Unclear predictions surrounding climate change, associated sea-level rise and potential impacts upon coastal environments have placed an emphasis on the importance of sea-level change. Past sea-level fluctuations have been measured using biological and geomorphological forms of evidence. One such biological proxy is salt-marsh foraminifera, which have been used as a high-resolution indicator of past sea-level change, based on the assumption that surface foraminiferal assemblages are similar in composition to buried fossil foraminifera. In South Africa, there is ongoing research seeking to produce high-resolution records of sealevel change, however foraminifera remain an underutilized source of proxy evidence. This research applies salt-marsh foraminifera as precise indicators of relative sea-level change at Kariega Estuary on the Eastern Cape coastline of South Africa. Distributions of modern foraminiferal assemblages were investigated, revealing vertical zonation across the intertidal zone. The foraminiferal and marsh vegetation zones were in part similar and overlapped to a certain extent, identifying three zones; high, low and tidal flats. This suggested foraminiferal distribution is a direct function of elevation relative to tidal fluctuation. A 94 cm core consisting of peat, sand and clay sediments was extracted from the salt marsh. A chronological framework for the core was based on five AMS radiocarbon age determinations of both bulk sediment and shell fragment samples placing the record within the last 1500 years Before Present (BP). The basal shell age was a clear outlier to all bulk sediment ages, possibly as a result of shell recrystallisation. The bulk sediment age determinations suggested two possible age reversals, potentially linked to sedimentary hiatus or contamination. These inconsistencies in the chronology were best viewed as separate age models. The core was analysed at a high resolution, whereby fossil foraminifera were extracted every 2 cm’s down the core. A transfer function was applied to calculate the former elevation at which each core sample once existed, to produce a relative sea-level reconstruction. The reconstruction was related to the age models to produce two possible sea-level curve scenarios. Reconstructed curves from both scenarios depict a 0.5 m (±0.16 m) sealevel highstand at 1500 cal years BP followed by a lowstand of -0.6 m (±0.03 m). Scenario One reached its lowest recorded sea-level between 600 cal years BP and 500 cal years BP and then fluctuated below present day levels. Scenario Two reached its lowest recorded sea-level around 1200 cal years BP, followed by low amplitude fluctuations and a relatively stable period from 100 cal years BP till the present day. The 1500 cal years BP highstand recorded for both scenarios correlates well with existing palaeoenvironmental literature from the southern African coastline. Chronological limitations associated with the remainder of the record hinder inter-comparison with previous studies. The outcomes of this research suggest that intertidal saltmarsh foraminifera demonstrate enormous potential for the high-resolution reconstruction of relative sealevel change in the South African context. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

A study of a poorly understood limestone unit was conducted to contribute temporal information necessary to unraveling a series of cryptic events for a complex geologic region containing economically important natural resources. Secondary objectives included understanding the environment of deposition and regional influences. Biostratigraphic and sedimentologic information observed from the Uitoé Limestone went to reconstructing the paleoenvironment, constraining the age of deposition and indicating the paleogeographic faunal associations. Facies associations indicate a middle ramp depositional setting common in many location in the Tethys Sea. Paleogeographic associations for the microflora and fauna indicate a Tethyan signature present but a lack of Australian influence. A combination of planktic and benthic foraminiferal assemblages for the region constrain the age of the Uitoé Limestone between the middle of the Lutetian and the Early Bartonian. / Department of Geological Sciences

This study aims to enlighten microfacies evolution and micropaleontological properties of the Tournaisian &amp / #8211 / Visean boundary in Aladag Unit (Central Taurides, Turkey). Two sections comprising dark shale and dark limestone alternations, including a fairly dolomitized part towards their top are measured. The microfacies analysis suggests a subtidal depositional environment. Foraminiferal assemblages were distinguished at Section AP and biozonation was documented. The biozonation separates the measured section into three zones, described as A, B and C. Zone A is scarce foraminifera fauna, and mainly contains Earlandia sp. Zone B is defined by appearance of a diversified foraminifera fauna and the first appearance of Lugtonia monilis (Malakhova, 1955) with Eoparastaffella sp. (morphotype 1). Zone C is defined according to the first appearance of Eoparastaffella simplex (Vdovenko, 1964) (morphotype 2) and foraminifers Laxaendothyra ex. gr. laxa. Tournaisian &amp / #8211 / Visean boundary is defined at the 60th sample, due to appearance of Eoparastaffella simplex (Vdovenko, 1964) (morphotype 2). Seven microfacies types in section AP, and six microfacies types in section PA are identified and, the intensely sampled part of the measured section AP is separated into 13 shallowing upward meter-scale cycles. These cycles, showing subtidal character are detected by both repetitions of microfacies and changes in abundance of foraminifers. A contrasting evaluation of the Tournaisian &amp / #8211 / Visean boundary of Taurides with Guangxi, South China and Dinant, Belgium is presented. The Chinese stratotype contains a diverse, more complete fauna of Tournaisian - Visean foraminifera, while the Belgium and Turkish sections are scarcer and most probably facies controlled.

