Biostratigraphy of the Gurpi Formation Based on Planktonic foraminifera in Gandab Section and it's comparison with Type section, Kabirkuh Anticline, SW Iran

Due to the source nature and placement of the Gurpi Formation between the Asmari and Bangestan reservoirs, it has a special importance. The name of this formation has been derived from Gurpi Mountain in the northwest of Masjid-Soleyman County. At the type section, this formation includes 320 meters of marl and bluish gray shales together with subordinate thin layers of clayey (argillaceous) limestone which overlies the limestones of the Ilam Formation, along an erosional unconformity. The Gurpi Formation has an open marine and deep sea sedimentation environment, which is why it is a good talent for biostratigraphy studies using planktonic fauna. Studies conducted by some researchers on the Gurpi Formation represent a Late Santonian – Tanetian age in different parts of the Zagros area, based on different planktonic assemblages (e.g., Kameli Azan et al., 2004; Darvishzadeh et al., 2007; Abrari et al., 2010; Senemari & Sohrabi Molla Usefi, 2012; Senemari & Azizi, 2012; Beiranvand et al., 2013; Najafpour et al., 2014; Fereydoonpoor et al., 2014; Razmjooei et al., 2014.). This study is based on macroscopic field description of 252 meters of Upper Cretaceous sequences (Gurpi Formation) in the Gandab section located on southern flank of Kabir Kuh anticline in Lurestan Province of Zagros, southwest Iran. In total, 192 hand specimens were taken from rock samples and sediments from these sections for paleontological study. After washing, samples were dried on sieves and put in special cellules. Released fossils were studied by binocular firstly, and then by Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). Determination and naming genera and species was based on Robaszynski et al. (1984), Caron (1985), Loeblich and Tappan (1988), and Premoli Silva and Verga (2004). In this study, 57 species related to 20 genera and 7 biozones of planktonic foraminifers are recognized in Gandab section.
- Globotruncana ventricosa Interval Zone
This biozone is defined between Globotruncana ventricosa appearance at the bottom and Radotruncana calcarata appearance at the top. It is correlated with Globotruncana ventricosa biozone aged Middle to Late Campanian (Premoli Silva and Verga , 2004).
- Radotruncana calcarata Total range Zone
This biozone which its top and bottom is consistent with the appearance and extinction of Radotruncana calcarata respectively, It is correlated with Radotruncana calcarata biozone aged Late Campanian (Premoli Silva and Verga , 2004).
- Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone
This zone is defined according the appearance of Globotruncana aegyptiaca at the base and the appearance of Gansserina gansseri at the top and is parallel to Globotruncana aegyptiaca biozone aged the End of Late Campanian (Premoli Silva and Verga , 2004).
- Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone
It places between the appearance of Gansserina gansseriat the base andContusotruncana contuosaat the top. This biozone is parallel with Gansserina gansseri biozone aged the most final part of Campanian-Maastrichtian (Premoli Silva and Verga , 2004).
- Contusotruncana contuosa Interval Zone
This biozone is defined between the appearance ofContusotruncana contuosa at the base and Abathomphalus mayaroensis at the top and is equivalent of Contusatruncana contusa and Racemiguembelina fructicosa biozones and aged Early to Late Maastrichtian (Premoli Silva and Verga, 2004).
- Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone
It is defined between the appearance of Abathomphalus mayaroensis species at the base and its extinction at the top. This biozone equals Abathomphalus mayaroensisbiozone agedLate Maastrichtian(Premoli Silva and Verga, 2004).
Cretaceous – Paleocene (K-P) boundary
K-P boundary is located on top of the Gurpi Formation in Gandab section. It is characterized by the end of Abathomphalus mayaroensis zone and extinction of all planktonic foraminifers. In this research, because of the missing of Guembelitria cretacea Zone P0 as a result of far sampling distance, biozone of Abathomphalus mayaroensis related to Gurpi Formation, is located below Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina Zone (Pα) of the Pabdeh Formation (i.e. Danian).
Correlation
Biozones of the Gurpi Formation in Gandab section are compared with biozones of this formation at the in Kuh - e Siah anticline. In the Kuh - e Siah anticline studied by Fereydoonpoor et al, 2014, 8 biozones were introduced from the Gurpi Formation. These biozones give Early Santonian – Early Maastrichtianage for the Gurpi Formation in this section. The Gurpi Formation at the Gandab section with a thickness of 252m composing of limestone and argillaceous limestone. The lower boundary with the Ilam Formation is conformable with sharp lithology and upper boundary is gradational with the Pabdeh Formation in two sections. Through this study, 57 species related to 20 genera and 7 biozones of planktonic foraminifers in Gandab section were distinguished. According to these biozones and fossil content, the age of Gurpi was determined Middle Campanian to Late Maastrichtian.Transition from Maastrichtian to Paleocene was continuous and the K-P boundary located at the top of Gurpi Formation.