Paleoenvironmental conditions of Early Miocene corals, western Makran, Iran

Miocene coral-bearing limestones, distributed in the western Makran Basin, are attributed to Aquitanian and Burdigalian. This investigation is focused on three Early Miocene coral-bearing limestone sections in western Makran. Remarkably, well-preserved scleractinian corals and other components could be very definitive to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions. Lithologically, there are some differences between the studied sections. Furthermore, zooxanthellate corals are diverse and abundant in all sections. Based on different components and richness of zooxanthellate corals, it seems that the studied carbonate corals are precipitated in a subtropical condition, between 19 and 20 degrees C in all sections. In light of the dominancy of corals, the presence of symbiont-bearing larger benthic foraminifera (LBF), lithological features, bioeroding features, and encrusting organisms, the oligotrophic to slightly mesotrophic conditions are considered for Tejek section and the mesotrophic condition had been prevailed in Kermestan and Irer sections. According to light intensity in water column and coral morphotypes, Tejek section is considered to precipitate under euphotic to slightly mesophotic condition, while Kermestan and Irer sections were deposited under mesophotic to euphotic light conditions. In transparent water, photic zones continue to deeper depths, while in less transparent water, these zones are limited to shallower parts. Adefined depth in the photic zone may represent euphotic, mesophotic, or oligophotic zone. Based on the water transparency, a taxon in a defined photic zone can occur in various depths. On the basis of trophic-light intensity-depth chart, the estimated depth ranges are 12-85 m for Tejek section and 5-62 m for Kermestan and Irer sections. Water energy as another important factor in environmental condition is acquired from coral morphotypes. Accordingly, Tejek section is precipitated under moderate-high energy and Kermestan and Irer sections are deposited in low to moderate-high energy. The presence of encrusting coralline algae, corals, and other constituents is indicative of different substrates in the studied areas. Corals favorably develop in normal salinity waters. The existence of colonial corals and occurrence of benthic foraminifera with hyaline wall indicate normal seawater conditions.