Palynostratigraphical and oceanic anoxic events investigation in the Lower Jurassic Black Shale, Indus Basin, Pakistan

The stratigraphy of Lower Jurassic in the Indus Basin, Pakistan, portrays the siliciclastic and carbonate strata in studied sections. The representative stratigraphic sections were sampled to investigate using carbon and oxygen isotopes (delta C & delta O), and palynology. Based on diagnostic palynomorphs from the Lower 13 18 Jurassic, a single Hettigian-Pliensbachian assemblage biozone (HPABZ) is recognized. The oceanic anoxic event with a 2-3 parts per thousand negative shift in delta C & delta O across the Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary is noted in the 13 18 studied sections. The nature of the oceanic anoxic events are discussed and correlated with the established events worldwide.