dinocyst assemblages is obscured by a The overlying interval is again somewhat poorer and non general increasing marine environment related to a probably diagnostic (145.5 m to 121.7 m), and is essentially dominated second order transgressive trend sensu H aq et al. (1987).
3. MICROPALEONTOLOGY
3.1 OSTRACODA AND FORAMINIFERA Pachycytberidea compacta) at the base of .Wealden 4‘, res tricted to the lower Obernkirchen Member of the central Only the middle part of the Isterberg core (240 m-205 m, Wealden Subbasin, could be recognized. They are indicated by Fig. 6) has been closely sampled for examination of the appearance of Macrodentina mediostricta transfuga and microfauna. The objective was to get detailed information on Galliaecytberidea postsinuata in the uppermost .Wealden 2‘ the first major transgressive phase around the .Wealden 37 and by the occurrence of Cytberopteron impressum within .Wealden 4‘ transition (Obernkirchen Member) described by .Wealden 3‘. Both flooding events could be recorded in the well M artin (1961) from the well F.mlichheim West 1. A semi by the occurrence of sparse dinoflagellate cyst assemblages quantitative range chart of this interval is given in Fig. 3. From (chapter 2). the remaining part of the section, only a few samples have been examined for ostracodes and other microfauna in order to The sediments of the base .Wealden 4‘ flooding phase, control the preliminary ostracode-based stratigraphic containing a significant proportion of marine microfauna, can subdivision (.Wealden l-6‘ sensu Wolburg 1959). be traced over the whole German Wealden Basin up to the Gifhorn Trough. Although abundance and diversity of marine In the predominantly fluvio-lacustrine to shallow lagoonal assemblages decreases towards the eastern Subbasin, an age- Biickeberg Formation, several marine flooding phases are equivalent microfauna has been observed even in the area east known to occur (chapter 2). These flooding phases could be of Hannover within a distinct dark grey shale horizon easily recorded by microfauna in the central Wealden Subbasin (.DunkelgraueTonsteinbank1, Roi l. 1971). (Fig. 1), becoming less distinct towards the middle and eastern Subbasin, where progressively prograding fluvio-deltaic sands The age equivalence of the marine microfauna described by dominate the highly variable lithologic spectrum. The M artin (1961) from a core of well Emlichheim West 1 (Fig. 1, increasing amount of sphaerosiderite, probably in consequence 5) with the above mentioned base .Wealden 4‘ flooding phase of partly anoxic environments in the middle and eastern in the well Isterberg 1001 is evident from log correlation and Subbasin, is connected with poor or even lacking microfaunas. comparison of microfaunas (Fig. 5). Two earlier, less distinctive flooding events below the above Although no geophysical and electrical logs exist for well mentioned first major flooding phase (appearance of Isterberg 1001 which might support the discrimination of 394 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Fig. 3: Biostratigraphic distribution chart of selected foraminifer- and ostracode taxa in the Isterberg 1001 well. lithological units, parasequences and systems tracts, the base Scbuleridca juddi (very abundant), Macrodentina tnedio- .Wealden 4‘ flooding event could be precisely located by means stricta transfuga, Orthonotacytbere auricula, Cytheropterina of a first preliminary micropaleontological survey analysis triebeli (syn. Eocytheropteron granulatum), Haplophragmoi- around the ,Wealden 3-4‘ transition. des sp., Trocbammina sp., Ammobaculites