Marine Middle Miocene deposits at the top of Gârbova de Sus Formation preserve a particular foraminifera assemblage, with both benthic and planktonic taxa. Presence of several biostratigraphic significant species allowed an extension of the known age of the formation, up to Wielician. The morphogroups also suggest a deeper environment, compared to the rest of the formation. The change of fauna type at this level might be correlated to the start of a new global cycle

Filipescu, Sorin

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Wielician foraminifera at the western border of the Transylvanian Basin

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STUDIA UNIVERSITATIS BABEŞ-BOLYAI, GEOLOGIA, XLVI, 2, 2001, 115-123 
 
 
                                                     
WIELICIAN FORAMINIFERA AT THE WESTERN BORDER 
OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN 
 
SORIN FILIPESCU1
 
ABSTRACT. Marine Middle Miocene deposits at the top of Gârbova de 
Sus Formation preserve a particular foraminifera assemblage, with both 
benthic and planktonic taxa. Presence of several biostratigraphic significant 
species allowed an extension of the known age of the formation, up to 
Wielician. The morphogroups also suggest a deeper environment, compared 
to the rest of the formation. The change of fauna type at this level might be 
correlated to the start of a new global cycle. 
 
Keywords: foraminifera, Wielician, Paratethys, Transylvanian Basin,  
 biostratigraphy, paleoecology 
 
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
Most of the geological formations from the western border of the Transylvanian 
Basin were deposited during the Middle Miocene. The Lower Badenian, shallow 
water marine sediments, were described as Gârbova de Sus Formation (Filipescu 
& Gîrbacea, 1994).  
Although several sections are representative for the main stratigraphic and 
paleontologic features, the section from Lopadea Veche, situated about 5km north-
west of the E60 European road, close to the city of Aiud (Fig. 1), is of a particular 
interest. It was originally designed as parastratotype for the upper part of the 
above-mentioned formation. Recent investigations at the top of the Buhii Creek 
section, based on foraminifera assemblages, allowed some new interpretations on 
the age and the environmental changes. 
The sediments in the Buhii Creek section are mainly carbonatic, dominated 
by algal - bioclastic structures. The lower part of the sequence, transgressively 
deposited over Jurassic volcanic rocks, starts with clastic deposits. Towards its 
upper part, the sequence is constantly regressive, characterized by algal nodular 
limestones. Fine sediments, which suggest a facies change occur at the top of the 
formation. These sediments, not more than 2 m thick, also have a valuable 
micropaleontologic record. 
More information on the Badenian deposits from Lopadea Veche can be 
found in the contributions of Pávay-Vajna (1910), Bucur & Filipescu (1994, 2001), 
Filipescu (1996), Şuraru (1992). 
1 "Babeş-Bolyai" University, Department of Geology. Str. Kogălniceanu 1, RO-3400 Cluj-Napoca, 
Romania. E-mail: sorin@bioge.ubbcluj.ro 
SORIN FILIPESCU 
 
 
 116 
MATERIAL AND METHODS 
The fossil material was collected from the fine sediments occurring at the 
top of Gârbova de Sus Formation, at Lopadea Veche, Buhii Creek section.  
 
 
Figure 1 - Location of the studied area: 1. Jurassic volcanic rocks; 2. Gârbova de Sus Formation;       
3. Cheia Formation; 4. Măhăceni Formation; 5. Lopadea Formation; 6. Quaternary deposits; 
black arrow - location of the studied section (based on Bucur & Filipescu, 2001) 
The samples were processed by standard micropaleontological methods, 
using tap water, calgon and a 63-μm sieve. The fossil foraminifera were picked 
from entire >63-μm residue and the specimens were photographed using a DSM 
940 Zeiss SEM microscope at University College London. 
 
 
SIGNIFICANCE OF FORAMINIFERA ASSEMBLAGE 
Processing of the micropaleontological samples revealed a well-preserved 
foraminifera assemblage, with both benthic and planktonik foraminifera. Very few 
other fossil groups, as ostracods and fragments of bivalves, are also present in the 
micropaleontologic residue. 
 