The aim is to delineate the effective boundary between Lower and Middle Carboniferous (mid-Carboniferous boundary) and to study the meter-scale cyclicity and foraminiferal evolution across a stratigraphic section comprising this boundary. In order to perform such a study, a 25,64 m stratigraphic section, which is mainly composed of carbonates has been measured in the Hadim region of the Central Taurides. In this study, calcareous foraminifers have been studied in the measured section. These foraminiferal assemblages contain 62 species. Based on these foraminifers, four biostratigraphic zones have been defined covering the interval from Upper Serpukhovian to Lower Bashkirian. These zones comprise in ascending order, the Eostaffella ex gr. ikensis &amp / #8211 / E. postmosquensis Zone (Zapaltyubinsky Horizon &amp / #8211 / Upper Serpukhovian), the Plectostaffella jakhensis &amp / #8211 / P. bogdanovkensis Zone and the Millerella marblensis Zone (Bogdanovsky Horizon &amp / #8211 / Lower Bashkirian) and the Semistaffella sp. Zone (Syuransky Horizon &amp / #8211 / Lower Bashkirian). In order to construct the sequence stratigraphic framework, detailed microfacies studies were carried out and eleven different microfacies types were identified. Based on the stacking patterns of these microfacies, six main types of cycles, A-F, and ten subcycles are recognized. Twenty-three shallowing upward meter-scale cycles and three sequence boundaries have been determined in the studied section. The duration of cycles has been calculated as 2 my and cycle periodicities correspond to the Milankovitch eccentricity bant. Results of quantitative analysis of benthic foraminifera have been used to demonstrate the biological response to cyclicity. Eostaffellids, archaediscids, unilocular forms and irregularly coiled bilocular forms are the calcareous foraminiferal groups responding the meter-scale cycles.

Foraminifera are single cell protozoa that are ubiquitous in marine environments. The hard casings, or tests, of foraminifera are routinely studied in the earth sciences, particularly for palaeoenvironmental information. Foraminifera have been little studied by archaeologists, however, despite their potential to contribute to understandings of coastal site formation processes and localised palaeoenvironments. In this study techniques and methods of foraminiferal analysis are developed and applied to the problem of distinguishing between natural and cultural marine shell deposits, using the Mort Creek Site Complex, central Queensland, as a case study. Results allow unambiguous demarcation of the natural and cultural deposits studied based on patterns of foraminiferal density. Natural deposits were found to have more than 1000 foraminifera per 100g of sediment, while cultural deposits exhibited less than 50 foraminifera per 100g of sediment. The range of taxa represented in the foraminiferal assemblage is consistent with a shallow water sub-tropical marine ecosystem, indicating general environmental stability throughout the period of deposit formation. Findings are applied to re-evaluate previous models of site formation at the Mort Creek Site Complex.