sp. and Eoguttulina A subsequent detailed analysis of the flooding interval sp.. yielded a very rich and rather diverse microfauna. A two phase The lower marine assemblage (221.5 m) is additionally flooding event (marine microfaunas at 220.8 m and 221.5 m), characterized by the common appearance of Protocythere bounded and interrupted by sediments with brackish-lagoonal emslandcnsis and Dcntalium sp. and by specimens of Fabanella assemblages (230.9 m-222.45m; 221.3 m; 220.3 m; Pachy- polita polita and Orthonotacytbere cf. rimosa, whereas in the cytberidea compacta zone. C hristfnsfn 1963, 1974; Figs. 4-6) upper assemblage (220.8 m) rare examples ofHaplophragtnium were observed. The microfaunas of both marine intervals are inconstans gracile could be recorded. characterized by abundant echinodernt fragments, sculptured Within the brackish-lagoonal communities non-sculptured gastropods and otoliths, and particularly by common to abun gastropods and ostracodes of the genera Pacbycytberidea and dant occurrence of the following ostracode and foraminifera Cypridea are dominant (Figs. 4, 5). Both above and below the taxa: Stravia crossata (syn. Haplocytheridea delicatula), flooding interval (230.9 m-220.3 m) Pacbycytberidea compacta
Plate 1 Fig. 1,2 Muderongia simplex microperforata D avfy. - Specimens with apical operculum detached, corroded cyst wall, sample 240.90 m-240.95 m, (upper .Wealden 3‘), Transmittant White Light (TWL), magnification approx. 500 x. Fig. 3, 6 Muderongia tornaszoensts A lbfrti. - Specimen in dorsoventral view with operculum in situ, sample 82.30 m-82.35 m (basal .Wealden 6‘); Fig. 3: Interference Phase Contrast (IPC), 500 x, Fig. 6: TW L, 500 x. Fig. 4, 7 Muderongia simplex-type with incised lateral horns (tentatively named ,Muderongia simplex incisa' in Fig. 2). - Specimen in Fig. 7 with detached apical operculum, Fig. 4: sample 148.70 m-148.75 m, TWL, 500 x; Fig. 7: sample 149.10 m-149.15 m, IPC, 500 x, both samples basal .Wealden 5‘. Fig. 5 Muderongia tomaszoensis A lberti. - Operculum detached, sample 82.30 m - 82.35 m (basal .Wealden 6‘), IPC, 780 x. Fig. 8, 9 Cantulodinium speciosum A lberti. - Fig. 8: left lateral view, TW L, 750 x; Fig. 9: dorsoventral view, IPC, 780 x; both specimens sample 107.70 m -107.75 m (topmost .Wealden 5‘). Fig. 10 Pseudoceratium pelliferum Goc ht. - Short horned form, apical operculum detached, sample 107.70 m-107.75 m (topmost .Wealden 5‘), IPC, 780 x. Fig. 11 Batioladinium pomum D avey. - Dorsoventral view, sample 54.50 m -54.55 m (.Wealden 6‘), TWL, 780 x. Fig. 12 Batioladinium sp. I D avey, 1982. Damaged specimen with detached operculum, sample 54.50 m-54.55 m (.Wealden 6‘), TW L, 780 x. Zitteliana, 20, 1993 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Strauss C. et al.: On the stratigraphic position of the .German Wealden' Plate 1 396 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at and the angulate type of Cypridea setina are commonly Environmental Indication Ostracode Genera present. Additionally the following species are found: From marine brackish lim nic above the marine assemblages Cypridea aka alta, Cypridea alta Protocythere wicki, Cypridea parallela parallela, Cypridea valdensis obliqua Schuleridea ■ ¡I and Bisulcocypris fittoni germanica and from below the marine Stravia /’Haplocytheridea' w m , assemblages: Cypridea brevirostrata. Cytheropterina/Eocytheropteron W///Æ At least some of the ostracode species are considered to be of Orthonotacythere f£ £ £ M _ stratigraphic importance, whereas the foraminifera species are Macrodentina jiff» » mainly evidence