Environmental significance of Ophiomorpha in a transgressive–regressive sequence of the Spitsbergen Paleocene

Polar research

Matías Reolid¹  Jenȍ Nagy²  Francisco J. Rodríguez Tovar³ 

[1] Department of Geology University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas sn, ES-23071 Jaén, SpainCorrespondence;Department of Geosciences University of Oslo, PO Box 1047 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway;Department of Stratigraphy and Paleontology University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva sn, ES-18071 Granada, Spain

关键词: Trace fossils;    Paleocene;    shoreface sandstones;    brackish water;    transgression signal.;   

DOI  :  10.3402/polar.v35.24192

学科分类：自然科学（综合）

来源: Co-Action Publishing

【 摘 要 】

The study focuses on occurrences of Ophiomorpha burrows in a transgressive–regressive succession composing the Early Paleocene Firkanten Formation deposited in paralic, prodelta to delta front conditions in the Central Basin of Spitsbergen. The burrows colonize sandstones of the Todalen Member at four sites and belong to two ichnospecies: Ophiomorpha cf. nodosa, forming dominantly vertical shafts; and O. cf. irregulaire, consisting of horizontal sinuous tunnels ending in subconical shafts. Both species are observed in shoreface sandstones deposited as a barrier bar. Lithological features and stratigraphic positions suggest that the trace-makers preferentially colonized high-energy sand environments. Foraminiferal faunas occurring below and above the barrier sandstones indicate brackish water conditions for the Ophiomorpha levels, which accordingly are of restricted, monospecific nature. It is inferred that the trace-makers had a dominantly suspension feeding habit as a modern analogue Calianassa major. Po...

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC