Benthic foraminiferal assemblage of tertiary (eocene) sequence of Çamardı (Niğde) region

The study area is situated in the northeast and northern of Çamardı, along the Ecemiş Fault Zone. The oldest unit of Çamardı and its near vicinity is the Paleozoic Niğde metamorphics and it is overlaid by the Mesozoic and Senozoic carbonates. The study has been carried out in the Kaleboynu formation which consists of limestone, sandstone, conglomerate and clayey and sandy limestone. During the field work, 2 stratigraphic sections have been mesured where 1 1 fossiliferous and weathered rock samples have also collected. 191 thin sections have been prepared. As a result of the examination of thin sections under the microscope, 6 genera and 15 species are identified to characterize Lower and Middle Lutetian systematically. Alveolina callosa, A. aff. obtusa, A. obtusa, A. pinguis, A. levantina, A. frumentiformis, A. stercusmuris, Asterigerina rotula, Lockhartia alveolata, Assilina exponens, Nummulites praediscorbinns characterize Lower Lutetian. Nummulites beaumonti, N. millecaput, N. praeaturicus and Discocyclina cf. harrisoni are placed within the Middle Lutetian layers. Based on the identified benthic forarninifera, the biozones, SBZ 13 of Lower Lutetian and SBZ 14 and SBZ 15 Middle Lutetian, are determined. Due to assesment of litho logical characteristics and benthic foraminiferal content, it is concluded that the study area is formed under a reefal environment. Key Words: Benthic, biostratigraphy, biozone, Lutetian, Çamardı