Benthic foraminifers of the Barrow Group, Northwest Shelf, Australia

Micropaleontological analysis of the Barrow Group of Sites 762 and 763 has been undertaken with a view to determining the stratigraphic age and depositional environment of the unit. The stratigraphic age of the unit is Berriasian-Valanginian at both sites, in line with palynological findings. The unit is interpreted as having been deposited in a marine deltaic environment. Paleobathymetry at Site 763 (proximal) and Site 762 (distal) is interpreted as having been of the order of 100 m and 200-500 m, respectively. Paleontological evidence for the presence of deep-water submarine fans at Site 763 is lacking. The paleobathymetric significance of the observed variations in the benthic foraminiferal populations at Site 763 remains unclear.