Palynological record from a composite core through Late Cretaceous–early Paleocene deposits in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China and its biostratigraphic implications

Two boreholes drilled approximately 75 km apart in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China, have together provided a composite core that represents an almost continuous section through Late Cretaceous–early Paleocene deposits. Eight biozones have been established for this succession of seven formations based on occurrences and associations of biostratigraphically significant palynomorph genera. Seven of these suggest that there was more or less continuous deposition from the late Turonian to the early Paleocene, with the eighth encompassing a Miocene formation that overlies the succession unconformably. This zonation provides a new chronostratigraphic framework for the Late Cretaceous deposits of the Songliao Basin. The ages of most of the formations involved differ from those determined previously. One of the sedimentary units, the Mingshui Formation, includes the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary, which seems to be indicated by an apparent “mass extinction” of palynomorph taxa, a comparatively rare occurrence outside North America. The upper Quantou Formation, the lowest unit in the succession, is dated as late Turonian–Coniacian, which is much younger than previously thought. The same applies to the overlying Qingshankou and Yaojia formations, and also to the other three (Nenjiang, Sifangtai and Mingshui) but to a lesser extent, in the conformable succession. The Early/Late Cretaceous boundary must now be located probably below the Quantou Formation, either between it and the underlying Denglouku Formation or within the latter.