فهرست مطالب الهه زارعی

To investigate the Upper Cretaceous deposits in the Central Alborz Basin, a 100-meter thick stratigraphic section was chosen in the southwest of Dareh Zar village in the east of Tehran. In this study, a total of 75 species, belonging to 44 dinocyst genera, and 10 species from seven spore genera were identified. Consequently, two biozones—Dinogymnium acuminatum and Carpatella cornuta—have been determined. The association of the Dinogymnium acuminatum biozone with index planktonic foraminifers such as Contusotruncana contusa, Globotruncana arca, and Globotruncana ventricosa at the base of the studied section confirms the Late Cretaceous age. Furthermore, the presence and abundance of the Carpatella cornuta biozone in sample 44 indicate the beginning of the Paleocene. The presence of this biozone with typical dinocysts such as Damassadinium californicum, Thalassiphora delicate, and Tectatodinium sp. suggests the upper Paleocene age range for the end of the stratigraphic section. The presented biozones based on dinocysts are consistent with those in eastern Europe and northwestern Tethys, indicating a marine connection between these regions in the Late Cretaceous.

Abstract The Dalichai Formation in the Ahvanu section, north of Damghan city, with a thickness of 78 meters, comprises alternations of bluish-gray marls and limestones. Microfacies and palynofacies studies, along with fossil evidence, including foraminifera diversity and abundance, the ratio of epifaunal to infaunal benthic foraminifera, and the ratio of surface to deep infaunal, were utilized to identify organic-rich layers and reconstruct trophic levels. These factors confirm a mesotrophic environment with average oxygen and nutrient levels for the Dalichai Formation (Bajocian to Lower Callovian) in the studied section. The primary reasons for low organic matter in the Dalichai Formation are attributed to low production and poor preservation of organic matter. However, dark-colored deposits with high organic matter at the Bajocian–Bathonian boundary and the lower and upper Callovian boundaries suggest increased production rates in anaerobic and eutrophic conditions. Macrofossil fragments (ammonites and echinoids) within limestone deposits at the uppermost part of the Dalichai Formation, exhibiting low organic matter, and the presence of Zeophycus trace fossils, suggest an oligotrophic environment with dysoxic conditions in the Upper Callovian.

