Biocorrelation, Biostratigraphy and determination basal of the Aptian stage at Tirgan Formation , west of Kopeh-Dagh sedimentary basin, NE Iran

Tirgan Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in the Kopeh-Dagh sedimentary basin consists mainly of Oolitic, Orbitolina, dolomitic limestones that conformably overlies the Shurijeh and Sarcheshmeh formations, respectively. Upper contact of Tirgan Formation at Jozak section with Abderaz Formation is faulty and were placed under white chalky limestone of the Abderaz Formation. Two stratigraphic sections at Estarkhi and Jozak were measured and sampled. Biostratigraphicic studies lead to two benthic foraminifera and calcareous green algae fossil assemblages have been identified. Twenty one genera and 24 species of benthic foraminifera and 16 genera and 26 species of calcareous green alge at Estarkhi section, 21 genera and 26 species of benthic foraminifera and 10 genera and 10 species of calcareous green alge at Jozak section in west of Kopeh-Dagh sedimentary basin have been identified. This study has been suggested the Barremian- Early Aptian( Bedulian) stage for the Tirgan Formation at these localities that is corresponded with age of central and east basin. Also based on paleobio-events study were determined base of the Aptian stage in east of the kopeh-Dagh sedimentary basin base of FA(First Appearance) Dictyoconus pachymarginalis and LA(Last Appearance) Montseciella arabica and in center and west of the basin base of the FAs Palorbitolina lenticularis, Salpingoporella muehlbergii.