for the marine (inner neritic) paleo- Fabanella environment of the base ,Wealden 4‘ flooding phase. Macro- Pachycytheridea w /M/m dentina mediostricta transfuga, Orthonotacythere auricula, Cypridea m m m m Bisulcocyprls/Theriosynoecum Orthonotacythere cf. rimosa and Fabanella polita polita are so Darwinula 1ii§ far only known from the Biickeberg Formation. The first appearance of Stravia crossata (syn. Haplocytberidea delicatula Fig. 4: Palacoenvironmcntal indications of selected ostracode genera of the Biickeberg Formation in Northern Germany and Haplocytberidea nana in B artenstein & B rand 1951) within the base ,Wealden 4‘ flooding phase is a consistent marker event all over the German Wealden Basin. 3.2 CALCAREOUS NANNOPLANKTON The marine base ,Wealden 4‘ microfauna is most closely comparable to an assemblage with abundant Schuleridea juddi 45 samples were analysed for calcareous nannoplankton and Cytheropterina triebeli fSpeeton D 6 level! from the type from the section around the .Wealden 3/4‘ transition (240.0 m - locality of Speeton Clay described by N eale (1962a: tab. 7). 219.4 m). Unfortunately, most of the samples turned out to be Since the Speeton type locality is dated by ammonites (albidum barren; only few yielded very impoverished and monotypic zone. N eale 1962 b, Rawson & R iley 19S2), an indirect assemblages (220.7 m; 225.2 m; 227.5 m; 229.5 m; 230.6 m; 232.1 stratigraphic calibration of the base .Wealden 4‘ flooding phase m; 232.5 m and 233.1 m with only Watznaueria barnesae being with the Upper Ryazanian of the Boreal stage nomenclature present), supporting the general brackish paleoenvironment of can be derived (referred to as ,Berriasian‘ in N fale 1962 a and the Pacbycytheridea compacta zone. ,Ober-Berrias‘ in K eupp & Mutterlose 19S4). The interval from 221.75 m to 221.5 m yields a slightly more Another indirect calibration with the Boreal subdivision can diverse nannoflora. Zygodiscus diplogrammus, Rhagodiscus be derived from the comparison of the interval with Pachy- asper, Micrantholithus obtusus and Parbabdolithus embergeri cytberidea compacta Wolburg in the uppermost .Wealden 3‘ were observed in five samples, indicating the most intense and lower .Wealden 4‘ with the Pacbycytheridea compacta marine influx for this interval. The remainder of the samples zone from the Jydegard Formation of Bornholm (C hristensen investigated is essentially barren. No age diagnostic species 1963, 1974). This interval is dated as Upper Ryazanian to were observed. Lower Valanginian by means of dinoflagellate cysts (Piasecki The nearly monospecific assemblages might suggest a 19S4, chapter 2). selection due to dissolution. In particular W. barnesae As for calibration of German .Wealden Formation1 in the dominated assemblages are indicators of dissolution (R oth & Isterberg 1001 well with the Bcrriasian and Valanginian K rumbach 1986). However, this influence is not supported by stratotypes of the Tethys area, the evidence within the the generally high calcium carbonate content (221.8 m: microfauna is almost neglectable (e. g. B artfnstein 1962). 58.5 %; 221.7 m: 28.2 %; 221.65 m: 35.6 %; 221.50 m: 5.6 %; According to O erti i (1966) Protocytbere emslandensis, first 221.4 m: 9.7 %). Furthermore W. barnesae, an ecologically occurring at the base .Wealden 4* in the German .Wealden robust species, is never dominating in anyone of the samples Formation1, has a first appearance within the Lower (only one or two specimens of each species discussed were Valanginian stratotype section of Swiss folded Jura Mountains. observed in the samples).