Geoscience studies in solving archaeological problems in the east of DamghanFathalizadeh Kosar1, Zarei Elahe2*, Sarfi Mehdi21Master of Science, School of Earth Sciences, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran2Assistant Professor, School of Earth Sciences, Damghan University, Damghan, IranCorresponding author (Elahe Zarei) E-mail: [email protected] IntroductionThe results of archaeological investigations show the presence of humans in the northern part of the central desert of Iran since long ago (Vahdati nasab Hamed and Hashemi Milad 2016). The location of ancient settlements, as the settlements of previous humans, is mainly dependent on environmental factors such as water sources. Therefore, in order to determine the presence of water and its expansion, a 13 km long area was studied on the road from Damghan to Shahroud.2- Material and MethodsPalynology and sedimentology are common and applied methods for paleoenviroment interpertation especially for Neogene and Quaternary sediments. After the field studies, a number of samples were collected from 3 study stations to palynological, sedimentological and microfacies studies. The studied area is located on the border between Alborz structural state and Central Iran, approximately 30 km east of Damghan (coordinates with E 54° 36΄09 ˝ to 54° 45΄37˝ and N 36° 15΄43 ˝ to N 36° 16΄ 26 ˝).3- Results and discussion Geological studiesIn this research, XRD studies were used to identify the minerals in the region. Also, in order to check the degree of rounding and sorting of the sediments and to identify the mineralogical composition of the samples after sieving, they were studied under the streptomicroscope. The presence of transparent and angular quartzes and unstable minerals such as feldspar and muscovite and the abundance of organic matter in the landform sediments indicate an aquatic environment in which a series of erosion events to sedimentation have taken place in a short period of time. Based on the presence of some index dinoflagellate species such as Operculodinium cf. eiricianum and Bitectatodinium tepikiense and comparing it with the world standard biozones of Williams et al., 2004, the age range of Late Miocene to Pliocene can be considered for the landform sediments. (Head 1994).A combination of archaeological and geomorphological data, sedimentology and palynological studies and the presence of Index dinocysts such as Operculodinium cf. eiricianum and Bitectatodinium tepikiense indicate a vast and ancient lake during the Late Neogene (Brenchley1998, Head 1994, Michelle Price, 2010). The presence of ancient settlements confirms this claim.This relatively vast aqueous environment was related to the Haj Ali Qoli salt playa (Chah Jam playa) in the south of the studied area, and the sediments studied were placed on the northern edge of the lake when the water level was high. Probably, tectonics and climate have influenced the lowering of the water level. Butzer 1958 and Crinsley 1970 report evidence of a lacustrine environment around Central desert of Iran (Butzer, 1958; Krinsley, 1970).4- ConclusionThe most important issue for archaeologists in the last few decades is the investigation of environmental factors in the formation or destruction of civilizations and human habitats.One of the most important points for creating human settlements is the presence of water sources close to human settlements. Archaeological research indicates the presence of humans in Damghan region from the past until now. In this regard, the spatial distribution and dispersion of the ancient centers of eastern Damghan and its relationship with environmental factors (water and climate) were investigated. A combination of archaeological, geomorphological and palynological data shows that there was a vast paleolake in the Northern part of the Iranian Central Desert, which is considered a suitable environment for human settlements. The studied sediments were deposited on the clay zone in the northern margin of Damghan playa when the water level was high, which is probably related to Haj Ali Qoli salt lake (Chah Jam playa) in the south of the studied area. The high amount of clay 20 to 45% confirms this environment. The presence of an index dinocyst Bitectatodinium tepikiense shows that there was a paleolake in the northern part of the central Iranian plateau at the end of the Neogene, which was probably connected to the open sea. Probably, two factors, tectonics and climate changes, have influenced the lowering of the water level and made it into its present form.Key words: geological studies, ancient lake, ancient settlements, East DamghanReference:- Butzer, K. W. 1958. Quaternary Stratigraphy and climate in the near East, Bonner Geogr.Abhendi, 24.- Brenchley, P. J. & Harper, A. T. 1998. Palaeoecology: Ecosystems, Environments and Evolution, 402 pp. Chapman & Hall publ, New York.- Head, M.J., 1994. A forum on Neogene and Quaternary dinoflagellate cysts. The edited transcript of a round table discussion held at the Third Workshop on Neogene and Quaternary dinoflagellates, with taxonomic appendix. Palynology, v.17, p.201-239, pl.1-11. (Cover date 1993, issue date 1994 - 28th January).- Krinsley, D.B., 1970.A geomorphological and paleoclimatological study of the playa of Iran. U.S. Government printing office Washington D.C. 20, 402p.- Michelle Price Andrea. 2010. Late Quaternary climate and oceanographic changes in the Northest Pacific as recorded by dinoflagellate cysts from Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California (Mexico).Master of Science in the school of Earth and Ocean Sciences. -Vahdati nasab Hamed, Hashemi Milad. 2016. Playa and Middle Paleolithic settlement of Iranian central Desert: the discovery of the Chah-e Jam middle Paleolithic site.Quaternary international 408(2016) 140-152.- Williams G. L. Brinkhuis H. Pearce M. A. Fensome R. A. and Weegink J. W. 2004. Southern Ocean and global dinoflagellate cyst events Compared: Index events for the Late Cretaceous-Neogene. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, Vol. 189.pp. 1-98

The studied area is a silty-clayey sedimentary landform, which is located on the border of Alborz and Central Iran sedimentary-structural units. It has 13 km long in the vicinity of the road Damghan to Shahroud. An integration of sedimentological and palynological studies is used for palaeoenvironmental interpretation, origin investigation, and age dating of the landform sediments. The presence of transparent and angular quartzes and unstable minerals and the abundance of organic matter in the landform sediments indicate an aquatic environment in which a series of erosion events to sedimentation has taken place in a short period of time. A combination of sedimentological investigations and palynological studies such as the organic matter preservation factors and the presence of index dinocysts such as Operculodinium cf. eiricianum and Bitectatodinium tepikiense which are characteristic of the shallow aqueous environment, a palustrine environment with brackish water in with an age of Late Neogene is assigned for the studied sediments. This relatively vast aqueous environment was related to the Haj Ali Qoli salt playa (Chah Jam playa) in the south of the studied region. These sediments were developed on a mud flat zone on the northern margin of this playa. Uplifting and exposure of this sedimentary landform could be due to the tectonic activity of the region and the movement of the left-lateral strike-slip of the eastern part of the Damghan Fault.

