Biostratigraphical and paleoecological studies of Lower Cretaceous deposits in Ravar area (north of Kerman)

To study biostratigraphy and paleoecology of Lower Cretaceous sediments in north of Kerman (Ravar) three sections have been chosen and sampled. The thicknesses of sections are measured 235 meters in Kaleh Gav section, 162 meters in Ghadroon section and 229 meters in Markesh section. The sections have a divers assemblage of fossils such as macrofossils, ostracodes and foraminifera, among which the later is the most important one. The sediments are Barremian?- Aptian – Albian in age. In benthic foraminifera, both the epifaunal and infaunal are present and eight morphogroups are recognized. High diversity and abundance of foraminifera and also presence of platycopid and podocopid ostracods in Markesh section, confirm that an oxygenated environment has been prevailed during the deposition of the strata. Also the proportion of planktonic foraminifera and consequently low P/B ratio suggests a shallow marine environment for the strata. The presence of some larger foraminifera such as orbitolinids and calcareous algae indicates a warm shallow and photic environment as well. Trophic strategies of foraminifera show that sufficient food have been available in these environments.