Plate 2
Fig. 1 Stiphrosphaeridium dictyopborum (C<» 'KSi in & E isenack) D avey. - Ventral focus, apical operculum detached, sample 37.30 m-37.35 m (.Wealden 6‘), IPC, 7S0 x. Fig. 2, 3 Hystnchosphaenna schindewolfii A lberti. - Fig. 2: dorsoventral view, sample 49.70 m-49.75 m (.Wealden 6‘), TW L, 780 x; Fig. 3: apical focus, sample 54.50 m-54.55 m (.Wealden 6‘), IPC, 780 x. Fig. 4 Adnatosphaeridium caitlleryi (D lflandre & C ookson) Williams & D cwnie. - Damaged specimen in oblique dorsal focus, sample 220.60 m-220.65 m (basal .Wealden 4‘), IPC, 780 x. Fig. 5 Kleithriaspbaeridium fasciatum (D avey & Williams) D avey. - Dorsoventral view, sample 220.60 m-220.65 m (basal .Wealden 4‘), TWL, 780 x. Fig. 6 Spiniferites ramosus group sensu D avey 1982. - Lateral view, sample 61.60 m-61.65 m (.Wealden 6‘), IPC, 780 x. Fig. 7 Palynofacies response to third order flooding events (magnification apprx. 200 x). Fig. 7 a: (fluvio-lacustrine environments, HST, ?LST) - large biodegraded lumps of terrestrial organic matter with occasionally preserved cell structure predominating. Fig. 7 b: (transitional brackish environments, TST) - abundant small to medium sized organic matter with pioneering blue green alga Celyphus rallus; Fig. 7 c: (shallow marine environments, mfs equivalents) - predominating Aluderongia spp. and other marine and terrestrial palynomorphs. Zitteliana, 20, 1993 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Strauss C. et al.: On the stratigraphic position of the .German Wealden1 Plate 2 398 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
Thus it seems more likely that calcareous nannofossils are in most suitable. Obviously nannofloras can not tolerate stress general ecologically more sensitive than foraminifera and environments. This pattern is supported by the absence of dinocysts. The nannofloras were only able to settle restricted calcareous nannofossils from the Early Valanginian of the shallow water settings once paleoceanographic conditions were NW-German Basin and from Speeton (M utterlose 1992).
4. CONCLUSIONS
The well Isterbcrg 1001 recovered a fairly complete section reflected by a general increasing dinocyst diversity from at least of the Buckeberg Formation (.German Wcalden“) and provides the lower .Wcalden 4“ upwards (Fig. 6). evidence for its precise calibration with the Boreal (and A third order cyclicity is also clearly reflected by charac Tethyan) stratigraphic standard scales. teristic changes of predominating lithotypes (see W iesner Direct biostratigraphic calibration indicators are summa 1983). A cyclic sedimentological succession of dark, organic rized in Fig. 6. For the uppermost .Wealden 3‘ and lowermost rich fissile claystone (.claystone T, Fig. 6), subfissile dark grey .Wealden 4‘ a Fate Ryazanian age is supported by the cali to black claystone (.claystone IT) and lighter grey claystone bration of dinocyst and ostracode data with the Boreal rich in gastropods and bivalves with frequently intercalated ammonite zonation. A (?Late) Early Valanginian age is evident shell layers (.claystone III“) is interpreted to reflect higher order for at least the interval from uppermost .Wealden 5‘ to the top eustatic sea level fluctuations. In the overall relatively proximal of .Wealden 6‘ (higher Osterwald Member) by calibration of depositional setting of the Biickeberg Formation LST characteristic dinocyst range bases with Boreal and Tethyan equivalents are probably mostly lacking. Accordingly, trans ammonite zones. Thus, the Ryazanian (Berriasian)/Valan- gressive sediments, reflected by claystone Ill-type sediments ginian boundary can be placed somewhere in between the with interspersed shell layers, are overlying directly the FIST upper .Wcalden 4‘ to lower .Wealdcn 5‘ (compare Chapter 1). equivalents (claytone I and II) with sharp, erosive basis The above described cyclic changes of palynofacies types contacts (Wiesner 1983). from .clean“ assemblages dominated by marine and terrestrial The second order transgressive trend explained above is palynomorphs (dinocyst abundance and diversity peaks) to reflected in the increasing relative proportion of claystone III .dirty“ assemblages with abundant degraded organic matter (up in the overall lithological column. A relatively sharp facies to disperse .fluffy“ material) and with higher quantities of change with respect to palynology (above 120.0 m) and Celyphus rallus (a pioneering blue-green algal species adapted lithology (between 110 and 120 m, Fig. 6) may be related to brackish to freshwater transitional environments according to a second order transgressive surface of uppermost Lower to B atten & Van G eel 1985) and Botryococcus sp. are Valanginian, recorded from just above the Pertransiens am interpreted to reflect third order eustatic sea level fluctuations monite zone within the overlying Campylotoxum ammo sensu H aq et al. (1987). A second order transgressive trend is nite zone of the Tethyan type areas (JACQUIN, oral comm., FIaq superimposed on the third order cyclicity, and is clearly et al. 1987). This interpretation would be largely in
Fig. 5: Integrated correlation chart of bio- and logstratigraphical indications of .Wealden 3“ and lower .Wealden 4“ transgression phases as recorded in basin and swell profiles of the central Wealden Subbasin. © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ ; www.zobodat.at
proposal sequence stratigraphic interpretation HST HST HST HST TST TST HST ? LST ?