The Dalichai Formation in Ahvanu section in the north of Damghan city with a thickness of 78 meters consisting of an alternation of bluish-gray marls and limestone, was studied. Based on the presence and stratigraphic distribution of miospore, Klukisporites variegatus and Callialasporites dampieri of pollen are identified (Middle Jurassic) and presence of some index dinoflagellate species led to the identification of three biozones in the Dalichai Formation. These include in ascending order, Cribroperidinium crispum Total Range Biozone (late Bajocian), Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii Interval Biozone (Bathonian - early Callovian), Ctenididinium continuum Interval Biozone (early to middle Callovian). Also, this Formation was divided into two biozone on the basis of Lenticulina   varians-Ophtalmidium Assemblage zone and Globigerina bathoniana Taxon range zone. The close similarities of fauna assemblages of Dalichai Formation in this region (eastern Alborz ((dinoflagellate cyst, foraminifera, posidonia and radiolar) with assemblages recorded from different parts of Iran (such as central and eastern, western Alborz and Binalud and south of Iran) and other parts of world (northwest of Europe, and the northwestern Tethys and …) confirm the marine connection and faunal exchange between the mentioned basins during Middle Jurassic.

The Dalichai Formation in Parikhan section in the west of Shahrood with a thickness of 250 meters consisting of an alternation of bluish-gray was studied. This formation overlies the Shemshak formation disconformity, and it has gradually been covered by the thick-bedded limestones of the Lar formation. The biogenic components consist of brachiopods, gastropods, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms, belemnites, sponges and sponge spicules, radiolarians, ostracods, benthic foraminifers. The aim of the present study is to discuss the age of the formations and paleobiogeography relationship based on foraminifera and dinoflagellate cyst assemblage.

The Parikhan section is located on the central part of Alborz Mountains, approximately 14 km west of Shahrood (coordinates with E 54° 49΄11 ˝ and N 36° 24΄20˝). 27 samples were collected systematically and processed for palynostratigraphy following the standard palynological technique described in Traverse (2007). Cold hydrochloric (30 %) and hydrofluoric acids (30 %) were used to dissolve carbonate sand silicates, respectively. The residue was neutralized and centrifuged in ZnCl2 with specific gravity (1.9 g/cm3). The materials were then sieved using a 15-μm nylon mesh and mounted on microscope slides using liquid Canada balsam. The present study shows that the Dalichai Formation is rich in terrestrial (spores and pollen grains) and marine palynomorphs (dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, and scolecodonts). In the laboratory, thin sections were prepared from all marly limestones and hard resistant shaly marl samples to achieve further microfossils evidence and aid sedimentological descriptions. All samples were processed for foraminiferal analysis following the standard method of Lirer (2000). Thus, 21 species belonging to 17 genera of planktonic and benthonic foraminifera were identified.

In the present study, 30 species of dinoflagellate cysts belong to 22 genera and 10 species of spore, which belong to 8 genera, and 7 species of pollen, which belong to 4 genera, have been identified. Based on the presence and stratigraphic distribution of the most dominant miospore, Klukisporites variegatus and Callialasporites dampieri of pollen are identified in the Dalichai Formation (late Bajocian - Callovian). Based on recorded dinocyst assemblages, especially marker species, three palynozone, including Cribroperidinium crispum Total Range Zone (late Bajocian), Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii Interval Zone (Bathonian – early Callovian), and Ctenidodinium continuum Interval Zone (late Callovian) were identified.

