Sedimentology and sediment geochemistry of the pelagic Paryab section (Zagros Mountains, Iran): implications for sea level fluctuations and paleoenvironments in the late Paleocene to middle Eocene

Abstract Sedimentological and geochemical records are presented for an upper Paleocene to middle Eocene deep-water pelagic succession of the Pabdeh Formation in Paryab section, Zagros Mountains, NW, Iran. In this study, grain-size statistical parameters, cumulative curves, bivariate analysis on twenty-five sediment samples were used decipher depositional processes paleoenvironments. XRD fine-grained silt clay sediments indicates that quartz, calcite, ankerite/dolomite, minerals such as illite, chlorite, kaolinite constitute main within these sediments. Elemental isotopic chemostratigraphies infer conditions sea level trends through time. TOC-CaCO 3 interpret type deposition accumulation rates, rhythmic bedding, identification regressional transgressional phases. studied manganese contents exhibit a declining trend along lowstand systems tract terminates subsequent start transgressive trend. Some parameters Mn values δ 13 C sequence can be potential proxies tested study. The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) interval coincides with increasing Mn/Al ratios. Ti/Al Si/Al ratios show contrasting Generally, elemental results confirm presence long-term three-stage cycle is related PETM event. Based analyses Co, Mo, Ni, V, Cr contents, deposited suboxic slightly anoxic conditions.