Evidence of terrestrial organic matter deposition across the early Toarcian recorded in the northern Lusitanian Basin, Portugal

• Published in: International journal of coal geology Vol. 168; pp. 35 - 45
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Bruno, Duarte, Luís V., Mendonça Filho, João Graciano, Santos, Luiz Guilherme, Donizeti de Oliveira, António
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2016
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Lower Toarcian; Lusitanian basin; Organic matter; Paleoenvironment; Palynofacies; Biomarkers; Organic matter; Lusitanian basin; Paleoenvironment; Palynofacies; Lower Toarcian
• ISSN: 0166-5162; 1872-7840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coal.2016.06.016

The Pliensbachian–Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) in the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) is particularly well exposed through marl-limestone alternations very rich in nektonic and benthonic macrofauna. In the general context of Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), the Lower Toarcian (Polymorphum and Levisoni ammonite zones) marks important sedimentological changes in the marine paleoenvironment. To better understand the paleoenvironmental changes that occurred during the latest Pliensbachian–early Toarcian, a high-resolution study of organic matter was undertaken in the Alcabideque section, in the northern sector of the basin. Based on the analysis of 14 samples from a section 20m thick, this study involved organic geochemistry [total organic carbon (TOC), sulfur and biomarkers] and palynofacies. The results confirm that sediments are particularly poor in organic matter, with the highest TOC values reaching 0.41wt.% around the top of Polymorphum Zone. The palynofacies analysis provides evidence that the organic matter largely consists of particles belonging to phytoclasts and palynomorphs groups. The phytoclasts present were generally degraded and oxidized, with significant representation in the Emaciatum and Polymorphum zones. The palynomorphs were mainly composed by sporomorphs, with a sporadic increase in marine palynomorphs (mainly dinocysts) at the top of the Emaciatum and Polymorphum zones. Continental organic matter was predominant at the base of Levisoni Zone (T-OAE), through the deposition of brownish marls (Chocolate Marls), which was confirmed by the occurrence of tetrads and polyads (pollen grain agglomerates), and by biomarkers, with the major presence of long-chain n-alkanes, n-alkane C17, C20 tricyclic terpane, C24 tetracyclic terpane and C29 regular sterane. The gammacerane index shows a peak at the top of Polymorphum Zone, clearly associated with the increase of marine palynomorphs and the maximum marine influence in the series. •Palynofacies and geochemical characteristics of the Lower Toarcian of the Northern Lusitanian Basin were investigated.•Palynofacies and biomarkers indicate a major continental provenance in the lowermost Levisoni Zone.•The results of this study shed light on the paleoenvironmental deposition of the so-called Chocolate Marls.