Foraminifera are single cell protozoa that are ubiquitous in marine environments. The hard casings, or tests, of foraminifera are routinely studied in the earth sciences, particularly for palaeoenvironmental information. Foraminifera have been little studied by archaeologists, however, despite their potential to contribute to understandings of coastal site formation processes and localised palaeoenvironments. In this study techniques and methods of foraminiferal analysis are developed and applied to the problem of distinguishing between natural and cultural marine shell deposits, using the Mort Creek Site Complex, central Queensland, as a case study. Results allow unambiguous demarcation of the natural and cultural deposits studied based on patterns of foraminiferal density. Natural deposits were found to have more than 1000 foraminifera per 100g of sediment, while cultural deposits exhibited less than 50 foraminifera per 100g of sediment. The range of taxa represented in the foraminiferal assemblage is consistent with a shallow water sub-tropical marine ecosystem, indicating general environmental stability throughout the period of deposit formation. Findings are applied to re-evaluate previous models of site formation at the Mort Creek Site Complex.

The Sakmarian (Cisuralian, Permian) Fossil Cliff Member of the Holmwood Shale is situated in the northern Perth Basin, Western Australia, and consists of alternating beds of shale and silty calcarenite forming three parasequences. Within this member a diverse fauna of ostracodes and foraminifera are present. During the Cisuralian the northern Perth Basin formed part of the Gondwanan supercontinent and was linked to Greater India via an epeiric sea that opened to the north. The ostracode fauna is restricted to the calcareous beds of the member and consists of a diverse benthic fauna comprising 31 new species and 13 previously recorded species. Species from the Healdioidea, Bairdioidea, Youngielloidea, and Thlipsuroidea dominate the assemblage and suggest a normal-marine environment during the period represented by the calcareous beds, with an overall shallowing trend up the sequence. The fauna shows some similarity to faunas from the Tethyan deposits of North America and the Boreal deposits of Russia during the Late Carboniferous and Cisuralian. Twenty-eight species of foraminifera were recorded from the Fossil Cliff Member and underlying Holmwood Shale and comprise two distinct faunas, an agglutinated benthic foraminiferal fauna found within the shale beds and a calcareous benthic foraminiferal fauna present in the calcarenite units. The agglutinated foraminifera are inferred to represent deposition in dysoxic to suboxic (0.1-1.5 mL/LO2;), poorly circulated bottom waters below wave base. The calcareous foraminifera are inferred to represent deposition in normal-marine conditions. Both foraminiferal assemblages show a shallowing trend in their distribution that matches the trend identified in the ostracode fauna. Based upon the palaeoecology of the ostracode and foraminiferal faunas, the depositional environment for the Fossil Cliff Member is inferred to have been within shallow water in an epeiric basin during an overall marine regression that is overprinted by eustatic and isostatic oscillations resulting from deglaciation that occurred during the early Sakmarian (Cisuralian). These sea-level oscillations raised and lowered the oxic surface waters of the epeiric sea above and below the substrate resulting in a sparse agglutinated foraminiferal fauna or an abundant and diverse ostracode and calcareous foraminiferal fauna respectively.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1996. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 164-169. Also available online.

