Palynology and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Turonian – Coniacian boundary: The proposed boundary stratotype at Salzgitter-Salder, Germany and its correlation in NW Europe

New palynological and calcareous nannofossil records are presented for the Turonian–Coniacian boundary section at Salzgitter-Salder, Germany, candidate Coniacian GSSP. The proposed base of Stage is Bed 46, first appearance datum level Cremnoceramus deformis erectus, which coincident with a δ13C minimum top Navigation carbon isotope event. Palynological assemblages dominated by organic walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts). Stratigraphic ranges, abundances, species richness, diversity, assemblage composition data reported 137 dinocyst 119 taxa. Dinocyst peridinioid cyst Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides gonyaulacoid Spiniferites spp. records, events zonations assessed. An uppermost Turonian P. abundance occurs within event, marked influx acme taxon other in lower (the Event). highest occurrence Cyclonephelium membraniphorum recorded Coniacian. Correlation Event between Czech Republic England demonstrated. This event represents productivity pulse, attributed to water-mass reorganisation accompanying early eustatic sea-level rise. nannofossils Biscutum constans, Kamptnerius magnificus Zeugrhabdotus noeliae, potential cool water indicators, display maximum relative abundances immediately below above stage boundary. increased Marthasterites furcatus characterises lowest Coniacian, coeval but more extended elsewhere. Helicolithus turonicus has its walterdorfensis hannovrensis Zone.