Miocene Lacustrine Diatoms from Turkey

Abstract

Analysis of diatomaceous earth collected in the Bes Konak Basin located in northern Anatolia and in rhe Emet Basin, located 300 kms wes1 of Ankara, shows that the diatom floras, in these early to middle Miocene basins, are quite different. The first is characterized by a very small Mdosira, closely related to .\Idosira JOUSCUIZU ,\.lois., changing with time from a trilobate to a sub-circular shape. The second basin contains a variable iicriizocjdus sp,, quire similar to Acrirruntchcs sp. from Miocene deposits of China, and to Stcphuriodiscia fiugilis Rehakova. It is proved from the diatom assemblages, fossil plant and animal remains (Paicheler 1978), that the paleoecological environment was typically fresh water in 105~1 l~r~i~l lakes in a warm- ' temperate to sub-tropical climate.