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Diagenetic history and sedimentary environment of the Asmari Formation in

subsurface, SW Iran
Poster · February 2010

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2392.4881
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Eighteenth Meeting of Swiss Sedimentologists – Fribourg, February 27, 2010
_________________________________________________________________________
PROGRAMME
0925 Opening
0930-0950 van den Berg, F., Schlunegger, F. & Norton, K.P.: Erosion rates, sediment transport and
characteristic discharge in a transient landscape in the Entle catchment (northern
border of the Central Alps, Switzerland)
0950-1010 Dehnert, A., Kemna, H.A., Anselmetti, F., Drescher-Schneider, R., Graf, H.R.,
Lowick, S., Preusser, F., Züger, A. & Furrer, H.: Palaeoenvironmental evolution of
the overdeepened Wehntal in the northern Alpine Foreland: The 2009 deep drill core
from Niederweningen, Switzerland
1010-1110 Coffee and posters
1110-1130 Blüthgen, N., Schmid, P., Bogdal, C. & Anselmetti, F.S.: Annually varved sediment
layers as an excellent tool to reconstruct temporal trends of persistent chemicals in
Alpine lakes
1130-1150 Margreth, S., Rüggeberg, A., Gennari, G. & Spezzaferri, S.: Foraminiferal indicator
species for cold-water coral ecosystem dynamics along the European continental
margin
1150-1210 Baumgartner, P.O.: “Earth Surface Processes and Paleobiosphere” ESPP – a new doctoral
school of the Coordination Universitaire de Suisse Occidentale (CUSO)
1210-1400 Lunch
1400-1430 Hillgärtner, H., Masalmeh, S., Al Mjeni, R., Jing, X.D. & Wie, L.L.: The impact of
permeability heterogeneity on reservoir sweep behavior: integrated carbonate
reservoir modeling for an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) application (keynote)
1430-1450 Gennari, G., Spezzaferri, S., Berger, J.-P., Rosenberg, T. & Matter, A.: Faunal
evidence of a Holocene pluvial phase in Southern Arabia: paleoenvironmental
implications from benthic foraminifera
1450-1510 Keller, C.E., Hochuli, P.A., Giorgioni, M., Garcia, T.I., Bernasconi, S.M. & Weissert,
H.: Ontong Java volcanism initiated long-term climate warming that caused
substantial changes in terrestrial vegetation several tens of thousand years before the
onset of OAE1a (Early Aptian, Cretaceous)
1510-1530 Stienne, N. & Strasser, A.: Taphonomy and intrasequential stratigraphy from shallow-
marine carbonates (Oxfordian of the Swiss Jura)
1530-1650 Tea and posters
1650-1710 Suan, G., Pittet, B., Mattioli, E., Duarte, L., Lécuyer, C., Alméras, Y. & Martineau,
F.: The distribution and significance of storm and gravity flow deposits across the
Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event in western Tethys
1710-1730 Efimenko, N., Spangenberg, J.E., Schneider, J., Chiaradia, M., Matera, V., Adatte, T.
& Föllmi, K.B.: Cadmium enrichments in Jurassic carbonates in the Swiss and
French Jura Mountains
1730-1750 Najafzadeh, A., Shabafrooz, R. & Jafarzadeh, M.: Sequence stratigraphy and
depositional environment of Upper Devonian deposits in Azerbaijan, Jolfa, Iran
1750 Closure and apéro

_________________________________________________________________________
POSTERS
Bütler, E. & Winkler, W.: Laser ablation U/Pb age patterns of detrital zircons in the Schlieren Flysch - a
new step in sediment provenance studies and paleogeographic correlations in the Alpine orogen
Deplazes, G. & Haug, G.H.: Sedimentation in the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) during interstadials of the last
glacial
Dürst Stucki, M., Reber, R. & Schlunegger, F.: Subglacial tunnel valleys dissecting the Alpine landscape
– an example from Bern, Switzerland
Giorgioni, M., Weissert, H., Keller, C., Bernasconi, S.M., Hochuli, P.A., Garcia, T., Coccioni, R. &
Petrizzo, M.R.: Major paleoceanographic changes recorded in Upper Albian-Lower Cenomanian
sediments in the Western Tethys and in the North Atlantic: possible response to intense tectonic
activity
Godefroid, F. & Kindler, P.: Comparative diagenesis of last interglacial coral reefs from Mayaguana, West
Caicos and Providenciales Islands (SE Bahamas). Implications for reservoir geology
Godefroid, F., Kindler, P. & Ramseyer, K.: Multiple replacement and cementation events in Miocene and
Pliocene dolostones from Mayaguana Island (SE Bahamas): new insights from cathodoluminescence
microscopy and from O-, C- and Sr-isotope analyses
Gretz, M., Martini, R. & Lathuilière, B.: The Hettangian corals of the Isle of Skye: corals of the extreme?
Hammer, P., Stockhecke, M., Anselmetti, F.S., Gilli, A. & Ariztegui, D.: Formation and composition of
annual sediment layers in hyperalkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey)
Hermann, E., Hochuli, P.A., Bucher, H., Brühwiler, T., Ware, D., Hautmann, M., Weissert, H.,
Bernasconi, S., Roohi, G., Reman, K. & Yaseen, A.: Climatic changes in the aftermath of the end-
Permian mass extinction - evidence from palynological records of Pakistan
Huck, S., Immenhauser, A., Heimhofer, U. & Rameil, N.: Timing of Early Aptian demise of northern
Tethyan carbonate platforms – chemostratigraphic versus biostratigraphic evidence
Jafarzadeh, M. & Azizi, H.H.: Diagenetic history and sedimentary environment of the Asmari Formation in
subsurface, SW Iran
Jaramillo-Vogel, D. & Strasser, A.: Palaeoecology, palaeoclimate and sea-level changes recorded in a
carbonate ramp-platform setting (Priabonian, Calcare di Nago section, Northern Italy)
Khozyem, H.M., Adatte, T., Spangenberg, J.E. & Tantawy, A.A.: The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal
Maximum (PETM) in Egypt: new insights from the Wadi Nukhul section (Sinai)
Morales, C., Schnyder, J., Spangenberg, J., Adatte, T., Westermann, S. & Föllmi, K.B.:
Paleoenvironmental change during the Late Berriasian - Early Valanginian in the Western Tethys:
preliminary results
Muñoz, P., Jojoa, M., Velásquez, C. & Gorin, G.: Palynological and geochemical signature of Holocene
climate variations in the tropics: case history from northwestern Colombia
Recasens, C., Ariztegui, D., Maidana, N.I. & the PASADO Science Team: The diatom record of Laguna
Potrok Aike, Argentina – Assessing changing paleoecological conditions in Southern Patagonia for
the last ~ 50 kyrs BP
Stockar, R.: The Cassina beds (Middle Triassic, Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland): background and event
sedimentation in an oxygen-depleted environment
Strasser, M., Freudenthal, T., Hanebuth, T., Krastel, S., Preu, B., Schwenk, T., Violante, R., Wefer, G.
& M78-3 shipboard scientific party: Sediment dynamics and geohazards offshore Uruguay and
northern Argentina: first results from the multi-disciplinary Meteor-Cruise M78-3
Studer, A., Haug, G.H., Jaccard, S.L. & Sigman, D.M.: Diatom-bound nitrogen isotopic evidence for
subarctic Pacific stratification upon the onset of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation
Van Raden, U., Gilli, A. & Ammann, B.: High-resolution isotope record of Lake Gerzensee (Switzerland)
during the Bølling/Allerød: Precise chronostratigraphy and characterization of rapid climate events
_________________________________________________________________________
Vuillemin, A., Ariztegui, D., Gebhardt, C. & the PASADO Science Team: Constraining microbial
contribution to diagenesis in lacustrine sediments: a subsurface biosphere study from the ICDP Potrok
Aike project
Wirth, S.B., Gilli, A., Anselmetti, F.S., Magny, M., Vannière, B. & Chapron, E.: Holocene flood history
as recorded in the sediments of Lake Ledro (N-Italy)
___________________________________________________________________________
List of registered participants

Adatte, Thierry Lausanne Martini, Rossana Geneva
Anselmetti, Flavio Dübendorf Matter, Albert Berne
Ariztegui, Daniel Geneva McKenzie, Judy Zurich
Baumgartner, Peter Lausanne Mechaouri, Nouzha Fribourg
Blüthgen, Nancy Zurich Morales, Chloé Lausanne
Burkhalter, Reto Wabern Muñoz, Paula Geneva
Bütler, Endrio Zurich Najafzadeh, Adel Mashhad
Caron, Michèle Fribourg Prétet, Chloé Geneva
Dehnert, Andreas Zurich Ramseyer, Karl Berne
Deplazes, Gaudenz Zurich Rebetez, Daniel Fribourg
Dürst Stucki, Mirjam Berne Recasens, Cristina Geneva
Efimenko, Natalia Lausanne Samankassou, Elias Geneva
Föllmi, Karl Lausanne Schlunegger, Fritz Berne
Funk, Hanspeter Baden Spezzaferri, Silvia Fribourg
Gennari, Giordana Fribourg Spichiger, Pia Fribourg
Gilli, Adrian Zurich Stein, Melody Lausanne
Giorgioni, Martino Zurich Stienne, Noémie Fribourg
Godefroid, Fabienne Geneva Stockar, Rudolf Lugano
Godet, Alexis Lausanne Strasser, André Fribourg
Gorin, Georges Geneva Strasser, Michi Bremen
Gottet, Sarah Fribourg Studer, Anja Zurich
Gretz, Mélanie Geneva Suan, Guillaume Lausanne/Lyon
Hammer, Paul Zurich van den Berg, Fabien Berne
Hermann, Elke Zurich van Raden, Ulrike Zurich
Huck, Stefan Bochum Von Allmen, Katja Fribourg
Hug, Wolfgang Porrentruy Vuillemin, Aurèle Geneva
Jaccard, Samuel Zurich Waite, Richard Fribourg
Jafarzadeh, Mahdi Mashhad Weidmann, Marc Jongny
Jaramillo Vogel, David Fribourg Weissert, Helmut Zurich
Keller, Christina Zurich Westermann, Stéphane Lausanne
Kempf, Oliver Wabern Wetzel, Andreas Basel
Kindler, Pascal Geneva Winkler, Wilfried Zurich
Khozyem, Hassan Lausanne Wirth, Stefanie Zurich
Larocque, Isabelle Berne
Margreth, Stephan Fribourg
___________________________________________________________________________
5
« Earth Surface Processes and Paleobiosphere »

ESPP
A NewDoctoral School of the
Coordination Universitaire de Suisse Occidentale (CUSO)
Peter O. Baumgartner UNIL, Jean-Pierre Berger UNFR, Eric Davaud UNIGE, Karl
Föllmi UNIL, Jean-Michel Gobat UNINE, Pascal Kindler UNIGE, Christian Meyer
UNIBAS/NMB, Fritz Schlunegger UNIBE, Andreas Strasser UNIFR, Torsten Vennemann
UNIL, Eric Verrecchia UNIL, Andreas Wetzel UNIBAS & Walter Wildi UNIGE
Email: peter.baumgartner@unil.ch
This new doctoral school, funded since 2010 by the CUSO, unites the doctoral
students (around 60 in 2009) and senior teaching scientists (about 20) of the disciplines of
sedimentology, stratigraphy, basin analysis, paleontology, surface processes, hydrogeology,
limnology, paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, palecology, sedimentary/environmental
geochemistry, biogeosciences and soil sciences from all six CUSO universities (Basel, Berne,
Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel). Doctoral students and research scientists of this
community study a wide array of different objects. They apply, however, similar methods and
deal with complex systems in which physical-chemical processes interact with life, both in
ancient and modern environments. These disciplines share a similar scientific approach: to
physically, chemically and biologically characterise the studied materials and environmental
systems, in order to understand and to model their formation and functioning. This doctoral
school aims at fostering scientific quality, creativity and communication within the scientific
community as well as with the professional world. It also promotes mobility and soft skills
competence. It offers a variety of courses to doctoral students, which will enable them to
efficiently organise their research and produce high-quality results. It will promote their
general ability to deal with challenges in contemporary academic, administrative, and
business environments. The education and training offer comprises acquirement of scientific
tools (field and laboratory analytical methods), soft skills, and a broad scientific background,
partly using courses that have been organised within the '3ème cycle CUSO “Coodination
Romande en Sciences de la Terre”. Furthermore, the proposed school will enhance
collaboration and synergies between the research groups of the CUSO sites and allow for an
efficient usage of costly analytical techniques.
Annual meetings, such as SwissSed, the participation in the offered courses, and active
participation of individual students in national and international meetings can be subsidised
by the ESPP doctoral school.
6
___________________________________________________________________________
Annually varved sediment layers as an excellent tool to reconstruct

temporal trends of persistent chemicals in Alpine lakes
Nancy Blüthgen1,2, Peter Schmid2, Christian Bogdal3 & Flavio S. Anselmetti4

1
University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
2
Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, Überlandstrasse 129,
8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
3
ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10,
8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
4
Eawag, Swiss Federal Inst. of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133,
8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
Lake sediments provide well-dated and high-resolution archives to reconstruct timing

and quantities of the input of various pollutants into the environment. Among these toxic
constituents that become stored in sediments, halogenated organic chemicals are of major
interest as they have been widely used since the beginning of the 20th century, although once
introduced into the market, some compounds have triggered concerns about their negative
properties. Of particular concern are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as the
insecticide dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and industrial chemicals like
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are hazardous environmental contaminants due to
their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. Production and usage started in the
1930s and ended when they were banned in the 1970s. As a result of their extraordinary
persistence together with atmospheric long-range transport, these ubiquitous contaminants are
deposited even in remote regions, such as the Alps, where they have never been produced or
used. Consequently, POPs are also deposited on glaciers where they become preserved in the
ice for decades. The drastic glacier melting, which is expected to further accelerate, implies
the significance of studying the behaviour of these pollutants, which may now be rapidly
released due to global warming.
The goal of this study was to reconstruct the historical inputs of POPs into remote
Alpine lakes and investigate the accelerated release of POPs from melting glaciers. Due to
their lipophilic character, these chemicals exhibit a high tendency to adsorb to particles
whereas concentrations in water are expected to be low. Therefore, quantitative determination
in annually layered lake sediment provides an excellent way to investigate the temporal trend
of inputs into lakes. For this purpose sediment cores were sampled from two Alpine lakes in
Switzerland (Lake Stein and Lake Engstlen, both located in the Bernese Alps at similar
altitude of about 1900 m a.s.l.). Lake Stein is a proglacial lake exclusively supplied by glacier
meltwater whereas Lake Engstlen is not directly connected to a glacier. Sediment layers were
dated by annual varve counting and radionuclide measurements; they cover the time period
from the 1960s to 2008.
The historical record of POPs indicates different progressions for the two lakes.
Similar to Swiss plateau lakes [1,2], Alpine lake sediments show a historic maximum of POP
concentrations some decades ago, which is synchronic with their use at that time. In contrast,
proglacial Lake Stein exhibits a dramatic re-increase of POP inputs during the last years,
which was not observed in Lake Engstlen. This result strongly supports our hypothesis of
melting glaciers being a significant local source of POPs in Alpine
regions [3]. This finding is of uttermost importance regarding possible consequences of the
worldwide predicted massive glacier melting due to global warming.
___________________________________________________________________________
7
REFERENCES
[1] Zennegg M. et al., Chemosphere 2007, 67, 1754.
[2] Bogdal C. et al., Env. Sci. & Technol. 2008, 47, 6817.
[3] Bogdal C. et al., Env. Sci. & Technol. 2009, 43, 8173.
8
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Laser ablation U/Pb age patterns of detrital zircons in the Schlieren Flysch
- a new step in sediment provenance studies and paleogeographic
correlations in the Alpine orogen
Endrio Bütler & Wilfried Winkler

Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, ETH Zentrum, Sonneggstrasse 5, CH-8092 Zurich
Email: endrio22@hotmail.com, wilfried.winkler@erdw.ethz.ch
The Schlieren Flysch series covers the age range from Late Maastrichtian to Early
Eocene. According to similar lithostratigraphic and sedimentologic patterns, it represents a
part of the Gurnigel Nappe extending from south of Lake Geneva (Voirons) to Central
Switzerland (Sörenberg-Grosse Schliere area) (Winkler 1984), and the Wägital Flysch is a
possible eastern prolongation (Winkler et al. 1985a). The actual variable tectonic association
with elements of the Middle Penninic and Helvetic/Ultrahelvetic units puzzled the
paleogeographic attribution of the basin for decades. For a long time an Ultrahelvetic basin
position was maintained in literature. Caron et al. (1980), however, because of the close
affinity of the Gurnigel Flysch in age and lithology with the Prealpine Sarine Nappe (Upper
Prealpine Nappe) proposed an “ultrabriançonnaise” (Southpenninic s.l.) paleogeographic
origin (e.g. Gasinski et al. 1997).
The approximately 1500 m thick Schlieren Flysch Group is built up by several
formations showing variable proportions of terrigenous turbiditic sandstones and shales, and
hemipelagic interturbidite pelites (Winkler 1983). Seven representative sandstone samples
were taken from the different formations in and within the larger area of the Grosse Schliere
type section. We performed U/Pb dating of a large number of single detrital zircons by the
ICP-MS laser ablation method, and Th/U ratios were calculated for identifying the magmatic,
transitional and metamorphic environment of the mineral growth. These results were
correlated with new and published standard petrographic characteristics (heavy minerals and
modal composition) of the sandstones.
The detrital zircons show a wide range of ages including multiply reworked
Proterozoic grains. Two prominent age populations are common in the sandstones (Fig. 1): (i)
a group that depicts Late Proterozoic to Ordovician-Silurian ages, which correlate with the
wide-spread Pan African orogenic cycle (650 – 450 Ma), and (ii) a (Late) Carbiniferous-
Permian population correlating with the Variscan-Hercynian orogeny. The Th/U ratios
indicate that the majority of the orogenic zircons were derived from magmatic rocks. The high
abundance of Pan African zircons and Variscan ones, suggests that both orogenic events
produced a high volume of primary magmatic rocks. In addition, three Paleocene rock
samples show a minor but discerning Triassic-Jurassic zircon age population.
An interesting paleogeographic aspect is provided by the correlation of zircon ages
with the composition of the sandstones. The Schlieren Flysch trench basin was found to have
been supplied from two source terranes as indicated from turbidite paleocurrent measurements
and varying feldspar contents in the sandstones (Winkler 1983, 1984). The K-feldspar and
plagioclase bearing sandstones from the granitic-rhyolitic source correlate with a higher
abundance of Pan African zircons. Variscan zircons dominate in the exclusively plagioclase
containing tonalitic-andesitic sandstones. This observation suggests that the K-feldspar was
supplied form granites available in the Pan African source rock area.
The presence of the mm-thin bentonite layers suggests a syn-sedimentary volcanic
source in the larger neighborhood of the Schlieren and Gurnigel Flysch basins (Winkler et al.
1985b). But the observed lack of such zircons in the analyzed sandstones suggests that the
___________________________________________________________________________
9
volcanic source had no hydrographic connection with the flysch basins, or the sampling
resolution was too poor.
The present data only allows a preliminary interpretation of the paleogeographic
position of the source rocks supplying the Schlieren Flysch Basin, as the age patterns between
source rocks from the southern and northern margins of the Alpine Tethys are still not well
differentiated (project in progress). An argument for a southern Tethys margin derivation of
the clastic material in the Schlieren Flysch may be evidenced in the presence of Triassic and
Jurassic zircons because volcanic activity of that age range is known from the southern
margin (e.g. Castellarin et al. 1988, Mundil et al. 1996, Schaltegger and Gebauer 1999).
REFERENCES
Bütler, E. 2008. U-Pb Datierung detritischer Zirkone und Liefergebietsbestimmung im Schlieren
Flysch (Zentralschweiz). Unpubl. Dipl.-Arbeit, Math.- naturw. Fakultät Univ. Zürich, 96 p.
Castellarin, A., Lucchini, F., Rossi, P.L., Selli, L., Simboli, G. 1988. Tectonophysics 146, 79-89.
Caron, C., Homewood, P., van Stuijvenberg, J., Morel, R. 1980. Bulletin Societé Fribourg Sciences
Naturelles 69, 64-79.
Gasinski, A., Slaczka, A. Winkler, W. 1997. Geodinamica Acta 10, 137-157.
Mundil, R., Brack, P., Meier, M., Rieber, H. Oberli, F. 1996. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 141,
137-151.
Schaltegger, U. and Gebauer, D. 1999. Schweizerische Mineralogisch Petrographische Mitteilungen
(SMPM) 79, 79-87.
Winkler, W. 1983. Beitr. Geol. Karte Schweiz, N.F. 158, 105 p.
Winkler, W. 1984. Sedimentary Geology 40, 169-189.
Winkler, W., Wildi, W., Van Stuijvenberg, J. & Caron, C. 1985a. Eclogae geol. Helv. 78, 1-22.
Winkler, W., Galetti, G. & Maggetti, M. 1985b. Eclogae geol. Helv. 78, 545-564.
10
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Fig. 1: ICP-MS laser ablation U/Pb age-frequency distribution of detrital

zircons in Schlieren Flysch formations, Histograms and relative probability
curves (dashed) are correlated with the time scale of Ogg et al. (2008). From
Bütler (2008).
___________________________________________________________________________
11
Palaeoenvironmental evolution of the overdeepened Wehntal in the

northern Alpine Foreland: The 2009 deep drill core from Niederweningen,
Switzerland
Andreas Dehnert1, Hans Axel Kemna1, Flavio Anselmetti2, Ruth Drescher-Schneider3,

Hans Rudolf Graf4, Sally Lowick5, Frank Preusser5, Andreas Züger6 & Heinz Furrer1
1
Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Zurich Switzerland
2
EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
3
Kainbach bei Graz, Austria
4
Matousek, Baumann & Niggli AG, Baden, Switzerland
5
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
6
Geographical Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Geological and geophysical studies in the Wehntal, 20 km northwest of Zurich, in

2007 and 2008 have revealed the existence of a glacially overdeepened trough cut into
Miocene molasse bedrock, which is filled with ~90 to 180 m of Pleistocene sediments at
present day. In March 2009, a 93.6 m long sediment core (NW09/1) was drilled east of the
famous mammoth-site Niederweningen. This record provides crucial insights on the timing of
erosion and the infilling history of the Wehntal trough, which is a product of previous
glaciations in the Northern Alpine foreland.
Based on chronologic data deduced from the nearby 2007 core (covering the upper
~30 m) and on new multi-method data, the NW09/1 record is interpreted from bottom to top
as: 4.1 m of in-situ molasse bedrock, overlain by 3.4 m of diamictic till. These glacial deposits
were deposited by a Linth glacier lobe during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 ('Rissian'),
although an even older glaciation cannot currently be excluded (e.g. MIS 8, luminescence
dating in progress). It is suggested that this extensive ice advance, which once covered the
entire Wehntal valley, caused the final erosion of the bedrock. The till is overlain by a 29.5 m
thick sequence of laminated, carbonate-rich, fine-grained siliciclastic sediments that are
interpreted as proglacial lake sediments. It is supposed that this unit was deposited in a
proximal setting to a calving glacier-front confirmed by presence of numerous dropstones.
The damming of this Wehntal palaeolake was most likely caused by a terminal moraine
located ~3 km to the northwest of the drill site. The overlying 37.9 m of fine-grained lake
sediments are comparable to the former unit, but absence of dropstones and occurrence of
multiple interstratified sand layers (up to 40 cm in thickness) indicate a more distal proglacial
lake facies and thus a retreat of the feeding glacier lobe.
The subsequent 9.5 m of fine-grained material are characterised by a striking decrease
in the carbonate content (from ~50 to 20 wt%), which is interpreted as a decoupling of the
Wehntal catchment from the Linth glacier system that originates in a carbonate-rich
hinterland. Furthermore, the top of this unit documents the gradual infilling of the palaeolake
and the onset of biologic productivity due to climate warming. This is also documented by
occurrence of pyrite and siderite concretions. The prominent environmental change
culminates in the abrupt accumulation of peat (1.8 m) during the interglacial MIS 5e
('Eemian'). Afterwards, the Wehntal was recaptured by a younger palaeolake after which the
peat became flooded. The resulting 4.9 m of silty sediments have carbonate contents of
~25 wt% and show also post-sedimentary pyrite and siderite concretions. The source of
sediments is interpreted as derived from the molassic Zurich Highlands and the Jurassic
limestone of the Lägern mountain, which borders the Wehntal valley to the south. The cause
of the new rise in water level subsequent to deposition of the MIS 5e peat, however, has not
12
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yet been identified. Eventually, the younger palaeolake was filled, resulting in the
accumulation of 0.7 m of fossil rich 'Middle Würmian' peat (‘Mammoth peat’). This peat was
finally covered with 2.0 m of post-Würmian-to-recent silts and sands.
Ongoing data acquisition (e.g. pollen interpretation and palaeomagnetic
investigations), as well as a new series of luminescence dates will provide further information
in order to refine the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental history of the Wehntal valley.
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13
Sedimentation in the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) during interstadials of the

last glacial
Gaudenz Deplazes & Gerald H. Haug

Geological Institute, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
Email: gaudenz.deplazes@erdw.ethz.ch
Sediments from the anoxic Cariaco Basin on the northern shelf of Venezuela record
past tropical climate variability (Peterson 2000, Haug 2001). The Cariaco Basin sits within the
area of seasonal change of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) position that
determines the hydrological cycle and rainfall distribution in Central and South America.
During summer and autumn, the ITCZ is located over the catchment area of the Cariaco
Basin, and high precipitation leads to a high flux of terrigenous material into the basin. During
winter and spring, the ITCZ lies further south, and northeast trade winds fuels the flux of
biogenic material to the seabed. This seasonal varying sedimentary input results in annual
laminations at the seabed.
Major element chemistry and color analysis were applied on core MD03-2621 from
the Cariaco Basin, which covers the last 110,000 years. The sediments of the last glacial are
characterized by an alternation of dark colored, finely laminated and light colored, laminated
to bioturbated sequences. An age model was set up by correlation of the dark colored
sequences to the interstadials recorded in δ18O of the Greenland ice cores. The nature of the
lamination during the interstadials was investigated on the characteristic interstadial number
8, which follows Heinrich event 4 (Bond 1993). A combination of non-destructive high
resolution XRF scanning, sediment color, XRD and microfacies analysis on thin sections
allowed the characterisation of individual layers within the interstadial.
The correlation of the colordata from the core of the Cariaco Basin and the Greenland
ice core record suggests a direct connection between the position of the ITCZ over northern
South America and the temperature gradient to the high northern latitudes. High-resolution
sedimentary analysis reveals major oscillations in the terrigenous and biogenic input on a
decadal to annual scale within the interstadials.
REFERENCES
Bond, G. et al. (1993) Correlations between climate records from North-Atlantic sediments and
Greenland ice. Nature, 365, 143-147.
Haug, G., Hughen, K., Sigman, D., Peterson, L. & Röhl, U. (2001) Southward migration of the
intertropical convergence zone through the Holocene. Science, 293, 1304-1308.
Peterson, L., Haug, G., Hughen, K. & Röhl, U. (2000) Rapid changes in the hydrologic cycle of the
tropical Atlantic during the last glacial. Science, 290, 1947-1951.
14
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Subglacial tunnel valleys dissecting the Alpine landscape – an example from

Bern, Switzerland
Mirjam Dürst Stucki, Regina Reber & Fritz Schlunegger

Institute of Geological Science, Baltzerstrasse1+3, CH-3012 Bern,
Email: mirjam.duerst@geo.unibe.ch
The morphology of the Alpine and adjacent landscapes is directly related to glacial
erosion and associated sediment transport. Here we report the effects of glacio-hydrologic
erosion on bedrock topography in the Swiss Mittelland. Specifically, we identify the presence
of subsurface valleys beneath the city of Bern in Switzerland and discuss their genesis.
Detailed stratigraphic investigations of more than 4000 borehole data within a 430 km2-large
area reveal the presence of a network of >200 m-deep and 1000 m-wide valleys. They are flat
floored with steep sided walls and are filled by Quaternary fluvio-glacial deposits. The main
valley beneath Bern is straight and oriented towards the NNW, with valley flanks more than
20° steep. The valley bottom has an irregular undulating profile along the thalweg, with
differences between sills and hollows higher than 50-100 m over a reach of 4 kilometers
length. Approximately 200 m high bedrock uplands flank the valley network. The uplands are
dissected by up to 80 m-deep and 500 m-broad hanging valleys that currently drain away from
the axis of the main valley. We interpret the valleys beneath the city of Bern to be a tunnel
valley network which originated from subglacial erosion by melt water. The upland valleys
are hanging with respect to the trunk system, indicating that these incipient upland systems as
well as the main gorge beneath Bern formed by glacial melt water under hydrostatic pressure.
This explains the ascending flow of glacial water from the base towards the higher elevation
hanging valleys where high water discharge resulted in the formation of broad valley
geometries. Similarly, we relate efficient erosion, excavation of bedrock and the formation of
the tunnel valley network with >20° steep shoulders to confined flow under pressure, caused
by the overlying ice.
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15
Cadmium enrichments in Jurassic carbonates in the Swiss and

French Jura Mountains
N. Efimenko1, J.E. Spangenberg2, J.Schneider3, M. Chiaradia4, V. Matera5, T. Adatte1

& K.B. Föllmi1
1
Institut de Géologie et Paléontologie, Université de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Email: natalia.efimenko@unil.ch
2
Institut de Minéralogie et Géochimie, Université de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
3
Departement of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001 Heverlee,
Belgium
4
Département de Minéralogie, Université de Genève. 1205 Genève, Switzerland
5
Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, 54500 Vandoeuvre Les Nancy, France
Carbonate rocks of Bajocian and Oxfordian age on the platform and in basinal areas of
the Tethyan realm have been shown to contain surprisingly high cadmium (Cd)
concentrations of up to 21.4 mg/kg (Rambeau, 2006). Such Cd concentrations are not typical
for carbonate rocks, and are significantly higher than the mean marine carbonate value of 0.03
– 0.06 mg/kg (Gong et al., 1977; Tuchschmid, 1995). The weathering of carbonate rocks with
elevated Cd contents results in the incorporation of this element into the corresponding soils.
In the Swiss Jura Mountains the concentrations of Cd of up to 16 mg/kg in soils (Jacquat,
2009) largely exceed the Swiss official tolerance guideline value for non-polluted soils, which
is fixed for Cd at 0.8 mg/kg (Osol, 1998). The aim of our study is to understand the mode and
timing of Cd incorporation into the rock in order to predict its distribution in carbonate rocks.
This will allow us to characterize the distribution of soils with high Cd concentrations in the
Jura Mountains.
The general increase of Cd contents in hemipelagic sections of central Italy
(Terminiletto) and southern Spain (Carcabuey) for the Bajocian stage coincides with a
positive shift in the δ13C carb isotope curve established by Bartolini et al. (1996) and
O’Dogherty et al. (2006). This correlation suggests a link between cadmium enrichment and
general paleoenvironmental change (Rambeau, 2006). Additionally lateral equivalents of the
same formation display similar Cd contents over 10 km (e.g., shallow water carbonates of
Late Oxfordian age, Lower Burgundy area, France; Rambeau et al., 2010). Therefore,
Rambeau et al. (2010) proposed that specific Cd-rich stratigraphic layers within Bajocian and
Oxfordian carbonates may reflect high cadmium concentrations in the contemporaneous
seawater.
In the Swiss and French Jura Mountains Cd and Zn concentrations in shallow-water
carbonate rocks of Bajocian age (Middle Jurassic) are partly related to the presence of Cd-rich
(up to 6000 mg/kg; Graeser, 1971) sphalerite (ZnS) inclusions (Jacquat et al., 2009; Efimenko
et al., 2009). The origin of Zn and Cd for sphalerites found in Jurassic carbonates in the Jura
Mountains remains unclear until recently. Cd may be either remobilised from the pre-enriched
carbonate rocks of Bajocian age, and then incorporated into the sphalerite crystals, or it may
have an extraformational source. In the latter case the cadmium may have been incorporated
into oolitic rock by hydrothermal fluids, simultaneously with the formation of sphalerite
crystals, and have no significance with regards to the Cd content in contemporaneous
seawater. Therefore, the knowledge of the timing and the origin of metals (Cd and Zn) for
sphalerite mineralizations is critical to understand the process of Cd incorporation into
Jurassic carbonate rocks.
Using thin-section microscopy, microprobe analyses, sulphur isotopes and Rb-Sr/Pb-
Pb isotopic dating and tracing on a dozen of sphalerite samples from shallow-marine oolitic
16
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carbonates of Late Bajocian age, we demonstrate that Cd was transfered into these carbonate
rocks during diagenesis from an extraformational source by a Cd-containing hydrothermal
fluids. Textural evidence indicates a late diagenetic origin of the sphalerite mineralizations.
Rb-Sr dating of sphalerites reveals that major sphalerite formation in oolitic rocks of Bajocian
age occurred near the Middle - Late Jurassic boundary, at about 162 Ma (Late Bathonian –
Early Oxfordian). This age corresponds to a period of enhanced tectonic and hydrothermal
activity in the Jura Mountains and Black Forest area (e.g. Pfaff et al., 2009), related to the
opening of the Central Atlantic and Alpine Tethys oceans. The Pb isotopic composition of
sphalerite is very uniform, indicating an isotopically well-homogenized fluid system.
Comparative lead-isotope patterns may point to lead sources located in granitic and
metamorphic basement rocks. The remobilisation from sphalerite mineralizations in
carbonates of Triassic age cannot be excluded. Microprobe analyses show that sphalerite
crystals were formed in several steps each characterized by dissolution and reprecipitation.
Therefore the hypothesis that a part of sphalerite mineralization was formed later, during
tectonic activity related to the opening of the Rhine Graben during the Oligocene cannot be
ruled out. During late-stage oxidative dissolution of sphalerite, Cd was liberated and adsorbed
onto carbonate oolitic grains. The process of oxidative dissolution of disseminated sphalerite
mineralization in carbonate rocks of Bajocian and Oxfordian age in the Jura Mountains and
the incorporation of liberated cadmium into the carbonates continues to the present.
REFERENCES
Bartolini A., Baumgartner P. O., and Hunziker J. (1996) – Middle and Late Jurassic carbon stable-
isotope stratigraphy and radiolarite sedimentation of the Umbria-Marche basin (Central Italy).
Eclogae geologicae Helvetiae, 89 (2), pp. 811-844.
Efimenko N., Spangenberg J.E., Schneider J., Chiaradia M., Adatte T., Matera V. and Föllmi K.B.
(2009) – Sphalerite mineralisation in Bajocian shallow-water carbonates in the Swiss Jura
Mountains related to extensional synsedimentary tectonics during the Middle-Late Jurassic.
Abstract Volume 7th Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Neuchâtel 2009.
Gong H., Rose A.W., Suhr N.H. (1977) – The geochemistry of cadmium in some sedimentary rocks.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 41, pp. 1687-1692.
Graeser S. (1971) – Mineralogische-geochemische Untersuchungen an Bleiglanz ind Zinkblende.
Schweiz. Mineraligische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 51, 414-442.
Jacquat O., Voegelin A., Juillot F. & Kretzschmar R. (2009) – Chages in Zn speciation during soil
formation from Zn-rich limestones. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73, 5554-5571.
O’Dogherty L., Sandoval J., Bartolini A., Bruchez S., Bill M., Guex J. (2006) – Carbon-isotope
stratigraphy and ammonite faunal turnover for the Middle Jurassic in the Southern Iberian
palaeomargin. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 239, pp. 311-333.
OSol. (1998) – Ordonnance du 1er juillet 1998 sur les atteintes portées aux sols. Swiss Federal
Council, RS 814.12, Bern.
Pfaff K., Romer R.L., Markl G. (2009) – U-Pb ages of ferberite, chalcedony, agate, and pitchblende:
constraints on the mineralization history of the Schwarzwald ore district. European Journal of
Mineralogy, 21 (4), 817-836.
Rambeau C. (2006) – Cadmium anomalies in jurassic carbonates (Bajocian, Oxfordian) in western and
southern Europe. PhD thesis, University of Neuchâtel, 179 p.
Rambeau C., Baize D., Saby N., Matera V., Adatte T., Föllmi K.B. (2010) – High cadmium
concentrations in Jurassic limestone as the cause for elevated cadmium levels in deriving soils: a
case study in Lower Burgundy, France. Accepted Manuscript ENGE-D-09-00358R1, Journal of
Environments Earth Sciences.
Tuchschmid M. (1995) – Quantifizierung und Regionalisierung von Schwermetallen und
Fluorgehalten bodenbildender Gesteine der Schweiz. Umwelt-Materialen, 32, BUWAL, Berne.
___________________________________________________________________________
17
Faunal evidence of a Holocene pluvial phase in Southern Arabia:

paleoenvironmental implications from benthic foraminifera
G. Gennari1, S. Spezzaferri1, J.-P. Berger1, T. Rosenberg2 & A. Matter2

1
University of Fribourg, Department of Geosciences, Earth Sciences, Fribourg, Switzerland;
2
University of Bern, Institute of Geological Sciences, Bern, Switzerland.
A low-diversity, well-preserved benthic foraminifera association was found in early

Holocene lacustrine sediments of the Al Mundafan region in Southern Arabia. The benthic
foraminifera occur only in the lowermost part (samples A4 and A5) of a two meters layered
lacustrine succession resting on aeolian sands and are represented by Helenina anderseni,
Helenina sp. and Trichohyalus aguayoi, characteristic of mangrove swamps, salt marshes and
lagoons.
Quantitative analyses have been preliminarily performed on sample A5 and a total of
2354 foraminifera from the size fraction >250 µm, >125µm, >6332 µm and > 32 µm have
been identified at species level and categorized according to the nature of the embrional
chambers (microsphere or megalosphere). This investigation shows the dominance, in sample
A5, of adult specimens (constituting 85% or more of the population) over young individuals,
thus suggesting that the environmental condition were suitable enough to allow a great
number of juveniles to reach maturity.
The adult population of all the species present in the assemblage is characterized by a
preponderance of microspheric shells (i.e. the main form of reproduction was sexual).
Considering that most natural population of benthic foraminifera show a preponderance of
megalospheric shells (due to repetitive asexual reproduction; e.g., Alve & Goldstein and
references there-in), the high number of microspheric forms observed in our sample may be
the result of highly variable environmental condition and/or seasonality (Alve & Goldstein,
2003).
The colonization of the lacustrine sediments of the Al Mundafan section is linked to
the well documented continental pluvial periods that occurred in the area from 10,500 to
6,000 years B.P. (e.g., Fleitmann et al., 2007), as confirmed by radiocarbon dating on the
studied material. The development of a slightly saline/brackish lake probably due to enhanced
precipitation is corroborated by the presence of in-situ typical brackish charophyte
assemblages.
Since this region has not been connected to the sea, we can exclude endemism and
marine reliction as explanation for the presence of foraminifera. Thus, avian mediation of
these organisms by waterfowls is the most likely transport mechanism from the nearby Red
Sea coasts into the newly suitable Al Mundafan paleolake.
This study is funded by the Swiss National Foundation Projects 200021-117985, 206021-117374 and 200021-
111694.
REFERENCES
Alve, E., and Goldstein, S.T., 2003. Propagule transport as a key method of dispersal in benthic
foraminifera (Protista). Limnol. Oceanogr., 48(6), 2163-2170.
Fleitmann, D., Mangini, A., Mudelsee, M., Kramers, J., Villa, I., Neff, U., Al-Subbary, A.A., Buettner,
A., Hippler, D., and Matter, A., 2007. Holocene ITCZ and Indian monsoon dynamics recorded
in stalagmites from Oman and Yemen (Socotra). Quat. Sci. Rev., 26(1-2), 170-188.
18
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Major paleoceanographic changes recorded in Upper Albian-Lower

Cenomanian sediments in the Western Tethys and in the North Atlantic:
possible response to intense tectonic activity
Martino Giorgioni1, Helmut Weissert1, Christina Keller1, Stefano M. Bernasconi1, Peter A.

Hochuli1,2, Therese Garcia1, Rodolfo Coccioni3 & Maria Rose Petrizzo4
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Email: martino.giorgioni@erdw.ethz.ch
2
Palaeontological Institute, University of Zurich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
3
Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Uomo, dell'Ambiente e della Natura, Università di Urbino, Campus Scientifico
località Crocicchia, 61209 Urbino, Italy
4
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milano, Italy
During the mid-Cretaceous intense and widespread volcanism induced a high

atmospheric CO 2 concentration and, consequently, a very strong greenhouse effect (Bice &
Norris, 2002). Opening and closing of oceanic gateways had an impact on paleoceanography
(Poulsen et al, 1998; Poulsen et al, 2001). Global temperature and sea level reached the
highest levels in the last 120 million years. (e.g. Pucéat et al, 2003; Hay, 2008).
In this study we test if tectonically driven changes in oceanic circulation had an impact
on Tethyan oceanography as predicted by models (Poulsen et al, 1998; Poulsen et al., 2001).
We trace sedimentological changes during the Albian-Cenomanian across the Western Tethys
and into the North Atlantic, integrating litho-, bio-, and isotope stratigraphy to obtain a robust
correlation between studied sections, from pelagic to coastal settings.
Albian sediments display very different facies from one site to the other. Pelagic marls
with several black shales alternated to green, white, or red beds (Marne a Fucoidi/Scaglia
Variegata Formation) are observed in the southern Tethys. Silty/sandy nodular limestone and
marly limestones, with hiatuses and condensed intervals, (Garschella Formation) were
deposited along the northern Tethyan shelf. Black shales and bioturbated marls are present in
cycles, with several hiatuses, in the North Atlantic.
These heterogeneous sediments became gradually replaced by more homogeneous and
carbonate-rich facies between the Late Albian and the Early Cenomanian. These new facies
consist of white, sometimes reddish, micritic limestones, rich in planktonic foraminifera. This
sedimentation pattern is dominant in Upper Cretaceous successions, both in deep basins and
on shelves.
This change in sedimentation happened gradually in an East-West extending trend. It is
first observed in the southern Tethys, then along the northern Tethys, and finally in the North
Atlantic.
We interpret the described change in sedimentation as due to a gradual turn of the
oceanic circulation happening on the million of year time frame, which is probably related to
one or more of the opening and closing of oceanic gateways during the mid-Cretaceous.
REFERENCES
Bice K. L. & Norris R. D. - Possible atmospheric CO 2 extremes of the Middle Cretaceous (late
Albian-Turonian) - Paleoceanography, vol. 17, n. 4, 2002
Hay W. - Evolving ideas about the Cretaceous climate and ocean circulation - Cretaceous Research,
vol. 29, pp. 725-753, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
19
Poulsen C. J., Barron E., Arthur M. A., Peterson W. H. - Response of the mid-Cretaceous global
oceanic circulation to tectonic and CO 2 forcings – Paleoceanography, vol 16, n. 6, pp. 576-592,
December 2001
Poulsen C. J., Seidov D., Barron E. J., Peterson W. H. - The impact of paleogeographic evolution on
the surface oceanic circulation and the marine environment within the mid-Cretaceous Tethys -
Paleoceanography, vol. 13, n. 5, pp. 546-559, 1998
Pucéat E., Lecuyer C., Sheppard S. M. F., Dromart G., Reboulet S., Grandjean P. - Thermal evolution
of Cretaceous Tethyan marine waters inferred from oxyge isotope composition of fish tooth
enamels - Paleoceanography, vol. 18, n. 2, 2003
20
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Comparative diagenesis of last interglacial coral reefs from Mayaguana,

West Caicos and Providenciales Islands (SE Bahamas). Implications for
reservoir geology
Fabienne Godefroid & Pascal Kindler
Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 13 rue des Maraîchers, CH-1205 Geneva
Email: Fabienne.Godefroid@unige.ch
Petrographic and mineralogical investigations of coral samples collected from three

upper Pleistocene reefs located on neighbouring islands in the SE Bahamas reveals striking
disparities in diagenetic alteration, likely related to regional hydrogeological setting, that
profoundly modify the reservoir properties of these coeval rock bodies.
Mayaguana, West Caicos and Providenciales are situated within a 100 km radius in the
SE Bahamas, the latter two islands further standing on the same platform. The western sector
of each of these islands comprises one large fossil bank-barrier reef forming a low terrace and
dating from the last interglacial period. Acropora palmata, Montastrea sp. and Diploria sp.
are the predominant coral species in all of these build ups. With the aim of reconstructing last-
interglacial sea-level history, we have collected several coral samples from each of these
terraces, examined their petrographic characteristics with a polarizing microscope, quantified
their mineralogical composition by XRD analysis, and dated them with the U-series TIMS
technique.
Coral specimens gathered from Mayaguana and Providenciales Islands are usually
well preserved. Coral skeletons still consist of fibrous aragonite and further display
calcification centers. Corallites are empty, except for rare vadose silt and internal micritic
sediment. Percentage of calcite varies between 0 and 6%, with only one sample exceeding
3%. U-Th ages range from about 130 to 105 ka. In contrast, coral specimen collected from the
West Caicos reef display a significant degree of diagenetic alteration. In coral skeletons,
fibrous aragonite has been partly to wholly replaced by coarse neomorphic spar and
calcification centers have been dissolved. Corallites are commonly filled by coarse, blocky,
low-Mg calcite cement. Percentage of calcite varies between 6 and 100% and U-Th ages
range between about 120 ka and an infinite age.
Amino-acid ratios measured from the reef sandy matrices have similar values at all
three sites and correlate with the last interglacial. The higher degree of diagenetic alteration
observed in the West Caicos reef can thus not be explained by an age difference.
The three studied reefs are less than 100 km apart and all crop out in the western
portion of a small island. The observed disparities in diagenetic alteration can thus not be
explained by differences in regional or local climatic conditions.
The Providenciales and Mayaguana reefs are directly capped by a thin calcrete that
could have blocked the percolation of meteoric waters, protecting the corals from diagenesis.
However, 14C dating of these crusts gave late Holocene ages, suggesting they played a minor
role in the weathering history of the underlying reef.
A large inland lake (Lake Catherine) lies to the east of the West Caicos reef and has no
equivalents on the other islands. The high degree of diagenetic alteration observed in this reef
is likely related to this regional difference in hydrological setting. Following episodes of high
lake level, such as after hurricanes, fresh to brackish water likely drained through the reef and
enhanced diagenetic reactions (neomorphism, cementation, dissolution), modifying the
reservoir properties of this rock body.
This research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant no 200020-124608)
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21
Multiple replacement and cementation events in Miocene and Pliocene

dolostones from Mayaguana Island (SE Bahamas): new insights from
cathodoluminescence microscopy and from O-, C- and Sr-isotope analyses
Fabienne Godefroid1, Pascal Kindler1 & Karl Ramseyer2

1
Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 13 rue des Maraîchers, CH-1205 Geneva
2
Institut für Geologie, Universität Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, CH-3012 Bern
Email: Fabienne.Godefroid@unige.ch
Detailed petrographic examination and new isotopic analyses of recently discovered

Miocene and Pliocene dolostones from Mayaguana Island (SE Bahamas) reveal that each of
these units represents a multi-phase system comprising both replacive and cementing
dolomite formed in the marine realm during distinctive time intervals.
Mayaguana Island represents the emerged portion of an elongated (53 x 12 km)
carbonate bank located in the south-eastern Bahamas. One low-elevation sea cliff along its
northern coast exposes two superimposed well-lithified dolostone units. The lower one (U1)
consists of dense, laminated, white, microsucrosic dolomite dating from the late Miocene,
whereas the upper one (U2) is made of massive (i.e. unstratified), tan, crystalline-mimetic
dolomite of middle Pliocene age (Godefroid et al., 2008; Kindler et al., 2008). We provide
here more detailed petrographic observations using both polarizing and cathodoluminescence
(CL) microscopy and new Sr-, O-, and C-isotope analyses on bulk-rock samples to better
constrain the nature and origin of these two rock units.
U1 consists of laminated microsucrosic dolomite, preserving no evidence of an earlier
rock fabric. Petrographic analyses indicate that it consists of (1) tiny dolomite crystals
appearing as irregular “dirty” patches under the polarizing microscope, and (2) limpid,
euhedral to subhedral, finely crystalline (up to 50 μm) dolomite cement adjoining intercrystal
pores or the interior margins of rare biomolds (Fig. 1). In CL, replacive dolomite crystals are
homogeneous and exhibit a dark blue colour, whereas the cement crystals are growth-zoned,
with up to five zones of varying thickness showing red, yellow and dark blue colors. U2
dolostone preserves the texture of the pre-existing limestone. Allochems (mostly red algae)
were mimically replaced by cryptocrystalline dolomite, whereas coarser, subhedral limpid
dolomite precipitated in intra- and intergranular pores. Most samples further include a late
generation of low-Mg calcite cement. In CL, the replacive dolomite exhibits bright, orange to
red colours. The dolomite cement pattern is complex revealing an early generation of small
brightly luminescing crystals rimming the grains, followed by a second generation of larger,
growth-zoned crystals where bright hairline zones alternate with wider dark blue bands. The
late phase of calcite cement is non-luminescent (Fig. 2).
Whole-rock δ18O and δ13C values measured from U1 dolostone (n = 8) average at
+2.68+0.02 and +1.92+0.01 per mil, respectively, whereas U2 samples (n = 8) gave mean
δ18O and δ13C values of +1.28+0.03 and -0.33+0.01 per mil, respectively. Sr-isotope analyses
of U1 dolostone (n = 8) gave 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging between 0.708966+0.000019 and
0.709022+0.000019, whereas those made on U2 rocks (n = 9) vary between
0.709048+0.000019 and 0.709081+0.000019. Comparison with the Sr-isotope evolution of
global seawater for the Neogene confirms the late Miocene age for U1, but yields ages
varying between 6.59 and 5.44 Ma, the error bars of which do not always overlap. U2 ages
range between 4.49 and 2.15 Ma spanning the entire Pliocene.
22
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The following interpretations/conclusions can be derived from the presented data:

o Both the microsucrosic dolostone (U1) and the crystalline mimetic dolostone
(U2) are multiphase systems comprising both replacive and cementing
dolomite, thus confirming earlier observations made on microsucrosic
dolostone only (e.g. Choquette and Hiatt, 2008). The dolomite cement further
represents a significant portion of the rock volume and precipitated in several
distinct phases, as indicated by its marked zonation in CL microscopy.
o δ18O and δ13C values indicate that both dolomitization and dolomite
cementation took place in a marine diagenetic realm, which agrees well with
the geological setting of the studied area (small, isolated carbonate platform).
The slightly negative δ13C values measured from U2 are likely related to the
low-Mg calcite in these rocks, which might have precipitated from meteoric
waters.
o The scatter of Sr ages obtained from both U1 and U2 suggests that part of the
measured Sr derives from the parent limestone or that dolomitization of
allochems and dolomite cementation occurred during distinctive time intervals,
likely corresponding to different sea-level events. Both hypotheses are not
mutually exclusive.
Fig. 1: Photomicrograph in PPL of micro- Fig. 2: Photomicrograph in CL of crystalline

sucrosic dolostone (U1) showing “dirty” mimetic dolostone (U2) showing replaced red
replacive dolomite and limpid dolomitic algae fragments, zoned dolomite cement and
rhombs. late LMC spar.
REFERENCES
Choquette, P.W., and Hiatt, E.E. (2008) Shallow-burial dolomite cement: a major component of many
ancient sucrosic dolomites. Sedimentology, 55, 423-460.
Godefroid, F., Kindler, P., and Samankassou, E. (2008) Dolostone exposure on Mayaguana Island,
Southeastern Bahamas: a new stratigraphic recording and tectonic implications. Abstracts 16th
Meeting of Swiss Sedimentologists, 18-19.
Kindler, P., Godefroid, F., Charadia, M., Hasler, C.-A., and Samankassou, E. (2008) New constraints
on dolomitization models and Neogene tectono-eustatic events in the SE Bahamas from exposed
Messinian and Upper Pliocene dolostones on Mayaguana Island. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall
Meet. Suppl., Abstract PP13C-1480.
This research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant no 200020-124608)
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23
The Hettangian corals of the Isle of Skye: corals of the extreme?
Mélanie Gretz1, Rossana Martini1 & Bernard Lathuilière2

