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Ciechocinek Formation

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Ciechocinek Formation
Stratigraphic range: Lower Toarcian
~182–179 Ma
↓
Tenuicostatum-Bifrons
Northern Germany units, including the Ciechocinek and it´s sister Grimmen Formation
TypeGeological formation
Unit of
Sub-units
Underlies
Overlies
AreaPolish Basin
Thickness140 m (460 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryClaystone & abundant Clay Pits[1]
OtherSandy-clayey sediments deposited with traces of breaks and weathering. Grey heteroliths, Mudstones, Claystones, Siltstones and fine-grained Sandstones[1]
Location
Country
  • Poland
  • Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia
  • Lithuania
ExtentApprox. 205,000 km2 (79,000 sq mi)
Type section
Named forCiechocinek, Poland
Named byStefan Zbigniew Różycki (as an informal unit)[1][2]
Year defined1958
Ciechocinek Formation is located in Poland
Ciechocinek Formation
Ciechocinek Formation (Poland)

The Ciechocinek Formation (also known as the Gryfice Formation at Suliszewo[3]) is a Jurassic (lower Toarcian) geological formation extending across the Baltic coast, primarily in Poland, with minor occurrences in Lithuania and Kaliningrad.[4] It represents one of the largest deltaic systems in the fossil record, covering approximately 7.1 × 100,000 km² in the Polish realm.[5] Deposited in a brackish-marine embayment within the eastern arm of the Mid-European Toarcian Basin, it is a sister unit to the Grimmen Formation, the Sorthat Formation (Bornholm) and Lava Formation (Lithuania), with interfingering relationships with the Posidonia Shale in western regions.[4] Its main equivalents include the Posidonia Shale, upper Rydeback Member (Rya Formation, southern Sweden), Fjerritslev Formation (Danish Basin), Sorthat Formation, and Lava Formation.[1] Informal units in Poland, such as the Gryfice Beds (now fused with the Ciechocinek, Pomerania region), Lower Łysiec beds (Częstochowa region), and "Estheria series", are also correlated.[1]

History

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The Ciechocinek Formation's significance was first recognized in the mid-20th century through drilling in Poland. In 1954, a borehole in Ciechocinek revealed Jurassic sediments, initially dated broadly to the Lias (Early Jurassic).[6] In 1958, geologist Stefan Zbigniew Różycki proposed the "Seria Ciechocińska" (Ciechocinek Series) as an informal unit, describing clay-rich strata with high kaolinite content, suggesting a Late Lias age and comparing it to the Ostrowiec series (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) and Borucice Formation.[2]

By the 1960s, the formation was formalized as "Formazaja Ciechocińska," confirmed as Lower Toarcian, with correlations to the Posidonia Shale.[7] The 1970s established it as the Toarcian succession of the Polish Basin, and the 2000s advanced studies on its stratigraphy and paleoenvironment.[7] The "Estheria series", identified in the 1950s in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains with Euestheria, was integrated as a subunit, reflecting limnic shore facies.[8]

Sedimentology

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The Ciechocinek Formation comprises a lithological suite from a brackish-marine deltaic system in a shallow basin (>20 m deep). Key lithologies include:

Overlies Pliensbachian sandstones, mostly of the Drzewica Formation. Clay dominates in the elegantulum subzone, followed by fine sands (Bifrons-Thouarsense).[12] The Estheria subunit, with paleosols, coals, and Euestheria, reflects limnic shore settings.[8] Quiet mud and silt sedimentation from river mouths, with sand influx from storms and eustatic changes. Paleocurrents formed laminated sand-silt streaks and ripple marks. Sediments sourced from the eastern Sudetes and Cracow-Czêstochowa Monocline, with volcanic input from Central Skåne Volcanic Province.[9][11]

