Inoceramid bivalve and dinoflagellate cyst integrated biostratigraphy of the topmost Campanian–Maastrichtian in a part of the Western Fore-Balkan Mountains, northwest Bulgaria

We present the inoceramid and dinoflagellate cyst record from the topmost Campanian–Maastrichtian strata of three key sections of the Western Fore-Balkan Mountains, northwest Bulgaria. The following inoceramid zones were recognized: “Inoceramus” redbirdensis Zone, Endocostea typica Zone, Trochoceramus radiosus Zone and “Inoceramus” ianjonaensis Zone. The Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary was tentatively drawn slightly below the first occurrence of Endocostea typica. The uppermost inoceramid assemblage was confined to the lower part of the upper Maastrichtian. Dinoflagellate cyst ranges, as well as the first and the last occurrence events of dinocysts, provided valuable markers for the stratigraphic subdivision of the Maastrichtian. The first occurrence of Microdinium carpentierae was documented in proximity to the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary. The Cerodinium diebelii Zone was recognized with a stratigraphical range from the lower Maastrichtian to the lower upper Maastrichtian. The last occurrence of Alterbidinium acutulum was recorded in the lower Maastrichtian and used as aid for tracing the lower/upper Maastrichtian substage boundary. The marked domination of delicate chorate dinocysts in all sections and the encountered low P/G ratio values are indicative of stable low-energy depositional environment and oligotrophic conditions, with normal marine productivity and nutrient availability in the basin during the Maastrichtian