Palynological evidence for sustained deep-marine conditions during the Eocene−Miocene in the southern Gulf of Mexico distal continental margin

摘要: The present study represents the first attempt to provide palynological data about southern Gulf of Mexico distal continental margin during Eocene−Miocene time interval. In addition documenting types fossil palynomorphs preserved in these economically critical rock sequences, this also provides important information accumulation and preservation total sedimentary particulate organic matter along with their paleoenvironmental paleoceanographic implications. This was accomplished through analysis cored sediments from Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 94 north Yucatan Peninsula 540 south Western Florida Escarpment. findings deep waters are expected greatly assist hydrocarbon geoscientists exploration development efforts, reducing investment risk drilling uncertainty. Two palynofacies assemblages were recognized based on analysis: marine-dominated A terrestrially influenced B. compositions two recovered dinoflagellate cyst community suggest that while sustained oceanic depositional conditions prevalent, occasional influxes terrestrial material variable magnitudes occurred. These short-term especially pronounced late Eocene earliest Oligocene appear have happened response cooling slight global sea-level drop occurred at ca. 38−33.5 Ma. samples indicate coastal plain estuarine vegetation sources general, except Eocene-Oligocene transition, when anemophilous pollen specimens mostly derived farther inland montane recovered.