The upper Hauterivian–Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) Arrifes section (Algarve Basin, Southern Portugal): A palynostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental approach

Integrated sedimentological, palynological, and palynofacies analyses of the Arrifes section in central Algarve Basin (southern Portugal) provided new information on age environments this Lower Cretaceous sequence. The sedimentary succession at consists fossiliferous interbedded limestones, marly marls, dated as latest Hauterivian to late Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) based key dinoflagellate taxa. During interval, area records climatic shifts and, multiple sea-level fluctuations; overall deposition was shallow subtidal intertidal settings, with carbonate sediments. earliest an evident fall culminated subaerial exposure local ramp increased influx clastic However, during Barremian, both sedimentological palynological suggest deepening water depth towards top section. These increase column are confirmed by oscillation terrestrial/marine palynomorph groups supported dinosaur track levels succession; latter indicate that sedimentation occurred environments. Finally, attempt made correlate other sections from Basin, well broader region. data a setting Tethyan basin influenced end Barremian. allow correlations ages paleoenvironmental interpretations for Basin.