Turonian and Coniacian palynoflora and calcareous nannofossils in the sediments of the Lower Gosau Subgroup, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria

Geoscience Research Reports 45, 2012 (GRR for 2011), pages 232–238

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Abstract

Calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs were studied in the Upper Cretaceous marls of Gosau Subgroup from village of St. Gilgen and its vicinity in Salzkammergut, Austria. Dinoflagellate cysts Odontochitina operculata, Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides, microforaminifers and abundant phytoclasts of terrestrial origin as well as nannofossils Lucianorhabdus and Braarudosphaera reflect shallow-marine depositional conditions. Accesoric Micula staurophora in Upper Coniacian confirms low-latitudes. Two studied localities differ in age. St. Gilgen (Billroth-Sonnbuhel, Mondseer Strasse 4): ?Middle-Late Turonian (zone UC9a) is supported by Lithastrinus septenarius and Lucianorhabdus quadrifidus and angiosperm pollen of Normapolles group Complexiopollis complicatus, C. helmigii, C. microrugulatus, C. christae. St.Gilgen- Kuhleitengraben: Upper Coniacian (zone UC11a-b) indicates Lithastrinus grillii. High number of reworked Lower Cretaceous nannofossils in the Upper Coniacian deposits is remarkable.