Lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Pabdeh Formation at Chahardeh village section (Izeh zone, Khuzestan province)

The Pabdeh Formation with a thickness of 797.2 m. and 4 lithological units (purple shale (144.25 m.), lower limestone and marl (221.75 m.), limestone (73.5 m.) and upper limestone and marl (357.7 m.) is stretched at Chahardeh village stratigraphic section in Izeh zone.. Biostratigraphic studies led to recognition of 30 genera and 150 species of planktonic foraminifera based on which 23 biozones were identified in Tethys realm. These biozones are well correlated with biozones of Tethys region. Based on the indicated biozones and fossil contents, the age of the Pabdeh Formation is Middle Paleocene (Selandian) - Late Oligocene (Chattian). In this study, Paleocene- Eocene boundary is located in Purple shale unit and Eocene- Oligocene boundary is placed in upper marl and limestone unit.