PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERA BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF SONDE

FORMATION, KEDAWUNG RIVER, SRAGEN, CENTRAL JAVA

Ganjar Asandi Putra Pratama

Summary

Research about biostratigraphy at Kedawung River included in Sonde Formation are

divided into three members that are Klitik Limestone, Sonde Marl, and Balanus Limestone
with cross-bed. In this research, samples were collected systematically. Total of 26 samples
was taken, most of which contain fossil planktonic foraminifera and there is a sample that
contains no fossils. Based on describe result, 51 species belonging to 10 genera successfully
identified in this research area.
Sonde Formation described among others by Pringgoprawiro (1982) composed white
limestones contains large and small foraminifera. Into the upper part, the limestones have to
quality massive structure and contain large foraminifera, mollusc, corals and algae. Sonde
formation age is Pliocene or N20-N21 (Blow,1969) with depositional environment neritic to
litoral. In this research can be found 12 interval zone of biostratigraphy zone. From several
biostratigraphy studies done in Sonde Formation, the study using planktonic foraminifera is
relatively rare. There is a need to research more on Sonde Formation in order to provide new
data and develop new ideas in order to support the exploration and research.
The lithostratigraphy log and samples used in this research were taken from 1 traverse
section. Based on measured stratigraphy, obtained section with total 93 meters thick and total
sample collected 26 pieces. There are several lithology identified in this section: marl,
grainstone, packstone, claystone, and rudstone. The depositional environment of this
stratigraphy section is neritic to litoral. Based on 26 samples was taken with systematically
collected every 3 meters, that samples contain planktonic foraminifera with various abundant
can be arranged grouping as follows: 1 – 5 : Rare (R), 11 – 20 : Abundant (Ab), 6 – 10 :
Common (C) , and > 20 : Very Abundant (VA).
A total of 51 planktonic species were recognized, with 5 biodatums consisted of 3
primary biodatum and 2 additional biodatum. The primary biodatum were : LOD of
Globigerinoides trilobus fistulosus, LOD of Sphaeroidinella dehiscens and LOD of
Globoquadrina altispira altispira. The 2 additional biodatums were LOD of Globigerinoides
extremus and LOD of Globigerina venezuelana. Based on biodatums identified in the section,
the biostratigraphy zone is separated into 4 Zonation following the standard zonation of Blow
(1969). There are 4 biostratigraphy zones, stated as follows Interval Zone of Globigerinoides
trilobus fistulosus, Interval Zone of Sphaeroidinella dehiscens, Interval Zone of
Globoquadrina altispira altispira and Range Zone of Globorotalia pertenuis. The age of this
section is N19-N20 (Early Pliocene).
The age of the Sonde Formation has been determined by several researchers including
de Genevraye & Samuel (1972) and Pringgoprawiro (1982). According to de Genevraye &
Samuel (1972), the upper Kalibeng Formation has the age of N21, while Pringgoprawiro (1982)
concluded that the Sonde Formation has the age of N20-N21. The research area on the
Kedawung River section has the age of N19-N20, this indicates a difference in the age analysis
results of previous researchers.