1
Department of Geology and Paleontology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
2
G2R, Nancy-Université, CNRS, BP 239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
The Rhaetian-Hettangian boundary (T-J boundary) was a critical transition where

profound biotic and environmental changes occurred. This transition is considered as one of
the big five mass extinction events of the Phanerozoic. The reef communities, and especially
the corals, were strongly affected by this crisis. Thus, before their recovery during the
Dogger, the lower Jurassic is characterized by a “reef gap”.
Hettangian outcrops showing genuine frameworks of colonial corals are very scarce
and essentially concentrated in the Western Europe (Western Tethys). This work focuses on
the study of an outcrop situated on the Isle of Skye (Ob Lusa locality, Highlands, United
Kingdom). In comparison with their counterparts, these coral communities lived in very high
latitudinal area. For this reason, it is especially interesting to make detailed observations in the
field and analyses related to paleotemperatures, paleoecology and paleogeographic setting of
these corals in order to better understand the paleoenvironmental conditions of the north-
western part of the Tethys during the Triassic-Jurassic reef crisis.
The preliminary study of the Ob Lusa succession reveals six distinct coral beds,
laterally limited. The observed coral associations are monogenic, belonging to Heterastrea, a
massive cerioid genus. The sedimentological analysis of the facies shows that these corals
lived in a hostile environment influenced by a strong siliciclastic input. Unexpectedly, some
coral beds seem to have grown during intervals where the terrigenous input was relatively
high. Even more surprising in those “reef” associations is the morphology of the colonies with
a strange growth polarity (some corallites grew downward). In addition, the paucity of other
organisms (e.g., foraminifers, bivalves, sponges, etc.), which are more tolerant and normally
abundant in the reefal environments, is striking considering that corals are generally thought
to have a lower environmental tolerance. Then, these “corals of the extreme” can be presently
considered contradictorily as zooxantellate or azooxanthellate.
24
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Formation and composition of annual sediment layers in hyperalkaline

Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey)
Paul Hammer1, Mona Stockhecke1, Flavio S. Anselmetti1, Adrian Gilli2

& Daniel Ariztegui3
1
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland 2 ETH, Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich Switzerland
3
University of Geneva, Earth Sciences Section, Switzerland
Email: phammer@student.ethz.ch
Lake Van, situated in eastern Anatolia, is by volume the world's fourth largest terminal
lake (607 km³) and by area the world's largest soda lake (3570 km²). The sediments of
hyperalkaline Lake Van contain a unique record of annual sub-mm laminations. Once
recovered in the context of an ICDP deep drilling campaign, they will provide a valuable
chronometer for reconstructing paleoenvironmental changes in the Near East, potentially
covering the last 500’000 years. Understanding the sediment-forming mechanisms and
diagenetic processes acting at present in this highly saline terminal lake will enable to
establish the crucial link between past environmental conditions at the surface and the
preserved sediment at the lake bottom.
Smear slide analysis and a combination of high-resolution XRF line scans and
elemental mapping were used to analyze varved sections of sediment cores retrieved in
different water depths. The chosen sediment sections have a maximum age of 800 years and,
hence, are believed to be representative for modern varve formation. The high-resolution XRF
line scans and elemental mapping allow to identify the elemental record of the individual
laminations. Furthermore, smear slide analysis enables us to link the chemical XRF data to
the mineralogical and biologic composition of the varves.
Smear slide analysis showed that the sediment mainly consists of fine-grained
carbonate particles (≤2 µm) that are incorporated into a matrix of amorphous organic material
that is more abundant in the dark laminas. Elemental maps showed that Ca-intensities are
clearly bound to the light-colored lamina, where authigenic carbonates are abundant. Fe is
anticorrelated to Ca in the light-coloured sediment sections but is positively correlated in the
darker areas of the core. High Ti-intensities, in contrast, are entirely bound the dark lamina, as
Ti is incorporated in clay minerals and can therefore be used as proxy for detrital material and
catchment processes. Si-intensities are diffuse without any lamination, as Si is dissolved from
diatom frustules within the porewater.
Correlation coefficients for Fe- and Ca-intensities demonstrate that Fe is not strictly
bound to the dark lamina, where Ca-concentrations are low. This is interpreted as a product of
dissolution of Fe from detrital material and re-precipitation in siderite and pyrite, a process
determined by the redox and pH-conditions at the sediment water interface. Comparing Fe
and Ca-contents thus allows to reconstruct paleo-redox conditions. In some laminae, a matrix
is built by red mat-like structures indicating the ocurrence of microorganisms, which might
also influence the diagenetic processes acting at the sediment water interface.
The present study illustrates that the varved Lake Van sediments serve as a sensitive
archive, however high-reslution geochemical analysis need to be applied in order to obtain the
maximum of paleoenvironmental implications.
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25
Climatic changes in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction -

evidence from palynological records of Pakistan
Elke Hermann1, Peter A. Hochuli1, Hugo Bucher1, Thomas Brühwiler1, David Ware1,
Michael Hautmann1, Helmut Weissert2, Stefano Bernasconi2, Ghazala Roohi3, Khalil
Reman3 & Aamir Yaseen3
1
Institute and Museum of Palaeontology, University of Zurich, Karl Schmid-Str. 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
2
Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
3
Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Garden Avenue, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Early Triassic fossil records feature the varied responses of the biosphere to the
greatest mass extinction in the Phanerozoic. Few marine clades recovered relatively quickly
(e.g. ammonoids, Brayard et al., 2009 and conodonts, Orchard, 2007) whereas benthic
organisms showed a comparatively slow recovery (Hautmann et al., 2008). Environmental
perturbations such as climatic changes are thought to be the cause for the delayed recovery of
some clades (Galfetti et al., 2007). A climatic framework of this interval can be inferred from
the palynological data of the sedimentary archives of the thermally unaltered Salt Range and
Surghar Range sections in Pakistan.
Spore-pollen records from four sections provide new evidence for climatic
perturbations in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction. The palynological record
encompasses isolated assemblages from the Permian and the Griesbachian and a continuous
from the middle Dienerian up to the Anisian. Concomitant organic carbon isotope data allow
for correlation with other Early Triassic sections. Age control is provided by ammonoids and
conodonts.
Two markedly different assemblages have been recovered from the Chhidru
Formation:
One assemblage is dominated by typical Permian floral elements such as conifer and
pteridosperm pollen indicating dry climates in the late Permian. The second is dominated by
lycopod spores (up to 60%). In comparison with other records this assemblage can be
assigned to the Griesbachian indicating more humid climates and the diachrony of the
boundary between Chhidru Formation and Mianwali Formation.
Middle to late Dienerian palynological assemblages are characterised by the dominance of
spores indicating humid climates. Lower Smithian assemblages show a continuous increase
pollen abundance indicating a trend towards dryer climates. This trend is reversed in the
middle Smithian, with increasing dominance of spores towards the upper Smithian. A distinct
and abrupt change from spore-dominated to pollen-dominated assemblages marks the onset of
dryer climates in the Spathian and Anisian. This change coincides with the
Anasibirites/Wasatchites beds and the onset of a global positive shift in the organic and
inorganic carbon isotopes. It can be correlated with a similar climatic change in the Boreal
realm (Galfetti et al., 2007).
Values of bulk organic C-isotopes from the samples with Permian affinity range
around -26‰. Whereas δ13C org values of samples with Griesbachian affinity display values
around -29‰ indicating a stratigraphic level near the negative carbon isotope minimum that
marks PT boundary sections worldwide.
Middle Dienerian δ13C org values around -28‰ are followed by an increase across the
Dienerian-Smithian boundary with peak values of -24‰ during the middle Smithian. The
following steady decrease to values around -32‰ reached at the level of the
Anasibirites/Wasatchites beds is followed by a pronounced positive shift at the Smithian-
26
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Spathian boundary. Stable Spathian values (around -28‰) are followed by another positive
shift at the Spathian-Anisian boundary (-25‰).
The three positive shifts (Dienerian-Smithian, Smithian-Spathian, and Spathian
Anisian) coincide with or seem to be closely related to changes in the spore/pollen - ratio
implying a close relationship between environmental changes and ecological responses. C-
isotope perturbations in the Early Triassic are thought to be caused by recurring CO 2 releases
probably by late protracted pulses of the Siberian Trap emplacement (Payne & Kump,
2007).The close relationship between positive C-isotope excursions, extinctions of
ammonoids, and climatic changes proposed by Galfetti et al. (2007) for the Smithian/Spathian
boundary and can be confirmed for the most pronounced shifts of the Early Triassic.
REFERENCES
Brayard, A., Escarguel, G., Bucher, H., Monnet, C., Brühwiler, T., Goudemand, N., Galfetti, T., Guex,
J. (2009). Good Genes and Good Luck: Ammonoid Diversity and the End-Permian Mass
Extinction. Science 325: 1118-1121.
Galfetti, T., Hochuli, P. A., Brayard, A., Bucher, H., Weissert, H., Vigran, J. O. (2007)
Smithian/Spathian boundary event: Evidence for global climatic change in the wake of the end-
Permian biotic crisis: Geology 35: 291-294.
Hautmann, M., Bucher, H., Nützel, A., Brühwiler, T., Goudemand, N., Brayard, A. (2008) Recovery
of Benthos versus Nekton after the End-Permian Mass Extinction Event - A Preliminary
Comparison, GSA annual meeting: Houston, Tx, p. no. 285-14.
Orchard, M.J. (2007) Conodont diversity and evolution through the latest Permian and Early Triassic
upheavals: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 252: 93-117.
Payne, J.L., Kump, L. R. (2007) Evidence for recurrent Early Triassic massive volcanism from
quantitative interpretation of carbon isotope fluctuations: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
256: 264-277.
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27
The impact of permeability heterogeneity on reservoir sweep behavior:

integrated carbonate reservoir modeling for an enhanced oil recovery
(EOR) application
H. Hillgärtner, S. Masalmeh, R. Al Mjeni, X.D. Jing & L.L. Wei

Shell Technology Oman
Email: Heiko.Hillgartner@shell.com
With the insight that the growth rate of “easy oil” supplies (conventional oil and
natural gas that are relatively easy to extract) will struggle to keep up with accelerating
demand, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) with technologies such as steam injection, chemical
flooding, and gas injection becomes increasingly important in reservoir development. EOR
technologies, however, require a refined understanding of reservoir heterogeneities and thus a
step up in reservoir modeling. The presented integrated reservoir modeling workflow of a
giant Cretaceous Middle Eastern carbonate oil reservoir is undertaken in support of an EOR-
study.
Carbonate reservoirs commonly show a highly heterogeneous permeability
distribution. Permeability measurements that commonly are taken to characterize reservoirs
only represent a fraction of the possible scales and present a biased dataset. Careful
integration of permeability data from the plug to the well scale and application of
permeability up-scaling techniques are crucial to obtain a realistic property model.
The reservoir section of the presented field shows significant permeability
heterogeneity on a large scale with generally low permeabilities in the range of 0.1 to 30 mD
in the lower part and measured permeabilities of 5 to 1000 mD in the upper part. Reservoir
architecture is interpreted to be very layered and Barremian stratigraphic units are correlatable
for long distances. However, intervals of very high permeability in the upper reservoir interval
are generally thin and interbedded with tighter rock and their lateral extent is variable. The
reservoir is currently in a waterflood development.
The observed poor sweep in parts of the reservoir is caused by override of the injected
water over the lower reservoir interval, which is interpreted to be caused by the permeability
heterogeneity and associated changes in dynamic rock properties such as imbibition capillary
pressures (Pc).
The presented reservoir modeling workflow includes integration of geological and
petrophysical data with dynamic flow simulation results of the saturation distribution and
their match with saturation logs taken during a 30-year history of water flooding. A rock type
characterization that links depositional and diagenetic fabrics with petrophysical
characteristics on the basis of 34 cored wells is carried out. A neural network tool is then used
to propagate the rocktypes on the basis of well log characteristics into 400+ uncored wells.
The porosity and permeability property model is based on log data and porosity-
permeability transforms iteratively fine tuned for each rock type and stratigraphic layer.
A 10km x 2 km sector model of the field with cell sizes of 20 x 20m and an average
cell thickness of 30 cm is used for the history matching of the saturation distribution (both
initial and time lapse). Different scenarios and various sensitivities were tested and each
iteration involved an update of the static model and associated saturation functions (i.e.
imbibition Pc), calibrated against special-core-analysis measurements.
The improved understanding of reservoir heterogeneity, a more robust reservoir
characterization, and improved history matching in the applied workflow suggests that a
28
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better representation of reservoir dynamics is achieved. This provides a solid platform for
EOR simulations of a chemical flood.
Following conclusions on requirements of permeability heterogeneity representation can

be drawn:
 Core based permeability measurements (miniperm and plug perm) may not be a
representative value for the property model in a heterogeneous pore system.
 Well-test data and simulation results need to be deterministically integrated in the
property model to achieve appropriate history matches of reservoir sweep behavior.
 Common upscaling methods of model layers can reduce average permeabilities to levels
that cannot reproduce the observed sweep behavior.
 Upscaling of tight layers has a strong influence on the water hold up phenomenon.
 Vertical permeabilities need to be reduced by a factor of 10 to adequately represent the
high vertical permeability heterogeneity in the upper reservoir unit.
This study shows that a very careful evaluation and iterative testing and deterministic
adaptation of concepts in permeability distribution and other relevant variables such as Pc and
relative permeability (Kr) are a requirement to be able to adequately match saturation
distribution during waterflood. A history match of reservoir pressures and production rates
alone are by no means a measure for the accuracy of reservoir sweep behavior.
___________________________________________________________________________
29
Timing of Early Aptian demise of northern Tethyan carbonate platforms –

chemostratigraphic versus biostratigraphic evidence
S. Huck1, A. Immenhauser1, U. Heimhofer1 & N. Rameil2

