Environmental and correlative significance of a non-marine algal limestone (Westphalian D), Sydney Coalfield, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Auteurs-es

  • Gary M. Vasey Departmeny of Applied Geology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, Scotland
  • Erwin L. Zodrow Departmeny of Geology, University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, N.S., Canada, B1P 6L2

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.4138/1559

Résumé

The occurrence of an algal limestone containing stromatolites within the Morien Group (Sydney Coalfield) is reported for the first time. Three distinct morphologic forms of stromatolite (pinnacle, mat and detached) and their stratigraphic variation are described. Variation in clast type and size, biota and elements within the algal limestone is interpreted as evidence for the growth of stromatolites on the shore of an ephemeral, fresh to brackish lake, subject to fluctuating water levels. Pinnacle and mat forms developed on substrate irregularities. A bivalve and ostracode fauna in mudatones and siltstones above and below the algal limestone indicates a correlation with the Anthraconauta tenuis chronozone of Britain (Westphalian D) and corroborates on age derived from associated macro- and microflora. RÉSUMÉ Four la première fols, on rapporte la présence de stromatolithes dans un calcaire à algues du groupe Morien (houillière de Sydney). Trois types morphologlques de stromatolithes (pinacle, paillasson, détache) et leur variation stratigraphique sont décrité. On interprète la variation dans la faune, la flore, les éléments, le type et la grosseur des fragment à au seln du calcaire à algues comme preuve de la croissance des stromatolithes sur les rives d'un lac éphemère, d'eau douce à saunâtre et sujet à des variations périodiques du niveau d'eau. Les formes en pinacle et en paillasson s'établirent sur les irrégularités du substrat. Une faune de bivalves et d'ostracodes dans lea roches arglleuses superposées et sous-jacentes au calcaire à algues est corrélative avec la zone chronologique Anthraconauta tenuis de Grande-Bretagne (Westphalien D) et confirme l'âge déduit de la macro et la micro flore. [Traduit par le journal]

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Publié-e

1983-01-01

Comment citer

Vasey, G. M., & Zodrow, E. L. (1983). Environmental and correlative significance of a non-marine algal limestone (Westphalian D), Sydney Coalfield, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Atlantic Geoscience, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.4138/1559

Numéro

Vol. 19 No. 1 (1983)

Rubrique

Articles

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