Interbedded contourites, turbidites and pelagites are commonplace in many deep‐water slope environments. However, the distinction between these different facies remains a source of controversy. This detailed study of calcareous contourites and associated deep‐marine facies from an Eocene–Miocene sedimentary succession on Cyprus clearly documents the diagnostic value of microfacies in this debate. In particular, the variability of archetypical bi‐gradational contourite sequences and their internal subdivision (bedding, layering and lamination) are explored. Contourites can be distinguished from turbidites, pelagites and hemipelagites by means of carbonate microfacies in combination with bed‐scale characteristics. Particle composition provides valuable information on sediment provenance. Depositional texture, determined by the ratio between carbonate mud and bioclasts, is crucial for identifying bi‐gradational sequences in both muddy and sandy contourites, and normally‐graded sequences in turbidite beds. Equally important are the type and preservation of traction structures, as well as the temporality and impact of bioturbation. Shell fragmentation under conditions of increased hydrodynamic agitation (textural inversion) is recognized as a carbonate‐specific feature of bioclastic sandy contourites.

中文翻译：

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使用微相对塞浦路斯南部始新世-中新世斜坡演替中的钙质轮廓岩，浊质岩和浮岩的诊断标准

在许多深水斜坡环境中，夹杂的轮廓岩，浊质岩和浮游生物是司空见惯的。但是，这些不同相之间的区别仍然引起争议。这项对塞浦路斯始新世-中新世沉积演替的钙质等高线岩和相关深海相的详细研究清楚地证明了本次辩论中微相的诊断价值。特别是，探索了原型双级轮廓轮廓序列及其内部细分（层理，分层和层压）的变异性。利用碳酸盐微相结合床尺度特征，可以将同形体与浊积体，浮石和半铁矿区分开。颗粒成分可提供有关沉积物来源的有价值的信息。沉积质感 由碳酸盐泥和生物碎屑之间的比率确定，对于确定泥质和砂质轮廓岩中的双梯度序列以及浊度床中的正常梯度序列至关重要。同样重要的是牵引结构的类型和保护，以及生物扰动的时间和影响。流体动力搅动（质地反转）增加的条件下，壳碎裂被认为是生物碎屑砂质轮廓岩的碳酸盐特有特征。