Paleoenvironment

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The Ciechocinek Formation represents a shallow brackish to freshwater embayment in the Polish Basin, with lagoonal, deltaic, and marine facies. It spanned the Eastern Bohemian Massif and southwestern Fennoscandian margin, with deltas at Parkoszowice and Brody-Lubienia.[13] Climate was Tropical to subtropical, humid, with perennial rainfall driving kaolinite formation. Milankovitch cycles and reduced kaolinite at the Tenuicostatum-Falciferum boundary suggest drier intervals linked to a Tethyan super-greenhouse event.[14] Depositional Setting suggest Ironstone paleoenvironment with swamps, lagoons, estuaries, and low-energy deltas, resembling Caribbean systems. A central brackish-marine basin (Kaszewy Kościelne) was surrounded by lagoons and deltas. A Toarcian transgression flooded the Polish Trough, followed by regression forming lakes and mangroves.[9][15] Flora was dominated by Bennettitales, Cycads, and ferns, with 80% spores (e.g., Minerisporites richardsoni) indicating humidity.[16] Charcoal, lignites, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., phenanthrene) record six wildfire episodes post-Toarcian Anoxic Event.[15] Euestheria, rare foraminifera, and trace fossils (Planolites, Palaeophycus) reflect brackish conditions. Upper levels show reduced salinity due to fluvial input.[17] Equivalent formations in Germany (e.g., Grimmen Formation) yield diverse insects and dinosaur remains.[18][19] Negative 13C anomalies indicate warming, with enhanced erosion delivering diverse minerals. Organic carbon reflects terrestrial burial, decoupled from global climate shifts.[20]

Paleobiota

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Foraminifera

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Genus Species Location Abundance Notes
Ammobaculites[21] A. vetusta, A. linea Mechowo 1 Borehole Abundant Marine foraminiferan, Ammomarginulininae
Ammodiscus[22] A. glumaceous, A. orbis Pabianice, Łutowiec, Żarki Rare Marine foraminiferan, Ammodiscinae
Citharina[23] C. sp. Boża Wola, Gorzów Wiepolski Rare Marine foraminiferan, Vaginulininae
Crithionina[21] C. sp. Aleksandrów I Borehole, Gorzów Wiepolski Rare Marine foraminiferan, Saccamminidae
Haplophragmoides[21] H. tryssa, H. platus Aleksandrów I Borehole, Gorzów Wiepolski Rare Marine foraminiferan, Lituoloidea

Dinoflagellates

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Genus Species Location Abundance Notes
Luehndea[24] L. spinosa Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Abundant Marine dinoflagellate, Luehndeoideae
Nannoceratopsis[24] N. senex, N. triceras Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Dominant Marine dinoflagellate, Nannoceratopsiaceae

Fungi

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Genus Species Location Notes
Xylophagous Fungi[25] Morphotypes A-G Brody-Lubienia, Gorzów Wielkopolski Saprophyte fungal spores, linked to climate-driven wood decomposition

Invertebrates

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Genus Species Location Notes
Diplocraterion[26] D. parallelum Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów, Parkoszowice 58 BN, Gorzków BN U-shaped vertical burrows (Domichnia), likely by Polychaeta or Sipunculans
Gyrochorte[26] G. isp. Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Winding, horizontal double-ridge burrows (Fodinichnia), by Polychaeta (e.g., Pectinaria)
Helminthopsis[26] H. isp. Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Simple, horizontal grazing trails (Fodinichnia), by Polychaeta or Priapulida
Palaeophycus[26] P. tubularis Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Straight or curved tubular burrows (Domichnia), by Polychaeta or insects
Planolites[26] P. montanus, P. beverleyensis Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Common curved cylindrical traces (Pascichnia), by Polychaeta deposit-feeders
Protovirgularia[26] P. isp. Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów Bilobate traces (Pascichnia), by Bivalvia or Branchiopoda
Spongeliomorpha[26][27] S. isp. Kozłowice Clay Pit, Boroszów, Pawłowice 40 Borehole Storm-filled, striated tunnels (Repichnia/Fodinichnia), by Crustacea (e.g., Anomura)
Teichichnus[28] Teichichnus isp. Gorzów Wielkopolski IG 1 Borehole Vertical spreite burrows (Fodinichnia), by Echiura or Holothurians