 
WIELICIAN FORAMINIFERA AT THE WESTERN BORDER OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN 
 
 
 117 
Species Moravian Wielician Kossovian 
Textularia mariae d'ORBIGNY           --------------------------- 
Psammolingulina papillosa (NEUGEBOREN)           --------------------------- 
Martinottiella communis (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Sigmoilinita tenuis (CZJZEK) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Lenticulina inornata (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Guttulina communis d’ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Guttulina ovata d’ORBIGNY ----------------------------------- 
Globulina gibba d’ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Globulina punctata d’ORBIGNY ----------------------------------- 
Globorotalia transsylvanica POPESCU                ---------------------- 
Globoturborotalita woodi (JENKINS) --------------------- 
Globigerina praebulloides BLOW ------------------------------------------------------- 
Globigerina bulloides d'ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Globigerina tarkhanensis SUBBOTINA & CHUTZIEVA ------------------------------------------------------- 
Globigerina diplostoma REUSS ------------------------------------------------------- 
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus (d'ORBIGNY)            --------------------------- 
Globigerinoides bulloideus CRESCENTI            -------------------- 
Islandiella punctata (REUSS)                     ------------------------------------- 
Cassidulina laevigata d’ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Bulimina elongata d’ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Bulimina subulata CUSHMAN & PARKER ------------------------------------------------------- 
Uvigerina grilli SCHMID ------------------------------------- 
Uvigerina orbignyana CZJZEK.              -----------------------------------    
Uvigerina pudica ŁUCZKOWSKA                      ------------------------------------ 
Uvigerina semiornata d’ORBIGNY --------------------------------------- 
Uvigerina venusta FRANZENAU                      --------------------- 
Reussella spinulosa (REUSS) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Fursenkoina acuta (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Sphaeroidina bulloides d’ORBIGNY ------------------------------------------------------- 
Cibicidoides austriacus (d'ORBIGNY) ---------------------------------------- 
Cibicidoides ungerianus (d'ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Cibicidoides ornatus (CICHA & ZAPLETALOVA) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Biapertorbis biaperturatus POKORNY ------------------------------------ 
Lobatula lobatula (WALKER & JAKOB) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Asterigerinata planorbis (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Pullenia bulloides (d'ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Melonis pompilioides (FICHTEL & MOLL) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Hanzawaia boueana (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Heterolepa dutemplei (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Porosononion granosum (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
Elphidium fichtelianum (d’ORBIGNY) ------------------------------------------------------- 
 
Figure 2. Badenian stratigraphic range of the common foraminifera species present  at the top of 
Gârbova de Sus Formation (ranges based on Cicha et al., 1998; Popescu, 1998) 
 
 
Composition of the foraminifera assemblage and range of the most 
frequent taxa within Miocene is presented in Fig. 2. Although the large majority of 
the taxa show a wider stratigraphic range, the presence of several important 
stratigraphic markers can also be noticed. Several species start their range within 
the Wielician and continue into the Kossovian, but the age of our assemblage can 
not be Kossovian because the well-known Wielician gypsum covers it. 
SORIN FILIPESCU 
 
