Biostratigraphy characterization of the Rupelian-Burdigalian carbonate succession at the Chaman-Bolbol area in the Zagros Basin

Platform carbonate sediments of Oligocene-Miocene age (Asmari Formation) in the Zagros Basin (SW Iran) have been investigated in order to determine their biostratigraphy and palaeoecolgy. The Asmari carbonate system was dominated by large benthic foraminifera. Five assemblage biozones have been recognized by distribution of the larger benthic foraminifera from the Oligocene—Miocene Asmari Formation of the Zagros Basin in southwest of Iran. Assemblage I is Rupelian in age. Assemblage II suggests Rupelian-Chattian. Assemblage III is Chattian in age. Assemblages IV and V show Aquitanian and Burdigalian age, respectively. The distribution of the Oligocene-Miocene larger benthic foraminifera indicate that shallow marine carbonate sediments of the Asmari Formation at the study area have been deposited in the photic zone of tropical to subtropical ocean.