Integrated Platform/Basin Biostratigraphy of the Upper Cenomanian-Lower Turonian in Provence (SE France)

Recent studies on Upper Cenomanian-Lower Turonian outcrops from Cassis area allow to build a biolithostratigraphic framework from platform (La Bedoule section) to basin deposits (Cassis section), based on ammonites, planktoni c foraminifera, inoceramids, rudists and ostracods. Four ammonite Zones are documented: the Late Cenomanian Geslinianum and Juddii Zones; the Early Tu ronian Nodosoides and, possibly, the Middle Turonian Woollgari Zones. The l atest Cenomanian Scottii and the earliest Turonian Coloradoense Zones have not been identified. At Cassis, all the three planktonic foraminifera zones of the Upper Cenomanian and the Lower Turonian are identified: the Cushman i, Archaeocretacea and Helvetica zones. For the first time in the study are a, a biozonation based on inoceramids is established while the ostracod bio zonation is improved. The rudist scale is calibrated with the ammonite one through stratigraphic correlation between platform and basin successions. A detailed study of facies geometry leads to a sequence stratigraphic interp retation of systems tracts both of carbonate platform and basin settings. F inally, the Cassis section is compared with the Pueblo section and proposed as a reference section for the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary. (C) 2001 Edit ions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.