Climate- and eustasy-driven cyclicity in Pennsylvanian fusulinid assemblages, Donets Basin (Ukraine)

Abstract

A model of cyclic recurrence (~0. 6 -1.2 myr) of three fusulinid assemblages in the Middle Pennsylvanian siliciclastic-carbonate succession of the Donets Basin is proposed. Each cycle records progressive turnover of assemblages in shallow marine environments in response to sea-level and regional climate change. A Hemifusulina-assemblage (A), adapted to cooler and reduced salinity seawater records the onset of sea level rise accompanied by humid climatic conditions. Sea level high stand is captured by the Beedeina-Neostaffella-OzawainellaTaitzehoella (or Beedeina-dominated) assemblage (B), characteristic of relatively deeper-water environments. The B assemblage is successively replaced by the most diverse population of the warm-water Fusulinella-dominated assemblage (C). This assemblage, which occurs in the upper limestones of each fusulinid cycle records the onset of sea level fall accompanied by a shift to drier conditions and likely increased seawater salinity.The proposed model permits robust interbasinal correlation of the Pennsylvanian successions of the Tethyan realm. Fusulinids of the A and C 2 assemblages are the most provincial and therefore the most useful for paleogeographic reconstructions. Specifically, they delineate originally contiguous regions that subsequently were dispersed hundreds to thousands of kilometers, whereas fusulinids of the B assemblage hold the highest potential for global correlation. Extinction at the Moscovian -Kasimovian transition of fusulinid genera of the A and B assemblages, which inhabited predominately cooler and normal salinity (perhaps hyposaline) waters, can be explained by the onset of global warming in the earliest Late Pennsylvanian. Fusulinid assemblages define various types of distribution patterns that differ by tectonic setting of the studied basins suggesting that fusulinid assemblage patterns hold potential for reconstructing the paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Pennsylvanian basins of eastern Laurasia.

Permian fusulinid biostratigraphy of the Baoshan Block in western Yunnan, China with constraints on paleogeography and paleoclimate

“…That is fusulinids from a vast area during long interval usually incorporate assemblages from shallow marine environments of varying siliciclastic content and salinity, both of which are relatively local sedimentary factors. Even in a single section of deposits within short duration (0.6-1.2 myr), water temperature has been proved to overpower the sedimentary factors in controlling the fusulinids diversity (Khodjanyazova et al, 2014). Therefore, we argue that latitudinal gradient of water temperature is the most likely reason for the discrepancy in fusulinid diversity between tropical region and Baoshan Block or Sibumasu Block.…”

Fusulines from the Central Asturian Coal? eld (Pennsylvanian, Cantabrian Zone, Spain) and their signi? cance for biostratigraphic correlation

“…Facies diff erences among areas also hamper correlation as they have an influence on the composition of the fusuline assemblages. In the Central Asturian Coalfi eld, Beedeina, Ozawainella, Taitzehoella, Putrella, and Pseudostaff ella species are the most common elements of the fusuline assemblages, and, in this respect, the Kashirian and Podolian assemblages seem to be comparable to the Beedeina-dominated assemblages of the Donets Basin, interpreted by Khodjanyazova et al (2014) as occurring during early high-stands. On the other hand, there is notable absence in the Central Asturian Coalfield of species representing the Fusulinelladominated assemblages of the Donets Basin, which according to Khodjanyazova et al (2014) characterize the late high-stands and play an important role in the correlation of the Moscovian strata.…”

“…In the Central Asturian Coalfi eld, Beedeina, Ozawainella, Taitzehoella, Putrella, and Pseudostaff ella species are the most common elements of the fusuline assemblages, and, in this respect, the Kashirian and Podolian assemblages seem to be comparable to the Beedeina-dominated assemblages of the Donets Basin, interpreted by Khodjanyazova et al (2014) as occurring during early high-stands. On the other hand, there is notable absence in the Central Asturian Coalfield of species representing the Fusulinelladominated assemblages of the Donets Basin, which according to Khodjanyazova et al (2014) characterize the late high-stands and play an important role in the correlation of the Moscovian strata. The absence of Fusulinella species, which are very abundant in the carbonate platform strata of other areas of the Cantabrian Zone (e.g., Ponga area), could be a consequence of a more near-shore position of the Central Asturian Coalfi eld compared to the Donets Basin, for this position resulted in late highstand deposits consisting of siliciclastic sediments.…”

“…Se describen 36 especies de fusulinas y entre ellas Schubertella luisorum Villa sp. nov. Las composición de las asociaciones es similar al tipo denominado 'Beedeinadominated assemblage' que Khodjanyazova et al (2014) describieron en la Cuenca del Donets, interpretado por estos autores como propio de los momentos iniciales de high-stand. Por el contrario, en la Cuenca Asturiana las asociaciones comparables al tipo denominado 'Fusulinella-dominated assemblage' están ausentes, mientras que las descritas como 'Hemifusulina-dominated assemblage' han sido reemplazadas por asociaciones monoespecífi cas de Hemifusulina.…”

“…Such a type of Carboniferous succession exists in the Donets Basin and in the Cantabrian Zone, in which the marine and terrestrial fossils have been studied for a long time (for the Donets, see Aisenverg et al, 1979;Fissunenko & Laveine, 1984;Izart et al, 1996Izart et al, , 1998Ueno & Nemyrovska, 2008;Khodjanyazova & Davydov, 2013;Khodjanyazova et al, 2014; and for the Cantabrian Zone, see van Ginkel, 1965van Ginkel, , 1971van Ginkel, , 1973van Ginkel, , 1987van Ginkel & Villa, 1996;Villa, 1995;Villa et al, 2015;Villa & Merino-Tomé, 2016;Wagner & Winkler Prins, 1985a, 1985bWagner et al, 2002;Wagner & Álvarez-Vázquez, 2010). However, the correlation of the marine and terrestrial biostratigraphic units from both areas is a problematic issue.…”