Bioclastic bottom-current deposits of a Devonian contourite terrace: Facies variability and depositional architecture (Tafilalt Platform, Morocco)

The study examines bioclastic carbonate contourites that arise from the broad spectrum of bottom-current related sedimentary processes ranging from deposition to erosion. The result of the intermittent accumulation of sediment are thin and condensed successions with abundant hiatuses. Such bottom-current deposits are poorly known, since the broadly accepted contourite-facies model, the bi-gradational sequence, characterizes environments of contourite depositional systems as a continuous accretion of fine-grained siliciclastic sediments. To increase current understanding of the carbonate facies within hiatal contourite records, the Eifelian-Frasnian of the Tafilalt Platform in Morocco was investigated. The succession is divided into five facies associations that are interpreted to reflect pelagic sedimentation and deposition from bottom currents on a contourite terrace, a gently inclined section of the upper slope of Gondwana shaped by a water-mass interface. Contourite deposition was mainly controlled by oxic clear-water currents (documented by moderately to completely bioturbated limestones with abundant hydrogenetic ferromanganese nodules, and low organic-carbon contents), at times also by an anoxic water mass (featured by organic-rich coquinas with absent to sparse bioturbation and predominantly syngenetic framboidal pyrites). Biostratigraphic data and the overall depositional architecture display palaeoceanographic hydrodynamic processes associated with a shifting water-mass interface. The inner terrace was characterized by an alongslope contourite channel and a small mounded drift at its downslope margin. Energetic bottom currents furthermore caused abraded surfaces, i.e. plain areas of non-deposition and localized erosion, and sandy condensation layers. The microfacies reflects repeated alternation between suspension deposition, winnowing of fines, bedload traction, dynamic sediment bypassing and reworking, together with concomitant seafloor cementation. Coquinas of mainly planktonic and nektonic organisms are identified as integral parts of bi-gradational contourite sequences showing inverse and normal grading. Hiatal lag concentrations of carbonate intraclasts, ferromanganese nodules and conodonts often drape hardgrounds and erosional surfaces at the midpoint of these frequently incomplete sequences. This Devonian case provides the opportunity to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of the bed-scale contourite sequence, also with regard to the drift-scale depositional architecture. In addition, the identified high-resolution record is a starting point for unravelling the pattern of oceanic circulation in the Devonian greenhouse world.

Automated summary

This study examines bioclastic carbonate contourites that arise from a broad spectrum of sedimentary processes. The result of intermittent sediment accumulation are thin and condensed successions with abundant hiatuses. The study contributes to the understanding of carbonate facies and the pattern of oceanic circulation in the Devonian greenhouse world.