1
Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany, Email: stefan.huck@rub.de
2
Neftex Petroleum Consultants Ltd, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A lively controversy still exists between different authors dealing with the timing of
northern Tethyan platform drowning and the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 1a). To
the present day, there is no consensus if the OAE 1a black shales must be attributed to the
Deshayesites weissi or the Deshayesites deshayesi zone (see discussion in Moreno-Bedmar et
al., 2009). OAE 1a black shale deposition has been traditionally attributed to the Deshayesites
weissi zone (Gradstein et al., 2004). Despite this disagreement about the biostratigraphic
timing, several authors postulate a relation between biotic perturbations and environmental
changes linked to OAE 1a, e. g. the disappearance of coral-rudist reefs related with the demise
of the northern Tethyan Urgonian platforms in the Helvetic Alps (Weissert et al,. 1998;
Föllmi et al., 2008). In the central and southern Tethyan realm (Istria, Oman), OAE 1a is
likely expressed as the transient mass occurrence of microencrusters (Lithocodium-Bacinella)
and the coeval demise of the characteristic mid-Cretaceous framework-builders (rudists,
corals). Chemostratigraphic data indicate that these microbial blooms coincide with the
Deshayesites weissi zone (Huck et al., 2010, Rameil et al, 2010). These observations raise the
question whether northern Tethyan platform drowning is coeval to microbial bloom periods in
the central and southern Tethys? The analysis of all available literature and unpublished
evidence demonstrates that well constrained age data are surprisingly scarce and
controversial. The goal of the present research project is to compile a chemostratigraphic
framework for the northern Tethyan platform drowning (Haute-Savoie, SE France) in order to
shed light on the temporal constraints of platform drowning versus pelagic black shale
deposition versus microbial blooms.
Two Barremian to Aptian shoalwater sections (Cluses section, Grande Forclaz section)
in the Subalpine Chains were investigated applying chemostratigraphy (carbon, strontium)
and detailed sedimentological analysis. The lower part of the studied interval of both sections
comprises limestones rich in rudist bivalves and intercalated oncoidal beds (including
Lithocodium-Bacinella). The upper part consists of open to slightly protected lagoonal
limestones (peloidal-foraminiferal grainstones) alternating with Orbitolina-rich intervals
(Lower Orbitolina limestones?). Rudist shells are well preserved and relatively common. In
the uppermost part, pulsed shedding of silt-sized siliciclastics is recorded and both sections
are finally truncated and capped by the helvetic Garschella Formation, represented by
siliciclastic glauconite-rich sedimentary rocks alternating with more argillaceous intervals. In
essence, this stratigraphic succession is typical for the drowned Lower Aptian platforms
observed along the northern Tethyan margin. Due to the lack of ammonites and a debated
biostratigraphic control based on orbitolinids, a high-resolution chemostratigraphic
framework (carbon and strontium) for the studied sections is established. Carbon-isotope
chemostratigraphy is based on carbonate bulk samples. The obtained ages derived by 86Sr/87Sr
isotope ratios (Strontium Isotope Stratigraphy, SIS) from screened rudists’ low-Mg calcite are
used to calibrate the carbon isotope stratigraphy as well as to pinpoint the timing of platform
drowning.
With respect to the timescale of Gradstein et al. (2004) preliminary chemostratigraphic
data from Urgonian shoalwater sections in SE France indicate that the platforms at the
30
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northern margin of the Tethys Ocean drowned at the onset of OAE 1a black shale interval
(Deshayesites weissi zone, close to the Aptian/Barremian boundary). This points to a near-
coeval nature of pelagic black shale deposition, Oman and Istrian Lithocodium-Bacinella
facies and platform demise in the northern Tethyan realm.
REFERENCES
Föllmi, K.B. (2008) A synchronous, middle Early Aptian age for the demise of the Helvetic Urgonian
platform related to the unfolding oceanic anoxic event 1a (« Selli event »). Revue de
Paléobiologie, 27, 461-468.
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Smith, A.G., Bleeker, W. and Lourens, L.J. (2004) A new Geologic Time
Scale, with special reference to Precambrian and Neogene. Episodes, 27, 83-100.
Huck, S., Rameil, N., Korbar, T., Heimhofer, U., Wieczorek, T.D. and Immenhauser, A. (2010)
Latitudinally different responses of Tethyan shoal-water carbonate systems to the Early Aptian
oceanic anoxic event (OAE 1a). Sedimentology (pending acceptance of revised version).
Moreno-Bedmar, J.A., Company, M., Bover-Arnal, T., Salas, R., Delanoy, G., Martinez, R. and
Grauges, A. (2009) Biostratigraphic characterization by means of ammonoids of the lower
Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1a) in the eastern Iberian Chain (Maestrat Basin, eastern
Spain). Cretaceous Research, 30, 864-872.
Rameil, N., Immenhauser, A., Warrlich, G.M.D., Vahrenkamp, V.C., Hillgärtner, H., Droste, H.J., Al-
Mahruqi, I., Buhl, D., Schulte, U. and Kunkel, C. (2010) Chemostratigraphy-based correlation
of Lower Shu'aiba Formation platform sections (Early Aptian, Sultanate of Oman). In: Aptian
Stratigraphy and Petroleum Habitat of the Eastern Arabian Plate (Eds F.S.P. van Buchem, M.I.
Al-Husseini, F. Maurer and H.J. Droste), 4. GeoArabia Special Publication (in press), Gulf
PetroLink, Bahrain.
Weissert, H., Lini, A., Föllmi, K.B. and Kuhn, O. (1998) Correlation of Early Cretaceous carbon
isotope stratigraphy and platform drowning events: a possible link? Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 137, 189-203.
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31
Diagenetic history and sedimentary environment of the Asmari Formation

in subsurface, SW Iran
Mahdi Jafarzadeh1 & Halimeh Hashemi Azizi2

1
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
2
Department of Geology , Birjand University, Iran
Email: Jafarzadeh25@gmail.com
The Oligo-Miocene Asmari Formation is the most important petroleum reservoir in

the Folded Zagros Zone. The Asmari Formation includes the Kalhur (evaporites) and Ahwaz
(sandstone) Members, measured in Lorestan and Khuzestan Provinces, respectively. The
Asmari Formation is present throughout the Zagros Basin but it is best developed in the
Dezful Embayment. In the type section, which was measured at Kuh-e-Asmari (Asmari
Mountain), SE of Masjed-e-Soleiman (a town in Khuzestan Province, SW of Iran), the
formation comprises 314 m resistant, severely fractured, cream to brown limestones, with the
occurrence of thin-bedded shales. The lower contact with the Pabdeh Formation and the upper
contact with the Gachsaran Formation are gradual and conformable. In the study area, the
Asmari Formation in one of the largest oil fields of southwestern Iran. It is a carbonate-
evaporite sedimentary body that displays also siliciclastic inputs (Ahwaz sandstone member).
The Asmari Formation in this oil field has been studied by petrographic investigations to
determine sedimentary environment and diagenetic processes. The Asmari Formation in this
oil field is composed of limestone, dolomite, sandstone, dolomitic limestone, sandy limestone,
limy and sandy dolostone, dolomitic and limy sandstone, siltstone, shale and anhydrite
lithologies.
Major diagenetic processes in the Asmari Formation in the study area (wells A, B , C
and D) are classified in 7 groups: micritization, cementation (continuing to late stage
diagenesis), compaction, neomorphism, dolomitization and dissolution. The main types of
cements identified in both calcite and dolomite include: fibrous, bladed, sparite and blocky.
Determination of five carbonate-evaporite facies associations (supratidal, intertidal, lagoon,
barrier and open marine) and two siliciclastic facies (sandstone facies and mudstone facies)
aside from other evidences imply a carbonate platform as depositional environment of the
Asmari Formation, which was exposed to flux of detrital sediments with different
mechanisms to form these mixed siliciclastic-carbonate-evaporite sediments.
32
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Palaeoecology, palaeoclimate and sea-level changes recorded in a carbonate

ramp-platform setting (Priabonian, Calcare di Nago section, Northern
Italy)
David Jaramillo-Vogel & Andre Strasser
Département de Géosciences, Université de Fribourg. Ch. Du Musée 6, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Email: david.jaramillovogel@unifr.ch
Stable isotopes measured on deep sea cores place a transition between greenhouse and
icehouse conditions into the Middle Eocene. Thus, by the Late Eocene (Priabonian) the
Antarctic glaciation was already well established (Abreu & Anderson 1998, Pekar et al. 2002,
Coxall et al. 2005). Under icehouse conditions orbital cycles induce high-amplitude glacio-
eustatic sea-level changes (several tens of meters). Our aim is to understand how carbonate
depositional systems reacted to these high-amplitude sea-level fluctuations and identify the
expression of the individual orbital cycles in the sedimentary record. The Late Eocene tropical
carbonate deposits of the Calcare di Nago section (105 m; Lessini shelf, Nago, Northern Italy)
show a well developed stacking pattern of several hierarchically stacked depositional
sequences (Castellarin & Cita 1969, Luciani 1988, Bassi 1998, Bosellini 1998). A high-
resolution logging and sampling of the section was made in order to detect small-scale facies
changes, identify diagnostic surfaces, define the different orders of depositional sequences,
and monitor the palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic evolution in the study area.
Preliminary facies analyses of the larger depositional sequences (tens of meter scale)
show a lower interval consisting of globigerinid- and ostracode wackestones and/or red-algal
bindstones suggesting relatively deep environments followed by large benthic foraminiferal
and red-algal packstones, grainstones and/or coral framestones indicating shallow
environments. Stable isotopes (13C and 18O) on 105 whole rock samples were measured.
The 18O isotopic composition ranges between -3.6‰ and -1 ‰. The vertical trend
represented by a 5 point average curve reveals a pronounced positive shift (from -3.25 to
-1.75‰ 18O) in the lower part of the section (~7 m). This rapid shift is followed by an
interval with relatively stable isotope values between 7 m and 40 m and then by two negative
peaks around 60 m and 90 m. In the middle and upper part of the section, the relatively
deepest facies coincide with negative 18O isotope shifts. There is a good correspondence
with the isotope curve published by Hardenbol et al. (1998), where the same negative shifts
coincide with the maximum-flooding surfaces of sequences Pr2 and Pr3. In the lower part of
the section, the relatively deepest facies occurs inside the interval of stable isotopic values. In
the same way, the isotope curve of Hardenbol et al. shows no direct correlation with the
maximum-flooding surface of sequence Pr1. Based on this correlation, field observations, and
preliminary microfacies analyses, a first sequence-stratigraphic interpretation is here
proposed.
The Calcare di Nago section is attributed to the Priabonian based on the occurrence of
Nummulites fabianii. However, no radiometric dating has been carried out so far on these
deposits. During fieldwork two layers containing volcanic ash material mixed with the
surrounding carbonate were detected in the lower part of the section. Hopefully, these layers
will provide a radiometric age, paramount for a more accurate sequence- and
cyclostratigraphic study.
___________________________________________________________________________
33
REFERENCES
Abreu, V.S., Anderson, J.B. (1998). Glacial eustasy during the Cenozoic: sequence stratigraphic
implications. AAPG Bull. 82: 1385-1400.
Bassi, D. (1998). Coralline algal facies and their palaeoenvironments in the Late Eocene of Northern
Italy (Calcare di Nago, Trento). Facies 39: 179-202.
Bosellini, F.R. (1998). Diversity, Composition and Structure of Late Eocene Shelf-edge Coral
Associations (Nago Limestone, Northern Italy). Facies 39: 203-226.
Castellarin, A. and Cita, M.B. (1969). Calcare di Nago. Studi III. Carta Geol. Ital., Formazioni
Geologiche 2: 49-64.
Coxall, H.K., Wilson, P.A., Pälike, H., Lear, C. H., Backman, J. (2005). Rapid stepwise onset of
Antarctic glaciation and deeper calcite compensation in the Pacific Ocean. Nature 433: 53-57.
Hardenbol, J., Thierry, J., Farley, M.B., Jacquin, Th., De Graciansky, P.-C. & Vail, P.R. (1998).
Cenozoic sequence chronostratigraphy. In: De Graciansky, P.-C., Hardenbol, J., Jacquin, T., &
Vail, P.R. (eds): Mesozoic and Cenozoic Sequence Stratigraphy of European Basins. SEPM
Spec. Publ. 60 (chart)
Luciani, V. (1988). Stratigrafia sequenziale del Terziario nella Catena del Monte Baldo. Mem. Soc.
Geol. 41: 263-351.
Pekar, S.F., Christie-Blick, N., Kominz, N., Miller, K.G. (2002). Calibration between eustatic
estimates from backstripping and oxygen isotopic records for the Oligocene. Geology 30: 903-
906.
34
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Ontong Java volcanism initiated long-term climate warming that caused

substantial changes in terrestrial vegetation several tens of thousand years
before the onset of OAE1a (Early Aptian, Cretaceous)
Christina E. Keller1, Peter A. Hochuli1,2, Martino Giorgioni1, Therese I. Garcia1, Stefano

M. Bernasconi1 & Helmut Weissert1
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstr. 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
Email: Christina.Keller@erdw.ethz.ch
2
Palaeontological Institute, University of Zurich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
During Cretaceous times, several intense volcanic episodes are proposed as trigger for
episodic climate warming, for changes in marine circulation patterns and for elevated marine
productivity, which resulted in the widespread black shale deposits of the Oceanic Anoxic
Events (OAE). In the sediments underlying the early Aptian OAE1a black shales, a prominent
negative carbon isotope excursion is recorded. Its origin had long been controversial (e.g.
Arthur, 2000; Jahren et al., 2001) before recent studies attributed it to the Ontong Java
volcanism (Méhay et al., 2009; Tejada et al., 2009). Volcanic outgassing results in an
increased pCO 2 and should lead to a rise in global temperatures. We therefore investigated if
the volcanically-induced increase in pCO 2 at the onset of OAE1a in the early Aptian led to a
temperature rise that was sufficient to affect terrestrial vegetation assemblages.
In order to analyse changes in terrestrial palynomorph assemblages, we examined 15
samples from 12 black shale horizons throughout the early Aptian negative C-isotope spike
interval of the Pusiano section (Maiolica Formation; N-Italy). These sediments were
deposited at the southern continental margin of the alpine Tethys Ocean and have been bio-
and magnetostratigraphically dated by Channell et al. (1995). In order to obtain a continuous
palynological record of the negative C-isotope spike interval and the base of OAE1a, we
combined this pre-OAE1a interval of Pusiano with the OAE1a interval of the nearby Cismon
section (Hochuli et al., 1999).
The sporomorph assemblages at the base of this composite succession feature
abundant bisaccate pollen, which reflects a warm-temperate climate. Rather arid conditions
are inferred from low trilete spore percentages. Several tens of thousand years before the
onset of OAE1a, C-isotope values started to decrease. Some thousand years later, bisaccate
pollen began to decrease, whereas an increase of Classopollis spp. and Araucariacites spp.
percentages indicate a rise in temperatures. Maximum temperatures (suggested by a
dominance of Classopollis spp.) were only reached after the most negative inorganic C-
isotope values and after the onset of OAE1a. Our study shows that the volcanically-induced
increase in pCO 2 , which ultimately led to OAE1a caused a substantial climate warming that
seriously affected terrestrial vegetation.
REFERENCES
Arthur, M.A., 2000, Volcanic contributions to the carbon and sulfur geochemical cycles and global
change, in Sigurdsson, H., Houghton, B., McNutt, S.R., Rymer, H., and Stix, J., eds.,
Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Academic Press, p. 1045–1056.
Channell, J.E.T., Cecca, F., and Erba, E., 1995, Correlations of Hauterivian and Barremian (Early
Cretaceous) stage boundaries to polarity chrons: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 134, p.
125-140.
Hochuli, P.A., Menegatti, A.P., Weissert, H., Riva, A., Erba, E., and Silva, I.P., 1999, Episodes of
high productivity and cooling in the early Aptian Alpine Tethys: Geology, v. 27, p. 657-660.
___________________________________________________________________________
35
Jahren, A.H., Arens, N.C., Sarmiento, G., Guerrero, J., and Amundson, R., 2001, Terrestrial record of
methane hydrate dissociation in the Early Cretaceous: Geology, v. 29, p. 159-162.
Méhay, S., Keller, C.E., Bernasconi, S.M., Weissert, H., Erba, E., Bottini, C., and Hochuli, P.A., 2009,
A volcanic CO2 pulse triggered the Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a and a biocalcification
crisis: Geology, v. 37, p. 819-822.
Tejada, M.L.G., Suzuki, K., Junichiro, K., Rodolfo, C., J., M.J., Naohiko, O., Tatsuhiko, S., and
Yoshiyuki, T., 2009, Ontong Java Plateau eruption as a trigger for the early Aptian oceanic
anoxic event: Geology, v. 37, p. 855-858.
36
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The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in Egypt: new insights

from the Wadi Nukhul section (Sinai)
Hassan M. Khozyem1, Thierry Adatte1, Jorge E. Spangenberg2 & Abdel Aziz Tantawy3
1
Institute de géologie et de paléontologie (IGP), Université de Lausanne.
Email: HassanMohame.Saleh@unil.ch, thierry.adatte@unil.ch
2
Institut de minéralogie et géochimie (IMG), Université de Lausanne. Jorge.Spangenberg@unil.ch.
3
Department of Geology, South Valley University, Aswan 81528, Egypt. aatantawy@yahoo.com
The Wadi Nukhul section (SE Sinai, Egypt) includes two of the most dramatic
environmental changes in the earth’s history: the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary mass
extinction (K/T) and the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). It consists of a 38 m
thick continuous succession of late Maastrichtian to early Eocene pelagic sediments.
Lithologically, the base of the section is formed of chalk alternating with marly limestone of
late Maastrichtian age (uppermost part of the Sudr Formation), conformably overlain by
approximately 18.5 m of marls, marly shale and shales of the Paleocene Dakhla Formation. Its
topmost part gradually changes to a bioturbated chalk with flint layers coinciding with the
base of the Paleocene Tarawan Formation followed upward by the late Paleocene - early
Eocene Esna Formation, characterized by alternating shaly marls, shales and silty shales.
The K/T boundary clay layer is identified at 1.75 m above the top of the Sudr Fm
within the Dakhla shales. Upwards, the Paleocene-Eocene boundary (PE) was observed about
5 m over the top of the Chalk Tarawan within the Esna Shale and consists of a 90 cm thick
black clayey interval enriched in organic matter and small phosphatic pebbles and
corresponds biostratigraphically to the NP9a/Np9b nannofossil subzonal boundary.
25 samples covering the P/E interval have been subjected to an extensive geochemical
study, including bulk and clay mineralogy, major, trace elements, total P, TOC, and TON
contents, and stable isotopes (13C car , 18O car , 13C org, 15N org ).
The P/E boundary of Wadi Nukhul section exhibits: (1) an abrupt negative shift of
both  C car and 13C org values (–6‰ and –2‰ from the background value before the
13
boundary, respectively), (2) a severe and persistent decrease in 15N org to ~0‰, (3) a
significant increase in TOC, TON and P contents just above the negative isotopes excursions,
and (4) a decrease in carbonate content and the appearance of significant amount of kaolinite.
The lag observed between the 13C car and 13C org excursions and the decrease in
carbonate contents could be explained by oxidation of the released methane already in the
water column, providing isotopically light dissolved inorganic carbon. Increased kaolinite
contents reflect a change towards more humid conditions through the PETM and may explain
the coeval increase in nutrients (e.g. P, N) leading to high productivity as indicated by high
TOC and TON content. The 15N ~0‰ values above the boundary and persisting along the
interval suggests a bloom and high production of atmospheric N 2 -fixers, as cyanobacteria.
Similar high phosphorus contents have been observed just above the P/E boundary in several
sections located in Sinai (Abou Zenima, Gebel Mutalla)) and south-central Egypt (Duwi).
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37
Foraminiferal indicator species for cold-water coral ecosystem dynamics

along the European continental margin.
S. Margreth1, A. Rüggeberg2, G. Gennari1 & S. Spezzaferri1

