oa Oligocene Climate and Facies Changes in the South Caspian Basin Based on the Diatom, Sedimentological and Geochemical Analyses

The integrated study of South Caspian Oligocene succession (Maykopian Series) consisting of analyses of diatom assemblages, depositional setting changes, and variations of geochemical and biogeochemical environmental indicators testify to several cool and warm stages in the Oligocene Epoch of the Eastern Paratethys. These climatic changes were accompanied by facies shifts in the studied sections within the shallow water zone of the western South Caspian Sea. The warm periods were accompanied by the sea level rise in contrast to the cool stages.

The data obtained were compared with curves of oxygen isotopes of the benthic foraminifera and the World Ocean level fluctuations as well as the Eastern Paratethys level variations (Haq et, 1987; Miller et al., 2007 ; Popov et al., 2010 ).

The results achieved on diatom paleobiocoenosis were confirmed by geochemical data.