Annelida

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Genus Species Location Notes
Dictyothylakos[29] D. pesslerae Brody-Lubienia, Ciechocinek Freshwater Clitellata cocoons, resembles leech cocoons

Bivalvia

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Genus Species Location Notes
Eolamprotula[30] E. cremeri Żarnów, Wąsosz Freshwater mussel, Unionidae
Meleagrinella[31] M. substriata Gorzow Wielkopolski, Kozłowice Saltwater scallop, Oxytomidae

Crustacea

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Genus Species Location Notes
Euestheria[8][32] E. opalina, E. minuta Kozlowice, Boroszów Freshwater clam shrimp, Lioestheriidae
Liasina[30] L. lanceolata Żuki, Gorzków Marine ostracodan, Pontocyprididae

Vertebrates

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Genus Species Location Notes
Ceratodus[28] C. sp. Gorzów Wielkopolski Freshwater lungfish, Ceratodontidae
Hybodus[28] H. spp. Gorzów Wielkopolski Marine shark, Hybodontiformes
Saurichthys?[28] S. spp. Gorzów Wielkopolski Marine Fish, Saurichthyidae

Plantae

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The Łęka Coal Basin, known since 1800, hosts Pliensbachian-Toarcian coals from nearshore deposition in the Blanowice Formation.[33] Biomolecules like labdanoic acid and ferruginol occur in the Mrzygłód clay-pit and boreholes (e.g., Wysoka Lelowska 47Ż).[33] These sub-bituminous coals (%Rr 0.47–0.56) show high vitrinite and inertinite, evidencing wildfires.[33] The Kaszewy coals (~150 m, Kaszewy-1 borehole) in a nearshore-deltaic setting contain charcoal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, linked to Toarcian wildfires and the anoxic event.[34] Fossil resins from Jaworznik 124Ż and Blanowice coals contain sesqui- and diterpenoids from conifers (e.g., Pinaceae, Cupressaceae), associated with Pliensbachian/Toarcian wildfires and peat fires.[33]

Floral Remains

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The Lower Toarcian flora, dominated by megaspores like Paxillitriletes phyllicus (Isoetales), reflects a warm, humid climate during the Toarcian anoxic event, shifting from Pliensbachian pollen to megaspores due to a global transgression.[35] Blanowice coals yield fossil wood, likely Agathoxylon.[36] The Lublin upland flora includes cycads, Bennettitales, and ferns, with some reworked Carboniferous material.[37]

Taxa Summary

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Spores like Cingulatisporites floridus (Anthocerotaceae) and Rogalskaisporites cicatricosus (Sphagnopsida) indicate humid moss-rich environments.[38][39] - **Lycophyta**: Abundant megaspores, e.g., Paxillitriletes phyllicus (Isoetales) and Acanthotriletes levidensis (Selaginellaceae), reflect water-dependent flora.[40][41] Spores such as Florinisporites ovatus (Equisetopsida) suggest horsetails in humid settings.[38] Fern spores, including Cyathidites minor (Cyatheaceae) and Todisporites hartzi (Osmundaceae), indicate diverse ferns in fluvial and deltaic environments.[39][38]

