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Middle Miocene carbonate facies with rhodoliths from the NW Transylvanian Basin (Vălenii Șomcutei Cave, Romania)

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Abstract

The middle Miocene carbonates from the NW part of the Transylvanian Basin are represented mainly by rhodalgal facies. This paper provides an accurate taxonomic account of the red algal assemblages, facies analysis, and paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Badenian deposits outcropping in Vălenii Șomcutei area. A total of 13 red algal species belonging to the orders Corallinales, Hapalidiales, Sporolithales, and Peyssonneliales have been identified. The microfacies distinguished in the succession (bio-extraclastic grainstone, oolitic packstone/grainstone, bio-extraclastic packstone/grainstone, rhodolith rudstone, coralline algal rudstone, and coralline algal debris grainstone) suggest a general shallowing-upward succession, from an open-marine middle-outer ramp setting to an inner-ramp environment.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to C.S. Montana Baia Mare for sampling permission at the Vălenii Șomcutei Cave and to Attila S. Kovecsi and Iuliana Vișan for assistance during fieldwork. Ramona Bălc thanks the CNCSIS-UEFISCSU, project PN-III-P3-3.6-H2020-2016-0015 for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Center for Integrated Geological Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University, Str. Kogălniceanu nr. 1, 400084, Cluj Napoca, Romania

    Ramona Chelaru, Emanoil Săsăran, Tudor Tămaș, Ioan I. Bucur & George Pleș

  2. Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, Str. Fântânele nr. 30, 400084, Cluj Napoca, Romania

    Ramona Bălc

  3. Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, Treboniu Laurian 42, 400271, Cluj Napoca, Romania

    Ramona Bălc

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  1. Ramona Chelaru
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Correspondence to Ramona Chelaru.

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Chelaru, R., Săsăran, E., Tămaș, T. et al. Middle Miocene carbonate facies with rhodoliths from the NW Transylvanian Basin (Vălenii Șomcutei Cave, Romania). Facies 65, 4 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-018-0546-z

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