 
 118 
Representatives of the subtropical group of Candorbulina are absent in the 
studied assemblage, being replaced by planktonics that probably supported slightly 
colder waters. The cooling tendency was recorded even from the middle part of the 
formation, reflected by a constant regressive character of the sedimentation, 
reduction of faunal diversity, and disappearance of subtropical forms.  
Another deepening of the environment was recorded at the top of the 
formation, within the studied foraminifera assemblage. It is suggested by a new 
invasion of planktonic and deeper benthic taxa.  
Most of the planktonics show a wide range, except for Globorotalia 
transsylvanica, which is considered by Popescu (1998) as a typical species for the 
Late Langhian Globoturborotalita druryi / Globorotalia transsylvanica Concurrent 
Range Zone. Its stratigraphic range is considered to be restricted to the Uppermost 
Moravian and Wielician in the Central Paratethys.  
Concurrent ranges of the benthics also suggest the Wielician age, although 
not all the index taxa are present. However, several taxa have a typical range or 
abundance within Wielician. The case of Uvigerina species is very suggestive for 
their biostratigraphic value (e.g. Uvigerina orbignyana CZJZEK, Uvigerina pudica 
ŁUCZKOWSKA, Uvigerina venusta FRANZENAU). We can conclude that benthic 
taxa belong to Uvigerina orbignyana / Pseudotriplasia minuta Biozone of Popescu 
(1998).  
Benthic infaunal morphogroups (tapered, cylindrical and spherical) also 
suggest depths of several hundreds of meters. In my opinion, the occurrence of 
this new type of benthic fauna do not suggest a cooling event, as previously 
considered, but a migration of deeper taxa, who lived in colder waters. The 
presence of new planktonic and deeper benthic taxa seems to be related to a new 
transgressive event, as also confirmed by sedimentologic pattern. This event might 
be correlated with the start of a new global cycle, probably the 3rd order 2.4 cycle 
(TB2 supercycle) of Haq (1993). A correlation with the mentioned event was possible 
by calibration of Globoturborotalita druryi / Globorotalia transsylvanica Biozone to 
the lower M7 Zone of the standard Neogene chart, as shown by Popescu (1998). 
The same author presented a different correlation between standard (Berggren et 
al., 1995) and Paratethian (Cicha et al., 1998) charts, by tracing the M6-M7 (N9-
N10) boundary within the Uppermost Langhian. 
Probably the Wielician foraminifera fauna from the top of Gârbova de Sus 
Formation, together with other similar faunas identified in Romania (Popescu, 
1978; Gheorghian, 1975) and Paratethyan area (Reuss, 1867), represent a proof 
for the last transgressive event that advanced from the Mediterranean towards the 
Central Paratethys. This was followed by the well-known particular evolution of the 
Paratethyan area, apart from the Mediterranean realm. 
 
 
CONCLUSIONS 
Recently discovered foraminifera fauna at the top of the Gârbova de Sus 
Formation allowed the extension of its known age up to Wielician (Uppermost 
Langhian). 
Planktonic and deeper benthic species found in the fine sediments situated 
above the shallow-water carbonate sequence document a new transgressive event, 
probably the last one coming from the Mediterranean. This event might be correlated 
WIELICIAN FORAMINIFERA AT THE WESTERN BORDER OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN 
 
 
 119 
with the beginning of 2.4 cycle. Tectonic events in the Carpathian realm isolated 
the area only during the second part of Wielician, leading to deposition of the salt 
and gypsum deposits. 
 
Acknowledgements 
I would like to gratefully thank Dr. Michael A. Kaminski (University College 
London) and NERC-ODP for supporting the SEM work. 
 
 
 
REFERENCES 
 
Berggren, W.A., Kent, D.W., Swisher, C.C., Aubry, M.-P., 1995 - A revised Cenozoic 
Geochronology and Chronostratigraphy. Geochronology, Time Scales, and Global 
Stratigraphic Correlations: SEPM Special Publication, 54, 129-212. 
Bucur, I.I., Filipescu, S., 1994 - Middle Miocene Red Algae from the Transylvanian Basin 
(Romania). Beiträge zur Paläontologie, 19, 39-47. Wien. 
Bucur, I.I., Filipescu, S., 2001 - Middle Miocene Red Algae from the Western Border of the 
Transylvanian Basin. In: Bucur, I.I. et al. (eds.) Algae and Carbonate Platforms in the 
Western Part of Romania. Field trip Guide Book (4th Regional Meeting of IFAA Cluj-
Napoca, August 29 - September 5, 2001. 179-189. Cluj-Napoca. 
Cicha, I., Rögl, F., Rupp, C., Ctyroka, J., 1998 - Oligocene - Miocene foraminifera of the Central 
Paratethys. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 549, 
325pp. Frankfurt a. M. 
Filipescu, S., 1996 - Stratigraphy of the Neogene from the Western Border of the Transylvanian 
Basin. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai. Geologia XLI/2, 3-78. Cluj-Napoca. 
Filipescu, S., Girbacea, R., 1994 - Stratigraphic remarks on the Middle Miocene Deposits from 
Gîrbova de Sus (Transylvanian Basin, Romania). Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai. 
Geologia XXXIX/1-2, 275-286. Cluj-Napoca. 
Gheorghian, D., 1975. Coupe d'Apold: Eocene, Badénien, Sarmatien. In: Bombiţă, Gh. (ed.) 14th 
European Micropaleontological Colloquium Guide. Institutul de Geologie şi Geofizică. 
175-178. Bucureşti 
Haq, B.U., 1993 - Deep-sea response to eustatic change and significance of gas hydrates for 
continental margin stratigraphy. In: Posamentier, H.W. et al. Sequence stratigraphy and 
facies associations. Spec. Publs. Int. Ass. Sediment. 18, 93-106. Blackwell. 
Pávay - Vajna, F., 1910 - Die geologischen Verhältnisse der Umgebung von Olah - Lapad. 
Földtany Közlöny XL, 420-434. Budapest. 
Popescu, Gh., 1978 - Date preliminare asupra Miocenului mediu din împrejurimile Hunedoarei. 
Dări de Seamă Institutul de Geologie şi Geofizică 63 (3), 63-79. Bucureşti. 
Popescu, Gh., 1998 – Stratigrafia Miocenului mediu marin din Paratethysul Central (sectorul 
românesc). Buletinul Societăţii Paleontologilor din România, nr. 4, 13-19. Bucureşti. 
Reuss, A.E., 1867 - Die fossile Fauna der Steinsalzablagerung von Wieliczka in Galizien. Sitzber. 
k. Akad. Wiss. Math.-naturw., LV/1, 17-182. Wien. 
Şuraru, N., 1992 - Biostratigraphische Erwägungen über das obere Badenien aus dem Gebiet 
von Lopadea Veche (Kreis Alba) - Pietroasa (Kreis Cluj). Studia Universitatis Babeş-
Bolyai, Geologia. XXXVII / 2, 49-63. Cluj-Napoca. 
SORIN FILIPESCU 
 