Pollen like Bennettistemon bursigerum (Williamsoniaceae) and Chasmatosporites apertus (Zamiaceae) points to cycads and Bennettitales.[38][39] Ginkgocycadophytus nitidus (Ginkgoaceae) and Eucommiidites troedssonii (Erdtmanithecales) suggests ginkgo-like and gnetophyte flora.[42] Conifer remains, including Agathoxylon agathiforme (Araucariaceae) wood and pollen like Araucariacites australis and Pityosporites haploxylon (Pinaceae), indicate dominant coniferous forests.[43][39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Pieñkowski, G. (2004). "The epicontinental Lower Jurassic of Poland". Polish Geological Institute Special Papers. 12 (1): 1–154. S2CID 128922070.
  2. ^ a b Rózycki, S.Z. (1958). "Dolna jura poludniowych Kujaw". Biul. Inst. Geol. 133 (1): 1–99.
  3. ^ Luboń, K. (2021). "Influence of Injection Well Location on CO2 Geological Storage Efficiency". Energies. 14 (24): 86–104. doi:10.3390/en14248604. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b Barth, G.; Pieńkowski, G.; Zimmermann, J.; Franz, M.; Kuhlmann, G. (2018). "Palaeogeographical evolution of the Lower Jurassic: high-resolution biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy in the Central European Basin". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 469 (1): 341–369. Bibcode:2018GSLSP.469..341B. doi:10.1144/SP469.8. S2CID 134043668. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  5. ^ Golonka, J. (2007). "Late Triassic and Early Jurassic palaeogeography of the world". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 244 (4): 297–307. Bibcode:2007PPP...244..297G. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.06.041. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. ^ Samsonowicz, J. (1954). "Wyniki hydrogeologiczne dwu głebokich wierceń w Ciechocinku: Hydrogeologic results of two deep drillings in Ciechocinek (North-West Poland)". Biul. Inst..Geol. 91 (1): 121–301.
  7. ^ a b Żelichowski, A. M. (1966). "sedymentologicznych materiału rdzeniowego na przykładzie utworów karbońskich z Ostrzeszowa". Kwartalnik Geologiczny. 10 (3): 742.
  8. ^ a b c Jurkiewiczowa, I. (1967). "Lias zachodniego obrzeżenia Gór Świętokrzyskich i jego paralelizacja z liasem Wyżyny Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej" (PDF). Biul. Inst. Geol. 200 (1): 5–132. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Leonowicz, P. (2005). "The Ciechocinek Formation (Lower Jurassic) of SW Poland: petrology of green clastic rocks". Geological Quarterly. 49 (3): 317–330. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. ^ Leonowicz, P. (2007). "Origin of siderites from the Lower Jurassic Ciechocinek Formation from SW Poland". Geological Quarterly. 51 (1): 67–78. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
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  13. ^ Ruebsam, W.; Pieńkowski, G.; Schwark, L. (2020). "Toarcian climate and carbon cycle perturbations–its impact on sea-level changes, enhanced mobilization and oxidation of fossil organic matter". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 546 (1): 546. Bibcode:2020E&PSL.54616417R. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116417. S2CID 224911816. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
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  17. ^ Leonowicz, P. (2011). "Sedimentation of Lower Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) brackish deposits from the Częstochowa-Wieluń region (SW Poland)". Acta Geologica Polonica. 61 (2): 215–241. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  18. ^ Ansorge, J. (2003). "Insects from the Lower Toarcian of Middle Europe and England". Proceedings of the Second Palaeoentomological Congress, Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia. 46 (1): 291–310. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
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  20. ^ Brański, P. (2012). "The mineralogical record of the Early Toarcian stepwise climate changes and other environmental variations (Ciechocinek Formation, Polish Basin)". Volumina Jurassica. 10 (10): 1–24. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  21. ^ a b c Kopik, J. (1960). "Mikropaleontologiczna charakterystyka liasu dolnego doggeru Polski". Geological Quarterly. 4 (4): 921–935. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
