Paleoecology and sedimentological interpretation of the "black marble" of Denée (Lower Visean; Belgium). The paleoecology of the "black marble" of Denée (Dinant sedimentation area (DSA), Belgium) is reviewed in light of recent paleoecological, taphonomic and sedimentological investigations. This "conservation-Lagerstätte" is famous for its very well preserved fossils (echinoderms, fish, graptolites, etc.). During the Lower Visean, the "black marble" deposited in a confined basin bordered to the south by the Waulsortian mud mounds, and progressively filled by calcareous sediments, probably turbiditic, coming from the transition area between the DSA to the south and the Condroz sedimentation area to the north. During lowstand periods, the paleoenvironment was submitted to anoxic/dysoxic conditions which developed due to confinement by the Waulsortian buildups. The poor oxygenation of deep waters permitted the installation of a particular benthic fauna (graptolites, bivalves ("paper pectens"), echinoderms,…) and, combined with rapid sedimentation, favoured excellent preservation conditions by excluding the development of necrophagous and saprophagous organisms