1
University of Fribourg, Department of Geosciences, Earth Sciences, Ch. du Musée 6,
1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
2
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Cold-water coral reefs occur worldwide and are widespread along the European
margin. The dominant reef builder in this area is the scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa. This
species settle on suitable hard substrata, in an environment with high currents and high food
availability. Along the European margin cold-water coral reefs developed during different
times and with different morphologies. In particular, on the Norwegian shelf extended
active/living reefs are developed on elevated hard substrata. Along the Irish margin L. pertusa
build large fossil and/or active carbonate mounds. In the Gulf of Cadiz and in the Alboran Sea
buried reefs and patch reefs are generally found in association with mud volcanoes.
Cold-water coral reefs provide important habitats for marine fauna in the deep-sea. In
comparison to the macrofauna the microfauna, particularly the foraminifera associated to
cold-water corals, are poorly known. We present here a detailed study based on quantitative
analysis and multivariate statistical treatment of benthic and planktonic foraminiferal
assemblages collected during different cruises on the Norwegian shelf, in the Porcupine-
Rockall area and in the Alboran Sea.
The benthic foraminiferal assemblages associated with the active/living coral reef
facies on the Norwegian shelf and the Rockall-Porcupine area show very close similarities.
Epifaunal-attached species like Discanomalina coronata, Cibicides refulgens, and Lobatula
lobatula dominate the assemblages. In particular, D. coronata is restricted to living cold-water
coral reefs facies. Therefore D. coronata, together with the associated fauna, can be used as
an indicator for cold-water coral development in the sedimentary record. In both regions
planktonic foraminiferal assemblages are typical of surface nutrient-rich waters.
In the Alboran Sea, where buried cold-water coral ecosystems are observed in
association with different mud volcanoes, the epifaunal species D. coronata has been found to
co-occurs with coral fragments present in a buried layer on top of the extruded mud breccia
that seems to provide a suitable substratum for the settlement and development of small coral
patch reefs. In this region, the decline of the coral ecosystems is accompanied, at the surface,
by a shift in the planktonic foraminifera assemblages from a Neogloboquadrina incompta
dominated assemblage to a Globorotalia inflata dominated one, reflecting a re-organization of
water masses that produced environmental conditions not favourable for cold-water corals.
In conclusion, our data suggest that the cold-water coral associated foraminiferal
assemblages are consistent from the Norwegian shelf to the Western Mediterranean. Thus
they can be used to identify these ecosystems even in the geologic record, when the corals are
often strongly dissolved like in the Alboran Sea.
38
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Paleoenvironmental change during the Late Berriasian - Early Valanginian

in the Western Tethys: preliminary results
C. Morales1, J. Schnyder2, J. Spangenberg3, T. Adatte1,

S. Westermann1 & K.B. Föllmi1
1
Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Email: chloe.morales@unil.ch
2
Laboratory of Tectonics, University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris VI, France
3
Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
The Cretaceous period is characterized by a globally warm climate and the important
development of carbonate platforms. Their growth was repeatedly punctuated by drowning
episodes, which were associated with oceanic anoxic episodes and major perturbations in the
carbon cycle. The first drowning episode occurred during the Early Valanginian and
correlates for its main phase both with the onset of a positive 13C excursion detected in
marine and terrestrial environments, as well as with faunal renewals of intermediate
importance in benthic communities and in pelagic faunas. However, contrary to the Early
Aptian and latest Cenomanian drowning episodes, marine organic-rich sediments have only
been recognized from a few localities (van de Schootbrugge et al., 2003; Reboulet et al.,
2003; Gröcke et al., 2005; Westermann et al., in press).
The eruption of the Parañà-Etendeka Large Igneous Province is often considered to be
the trigger of the late Early Valanginian episode; the recent geological timescale by Ogg et al.
(2008) suggests, however, that the main eruptional phase rather occurred during the Late
Valanginian. If this correlation is taken at face value, an alternative mechanism needs to be
sought for, in order to explain the major environmental changes observed during this episode.
Important paleoenvironmental change occurred already in the latest Berriasian and
earliest Valanginian, prior to the late Early Valanginian positive 13C excursion. An increase
in nutrient input observed near the onset of the 13C excursion may have initiated the
perturbation in the carbon cycle (Hennig, 2003; Duchamp-Alphonse et al., 2007; Bornemann
& Mutterlose, 2008). Heterozoan faunal associations became dominant since the Early
Valanginian on the northern Tethyan Helvetic platform and may indicate the beginning of
sea-water eutrophication (Föllmi et al., 2007). Clay assemblages in the Tethys and Western
European basins show that the climate became more humid already during the Late Berriasian
(Hallam et al., 1991, Schnyder et al., 2009). All these events may be considered as preludes to
the late Early Valanginian episode of environmental change, implied in its triggering.
This research project aims at obtaining a high-resolution reconstruction of
paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic change during the Late Berriasian-Early Valanginian
time interval in order to precise their role in the late Early Valanginian event. Three key
sections have been studied: Capriolo (N Italy) and Montclus (SE France), in the Lombardian
and the Vocontian basins, respectively, and Musfallen (E Switzerland) on the Helvetic
platform. Facies determinations, and phosphorus and stable-isotope analyses have been
performed. The three sections show similar and comparable trends: the Late Berriasian
sediments are characterised both by very high phosphorus contents compared to Early
Berriasian and Valanginian deposits, and by a decrease in 13C values. As on the Jura
platform, the Late Berriasian sediments of the Helvetic platform are enriched in quartz. This
is interpreted as the result of enhanced continental weathering, which would be coeval with a
change to a more humid climate during the Late Berriasian.
___________________________________________________________________________
39
REFERENCES
Bornemann, A. and Mutterlose, J. (2008). "Calcareous nannofossil and d13C records from the Early
Cretaceous of the Western Atlantic ocean: evidence of enhanced fertilization accross the
Berriasian-Valanginian transition." palaios 23: 821-832.
Duchamp-Alphonse, S., Gardin, S., Fiet, N., Bartolini, A., Blamart, D. and Pagel, M. (2007).
"Fertilization of the northwestern Tethys (Vocontian basin, SE France) during the Valanginian
carbon isotope perturbation: Evidence from calcareous nannofossils and trace element data."
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 243(1-2): 132-151.
Föllmi, K.B., Weissert, H., Bisping, M. & Funk, H. 1994: Phosphogenesis, carbon-isotope
stratigraphy, and carbonate-platform evolution along the Lower Cretaceous northern tethyan
margin. Geological Society of America, Bulletin 106, 729–746.
Föllmi, K.B., Bodin, S., Godet, A., Linder, P. and Van de Schootbrugge, B. (2007). "Unlocking paleo-
environmental information from Early Cretaceous shelf sediments in the Helvetic Alps:
stratigraphy is the key!" Swiss j. geosci. 100: 349-369.
Gröcke, D.R., Price, G.D., Robinson, S.A., Baraboshkin, E.Y., Mutterlose, J. and Ruffell, A.H. (2005).
"The Upper Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) positive carbon-isotope event recorded in terrestrial
plants." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 240(2): 495-509.
Hallam, A., Grose, J.A. and Ruffell, A.H. (1991). "Palaeoclimatic significance of changes in clay
mineralogy across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in England and France." Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 81(3-4): 173-187.
Hennig, S. (2003). Geochemical and sedimentological evidence for environmental changes in the
Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) of the Tethys region, ETH Zurich: 189.
Ogg, J.G., Ogg, G., Gradstein, F.M., 2008. The concise geological time scale. Cambridge University
Press. 177 pp.
Reboulet, S., Mattioli, E., Pittet, B., Baudin, F., Olivero, D. and Proux, O. (2003). "Ammonoid and
nannoplankton abundance in Valanginian (early Cretaceous) limestone-marl successions from
the southeast France Basin: carbonate dilution or productivity?" Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 201(1-2): 113-139.
Schnyder, J., Baudin, F. and Deconinck, J.-F. (2009). "Occurrence of organic-matter-rich beds in Early
Cretaceous coastal evaporitic setting (Dorset, UK): a link to long-term palaeoclimate changes?"
Cretaceous Research 30: 356-366.
Van de Schootbrugge, B., Kuhn, O., Adatte, T., Steinmann, P. and Föllmi, K. (2003). "Decoupling of
P- and Corg-burial following Early Cretaceous (Valanginian-Hauterivian) platform drowning
along the NW Tethyan margin." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 199(3-4):
315-331.
Westermann, S., Föllmi, K.B., Adatte, T., Matera, V., Schnyder, J., Fleitmann, D., Fiet, N., Ploch, I.
and Duchamp-Alphonse, S. "The Valanginian 13C excursion may not be an expression of a
global oceanic anoxic event." Earth and Planetary Science Letters, In Press.
40
___________________________________________________________________________
Palynological and geochemical signature of Holocene climate variations in

the tropics: case history from northwestern Colombia
Paula Muñoz 1, Marcela Jojoa 1, Cesar Velásquez 2 & Georges Gorin 1
1
Department of Geology-Paleontology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Email: Paula.Munoz@unige.ch
2
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin
Records of climate change in the tropics are particularly important, because it is where
major thermal energy interchanges take place between oceans and atmosphere and determine
climate events such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Intertropical
Convergence Zone (ITCZ). High-resolution data are needed to look for their potential
signature in the Holocene. The high-altitude (ca. 3’500 m amsl) wet zone chosen for this
study (called Páramo de Frontino ) is located at the northwestern termination of the
Colombian Andes. It is ideally exposed to influences from both Pacific and Atlantic oceans
and susceptible to record the signature of ITCZ/ENSO variations. An over 7 m thick,
continuous, anthropogenically-undisturbed, sedimentary record spanning the last 10’000 years
has been cored, radiocarbon dated and studied by palynology and X-ray fluorescence. Among
all the paleoclimate proxies in the continental realm, palynology has been used extensively in
the Holocene to study climatically-induced environmental changes. Palynological data with a
time-resolution of less than 50 years provide information on the vertical migration of
vegetation belts in the Andes, indicative of climate variations. The geochemical signature of
cored sediments derived from X-ray fluorescence is another potential proxy for climatically-
induced environmental parameters, essentially related to pluviosity, erosion rates in the
drainage basin and variations of the water table in the wet zone.
Palynological data from the Páramo de Frontino document vegetation changes and
inferred variations in temperature and humidity in the northern part of the Western Cordillera
over the last 10’000 years. They can be combined with simple geochemical proxies (e.g., Fe
and Ti) which provide a direct measure of rainfall and runoff from the local watershed. In
order to check for connections with climate records from more distant regions, these data have
been compared (Fig. 1) with humidity records from the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela; Haug et
al., 2001) and temperature data from the Greenland ice core GISP2 (Grooter & Stuiver 1997).
Temperaturewise, the Páramo de Frontino record shows great similarities with the
GISP2 core during the Early-Middle Holocene: a similar rapid warming at the end of the Last
Glacial Period just before 10’000 cal yrs BP and a Holocene thermal maximum lasting until
ca. 5’500 cal yrs BP. Similarly, the 8.2 kyr climatic event is well expressed in both records. In
NW Colombia, the lower part of the interval until 8’000 cal yrs BP is warmer and slightly
drier than the interval 8’000-5’500 cal yrs BP. The interval 5’500-4’000 cal yrs BP is clearly
colder and at the base much wetter. Since 5’500 cal yrs BP, the Ti and Fe chemical proxy
show a general trend towards drier conditions with high-amplitude fluctuations. This trend
correlates with that observed in the Cariaco Basin. During the Late Holocene, the warmest
period in NW Colombia occurred between ca. 3’200 and 2’300 cal yrs BP and corresponds to
a precipitation minimum, slightly shifted with respect to that observed between 3’800 and
2’800 cal yrs BP in the Cariaco Basin. The coldest interval in the Late Holocene of NW
Colombia occurs at ca. 1300 cal yrs BP. Since then, the overall trend is towards warmer
conditions, and the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age do not have the same signature
as in Europe.
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41
This study provides the first continuous high-resolution data set of climatic variations
during the Holocene in the continental tropics. Because of the proximity of both the Pacific
and Atlantic oceans, the observed variations need to be analyzed with respect to climatic
events like the ITZC and ENSO. For example, the major increase in precipitations over the
Holocene thermal maximum, which correlates with that observed in the marine record of the
Cariaco Basin, conforts the interpretation of a northern migration of the ITCZ, followed by a
southward movement in the Late Holocene expressed in the geochemical proxies of both
regions by a trend towards drier conditions. At this stage, the palynological results are
difficult to compare with other similar studies in South and Central America, because the
latter are at lower resolution (at millenium-scale, only a few down to century-scale).
This project is funded by the SNF grants no. 200020-112320 and -124721
REFERENCES
Grootes, P.M. & Stuiver, M. (1997). Oxygen 18/16 variability in Greenland snow and ice with 103-yr
to 105-yr time resolution. J. Geophys. Research, 102:26455-26470.
Haug, G.H., Hughen, K.A., Sigman, D.M. Peterson, L.C. & Röhl, U. (2001). Southward migration of
the ITCZ through the Holocene, Science, 293: 1304-1308.
Fig. 1: High-resolution climate record in the tropics: correlation between NW Colombia, Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) and
Greenland ice core GRISP2.
42
___________________________________________________________________________
Sequence stratigraphy and depositional environment of Upper Devonian

deposits in Azarbaijan, Jolfa, Iran
Adel Najafzadeh 1, Ruhollah Shabafrooz 2 & Mahdi Jafarzadeh 2

1-Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran
2-Faculty of sciences, Geology Department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
Email: Jafarzadeh25@gmail.com
Three stratigraphic sections of the Upper Devonian rocks exposed in Azerbaijan and
North-West Iran are described and interpreted on the basis of field observations and facies
analysis in order to reconstruct their depositional environments and sequence stratigraphic
framework. Detailed petrographic investigations made it possible to recognize several clastic
and carbonate facies types. Based on the facies characteristics and stratal geometries, the
siliciclastic rocks are divided into five depositional facies, including beach foreshore
laminated sands, upper shoreface cross-bedded sandstone, lower shoreface massive
bioturbated, wave-rippled sandstones and shallow subtidal shale/siltstone. The carbonate
rocks comprise lower intertidal mudstone, dolostone, oncolitic packstone and phosphatic
intraclast packstone, shallow subtidal skeletal shoal of brachiopoda rudstones/bioclastic
grainstone, shoal margin packstone and coral framestone, and open marine micritized
brachiopoda floatstone/packstone. Phosphate, grain-ironstone and ferribands are partially
intercalated in the facies types.
In terms of sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Devonian successions in the studied
area, three long-term depositional sequences have been identified, each of which shows
retrogradational (transgressive systems tract) and aggradational to prograditional (highstand
systems tract) packages of facies. The transgressive deposits display predominance of deep
subtidal lagoonal facies, while highstand deposits show an increase in siliciclastic and
carbonate facies with the progressive decrease of lagoonal facies. The sedimentary patterns
and environments suggest that the regional, partly eustatic sea-level changes controlled the
overall architecture of the sequence distribution, whereas changes in the clastic input
controlled the variations in facies associations within each depositional sequence.
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43
The diatom record of Laguna Potrok Aike, Argentina – Assessing changing

paleoecological conditions in Southern Patagonia for the last ~ 50 kyrs BP
C.Recasens1, D. Ariztegui1, N.I. Maidana2 & the PASADO Science Team