Anarak ophiolite, belonging to Paleozoic, formed along with the tectonic evolution of the Paleo- Tethys Ocean, consisting of meta- peridotites of mantle and crust, cumulate rocks, massive gabbros, pillow lava, basic and ultrabasic dikes, rodingite and listwanite covered all by schist and marble units. The olistolithic patches of Anarak ophiolite have commonly exposed in Sebarz schist, within the sole of Chah-Gorbeh complex. Olistoliths composed of listwanite, meta- mafic, serpentinite and meta- peridotite olistoliths varying from centimeter to several hundred meters in size. The results of electron microprobe analyses show that the fundamental rock- forming minerals of the listwanitized olistoliths are chromian spinel and pyroxene, secondary minerals including calcite, garnet, tremolite, chlorite, magnetite and opaque minerals. Meta- mafic olistoliths composed of chromian spinel, sphene, epidote, chlorite and opaque minerals. Serpentinized olistoliths consist of chromian spinel, magnetite, tremolite, talc and chlorite. It also shows that the meta- peridotite olistoliths composed of chromian spinel, chrome-bearing magnetite, chlorite, calcite, garnet and antigorite. Based on the geochemical analyses, Cr# in the listwanite patches, meta- mafic, serpentinite and meta- peridotite olistoliths are 87.40- 97.92, 49.38- 51.89, 49.22- 60.05 and 29.76- 55.97 respectively with very low amount of TiO2. The different in chemical composition of minerals in the North Anarak complex shows different petrogenesis for ophiolitic olistoliths suggests characteristic of the MORB and/or supra- subduction zone.

The Dalichai Formation in Darjazin section in NE Semnan with a thickness of 631 meters consisting of an alternation of bulish-gray was studied. This formation overlies the Shemshak formation disconformity with conglomerate bed and it has gradually been covered by the thick-beded limestones of the Lar formation. In order to study paleoenviroment of the Dalichai Formation the authors examined many different factors including Microfacies and palynological data (abundance and diversity of Dinocyst, proximate to chorat Dinocyst, palynofacies analysis and "selective preservation of organic matter"). A high percentage of brown wood and sporomorphs and the dominance of cavate and proximate dinocysts such as Nannoceratopsis gracilis, and pareodinia ceratophora and fluorescent amorphous organic matter, as well as Miliolid benthic foraminifera are evidence of suboxic to anoxic condition, which favored accumulation and preservation of organic matter in open marine lagoon, in the lower part of Dalichai Formation. A decrease in the brown wood and abundance and species richness of marine palynomorph (mainly chorate dinocysts) reflects more offshore settings in the upper part of Dalichai Formation. On the other hand, Appearance and increase of planktonic foraminifera and Radiolar and posidonia indicate development of strong marine transgression and deposition in an open marine environment.

To analyze the sedimentary palaeoenvironment of the Gurpi Formation in Bisheh–Deraz section in south of Ilam, various factors including diversity and abundance of dinocysts, a ratio of Peridinioid to Gonyaulacoid (P/G) dinoflagellate cysts, palynofacies parameters and "selective preservation of organic matter" have been used. In lower parts of the Gurpi Formation of Campanian age is very argillaceous and then shallows up in the upper part of Lopha Limestone that contains the small size of bivalve shell debris. This is followed by a stagnant condition due to sea-level rise that favored the preservation of organic matter in early Maastrichtian. The Emam-Hassan Limestone with high percentages of non-fluorescent amorphous organic matter represents a basin environment. The Latter member is overlain by the marls of Late Maastrichtian. Microbiostratigraphy, sedimentology, and palynofacies observation indicate sea-level fall and a 3.5 Ma hiatus at the K/P boundary. This is followed by deepening and the deposition of the basal purple shale of the Pabdeh Formation. The relative sea-level changes curve drawn based on palynomorphs in this study is well in accord with the existing eustasy curves that indicate the great effect of eustasy factor relative to other factors.

The Gurpi formation in Bishe-deraz Section, south of Ilam, consists of 201m marl with intercalations of limy marl with two formal members of Seymareh (Lopha) and Emam-Hasan. The formation overlies the Ilam Formation and is gradationally overlain by the purple shales of the basal part of the Pabdeh Formation. The Gurpi Formation was divided to 9 biozone on the basis of planktonic foraminifera which almost are cosmopolitan and consist of: 1- Radotruncana calcarata Taxon-Range Zone. 2- Globotruncanita stuartiformis Partial-Range Zone. 3- Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone.  4-Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone. 5- Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone. 6- Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone. 7- Praemurica uncinata Interval Zone. 8- Morozovella angulata Interval Zone.  9- Globanomalina pseudomenardii Interval Zone. The formation was deposited from upper Campanian through late Paleocene (Selandian-Thanetian?) according to the planktonic foraminifera recorded. A distinct hiatus was confirmed at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary according to microbiostratigraphic and sedimentologic studies and also field work observation.