 
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PLATES 
 
Plate I – Foraminifera at the top of Buhii Creek section (scale bar=100µm) 
1. Martinottiella communis (d’ORBIGNY) 
2. Sigmoilinita tenuis (CZJZEK) 
3. Lenticulina inornata (d’ORBIGNY) 
4. Guttulina communis d’ORBIGNY 
5. Guttulina ovata d’ORBIGNY 
6,7. Globulina gibba d’ORBIGNY: 6. with fistulous chambers; 8. common 
8. Globulina punctata d’ORBIGNY 
9. Bulimina elongata d’ORBIGNY 
10. Bulimina subulata CUSHMAN & PARKER, twins 
11. Cassidulina laevigata d’ORBIGNY 
12. Fursenkoina acuta (d’ORBIGNY) 
13. Reussella spinulosa (REUSS) 
14. Stilostomella sp. 
15. Sphaeroidina bulloides d’ORBIGNY 
16. Melonis pompilioides (FICHTEL & MOLL) 
 
 
Plate II – Foraminifera at the top of Buhii Creek section (scale bar=100µm) 
1. Globigerina praebulloides BLOW 
2,3. Globigerina bulloides d’ORBIGNY 
4. Globigerina diplostoma REUSS 
5,6. Globigerina tarkhanensis SUBBOTINA & CHUTZIEVA 
7. Globorotalia transsylvanica POPESCU 
8. Globoturborotalita woodi (JENKINS) 
9,10. Asterigerinata planorbis (d’ORBIGNY) 
11,12. Biapertorbis biaperturatus POKORNY 
 
 
Plate III – Foraminifera at the top of Buhii Creek section (scale bar=100µm) 
1,2 Uvigerina orbignyana CZJZEK. (2. detail  of surface) 
3,4. Uvigerina pudica LUCZKOWSKA (4. detail of surface) 
5,6. Uvigerina semiornata d’ORBIGNY (6. detail of surface) 
7. Uvigerina venusta FRANZENAU 
8. Pullenia bulloides (d’ORBIGNY) 
9,10. Hanzawaia boueana (d’ORBIGNY) 
11. Porosononion granosum (d’ORBIGNY) 
12,13. Heterolepa dutemplei (d’ORBIGNY) 
14. Elphidium fichtelianum (d’ORBIGNY) 
WIELICIAN FORAMINIFERA AT THE WESTERN BORDER OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN 
 
 
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Plate I 
 
 
SORIN FILIPESCU 
 
 
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Plate II 
 
 
WIELICIAN FORAMINIFERA AT THE WESTERN BORDER OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN 
 
 
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Plate III 
 
 


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Wielician foraminifera at the western border of the Transylvanian Basin

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