1
Department of Geology and Paleontology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
2
Dpto de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Email: Cristina.Recasens@unige.ch
Diatom stratigraphy in well-dated sedimentary records is widely used as an excellent

tool to characterize and often quantify the impact of past environmental changes in aquatic
systems. This study investigates the diatoms of Laguna Potrok Aike, a maar lake located in
Southern Patagonia as part of the Potrok Aike Maar Lake Sediment Archive Drilling Program
(PASADO), sponsored by ICDP. The available geomorphological data indicate that Laguna
Potrok Aike has neither been reached by the last glaciation nor by any other Pleistocene ice
advance during the last 1 Ma. Thus, being one of the few permanent lakes in this steppe
region, it is potentially the only site that has archived a continuous and high-resolution
sediment record covering an extended time span for the southern hemispheric mid-latitudes.
Here are presented the first results on the diatom record of PTA-1D, a 97.3 m long
sedimentary core from the central part of the lake. First radiocarbon datings of the sediments
suggest an approximate age of 50 kyrs at the base of the record, though more samples are
being analyzed at the moment in order to better constrain this preliminary age model.
Taxonomical and quantitative diatom analyses have been achieved at low resolution
throughout the whole record in order to track changes in lake conditions and tackle the most
interesting sections to carry out higher resolution analyses. Diatom concentrations fluctuate
between 0 and 3x108 valves/gr along the core and variations in the planktonic/non-planktonic
species ratio suggest lake-level variations, although a correlation with other proxies is
necessary to further develop this hypothesis. We are persuaded that the multi-proxy approach
that is the hallmark of the PASADO project, and its combination with a modern training set
for Patagonia will provide unique paleoecological information for the Southern Hemisphere.
44
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Taphonomy and intrasequential stratigraphy from shallow-marine

carbonates (Oxfordian of the Swiss Jura)
Noémie Stienne & André Strasser

Department of Geosciences, Chemin du Musée 6, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Email: noemie.stienne@gmx.ch
Sediment on tropical platforms stems from terrigeneous sources and from authigenic
carbonate production, and the accumulation is also influenced by lateral migration of
sedimentary bodies. The qualitative and quantitative evolution of the sediment flow is
controlled by allocyclic and autocyclic processes. Previous studies describe the stratigraphic
and sequential organization on the Swiss Jura platform during the Oxfordian (e.g., Pittet
1996). The sedimentary sequences are mainly related to orbital cycles, with periodicities of
20, 100, and 400 kyr, which correspond respectively to the orbital precession and short and
long eccentricity cycles. These studies give a good framework to analyze the distribution of
the (tapho)facies within elementary depositional sequences, i.e. with a time resolution higher
than 20 kyr. This intrasequential stratigraphic approach has been applied to the Vorbourg and
Hautes-Roches sections, for the interval situated above sequence boundary Ox6 defined by
Hardenbol et al. (1998).
The taphonomic analysis is based on quaternary taphograms, obtained by using the
statistical software R. Selected taphonomic features are: fragmentation, wearing,
micritization, biogenic encrustation, and perforation. Four degrees of alteration, or
taphonomic grades, are defined per feature. The taphogram axes represent these grades. The
selected benthic organism groups are: bivalves, foraminifera, corals, and echinoids.
The study of taphograms reveals that taphofacies, or taphonomic signatures, are made
by differential mixing of taphonomic grades per taphonomic feature. In other words, an
assemblage displays bioclasts that can be characterized either by a dominant taphonomic
grade, or by different taphonomic grades. The mixing mainly depends on: the depth of the
taphonomically active zone (TAZ; Davies et al. 1989), the residence time in the TAZ, the
sedimentation rate, the mineralogical matrix composition, the diagenetic environment, the
hydrodynamic regime, the granulometry, the presence of an indurated and/or stabilized
substrate, the rate of benthic production, the faunal and floral benthic composition, the
mineralogical and organic composition and the structure of skeletal components.
The intrasequential analysis can be done with a temporal resolution of only a few
hundred to a few thousand years due to time-averaging (e.g., Flessa et al. 1993). However,
even within intrasequential deposits (lowstand, transgressive, highstand), microfacies show
evidences that the sedimentation rate is not constant. These evidences include signs of early
cementation (indurated surfaces, nodulization), and of momentary perturbations in the
taphonomic and sedimentologic signatures. The development of transgressive and maximum-
flooding surfaces within the elementary sequences as well as of sequence boundaries also
indicates variations of the sedimentation rate. The sedimentation rates have an influence on
the exposure time of bioclasts to the taphonomic processes. Caution has to be taken because a
significant taphonomic bias may be caused by preferential dissolution of aragonitic
components, which leads to an under-estimation of sedimentation rates.
The oscillatory character of the rate of change of accommodation space, driven by the
orbital cycles, leads to an alternation of stages with fast change of the rate of variation of
accommodation (e.g., inflexion points on the sinusoidal curve) and stages with stabilization of
the rates (e.g., points with minimal and maximal amplitudes on the sinusoid). When the rates
___________________________________________________________________________
45
of variation of accommodation are stable, the ecosystem can adapt effectively to the
environmental change. As a consequence, an equilibrated evolution is maintained between
authigenic carbonate production and accommodation rate. Consequently, the taphofacies
displays a mixing of taphonomic grades. Three cases can be observed if the sedimentation and
accommodation rates are not in equilibrium. Either, sedimentation rate exceeds
accommodation: taphofacies are dominated by an intense physical alteration (late highstand
deposits, lowstand deposits). Or, accommodation variation and/or accommodation space
exceed sedimentation rate: the early transgressive deposits are characterized by a strong
physical alteration, and the maximum-flooding intervals display a strong biological and
chemical alteration. Finally, there are cases in which ecosystems, and therefore the associated
benthic production, become stabilized in spite of high accommodation conditions (highstand
deposits): the taphofacies corresponds to the mixing of taphonomic grades, showing a
signature comparable to cases with sedimentation and accommodation rates in equilibrium.
The (tapho)facies organization within elementary depositional sequences does not
necessarily have an iterative and predictable character because it depends on the conditions of
evolution of each specific palaeoenvironment. Each analysis has to be based on a detailed
knowledge of the studied palaeoecosystems. Then, intrasequential analysis can identify the
sedimentological interruptions, modifications, and transitions that occur with a timescale
shorter than 20 kyr. These are expressed with variable intensity as a function of the location of
the depositional environment on the platform, and of the degree of superposition of orbital
cycles with different periodicities.
This study is financed by the SNF grant no. 20-109214
REFERENCES
Davies, D.J., Powell, E.N. & Stanton, R.J.J. (1989) Relative rates of shell dissolution and net sediment
accumulation - a commentary: can shell beds form by the gradual accumulation of biogenic
debris on the sea floor? Lethaia, 22, 207-212.
Flessa, K.W. & Kowalewski, M. (1994) Shell survival and time-averaging in nearshore and shelf
environments: estimates from the radiocarbon literature. Lethaia, 27, 153-165.
Hardenbol, J., Thierry, J., Farley, M.B., Jacquin, T., de Graciansky, P.-C. & Vail, P.R. (1998)
Mesozoic and Cenozoic sequence chronostratigraphic framework of European basins. In: de
Graciansky, P.-C., Hardenbol, J., Jacquin, T. & Vail, P.R. (eds) Mesozoic and Cenozoic
sequence stratigraphy of European Basins. SEPM Special Publication, 60, pp. 3-13.
Pittet, B. (1996) Contrôles climatiques, eustatiques et tectoniques sur des systèmes mixtes carbonates-
siliciclastiques de plate-forme: exemple de l'Oxfordien (Jura Suisse, Normandie, Espagne).
Thèse non publiée, Fribourg, 258 pp.
46
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The Cassina beds (Middle Triassic, Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland):

background and event sedimentation in an oxygen-depleted environment
Rudolf Stockar 1,2

1
Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale, Viale Cattaneo 4, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
2
Université de Lausanne, Institut de Géologie et Paléontologie, Anthropole, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Corresponding address. Rudolf Stockar, Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale, Viale Cattaneo 4,
6900 Lugano, Switzerland. Email: rudolf.stockar@ti.ch
Cassina beds (Lower Meride Limestone, Ladinian) are one of the world-known
vertebrate-bearing levels of the Middle Triassic Monte San Giorgio Lagerstätte (Canton
Ticino, Switzerland, UNESCO WHL) and has been excavated since 1933, yielding
excellently preserved reptile and fish fossils.
In 2006 the Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale, Lugano, started a new bed-by-bed
excavation and the upper third of the 3 m thick sequence has so far been excavated on a
surface of around 40 m2. The new excavation includes first a detailed cross-correlation of
vertebrate taphonomical data with sedimentological features and microfacies analysis, which
provides information to both seafloor palaeo-oxygenation and depositional setting.
The studied section records a continuous background sedimentation mirroring
fluctuating but generally severely oxygen-depleted conditions on the bottom of an intra-
platform basin adjacent to a shallow-water carbonate platform from which a recurrent
carbonate supply reached the basin floor. The background sedimentation resulted in a finely
laminated sequence of black shales and limestones, episodically bearing a monotypic
foraminiferal meiofauna of a quasi-anaerobic biofacies which is documented first from the
whole Monte San Giorgio sequence. Fluctuating anoxic to temporarily suboxic conditions are
assumed to have fostered the transient colonization of the seafloor by the low-oxygen tolerant
thin-shelled nodosariid foraminifers. However, either oxygen values were too low or the
sufficiently oxygenated periods were too short to allow colonization by a more diverse
benthic macrofauna, even including the opportunistic thin-shelled “paper-pecten” dysaerobic
bivalves. The described oxygen-deficient conditions are also consistent with the growth of
benthic microbial mats which may account for the common excellent preservation of fish
skeletons (“microbial shroud” effect). On the one hand, holding skeletal elements together,
sealing by biofilms may have protected the vertebrate carcasses against disintegration. On the
other hand, limiting the diffusion in and out of the decaying carcasses and creating closed
systems favourable to calcium phosphate precipitation, the sealing effect may account for the
replication of labile tissue as observed in some fish specimens. Even preservation patterns
resulting in bone dispersal may best be related to anaerobic decay under reduced bio-
armouring of the carcasses rather than to scavenging activity.
The preliminary results emphasize that sediment microfabric and benthic macrofauna
composition alone become an inadequate proxy for bottom-water palaeo-oxygenation in case
that values of the latter approach anoxia, because of its insufficient resolution power in
extremely oxygen-depleted regimes which exclude macrofauna and yet allow
micro(meio)faunas to survive or even to thrive.
Widespread occurrence of scattered carbonate nodules suggests a pulsating input from
the adjoining Salvatore platform, from which benthic taxa were swept into the basin during
major storms. Platform-derived biota include, in addition to ostracod and dasycladalean
remains, a characteristic foraminiferal assemblage (Endotriadella, Endotriada, Hoyenella,
“Trochammina”, Cornuspira). This occurrence suggests a depositional setting close to the
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47
basin margin and allows an insight into the shallow-waters of the adjacent time-equivalent
Salvatore platform.
Episodic, short-lived depositional events occur randomly and are related to sediment
supply from basin margins by turbidity currents (and maybe hyperpycnal flows) and to
sedimentation through subaqueous suspension-fall of ash following important, however far-
away, subaerial eruptions.
48
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Sediment Dynamics and Geohazards offshore Uruguay

and Northern Argentina:
First Results from the multi-disciplinary Meteor-Cruise M78-3
M.Strasser1*, T.Freudenthal1, T. Hanebuth1, S.Krastel2, B. Preu1, T. Schwenk1, R.

Violante3, G.Wefer1 & M78-3 shipboard scientific party
1
MARUM, University of Bremen, Germany
2
IFM-GEOMAR, University of Kiel, Germany
3
Centro Argentino de Datos Oceanográficos, Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Email: mstrasser@marum.de
About 90% of the sediments generated by weathering and erosion on land get finally
deposited at the ocean margins. The sediment distribution processes and landscape evolution on land
are relatively well understood, but comparably little is known about the role and relative importance of
marine sediment dynamics in controlling the architectural evolution of ocean margins. Important
players include hemi-pelagic settling, down-slope and current-controlled along-slope sediment
transport, depositional and post-depositional sedimentary processes (e.g. consolidation and
diagenesis), as well as the destabilization of sediment bodies and their erosion. Submarine landslides
in this context thus may represent an important sediment transport process, but also a major geo-
hazard due to the increasing number of offshore constructions as well as their potential to
instantaneously displace large water masses triggering waves in densely populated coastal areas.
Here we present first results from a seagoing expedition that aimed at investigating the
interaction processes of sediment redistribution, partitioning, deposition and diagenesis from the coast
to the deep-sea along the western South-Atlantic passive continental margin. During RV Meteor
Cruise M78/3 in May-July 2009 the shelf, slope and rise offshore Argentina and Uruguay have been
investigated by means of hydroacoustic and seismic mapping as well as geological sampling with
conventional coring tools as well as the new MARUM seafloor drill rig (MeBo) that revealed recovery
of geological strata sampled from up to 50m below seafloor.
The working area is characterized by a high amount of fluvial input by the Rio de la Plata
river. The continental slope is relatively wide and shows average slope gradients between 1 and 2.5
but locally higher slope gradients may occur (>5). The transition for the continental rise with low
slope gradients is found in ~ 3000m water depth. The working area is located in a highly dynamic
oceanographic regime. Cold Antarctic water masses of the northward flowing Malvina current meet
warm water masses of the southward flowing Brazil current in the working area.
Various types of sediment instabilities have been imaged in geophysical and core data,
documenting particularly the continental slope offshore Uruguay to be locus of frequent submarine
landslides. Apart from individual landslides, however, gravitational downslope sediment transport
along the continental slope is restricted to the prominent Mar del Plata Canyon and possibly to smaller
canyons indentified in the bathymetric data. In contrast, many morphological features (e.g.
progradational terraces and slope parallel scarps with scour-geometries) reveal that sediment transport
is predominantly influenced/controlled by strong contour bottom currents. This suggests a significant
impact of the western boundary currents on the overall architectural evolution of the margin.
Future studies using the acquired geophysical, sedimentological, physical property and
geochemical data will (i) quantify the relative contribution of gravitational down-slope vs. along-slope
processes through time in shaping this ocean margin and how it relates to the global ocean circulation
pattern and sea-level change through time, (iii) investigate depositional and post-depositional
processes and how they control submarine slope stability and submarine landslide initiation and (iii)
explore the interaction and relative contribution of the various processes in controlling margin
evolution, sediment dynamics and geohazard off Uruguay and Northern Argentina.
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49
Diatom-bound nitrogen isotopic evidence for subarctic Pacific stratification

upon the onset of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation
A. Studer1, G. H. Haug1, S. L. Jaccard1 & D. M. Sigman2

1
Department of Earth Sciences, Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
2
Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations reached about 365 - 415 ppm during the
early Pliocene (4-5 Myr), which is around 90 to 125 ppm higher than preindustrial
concentrations and similar to present-day values (Pagani et al., 2010). At 2.7 Ma, atmospheric
CO 2 dropped by about 50 ppm during glacial periods, interglacial CO 2 values remaining high
until around 2.1 Ma (Bartoli et al., in prep). Modeling studies point out that reduced CO 2
concentrations are the most plausible explanation of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation 3 Ma
ago (Lunt et al., 2008). However, the direct mechanism, which would have lead to a decline in
atmospheric CO 2 from the Pliocene into the Pleistocene is still matter of debate.
Phytoplankton in the surface ocean take up nutrients and CO 2 during photosynthesis
and transfer carbon to the deep ocean when they die, a process which is termed the biological
pump. The subarctic North Pacific and the Southern Ocean are high nutrient, low chlorophyll
(HNLC) areas, where nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate are available year-round. These
residual nutrients are therefore a “missed opportunity” to sequester carbon in the ocean
interior. A more efficient biological pump in the polar and subpolar oceans has been
suggested as one possible mechanism to explain the decline in atmospheric CO 2 during
glacial times (Sigman and Boyle, 2000). The efficiency of the biological pump can be
described as the ratio of uptake and export of nutrients by phytoplankton compared to their
supply from the subsurface, which infers to what fraction available nutrients are utilized.
Since the nitrogen and carbon cycle are related to each other via photosynthesis, an increased
uptake versus supply of nitrate is proportional to a reduced net CO 2 evasion from the deep
ocean to the atmosphere and illustrative of a more efficient biological pump.
In the past, the nutrient status of the polar surface ocean has been reconstructed based
on N-isotopes measured on bulk sediment. However, diagenetic processes can alter the
sedimentary isotopic composition, this is the reason why recent work has focused on the N
isotopes of the organic matter internal to microfossils. This organic matter is protected from
alteration and carries the pristine signature of the nitrate utilized at the surface. In this study,
the organic matter contained within the frustules of diatoms is analyzed for its N-isotopic
composition. It provides a robust proxy to assess the degree of nutrient utilization in polar
oceans in order to estimate the efficiency of the biological pump in the past and its related
impact on atmospheric CO 2 concentrations.
Previous studies in the subarctic North Pacific and in the Southern Ocean have shown
a dramatic decrease in opal accumulation, contemporaneous with the intensification of
Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, 2.73 Ma ago (Haug et al., 1999, Sigman et al., 2004). In the
subarctic northwest Pacific (ODP Site 882), this opal decrease was accompanied by a gradual
and permanent increase in bulk sedimentary 15N values. This was explained as a result of
enhanced nitrate utilization due to reduced nutrient supply, as would result from a stratified
water column (Sigman et al., 2004).
To circumvent the uncertainties potentially biasing the bulk sediment analysis, diatom-
bound 15N measurements (15N db ) were carried out in this study across the same time span to
further constrain the observed trends. The results show 15N db values between 3-4 ‰ during
50
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the Pliocene warm period prior to 2.73 Ma compared to 4-5.5 ‰ after the onset of Northern
Hemisphere Glaciation. Therefore, the diatom-bound nitrogen isotope data mirror previous
results based on bulk sediment analysis, which are systematically 1 ‰ lower due to diagenetic
alteration.
The obtained results further support the hypothesis of polar ocean stratification
accompanying the onset of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation.
A more efficient biological pump during cold climates is therefore a plausible mechanism,
which would have allowed sequestration of CO 2 in the abyss and amplified global cooling.
Further work across the same time interval in the Southern Ocean will help to
elucidate the connection and communication between the two polar regions and their role in
mediating and amplifying changes in the global climate.
REFERENCES
G. H. Haug, D. M. Sigman, R. Tiedemann, T. F. Pedersen and M. Sarnthein, 1999: Onset of
permanent stratification in the subarctic Pacific Ocean. Nature 401.
D. M. Sigman and E. A. Boyle, 2000: Glacial/interglacial variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Nature 407.
D. M. Sigman, S. L. Jaccard and G. H. Haug, 2004: Polar ocean stratification in a cold climate. Nature
428.
S. L. Jaccard, G. H. Haug, D. M. Sigman, T. F. Pedersen, H. R. Thierstein and U. Röhl, 2005:
Glacial/Interglacial changes in subarctic North Pacific stratification. Science 308.
B. G. Brunelle, D. M. Sigman, M. S. Cook, L. D. Keigwin, G. H. Haug, B. Plessen, G. Schettler and S.
L. Jaccard, 2007: Evidence from diatom-bound nitrogen isotopes for subarctic Pacific
stratification during the last ice age and a link to North Pacific denitrification changes.
Paleoceanography 22.
D. J. Lunt, G. L. Foster, A. M. Haywood and E. J. Stone, 2008: Late Pliocene Greenland glaciation
controlled by a decline in atmospheric CO 2 levels. Nature 454.
M. Pagani, Z. Liu, J. LaRiviere and A. C. Ravelo, 2010: High Earth-system climate sensitivity
determined from Pliocene carbon dioxide concentrations. Nature Geoscience 3.
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51
The distribution and significance of storm and gravity flow deposits across
the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event in western Tethys
G. Suan1,2, B. Pittet2, E. Mattioli2, L. Duarte3, C. Lécuyer2, 4, Y. Alméras2 & F. Martineau2