A Bacia de Pelotas, localizada na porção sul da margem continental brasileira, foi formada a partir da fragmentação do supercontinente Gondwana e preenchida por sedimentos essencialmente siliciclásticos desde o Cretáceo. A ausência de rochas vulcânicas apropriadas para a datação através de métodos radiométricos na seção terciária da bacia e a abundância de microfósseis de parede calcária, constitui um cenário favorável para a utilização da razão isotópica de estrôncio visando à obtenção de dados cronoestratigráficos. Além dos microfósseis de parede calcária, a ocorrência conspícua de microfósseis de parede orgânica caracteriza esta seção como adequada para a realização de correlações biocronoestratigráficas. Uma síntese dos dados bioestratigráficos publicados é aqui apresentada com o intuito de verificar a ocorrência de descontinuidades temporais na sucessão sedimentar da bacia. Posteriormente, a avaliação da preservação das testas de foraminíferos foi realizada a fim de fornecer elementos para selecionar as amostras a serem utilizadas nas análises e verificar a consistência dos dados isotópicos. Foram reconhecidos quatro tipos de alterações diagenéticas em diferentes níveis estratigráficos da base para o topo: recristalização (neomorfismo), cimentação, recobrimento por filme oxidado e dissolução. Dados da razão isotópica de estrôncio, oxigênio e carbono e da razão Sr/Ca, foram obtidos a partir da análise de amostras provenientes de quatro poços. Adicionalmente, uma abordagem bioestratigráfica e paleoambiental foi possível com base no estudo dos foraminíferos e palinomorfos de dois intervalos testemunhados em dois poços, um na região emersa e outra na submersa, constituindo uma seção de referência para correlação. Com base no estudo dos testemunhos foi proposto um arcabouço estratigráfico de alta resolução, tendo sido identificado um hiato de 2 Ma na seção do mesomioceno e um evento transgressivo entre o meso e o neomioceno. Em uma abordagem mais ampla, o arcabouço cronoestratigráfico da seção do Paleogeno-Neogeno de quatro sondagens foi detalhado. Foram reconhecidos seis hiatos: (i) no Paleogeno, (ii) no eoeocenomesoeoceno, (iii) no mesoeoceno, (iv) entre o neoeoceno e o eoligoceno, (v) no eomioceno e (vi) entre o eomioceno e o meso/neomioceno. Os hiatos identificados, exceto aquele entre o eoeoceno e o mesoeoceno, foram interpretados como disconformidades associados a eventos globais. Uma queda do nível do mar a 10.4 Ma gerou uma disconformidade que pode estar relacionada ao início da deposição do Cone do Rio Grande. Quedas do nível do mar a nível global são as prováveis causas das descontinuidades reconhecidas em 18,5 Ma, 31,5 Ma e 40,5 Ma. O hiato identificado no eoeoceno-mesoeoceno (53-47,9 Ma) foi por sua vez interpretado como uma seção condensada. Do eoeoceno ao neoligoceno, uma tendência de resfriamento associada à abertura da Passagem de Drake foi registrada com base na curva de isótopos de oxigênio. Com base nos dados de δ13C observou-se uma tendência de aumento de produtividade do neoligoceno ao eomioceno, a qual provavelmente está associada a uma fase de aquecimento. Uma nova fase de resfriamento, relacionada ao restabelecimento da calota de gelo na Antártica, foi registrada na seção do neomioceno em ciclos de aproximadamente 400.000 anos. / The Pelotas Basin, situated in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Margin, is filled with siliciclastic sediments deposited from Cretaceous to Holocene. The absence of volcanic strata appropriate to radiometric dating and the abundance of calcareous microfossils constitute a favorable scenario for the use of strontium isotope ratio to obtain chronostratigraphic data for the Tertiary section of the basin. Furthermore, the conspicuous occurrence of organic-walled microfossils makes this section suitable for biochronostratigraphic correlations. A synthesis of the biostratigraphic data published is presented in order to recognize discontinuities in the stratigraphic record. Afterward, the assessment of the foraminifera tests preservation was effectuated with the purpose of providing criteria to select the samples to be analyzed and verify the consistency of the isotopic data. Four types of diagenetic alterations were recognized in different stratigraphic levels, from the base to the top of the studied section: recrystallization, cementation, oxidized coatings and dissolution. Strontium, oxygen and carbon isotope ratios and Sr/Ca ratio were performed in foraminifera tests from four drill-holes. Foraminifera and palynomorphs recovered from cores of two wells located on onshore and offshore regions provided a biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental information, constituting a reference section for correlation. Based on the core study, a highresolution biostratigraphic framework is proposed, in which a hiatus of 2 Ma is identified in the middle Miocene, as well as a transgressive event in the middle-late Miocene. In a broader approach, a chronostratigraphic framework is presented for the Paleogene-Neogene section of four drill-holes. Six hiatuses were recognized: (i) Paleocene, (ii) early-middle Eocene, (iii) middle Eocene, (iv) late Eocene - early Oligocene, (v) early Miocene, and (vi) early Miocene - middle/late Miocene. The identified hiatuses, except that of early-middle Eocene, were interpreted as disconformities in association with global events. A sea-level fall at 10.4 Ma may be related to the deposition of Rio Grande Cone. Global eustatic sea-level falls produced the disconfomities recognized at 18.5 Ma, 31.5 Ma and 40.5 Ma. The hiatus recognized in the early Eocene was interpreted as a condensed-section deposited between 53.7 and 47.9 Ma. From the early Eocene to the late Oligocene, a trend of cooling registered using oxygen and carbon isotopes may be related to the opening of the Drake Passage. Based on δ13C, a trend of increasing productivity probable driven by warming was observed from the late Oligocene to the early Miocene. Another cooling phase was registered in the late Miocene section which can be related to the reestablishment of the ice-sheet in Antarctica. This interval is punctuated of short-term cycles of approximately 400 ky.

