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Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary in the Sequences of the Northeastern Caucasus, Dagestan: Sedimentology, Geochemistry, and Biota

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Abstract

The results of integrated study of the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition in the northeastern Caucasus are reported. The lithological, geochemical and micropaleontological characteristics of the sediments from two sections (Okhli and Gubden, Mountainous Dagestan) accumulated in different parts of paleobasin are displayed. An analysis of nannofossil distribution at the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition allowed to define the stratigraphic position of the stage boundary and reveal the interval of sediments (1–2 m thick transitional zone) accumulated under stress conditions. The large-scale sea-level fall occurred at the onset of the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary event is evidenced. It led to the erosion and redeposition of the Maastrichtian calcareous sediments. In Okhli section, the occurrence of palygorskite is detected in the clay mineral assemblage of the transitional zone. The local concentrations of coprolites (Decapoda?) and spherical nodules of different composition (more likely, concretions) are found in the clay layer onlapping the erosional surface at the top of Maastrichtian. There is no reliable evidence of the impact nature of these nodules. The lithological record at the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition of the studied sections is similar to those exposed in other areas of the NE Peri-Tethys (e.g., southern Turkmenistan and Mangyshlak Peninsula).

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to G.N. Aleksandrova for the assistance in field studies of the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary in Dagestan, careful reading of the manuscript, and constructive comments.

Funding

This work was performed under the State Task of the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, project nos. 0135-2019-0070 and 0135-2019-0062. Field studies were financially supported by the Presidium Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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  1. Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017, Moscow, Russia

    Yu. O. Gavrilov, E. A. Shcherbinina, E. V. Shchepetova, O. V. Golovanova & B. G. Pokrovsky

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  1. Yu. O. Gavrilov
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  2. E. A. Shcherbinina
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  3. E. V. Shchepetova
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Gavrilov, Y.O., Shcherbinina, E.A., Shchepetova, E.V. et al. Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary in the Sequences of the Northeastern Caucasus, Dagestan: Sedimentology, Geochemistry, and Biota. Lithol Miner Resour 54, 429–446 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0024490219060051

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