Benthic foraminifer assemblages and paleoenvironmental evolution of the Early Pliocene in the Elche-Crevillente area (Bajo Segura Basin, Alicante) : preliminary results
Benthic foraminifer assemblages of two Early Pliocene sections located between Elche and Crevillente are
studied. In both sucessions three stratigraphic units are distinguished: P0 Unit, littoral conglomerates
(transgressive lag); P1 Unit, pelagic marl-dominated interval; and P2 Unit, shallow marine calcarenites.
Benthic foraminifers in the P1 and P2 Units are grouped in three main paleoecological categories: shallow
water euryhaline (A), intermediate water (B), and deep water stenohaline (C). Distribution trends in these
paleoecological groups, planctonic/benthonic ratios, and sedimentological data permit the reconstruction
of the Early Pliocene paleoenvironmental evolution of this area. End-Messinian unconformity corresponds
to an incissed valley, subsequently filled with Early Pliocene marls (P1). The acommodation space reduction
determined the progressive decrease of the planctonic and the deep water stenohaline benthic foraminifers.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por
los proyectos de investigación BTE
2003-05047 (Ministerio de Ciencia y
Tecnología) y GV04B-629
(Generalitat Valenciana)