1
Institute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Lausanne, Anthropôle,
CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
2
UMR 5125 PaléoEnvironnements et PaléobioSphère, CNRS, France; Université Lyon 1,
Campus de la DOUA, Bâtiment Géode, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
3
Dep. Ciências da Terra, Centro Geociências, F.C.T. Universidade de Coimbra,
3000-272 Coimbra, Portugal.
4
Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), about 183 million years ago,
represented a time of global warming and severe environmental change that was characterized
by the widespread development of marine anoxia, calcification crises and marine fauna mass
extinction. Here we present geochemical and sedimentological data from eight Lower Jurassic
sections that indicate that the phase of CO 2 rise during the T-OAE was accompanied by the
widespread and synchronous appearance or intensification of storm and gravity flow deposits
in both siliciclastic and mixed carbonate-siliciclastic shelfal successions of the western margin
of the Tethys Ocean. As regard to available sedimentary and biostratigraphic data, a major
and yet unrecognised shallowing event concomitant with the T-OAE as the cause of this
widespread facies change appears unlikely. Nevertheless, the oxygen isotope data of well-
preserved biogenic calcite indicate that seawater temperatures rose by ~7°C across this phase
in both shallow and deeper regions of the western margin of the Tethys Ocean, and suggest a
causal link between paleotemperature variations and the sedimentary record of these storm
deposits. We thus propose that both rising tropical sea surface temperatures and changing
paleogeography due to accompanying sea level rise caused an important northward expansion
of the hurricane-prone areas during the T-OAE. Such changes in storm activity may have
produced widespread submarine erosion and condensation in shallow regions as well as
advection of remobilized sediments to deeper regions of the NW Tethyan seas. These findings
have important implications for potential mechanisms that contributed to shallow water biotic
crisis during the T-OAE, and may support model-predictions of increased cyclone activity as
a result of anthropogenic CO 2 -induced warming.
52
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High-resolution isotope record of Lake Gerzensee (Switzerland)

during the Bølling/Allerød: Precise chronostratigraphy and
characterization of rapid climate events
Ulrike van Raden 1, Adrian Gilli 1 & Brigitta Ammann 2

1
Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
2
Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
Synchronization between terrestrial records and the polar ice started by the pioneering
work of Siegenthaler, Eicher, Oeschger and Dansgaard in 1984 with the analysis of lake marls
in Lake Gerzensee (Switzerland). Here we present a higher resolved stable isotopic record
analyzed on authigenic carbonates of Lake Gerzensee covering the Late Glacial to Early
Holocene. Combined with sedimentological features, the Gerzensee record provides a basis
for the evaluation of environmental forcings and feedbacks of climate change in Central
Europe during the last glacial-interglacial transition and enables the detailed comparison of
different high-resolution isotopic records in the Atlantic region.
The sediment of Lake Gerzensee comprises mainly shallow water carbonates and
some molluscan shell debris, but very little organic matter and detrital material. For this study,
four parallel cores were correlated using sedimentological features and pollen assemblages.
This core-to-core correlation was further consolidated using oxygen and carbon stable
isotopic composition analyzed in authigenic calcite with a sampling resolution of 0.5cm. The
final correlation highlights some sedimentological variability and consistent signatures
throughout the lake. Stacking of all four parallel dataset cancels out erratic sedimentation
features and sampling artifacts. Therefore, the stacked record is most suitable for comparison
with other climate records.
Since the sediment does not contain any terrestrial macrofossil plant remains,
conventional radiocarbon dating could not be performed. Provided that changes in 18O in
Greenland and Europe occurred simultaneously, the age/depth model was established by
wiggle matching the Greenland and Gerzensee isotopic records. The resulting age/depth
model was consolidated by the correlation with previously dated markers such as distinct
changes in pollen assemblages and the occurrence of the Laacher See Tephra (12975–12743
cal. years BP). The resulting isotopic record yields a temporal resolution of ~10 years (Early
Holocene and Bølling/Allerød) to ~35 years (Younger Dryas).
The high temporal resolution allows for the reconstruction of abrupt and extreme
climatic changes, such as four century-scale cold events during a general cooling trend of the
Bølling/Allerød warm period. Some of these small-scale oscillations have been observed in
other datasets of the North Atlantic region and central Europe. Comparison of the new
Gerzensee record to other marine (e.g. Cariaco basin), terrestrial (e.g. Ammersee), and ice
core (e.g. NGRIP) datasets helps to investigate and quantify the isotopic expressions of the
cold phases within the Bølling/Allerød warm period. The Late Glacial to early Holocene
decadal 18O record from Gerzensee validates the strong synchronicity of climate in
Greenland and Europe with its centennial scale cooling events.
In addition to stable isotope analysis, high-resolution XRF core scanning was
performed to gain insights into the elemental composition of the sediment. We developed
geochemical signature of each of the cold events during the Bølling/Allerød warm period (e.g.
both low 13C and 18O combined with low detrital input during the Gerzensee Oscillation in
contrast to both low 13C and 18O in combination with high detrital input during the
___________________________________________________________________________
53
Aegelsee Oscillation). Eventually, comparing 18O, 13C, and XRF data allows us to
determine the response mechanisms and timing of the sedimentological system to climate
change and provides means to develop a better understanding of the causes, mechanisms and
impacts of rapid temperature fluctuations
54
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Erosion rates, sediment transport and characteristic discharge in a

transient landscape in the Entle catchment (northern border of the Central
Alps, Switzerland)
Fabien van den Berg, Fritz Schlunegger & Kevin P. Norton

Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern
The 65 km2-large Entle catchment is located at the northern border of the Central Alps
of Switzerland and is underlain by various lithologies including Flysch, carbonate sequences,
Molasse deposits and glacial till. It has been subjected to headward knickpoint migration
since the termination of the LGM (16  3 ka), due to a base level fall upon glacial retreat.
The incised portions of the catchment were delineated within a GIS environment in an
effort to calculate volumetric differences between the glacial surface and the modern
topography. The sediment budget estimates yield an average erosion rate of 1.93  0.36
mm.yr-1 in the incised reaches, and a maximum local erosion rate of 11.47  2.15 mm.yr-1.
Assuming that there has been no erosion elsewhere, the basin-wide averaged erosion rate is
estimated at 0.31  0.06 mm.yr-1. This is consistent with 10Be-based denudation rates
measured in adjacent catchments.
Although constant erosion rates are generally assumed for studies involving 10Be
analysis, field evidence indicate that headward knickzone migration through bedrock and
unconsolidated glacial till has destabilized the surrounding hillslopes, resulting in supply of
large volumes of sediment to the trunk channel by landsliding and/or debris flows
downstream the knickzone. This additional influx of sediments may raise the local base level
within the incised reach, thus perturbing the migration of the knickzone for a limited time
interval. This time span critically depends on the relative importance between the probability
density function (PDF) of the sediment particle size supplied by mass failure processes and
debris flows, and the characteristic water discharge magnitude to remove that material.
Measurements of the PDFs of the sediment particles along the incised Entle reach
together with the application a simple long profile stream-power model for the entrainment
and transport of sediment allow the identification of characteristic bed-forming discharge
magnitudes. In particular, the model illustrates that (i) the stream power increases in the
knickzones (as expected), and that (ii) highest stream power values are calculated where
tributary debris flow fans and landslides are being cut, illustrating the importance of hillslope-
derived perturbations. Most important, the long-term averaged grain size threshold seems to
correspond to that of the 5-year flood. Furthermore, the critical mobilized grain size for the 1-
year flood exceeds the observed grain size at all sites along incised reach, suggesting that the
majority of the sediments are readily carried away by even small floods. However, the large
blocks derived by landslides (up to 11m in diameter, with origin in the glacial till) are very
likely to remain in place, not being affected by any flood.
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55
Constraining microbial contribution to diagenesis in lacustrine sediments: a

subsurface biosphere study from the ICDP Potrok Aike project
Aurèle Vuillemin1, Daniel Ariztegui1, Catalina Gebhardt2 & the PASADO Science Team
1
Departement of Geology-Paleontology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
2
Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany
Newly deposited sediment comprises three major components: inorganic detritus, organic
matter and water and its solutes (Konhauser, 2007). In lacustrine settings, catchment-derived
detrital contents generally vary from coarse grained sands and silts along the shore to
dominant finer-grained particles -mostly clays- in the deeper areas of the basin. Subaquatic
transport of sediments, however, can transfer coarser material to this pelagic region during
low stand intervals. In addition to the main mineral components comes a suite of metal
oxides, dominated by Fe, Mn and Al depending of the catchment geology. Lake organisms
such as diatoms and ostracodes also form mineralized skeletons that upon their death generate
a significant flux of biogenic silica and carbonate, respectively, from the water column to the
lake floor. The composition of the particulate organic carbon varies as well from a
predominantly terrestrial origin during lowstands to almost entirely algal during intervals of
high lake levels. After sediment is deposited, a combination of physical, chemical and
biological processes transform the unconsolidated material through changes that go by the
name of diagenesis. Microbial activity plays an integral role in this late process. The dominant
factors determining the colonization of certain lacustrine substrates by microbial communities
are dependent on the hydrological regime that is in turn controlling lake level stands.
Although microbial biomass rules a substantial part of the preserved organic matter
record, it is still difficult to distinguish it from terrestrial or algal-derived material without the
help of additional methods, such as cell counting or stable isotopes, to routine petrophysical,
sedimentological and geochemical analyses.
More than 500 meters of sedimentary cores were retrieved from Lake Potrok Aike, a
crater lake located in Southern Patagonia within the framework of the ICDP-sponsored
PASADO project (Potrok Aike Maar Lake Sediment Archive Drilling Project). A 100 meter
long core was dedicated to geomicrobiology sampling, allowing the inspection of undisturbed
deep lacustrine sediments. Special windows were cut in the liners for direct sampling under
the most sterile conditions possible immediately after core recovery. C/N ratio shows
variations in the organic matter sources that seem to be coherent with the reconstructed lake
level changes. In situ ATP measurements are used as indication of living organisms within the
sediments revealing a constant low microbial activity below 40 m sediment depth whereas
three main peaks appear at 37, 10 and 5 meters respectively (Fig.1). Various samples were
chemically fixed and/or frozen for methane determination, bacterial cell counting, DGGE and
cell cultivation. DNA extraction of selected samples shows DGGE patterns with numerous
and constant bands in the older sediments whereas there are only few but different bands in
the upper section.
A preliminary interpretation of these results suggests that different microbial
community interphases seem to be tightly related to distinctive sediment types representative
of changing lake levels throughout the studied period. We are confident that the integration of
these dataset with ongoing multiproxy studies in the same record as part of the ICDP-
sponsored PASADO project will bring new light into microbial activity in lacustrine systems
and their role on various diagenetic processes.
56
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Fig. 1: Preliminary reconstruction of lake level variations based on petrophysical and sediment data. Notice the good
correlation between the bulk sediment dataset and that indicative of organic source and microbial activity.
REFERENCES
Konthauser, K. (2007) Introduction to geomicrobiology, Blackwell Publishing, 425p.
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57
Holocene flood history as recorded in the sediments of Lake Ledro (N-Italy)
Stefanie B. Wirth1, Adrian Gilli1, Flavio S. Anselmetti2, Michel Magny3, Boris Vannière3
& Emmanuel Chapron4
1
Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstr. 5, CH-8092 Zurich
2
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Surface Waters,
Überlandstr. 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf
3
Laboratoire de Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 du CNRS, UFR des Sciences et Techniques, 16 route de
Gray, 25030 Besançon, France
4
ISTO, UMR 6113 du CNRS/Université d'Orléans, Bâtiment Géosciences, 45067 Orléans, France
Email: stefanie.wirth@erdw.ethz.ch
Floods have severe impacts on society and infrastructure as documented in the Alpine region
in the recent past by events in 1978, 1987, 1999 and 2005 (Hilker et al. 2009). Current climate
models predict even an increase in heavy precipitation in the future because of global
warming and, thus, an intensification of the hydrological cycle (Frei et al. 2006). But
instrumental (Hegg and Vogt 2005) and historical data (Pfister 1999) indicate that the
occurrence of flood events was not uniform in space and time. Geological archives provide
the possibility to extend flood records beyond the historically documented age range to better
understand the factors controlling the flood frequency. Here we present a lacustrine approach
to establish a flood record that is based on the chronological occurrence of detrital turbidite
deposits in the sediment record of a small perialpine lake.
Our study site, Lake Ledro is located near Lake Garda in Northern Italy (Province of Trento)
with a surface area of 2.2 km2 and a maximal water depth of 46 m. The lake is situated in a
carbonate catchment (Mesozoic sediments), causing authigenic calcite precipitation to be a
significant process in the lake’s sedimentation. Reflection seismic data (3.5 kHz) reveal a
well-stratified sediment cover reaching beyond the Holocene period. The Holocene sediment
record is retrieved from the deepest depression of the lake basin, where turbidity currents
become focused and most of the detrital sediment material is deposited. The core material
consists of finely laminated, potentially varved, sediments intercalated by turbidite deposits of
various thicknesses.
The age-depth model is based on twelve radiocarbon dates derived from terrestrial organic
macrofossils. Differentiation between turbidite deposits induced by flood events or by
subaquatic mass-movements (remobilisation of lake sediments not triggered by floods) is
crucial for establishing the flood record. This distinction was accomplished by XRD analysis
of samples from regular background sediments and turbidite deposits. X-ray diffraction
patterns reveal calcite-dominated mass-movement material, reflecting the high amount of
authigenic calcite in the background sediments. In contrast, flood deposits contain, beside
calcite, higher amounts of detrital minerals like dolomite and quartz. Flood-turbidite deposits
were identified and measured using high-resolution core photos and colour data. Thicknesses
of flood deposits included in the flood record range from 0.1 to 37 cm.
The Holocene flood record of Lake Ledro reveals two periods with distinctly enhanced flood
activity between 100 and 500 cal y BP (Little Ice Age) and from 2600 to 3900 cal y BP. Less
pronounced increases are observed around 6000 and 7500 cal y BP. After 4000 cal y BP, a
general rise to higher frequency levels of the flood deposits is observed. Information on the
seasonal occurrence of the events could be gained by microfacies analysis of the sediment. If
it can be proofed that the laminae are biochemical varves, the seasonal position of the flood
layers within an annual cycle can be determined (as earlier done by Mangili et al. 2005 for
Pleistocene varved sediments).
58
___________________________________________________________________________
More lakes in northern Italy and the Ticino will be investigated within the ‘FloodAlp’ project
to eliminate potential regional signals such as those from only locally occurring
thunderstorms. This stacked flood record from the Southern Alps will then be compared with
its counterpart from the Northern Alps to evaluate the controlling factors of the observed
fluctuations in flood occurrence. Forcing factors might be mean air temperatures, solar
activity, North-Atlantic Oscillation, or more regional effects such as changes in the
atmospheric circulation pattern influencing the Alpine realm.
REFERENCES
Frei, C., Schöll, R., Fukutome, S., Schmidli, J. & Vidale, P.L. (2006): Future change of precipitation
extrems in Europe: Intercomparison of scenarios from regional climate models. Journal of
Geophyscial Research, 111: D06105, doi:10.1029/2005JD005965.
Hegg, C. & Vogt, S. (2005): Häufigkeiten und Trends von Starkniederschlägen in der Schweiz im
Zeitraum 1864-2005. Wasser Energie Luft, 97(7/8): 209-212.
Hilker, N., Badoux, A. & Hegg, C. (2009): The Swiss flood and landslide damage database 1972-
2007. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 9: 913-925.
Mangili, C., Brauer, A., Moscariello, A. & Naumann, R. (2005): Microfacies of detrital event layers
deposited in Quaternary varved lake sediments of the Piànico-Sèllere Basin (northern Italy).
Sedimentology, 52: 927–943.
Pfister, C. (1999): Wetternachhersage: 500 Jahre Klimavariationen und Naturkatastrophen (1496-
1995). Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern, 304 pp.
http://www.climategeology.ethz.ch/projects/floodalp
http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/surf/schwerpunkte/project_overview/flood_alp
Fig. 1: Location of Lake Ledro and Holocene flood history as recorded in two composite sediment cores. Core 1
is situated at slightly smaller water depth than Core 2, recording less of the smaller events. However, the flood
signal is reproducible among the cores. The core picture illustrates the intercalation of lamination and flood
deposits.
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