Krzysztof BĄK
Pedagogical University of Cracow, Institute of Geography, Podchorążych 2, PL30-084 Kraków, Poland.
E-mail: sgbak@cyf-kr.edu.pl, kbak@up.krakow.pl; krzysztof.bak.up@gmail.com

LATE ALBIAN FORAMINIFERA FROM RECORD OF CARBONATE PLATFORM DROWNING ON THE TATRIC RIDGE, A PART OF THE CARPATHIAN DOMAIN: STRATIGRAPHIC AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL INFERENCES

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The occurrence of planktonic and benthic foraminifers in the uppermost part of the Upper Albian carbonate platform in the Tatra Mountains, Inner Carpathians, Poland, is here documented. Study section (Żeleźniak gully, Kościeliska Valley, Tatra Mountains) encompass echinoderm-foraminiferal limestones, which lied directly below the hardground with stromatolites. These sediments terminated the carbonate sedimentation on the Tatric Ridge, which lasted through the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. Planktonic foraminifers show that the breakup of carbonate platform took place in this area during the Parathalmaninella appenninica Zone (Upper Albian). The composition of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, including both agglutinated and calcareous taxa suggests that during the last phase of a carbonate platform development, the sea floor of elevated blocks occurred relatively deep, corresponding to the outer shelf depths. The comparison of foraminiferal morphogroups from the limestones shows that sea floor of this area was characterized by well-oxygenated bottom water conditions with an enhanced rate of primary organic matter flux.