Biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of Qom formation in the Ghamsr section (SW of the Kashan)

In order to study the biostratigraphy and palaeoecology, the Qom Formation has been studied in the Ghamsar section of Kashan. The studied section, with a thickness of 314 m, consists of medium to thick-bedded to massive limestones and shale. The Qom Formation overlies the Eocene volcanic rocks in the Ghamsar section and is covered by the Recent alluvial sediments. A total of 21 genera and 9 species of benthic foraminifera were identified in this section and the results indicated the age of Rupelian-Chattian. According to the above palaeoecological conditions, in the lower parts of this section (Rupelian), light conditions are euphotic and nutrient conditions are first eutrophic and then Meso-oligotrophic with mainly normal sea salinity. During Chattian, the trophic state was mainly meso-oligotrophic with normal salinity, and salinity varied between 40 and 50 PSU. Light conditions also were between aphotic and mainly meso-oligophotic. Large benthic foraminifera with hyaline walls, such as Amphistegina, Lepidocyclinide and Nummulitide, in shallow environments with high energy, have thicker shells and smaller shell size, and in deep environments, due to reduced light intensity and low water circulation, they have thinner and more elongated shells. The results of the morphometry of 186 samples of Amphistegina show that the seawater depth in Ghamsar section (Rupelian-Chattian) fluctuated from less than 11 meters to less than 44 meters.