Early Cretaceous palynomorphs from ODP Sites 692 and 693, the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Abstract

Detailed descriptions of in situ ?Valanginian to Albian Antarctic palynofloras are presented from Weddell Sea claystones with high percentages of organic matter ("black shales') and intercalated volcanic ash layers. The claystones were recovered from two sites (ODP Leg 113, Sites 692 and 693) on the continental margin of Dronning Maud Land. Palynological investigations of these Cretaceous sediments revealed a ?Valanginian-Hauterivian age from the Site 692 sediments and an Aptial-Albian age for Site 693. This paper is focused on the palynomorphs of Site 692. The dinocyst assemblage of Site 692 seems to be very similar in composition to an assemblage from the South Shetlands (?Valangianian-Hauterivian-Barremian). It also agrees well with associations described from early Early Cretaceous sequences from the Perth Basin, southwestern Australia. -from Author