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  23. ^ Jurkiewiczowa, I. (1967). "Lias zachodniego obrzeżenia". Biul. Inst. Geol. 200 (1): 5–132.
  24. ^ a b Barski, M.; Leonowicz, P. (2002). "Dinoflagellates of Lower Jurassic outcrops at Kozłowice and Boroszów (southern Poland)". Przegląd Geologiczny. 50 (5): 411–414. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  25. ^ Pieńkowski, G; Hodbod, M.; Ullmann, C. V (2016). "Fungal decomposition of terrestrial organic matter accelerated Early Jurassic climate warming". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 31930. Bibcode:2016NatSR...631930P. doi:10.1038/srep31930. PMC 4995404. PMID 27554210.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g Leonowicz, P. (2008). "Trace fossils from the Lower Jurassic Ciechocinek Formation, SW Poland". Volumina Jurassica. 6 (6): 89–98. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  27. ^ Leonowicz, P. M. (2016). "Tubular tempestites from Jurassic mudstones of southern Poland". Geological Quarterly. 60 (2): 385–394. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  28. ^ a b c d Czapowski, G.; Dadlez, R.; Feldman-Olszewska, A.; Gortyńska, S.; Jaskowiak-Schoeneichowa, M.; Kasiński, J.R.; Znosko, J. (2014). "Szczegółowy profil litologiczno-stratygraficzny: Gorzów Wielkopolski IG" (PDF). Polska Bibliografia Naukowa. 144 (1): 1–378. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  29. ^ Marcinkiewicz, T. (1971). "The stratigraphy of the Rhaetian and Liasin Poland". Prace Instytut Geologiczny. 65 (1): 1–57.
  30. ^ a b Kopik, J. (1998). "Lower and Middle Jurassic". Biuletyn Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego. 378 (1): 67–129.
  31. ^ Hesselbo, S.P.; Pieńkowski, G. (2011). "Stepwise atmospheric carbon-isotope". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 301 (1–2): 365–372. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2010.11.021.
  32. ^ Leonowicz, P. (2011). "Sedimentation of Lower Toarcian". Acta Geologica Polonica. 61 (2): 215–241.
  33. ^ a b c d Rybicki, M.; Marynowski, L.; Misz-Kennan, M.; Simoneit, B.R.T. (2016). "Molecular tracers preserved in Lower Jurassic 'Blanowice brown coals'". Organic Geochemistry. 102 (1): 77–92. Bibcode:2016OrGeo.102...77R. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.09.012.
  34. ^ Pointer, R. (2019). "Fire & Global Change". University of Exeter.
  35. ^ Marcinkiewicz, T.; Fijałkowska-Mader, A.; Pieńkowski, G. (2014). "Megaspore zones". Biuletyn Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego. 457 (7): 15–42.
  36. ^ Lilpop, J. (1917). "Mikroskopisch-anatomische Untersuchungen". Bull. Acad. Sci. Crac., Sci. Math. Nat. 12 (7): 6–24.
  37. ^ Ruebsam, W.; Pieńkowski, G.; Schwark, L. (2020). "Toarcian climate". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 546 (1): 546. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116417.
  38. ^ a b c d Grabowska, I. (1970). "Flora from the Lower and Middle Jurassic". Catalogue of Fossils. Mesozoic. 2 (2): 47–53.
  39. ^ a b c d Rogalska, M. (1954). "Spore and pollen analysis". Biuletyn - Instytutu Geologiczny. 89 (1): 1–46.
  40. ^ Marcinkiewicz, T.; Fijałkowska-Mader, A.; Pieńkowski, G (2014). "Poziomy megasporowe". Biuletyn Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego. 457 (1): 15–42.
  41. ^ Rogalska, M. (1971). "Division of the Liassic deposits". Mémoires du Bureau des Recherches Géologiques et Minières. 75 (3): 201–210.
  42. ^ Rogalska, M. (1980). "Lower Jurassic microflora". Budowa Geologiczna Polski. 3 (2): 52–97.
  43. ^ Philippe, M.; Pacyna, G.; Wawrzyniak, Z.; Barbacka, M.; Boka, K.; Filipiak, P.; Uhl, D. (2015). "News from an old wood". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 221 (1): 83–91. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2015.06.006.
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