The Dalichai Formation in Darjazin section in NE Semnan with a thickness of 631 meters consisting of an alternation of bulish-gray was studied.This formation overlies the Shemshak formation disconformity with conglomerate bed and it has gradually been covered by the thick-beded limestones of the Lar formation. Based on the presence and stratigraphic distribution of the most dominant miospore, Klukisporites variegatus and Callialasporites dampieri of pollen areidentified in the Dalichai (late Bajocian - Callovian) and Presence of some index dinoflagellate species led to identification of three biozones in the Dalichai Formation. These include in ascending order, Cribroperidinium crispum Total Range Biozone (late Bajocian), Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii Interval Biozone (Bathonian - early Callovian), Ctenididinium continuum Interval Biozone (early to middle Callovian). This biozonation corresponds largely to those established in Northwest Europe and Northwestern Tethys and reveals the marine connection between North of Iran with Northwest Europe and the Northwestern Tethys during the Middle Jurassic.

The Gurpi Formation was studied from different aspects at two sections, Farhadabad and Kavar, in southwest and southeast of Ilam where it is composed of 205 m and 158 m of grey to blue marl and shale beds and occasionally thin beds of argillaceous limestones with two formal members of Seymareh (Lopha) and Emam-Hassan. In order to reconstruct paleoclimate during depositional course of the formation, paleontological and palynological data (ratio of specialist to generalist foraminifera (e.s/e.g) and warm-temperate waters dinocysts and spore and pollen grains) were used statistically. The results show that the Gurpi Formation is mainly deposited in a warm-humid climate with two sharp decreases happening in temperature in early Maastrichtian and Danian.

Palynological and Palynofacies analysis combined with sedimentological studies have been performed on Dalichai Formation, northeast of Semnan, in order to define its paleoenviromental interpretation. Based on petrographic studies of organic matter, three palynofacies types were recognized as PF-1, PF-2, and PF-3. PF-1 is a characteristic of proximal shelf settings or basin. This palynofacies in the lower part of Dalichai Formation represents the shallowest environment because it is comprised almost exclusively of large black phytoclast while PF-1 in limestone successions in the upper part of Dalichai Formation was deposited in distal setting under suboxic environment. This interpretation is supported by sedimentological and paleontological data. PF-2 represents the lower and middle parts of the formation with high contents of brown wood and sporomorphs. In addition, it shows the presence of fluorescent amorphous organic matter and proximate dinocysts deposited in the open marine lagoon (the anoxic-suboxic environment) in agreement with general sedimentological observations. PF-3 has a high diversity of dinocysts, combined with the terrestrial material. A diverse dinocyst assemblage is common in shelf environments, leading us to interpret a possible inner to middle shelf close enough to land to allow accumulation of terrestrially derived organic material.

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The Gurpi Formation at Farhadabad section in west of Darehshahr, was studied in detail for environmental changes and water–level fluctuations via using organic matter contents of the rock samples. Depositional environment interpretation was done based on integration of evidences derived from organic geochemistry analysis (TOC, TIC and Aliphatic n-alkane (short, mid and long chain n-alkane to sum of n-alkane, TAR (terrigenous-aquatic ratio), CPI (Carbon Preference Index), ratio of C17 to C27 and Isoperinoids (pr/ph,pr+ph/nC17+nC18, pr/nC17and ph/nC18) and palynofacies data (Amorphous organic matter, marine palynomorphs and palynomaceral). Statistical studies on palynomorphs confirm the results gained from the organic geochemical analysis. High ratio of palynomaceral and high TAR and CPI and dominance of long chain n- alkane and low ratio of C17/C27 (C17 relative to C27) and high ratio of Pr/Ph (>1) indicate regression condition at the base of the Gurpi Formation, Lopha Member, top of Emam-Hassan Member and Cretaceous – Tertiary boundary. On the other hand high abundance of marine palynomorphs and transparent amorphous organic matter and unimodal n-alkane with a marked even over odd predominance (CPI <1) and TAR <1 and high C17/C27 (C17 relative to C27) and low ratio of pr/nC17<0.5 indicate transgressive condition in upper part of Globotruncanita stuartiformis biozones, black shales between Lopha and Emam- Hassan, upper part of Contusotruncana contusa biozones and at the base of purple shale of the Pabdeh Formation. Maximum flooding surface probably equates the 70 Ma MFS K175, 68 Ma MFS K180 and 58 Ma MFS Pg10 of Sharland et al., 2001 that is recorded in many parts of the Arabian Plate. The relative sea level curve resulted in form this study is well in accord with the existing eustasy curves especially for the Campanian- Maastrichtian boundary indicating effect of eustasy on relative sea- level changes during this period. Combining all these data, an open marine environment with terrestrial organic input under suboxic to anoxic conditions can be concluded for the depositional course of the Gurpi Formation.

