As part of this research project, I investigated the depositional environment of individual layers of lithothamnion limestone in the Gorenji Leskovec area near Krško. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of the sedimentary environment in which the lithothamnion limestone formed and to identify the factors that influenced its formation. Based on fieldwork and microscopic analysis of thin sections, I determined the characteristics of individual layers and interpreted the depositional environment and hydrodynamic energy that influenced sediment deposition.
The studied section comprised seven distinct lithologies deposited on Triassic dolomite: sparsely pebbly bioclastic grainstone with scattered rhodoliths and coralline algal clumps; bioclastic grainstone with fewer pebbles and coralline algal clumps/rhodoliths; sparsely pebbly bioclastic grainstone; coralline algal bindstone with rhodoliths; grainstone with coralline algal clumps; cross-laminated grainstone and thin-bedded grainstone. The red algal genera identified within the various layers included Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum, Phymatolithon, Sporolithon, Roseolithothamnion, Roseolithon, Hydrolithon, and Lithophyllum. The presence of different algal species and growth forms, together with the characteristics of the sediment indicated diverse conditions of limestone formation.
The results showed that the depositional environment in which the studied succession formed was shallow-marine, with varying degrees of hydrodynamic energy. The differences between individual beds were primarily related to variations in environmental energy, sediment transport and conditions suitable for the growth of coralline algae. The study thus provided a better understanding of the formation of the lithothamnion limestone and the processes that influenced its formation.
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