Abstract

LAZO, Darío G.. Biofacies analysis of the Pilmatué Member of the Agrio Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Neuquén basin, Argentina. Ameghiniana [online]. 2007, vol.44, n.1, pp.73-89. ISSN 1851-8044.

A biofacies analysis based on benthic macrofossils was carried out. The study unit is the Pilmatué Member of the Agrio Formation in three sections in the Neuquén Province. Six biofacies controlled by relative sea level changes, sedimentation rate, substrate consistency, oxygenation and salinity were recognised. The "Cucullaea-Mimachlamys-Steinmanella biofacies" is highly diverse and recorded in a shoreface environment characterized by a well-oxygenated soft sandy and patchy bioclastic substrate, reduced siliciclastic input, normal marine salinity, and warm-temperate waters. The "coral colonies biofacies" is associated with the former biofacies, but in a more shallow setting and probably temperatures above 16º-18º C. The "Cucullaea and Steinmanella biofacies" occurred in an open shelf environment characterized by low water energy, reduced siliciclastic input, firm muddy substrate, and normal marine conditions. The "Modiolus biofacies" also occurs on the shelf, but under low oxygenation. The "gregarious serpulids" and "gregarious oysters" biofacies correspond to an inner shelf setting characterized by an alternation of high and low water energy, low siliciclastic input, firm muddy substrate, well-oxygenated bottom, and mixo-euhaline conditions. The "Cucullaea-Mimachlamys-Panopea" and "Cucullaea and Steinmanella" biofacies are related to changes of relative sea level in the scale of parasequences, while the "coral colonies", "Modiolus", "gregarious oysters", and "gregarious serpulids" respond to changes in the scale of sequences.

Keywords : Benthic macrofossils; Paleoecology; Paleoenvironments; Valanginian-Hauterivian; Argentina.