Author	Powell, A.J.
Year	1988b
Journal	Bull. Centres Rech. Explor.-Prod. Elf-Aquitaine vol.12, 1 pp.277-311 figs.6 pl.7Bull. Centres Rech.
Title	A preliminary investigation into the Neogene dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy of the British southwestern approaches

Abstract Powell, A.J., 1988; A preliminary investigation into the Neogene dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy of the British southwestern approaches. Bull. Centres Rech. Explor.-Prod. Elf-Aquitaine vol.12, 1 pp.277-311 figs.6 pl.7 This paper has two objectives: first, to assist in the dating and palaeoenvironmen- tal interpretation of the Neogene succession of the Southwestern Approaches (southern Celtic Sea), second, in so doing, to assess the potential use of Neogene dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy in this area. Seven distinct dinoflagellate cyst assemblages are apparent in the samples analysed. Interpretation of these assemblages yields significant age determinations. The ages of the four older assemblages (Eocene Limestone and Jones Formation) are in very general agreement with those according to planktonic foraminiferal determinations and conform with the Vailian model of worldwide Cenozoic unconformities and global depositional sequences at the supercycle level (Supercycle TB2). However, the three youngest assemblages, which are from the Cockburn Formation, have interpreted ages markedly younger than those provided by the planktonic foraminiferal record These interpreted ages do not contradict the Vailian model (Supercycle TB3) although regional seismostratigraphic evidence suggests that they are spurious. The palaeoenvironment throughout the succession is deduced to have been inner to outer neritic, although quite distant from the shoreline. and appears not to have varied very much. Dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy has clear potential in helping to resolve stratigraphic problems in the Neogene succession of the South Western Approaches.