stBge with boreal Lower Cretaceous inferred correlation Cinder beds equivalent r°) j a mlerval wilh abundant abundant wilh mlerval degraded lerreslnal lerreslnal degraded matter organic ®© W“ á S . Dlnocysl Species palynofacies — B, ® Palynology schinOewoifl ■i marker ibundance peak peak spp ibundance Bolryococcus >t paeks ibundance )t Celyphus rallus Celyphus )t diversity peaks diversity Muderongia acme m «Implex mlcropertorete«Implex I simplex simplex I micropertoraia M w 148 148 7 - 149. m 1 2 Isterberg 1001 palynobiostratigraphic p '’ ’ - c acme MuOeronqia | 1 £ i l
brackish PachycytheriOe« compact« Zone (CHRISTENSEN 1963.1974) (CHRISTENSEN marine microfauna probably Speeton-Cley ( ( base W« compare 5 Fig ) (NEALE (NEALE 1962) fully marine position of brackish- lumachelle. shell horizon shell lumachelle. W3 W2 W4 W5 W1 W6 ( 1 9 4 9 ) (ostra- codes) 38 3 m 28 8 m 3 4 5 1 5 105 m 150 m 2 2 8 m WOLBURG beds)
E 0) cn Û> * 0) o E 2 JÉ "3 13 2 o (Serpulite Member) Hilston Formation Münder Formation (PlatylenticerBS Lithostratigraphy Micropaleontology (1 9 9 1 ) o c Q) E a> (D o u_ $ ALLEN & ALLEN WIMBLEDON i9B3)
5 0 core) 1-0 partly marly, gastropoda n gastropoda marly, partly wiesner depth (m (m along - 4 0 0 - - 2 0 0 - - _ - 2 5 0 - - _ - 3 5 0 - . . - - ~ " - _ - 1 0 0 - - " fissile" clayslone (type I) (type clayslone fissile"
— I ‘blocky clayslone (type 111) — I (type clayslone ‘blocky _ I — I L=— grey WIESNEH WIESNEH 1983) (•im plip) llthotypea Lithology 6): (s«« Lithology succession of pre-domlnatiny In Ftorai samples (rafared H Legend (Fig
Fig. 6: Summary chart: lithology/lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, palvnofacies and sequence stratigraphy of well Isterberg 1001. 400 © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at
concordance with the biostratigraphic indications mention The general poor palynomorph content of this interval ed above and would theoretically imply the possibility of probably partly caused by somewhat hypersalinar conditions Lower Valanginian (Upper Ryazanian) being at least partly prevent the discrimination of further higher order (paly- eroded. nofacies) cycles being possibly present. The lowermost part of the Isterberg 1001 section is thought In the light of the novel multidisciplinary approach on Ti- to represent a second order regressive trend from the shallow thonian to Berriasian sequence stratigraphy in the type sections marine Serpulite Member (which is commonly paralleled with from the Vocontian Trough (Tethys; e. g. J an du C hf.ne et al., the English Cinder Beds) towards the mainly fluvio-lacustrine in press) the possibility to discriminate and calibrate several lower .Wealden 3‘, which is most clearly reflected by the higher order cycles within the Buckeberg Formation opens successive lithological change from marly, partly anhydritic future prospects concerning its detailed chronostratigraphic sedimentation over distinct blocky claystones with abundant subdivision and, accordingly, new options for calibration with shell layers towards more fissile, dark and organic rich shales. the Lower Cretaceous Tethyan standard scale.
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