Palaeoecology of the Rupelian-Early Chattian (Oligocene) Aged Tokca Formation Outcropping East of Civril (Denizli): Quantitative Climatic Correlations

Abstract

In this study, based on the palynological and foraminiferal the contents, palaeoclimatic, palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological interpretations of the Tokca Formation outcropping on the Cardak-Tokca Basin have been made. Limestones at reefal character in the Tokca Formation is known as the Uctepeler reef member. Tokca formation can informally be divided into three parts as the lower side of reef, reef and upper side of reef. Succession under the reef consists chiefly of conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone alternation. In some places, there are plant debris and hematite bearing levels. Suquence on the reef is generally made up of sandstone and mudstone alternation, not available conglomerate in any level and contains many thin coal seam. Besides, coal seam operated occurs at the lower sides of the sequence. Palynological assemblage has been obtained from both the sequences of the lower side and upper side of the reef. In the assemblage, Laevigatosporites haardti, Pityosporites microalatus, Momipites punctatus, Caryapollenites simplex, Tricolpopollenites liblarensis ssp. fallax, Tricolpopollenites retiformis and Tricolporopollenites cingulum ssp. oviformis are dominant. In addition, dinoflagellates representing shallow marine environment have been identified. The rich foraminifera community from the Uctepeler reef member have been described. According to Lepidocyclina (Eulepidina) dilatata d'Archiac, Miogypsinoides sp. (primitivel forms), Austrotrillina sp. and Cycloclypeus sp., the age of the deposition has been determined as the lower sides of the Upper Oligocene. When palynological and foraminiferal data has been evaluated with together, deposition of the Tokca Formation took place under marine influence. Sea level during deposition reefal limestones has reached its highest level. The statistical palaeoclimatic results indicate that the Tokca Formation was deposited under subtropical conditions receiving the high rainfall. The quantitative climatic results obtained from the Rupelian-lower Chattian Oligocene Tokca Formation compared with coeval basins from Europe, the temperatures of that period in Anatolia suggests reaching a higher temperatures.