O presente estudo integra informações bioestratigráficas e paleoecológicas obtidas através da análise de foraminíferos planctônicos e bentônicos recuperados dos sedimentos provenientes de cinco poços (1-MAS-1, 1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A, 1-MAS-14 e 1-MAS-15) da Bacia de Barreirinhas, perfazendo um total de 127 amostras de calha preparadas e analisadas. Os sedimentos aqui analisados abrangem os andares Albiano superior ao Campaniano superior com registro geológico inserido nos grupos Caju (Albiano - Cenomaniano) e Humberto de Campos (Turoniano - Maastrichtiano). Através dos dados bioestratigráficos obtidos foi possível estabelecer sete biozonas de foraminíferos, de caráter local, com base na última ocorrência do táxon guia (LAD - Last Appereance Datum). O Albiano superior foi definido com base nas biozonas do foraminífero planctônico Ticinella primula Lauterbacher (1963) e foraminíferos bentônicos Lingulogavelinella albiensis Malapris (1965)-Gyroidina bandyi Trujillo (1960); o Cenomaniano inferior foi determinado através das biozonas do foraminífero planctônico Globigerinelloides bentonensis Morrow (1934) e foraminífero bentônico Coronorotalites aptiensis Bettenstaedt (1952); o Cenomaniano superior foi reconhecido através das biozonas do foraminífero planctônico Rotalipora appeninica Renz (1936) e foraminífero bentônico Gavelinella intermedia Berthelin (1880); o Campaniano superior foi determinado com base na biozona do foraminífero planctônico Heterohelix pulchra Brotzen (1936). Após a identificação da microfauna, foi possível reconhecer 108 espécies de foraminíferos pertencentes a cinco subordens: a Subordem Globigerinina, de foraminíferos planctônicos, é representada por 40 espécies e 15 gêneros; os foraminíferos bentônicos são compostos por 68 espécies e 48 gêneros, pertencentes as Subordens Rotaliina, Textulariina, Lagenina e Miliolina. Através da análise da assembléia de foraminíferos, foi possível traçar a CCD (Carbonate Compensation Depth - Profundidade de Compensação do Carbonato) nos poços e separá-los com base na profundidade em: distais (1-MAS-1 e 1-MAS-14) e proximais (1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A e 1-MAS-15). Observou-se que a Bacia de Barreirinhas possui uma tendência geral transgressiva ao longo do Período Cretáceo, caracterizada por meio do influxo sedimentar através de variações climáticas, como o aquecimento global ocorrido neste período. Esta teoria é reforçada pela completa ausência de tecas calcárias, tanto de foraminíferos bentônicos, quanto planctônicos, associada à ocorrência exclusiva de bentônicos aglutinantes e silicosos (Reophax globosus) nos poços distais ao final do Período Cretáceo. Nos poços 1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A e 1-MAS-15, a fauna de foraminíferos identificada apresenta adaptações morfológicas a condições de baixa oxigenação na coluna d'água, características normalmente observadas durante os Eventos Oceânicos Anóxicos (Oceanic Anoxic Event - OEA). Como exemplo destas adaptações morfológicas, foram identificadas três espécies pertencentes ao gênero Schakoina, que possui câmaras alongadas e a espécie Biticinella breggiensis, que possui câmaras bilobadas, sugerindo um aumento na produtividade primária, disponibilidade de nutrientes e paleoambientes depletados em oxigênio. Com base nestas informações foi possível identificar que um Evento Anóxico de caráter local tenha ocorrido durante o Albiano