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The type section of the Gurpi Formation which is located in Anbar-e-Sefid Valley near to Lali town is about 182 m thick and consists of calcareous shales and black shales. The formation lies by an erosional disconformity on Ilam Formation and turns gradually to the purple shales of the overlying Pabdeh Formation. The Gurpi Formation was dated the late Campanian to late Paleocene based on the presence of foraminifer species Globotruncana calcarata and dinocyst species Odontochitina porifera in the lowermost parts and foraminifer species Morozovella velascoensis in the uppermost parts of the section. The Cretaceous / Tertiary boundary (KTB) is located some 57 meters below the Gurpi and Pabdeh contact within the black shales of the Gurpi Formation. In order to study paleoproductivity of the Gurpi Formation, the authors examined many different factors including changes in ratio of Peridinioid to Gonyaulacoid (P/G) dinoflagellate cysts. Peridinioid dinocysts are stenotopic forms and usually used for this purpose but one has to determine whether their absence in sediments is because of original absence during depositional period or because of bad preservation and destruction after their production and during depositional period. Thus factors related to state of preservation of the organic matters including "lability" and ratio of structureless organic matter (SOM) to marine palynomorphs were calculated for the samples throughout the stratigraphic column. In addition four different indices were also calculated for paleoproductivity condition including ratio of Peridinioid to Gonyaulacoid (P/G) dinocysts, ratio of dinocysts indices for outer neritic to those of inner neritic, ratio of terrestrial to marine elements (T/M), and ratio of planktonic to benthonic foraminifera. Based on these factors three biofacies and two subfacies were recognized and differentiated. Facies (I) is marked by the low state of preservation of organic residue, low lability and a relatively high ratio of SOM to marine elements. The ratio of Planktonic to benthonic (P/B) is relatively high, abundance of deep-water benthonic foraminifera and dinocysts indices for outer neritics such as Impagidinium. Absence of peridinioids is more probably because of their bad state of preservation. In biofacies II preservation of organic matter is much better (higher lability, and low ratio of SOM to marine palynomorphs). Altogether production of organic matter is much higher in this facies. In biofacies III presence of cold-water foraminifera and dinoflagellate cysts indicate presence of cold-water currents at the beginning of Paleocene. Presence of phosphates and glauconites and abundance of ecological generalist foraminifera indicate that the absence of the Peridinioid dinocysts is related to reduction in temperature and lack of suitable condition for their propagation.

Palynological and foraminiferal contents of 30 samples taken systematically from Gurpi Formation at its type section were studied in order to determine water-level fluctuations and the general trend of water-level during the depositional course of the formation. Statistical studies on foraminiferal contents of the samples show that the planktonic to benthonic ratio (P/B) and diversity decrease while benthonic foraminifera with larger size and epicontinental sea fauna (ESF) and shallow water fauna (SWF) increase in general towards the upper parts of the formation. On the other hand dinoflagellate cyst abundance and diversity show an increasing trend which looks like a contradiction at the first glance. To describe this apparent controversy and determine the water level trend, changes in composition of palynomorphs and the organic matter preservation state (lability factor) was studied. Statistical studies show that in the lower parts of the section the lability is low and the ratio of structure-less organic matter (SOM) to marine palynomorph is high. This indicates a low state of preservation of organic matter for the lower portion. In the upper parts lability is high while the ratio of SOM to marine palynomorph is low which indicate a better state of preservation for the upper parts. Statistical studies on the Gonyaulacoid dinocysts which are eurytopic forms and indices for open marine, inner neritic and outer neritic environments confirm the results gained from the foraminiferal studies. Combining all these data and comparing them with the well-known Tyson palynofacies analysis diagrams confirm a relatively deep basinal condition for the lower part and a relatively shallower and proximal shelf environmental condition for the upper part of the Gurpi Formation.