The Solimões Formation corresponds to the miocenic sedimentation from the Solimões Basin; it is constituted, essentially by mudstone, siltstone and fine sandstone, poorly consolidated, interspersed by lignite and carbonate levels, whose deposition took place in a fluvial and fluvio-lacustrine environment. Among the invertebrates from Solimões Formation the ostracode stand out for their abundance and diversity. Initially, the studies on those microcruteacea focused mainly on taxonomy. Subsequently, contributions on the bioestigraphy field suggest Early Miocene - Late Miocene age for this unit; while geochemical and paleontological analysis point to predominantly freshwater environmental conditions, with sporadic marine influence. However, taphonomic studies with emphasis on ostracode from Solimões Formation have not yet been performed. Taphonomic analysis of fossil concentrations can provide important data on paleoenvironmental hydrodynamics, sediments geochemistry, sedimentation rates and diagenetic processes. This paper deals with the biostratinomy and fossildiagenesis of ostracodes from Solimões Formation, as well as the mineralogical composition and sedimentological aspects of lithotypes. The material analyzed comes from thecore 1AS-5-AM, drilled in the village Cachoeira, near the Itacuaí river, Amazonas State. According to lithological characteristics, types of preservation and occurrence of ostracodes it was possible to individualize three intervals along the analyzed core. The interval I (284.50-119.30 meters) corresponds to the lower portion of the core. In this, the ostracofauna is poorly preserved, occurring only few juveniles (A-2, A-3 stages) and adults, with strong dissolution process. The lithology of this interval comprises solid, dark greenish gray to black mudstone, with rich organic matter content. The Interval II (116.70-107.10 meters) presents a higher occurrence of ostracodes in excellent preservation state and several ontogenetic stages, higher occurrence of closed carapaces and low degree of dissolution (occurs partially and punctually), suggesting a rapid burial event and little influence of methanogenesis on the lower organic matter content of the samples. The lithology of these layers are the same from interval I, however the organic matter content is fewer. Interval III (106.90-41.00 meters) has a moderate preservation stage, where the highest dissolution rate is associated to oxidation of monosulfides and iron sulfides that occurs adherent to the specimens surface, which were exposed by bioturbating organisms of sediments. The predominance of juvenile ostracodes in this interval indicates high mortality in ontogeny probably due to environmental stress. The lithology of this interval is made up of light to medium solid greenish gray, locally siltitic and lignite. Bioturbations (Skolitos) were recorded only at this interval. Organic matter content varies from low to moderate. Related to the color change of the ostracodes, opaque white valves were recorded in interval I more frequently; in II predominate black, dark gray, white and in smaller quantity, amber and hyaline colored valves; while in the III predominate reddish brown specimens, followed by light gray and opaque white. The taphonomic analysis of the ostracodes allowed to verify carapaces/valves with original chemical composition preserved, however, contaminated by chemical elements from the siliciclastic sediments and thin mineral layers adhered to its surface. The following types of preservation were identified: 1) ostracode valves and carapaces covered by thin mineral layers of iron monosulfide, iron phosphate, iron and thallium sulfide; 2) preserved in iron oxides; 3) recrystallized; and 4) pyritized molds. Preservation types identified predominantly reflect conditions of early (thin mineral layers mineralization and mold formation), and late (recrystallization, oxide formation) diagenesis. Fossildiagenetic alterations correspond to mineral filling of carapaces by pyrite, dissolution, color change and recrystallization. The first is related to iron phosphate present in sediments and rapid burial events. The dissolution resulted from the oxidation of the thin mineral layers adherent in the valves and the organic matter content; while carapaces/valves with alterations to reddish brown, dark gray, black and amber reflect the deposition of thin mineral layer on the specimens surface, opaque white valves result from partial dissolution. The punctual recrystallization of few valves reflects the mineral stability of the low magnesian calcite, the main constituent of ostracod carapace. The biostratinomic alterations identified are equivalent to fragmentation, disarticulation (from death, ecdysis and transport of ostracodes), bioerosion (due to chitinolytic bacteria) and transport. In interval I juvenile allochthonous ostracodes suggest postmortem transport. In interval II the predominance of native fauna shows low energy environment. Allochthonous and autochthonous (predominant) ostracodes of interval III reflect energy variation in scenery near the coastal lake zone. Based on the types of preservation and lithological characteristics, the environment was interpreted as lacustrine, with low to moderate energy. The absence of evaporitic minerals and dispersed pyrite in sediments attest to the low salinity of the environment.
|