superior, registrado somente nos poços 1-MAS-3A e 1-MAS-4A, enquanto que o Evento Anóxico Global 2 foi registrado no poço 1-MAS-15. / This study integrates biostratigraphic and paleoecological information obtained through of planktonic and benthic foraminifera analysis from sediment recovered from five wells (1-MAS-1, 1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A, 1-MAS-14 and 1-MAS-15) of Barreirinhas Basin, making a total of 127 samples prepared and analyzed. The sediments analyzed here cover the upper Albian to upper Campanian stages with geological record inserted in the Caju (Albian - Cenomanian) and Humberto de Campos (Turonian - Maastrichtian) groups. Through the biostratigraphic data obtained it was possible to establish seven foraminiferal biozones, of local character, based on the last occurrence of taxon guide (LAD - Last Appereance Datum). The upper Albian was defined based on planktonic foraminifera biozones of Ticinella primula Lauterbacher (1963) and benthic foraminifera Lingulogavelinella albiensis Malapris (1965)-Gyroidina Bandy Trujillo (1960); the lower Cenomanian was determined through the planktonic foraminifera biozones of Globigerinelloides bentonensis Morrow (1934) and benthic foraminifera Coronorotalites aptiensis Bettenstaedt (1952); the upper Cenomanian was recognized through the planktonic foraminifera biozones of Rotalipora appeninica Renz (1936) and benthic foraminifera Gavelinella intermedia Berthelin (1880); the upper Campanian was determined based on the planktonic foraminifera biozone Heterohelix pulchra Brotzen (1936). After the identification of microfauna, was possible to recognize 108 species of foraminifera belonging to five suborders: the Suborder Globigerinina, of planktonic foraminifera, is represented by 40 species and 15 genera; the benthic foraminifera are composed of 68 species and 48 genera, belonging to the suborders Rotaliina, Textulariina, Lagenina and Miliolina. Through analysis of foraminifera assemblage it was possible to trace the CCD (Carbonate Compensation Depth) in the wells and separate them based on depth in: distal (1-MAS-1 and 1-MAS-14) and proximal (1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A and 1-MAS-15). It was noted that the Barreirinhas Basin has an overall transgression during the Cretaceous Period, characterized by sedimentary influx through weather changes, like global warming that occurred during this period. This theory is enhanced by the complete absence of calcareous tests, both of benthic as planktonic foraminifera associated with the exclusive occurrence of agglutinating and arenaceous benthic (Reophax globosus) in the distal wells of the end of Cretaceous Period. In the wells 1-MAS-3A, 1-MAS-4A and 1-MAS-15, the foraminifera fauna identified presents morphological adaptations to conditions of low oxygen in the water column, features typically seen during the Oceanic Anoxic Event (OEA's). As examples of these morphological adaptations, was identified three species of the Schakoina genera, which has elongated chambers and Biticinella breggiensis species, which has bilobeted chambers, suggesting an increase in the primary productivity, nutrient availability and paleoenvironments depleted in oxygen. Based on this information it was possible to identify a local character anoxic events occurred during the upper Albian, recorded only in a well 1-MAS-3A and 1-MAS-4A, while the global anoxic event 2 was recorded in a well 1-MAS-15.