PALYNOLOGY OF THE GEULHEMMERBERG CRETACEOUS TERTIARY BOUNDARY SECTION(LIMBURG, SE NETHERLANDS)/

The newly found, relatively complete section across the Cretaceous/Ter tiary (K/T) boundary in the Geulhemmerberg caves contains rich and wel l-preserved palynological assemblages. Stratigraphically diagnostic di noflagellate cysts indicate that the lower part of the Geulhemmerberg succession represents the latest Maastrichtian and that an early Dania n age may be assigned to sediments overlying the Berg en Terblijt Hori zon, notably on the basis of the appearance of Senoniasphaera inornata . On the basis of quantitative palynological analysis, the sediments a re interpreted to represent relatively marginal marine, inner neritic conditions, with nearby landmasses providing important terrestrial inp ut. Almost all terrestrial palynological elements are most probably de rived from Bryophyta (mosses). Their sudden proliferation at the K/T b oundary may be associated with increased transport from the coastal pl ain, and/or it may reflect a major change in the terrestrial ecosystem at K/T time. Changes in the palynomorph distribution are probably mai nly caused by differing hydrodynamical conditions, possibly combined w ith slightly varying waterdepths and/or the introduction of restricted marine conditions.