Habitats in the Pre-Taghanic (Givetian, Middle Devonian) muddy carbonate ramp at Miłoszów (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland): geochemical and microfacies evidence

Abstract

The well-known fossiliferous and lithologically variable Middle Devonian Shaly-Calcareous Skały Formation in the Łysogóry Region (northern part of the Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland) was studied for the first time in terms of elemental geochemistry, carbon isotope stratigraphy and limestone microfacies. Three Lower to Middle Givetian marly-limestone successions, exposed at Miłoszów, represent middle to outer facies belts of the vast carbonate ramp, characterized by very rich epifaunal and infaunal benthic life in muddy, oxic, eutrophic, and photic zone habitats. Brachiopods and occasionally corals (in mesophotic association), erect branching bryozoans, and tiny crinoids played a leading role among flourishing sessile suspension-feeders. High-energy storm events, possibly even a tsunami, during the brief Early Givetian time strengthened a prolific carbonate ooze delivery system from shallow ramp areas, including restricted back-ramp lagoons and a variety of organic buildups, populated by corals and stromatoporoids. The ecologically mixed skeletal grain association is characterized by the rich occurrence of a typical lagoonal biota, calcispheres and amphiporoids. The effective carbonate factory declined stepwise regionally during the Middle Givetian because of an intermittent progradation of the deltaic system of the Świętomarz Beds, linked with climate cooling and the activation of block movements. The regional carbonate crisis resulted in the demise of diverse benthic life, including the prolific calcified microbiota. The higher Skały Formation succession, deposited between the important Kačák and Taghanic bioevents, is noticeable for a background carbon-isotope pattern in carbonate and organic matter signatures, with the baseline δ¹³C_carb values between 1‰ and 2‰. The microfacies and chemostratigraphic data confirm that at least the lower pumilio bioevent was not recorded in the Łysogóry Region.