Siliceous and organic-rich sedimentation during the Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2) on the northern margin of Africa: an evidence from the Bargou area, Tunisia

The late Cenomanian–early Turonian deposits in Tunisia recording the OAE2 event are commonly attributed to the Bahloul Formation. These deposits are composed of dark clayey limestone and organic-rich black shales with abundant planktic foraminifera. At the Bargou area, Oued Kharroub section, these organic-rich deposits include siliceous beds with abundant radiolarians recalling the “Livello Bonarelli”. A total of 25 radiolarian species are identified with a maximum of 18 species per sample. Moreover, the species skeleton preservation is usually poor to moderate in the most studied samples [estimated preservation index (PI) values ranging between 4 and 6]. Two successive assemblages are distinguished. The oldest one (RI) is dominated by nassellarians, which includes mainly Stichomitra, Pseudodictyomitra and Rhopalosyringium genera. It is included within the upper part of foraminiferal Rotalipora cushmani Zone and lower part of Whiteinella archaeocretacea zone. In contrast, the youngest assemblage (RII), which belongs to the upper part of the W. archaeocretacea zone and the earliest Turonian Watinoceras ammonite assemblage, is dominated by spumellarians and includes mainly Archaeocenosphaera, Cavaspongia, Pseudoeucyrtis and Pyramispongia genera. In addition, major and trace elements are analysed to test whether the geochemical record was synchronous to the biotic event or not. Thus, selected crossplots, Al2O3 vs. SiO2 and Al2O3 vs. TiO2, are used to evaluate the detrital input, and V/Cr vs. V/(V + Ni) and U/Th vs. V/(V + Ni) are used to evaluate the bottom redox conditions and the primary productivity within the Bahloul Formation. A strong Si/Al increase is marked in the lower part of the siliceous and organic-rich Bahloul Formation that could be explained by a local increase in upwelling-related biogenic SiO2 (silica-secreting organisms). Relative low abundance of terrigenous-related Ti/Al and K/Al ratios and enrichment of some productivity proxies such as Ba (organic matter related trace elements) suggests that the Bahloul was of relatively elevated primary productivity and minimal detrital input. Enrichments in redox-sensitive trace metals U and V in the Bahloul Formation deposits and redox indices, such as V/(V + Ni), U/Th and V/Cr, indicate that oxygen-restricted conditions prevailed during the late Cenomanian–earliest Turonian times and correlate well with relative abundances of some radiolarian and foraminiferal paleo-environmental indicators. In addition, indicators of detrital flux variations are used. Al2O3 shows a slight positive correlation with TiO2 and a less distinct correlation with SiO2.