Email this article Traces of pelagic biota in siliceous rocks of the Upper Cambrian of Southern Kazakhstan
- Authors: Tolmacheva T.Y.1, Tretyakov A.A.2, Ryazantsev A.V.2
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Affiliations:
- A.P. Karpinsky All-Russian Scientific Research Geological Institute
- Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Issue: Vol 523, No 2 (2025)
- Pages: 292-297
- Section: PALEONTOLOGY
- Submitted: 20.11.2025
- Published: 15.08.2025
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/2686-7397/article/view/352636
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S2686739725080136
- ID: 352636
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Abstract
The lower part of the Burubaytal Formation that encompass the Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician cherts in the in the Southwestern Balkhash region of Southern Kazakhstan is enriched by organic detritus. This detritus consists of numerous fecal pellets composed of para- and protoconodont elements, as well as spherical acritarchs, individual acritarchs, and conodont elements. Additionally, there are scattered carbonaceous, finely dispersed organic matter and clumps of this matter. These findings indicate a significant contribution of pelagic organisms in the formation of a vertical flow of organic matter from the pelagic zone to the deep-sea bottom and an episode of increased burial of organic matter at the beginning of the Batyrbaian Stage in the Late Cambrian corresponding to the TOCE (Top of Cambrian Excursion) isotopic event.
About the authors
T. Yu. Tolmacheva
A.P. Karpinsky All-Russian Scientific Research Geological Institute
Email: Tatiana_Tolmacheva@karpinskyinstitute.ru
Saint Petersburg, Russia
A. A. Tretyakov
Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow, Russia
A. V. Ryazantsev
Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow, Russia
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