Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

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Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

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Trends in temperature, salinity and productivity in the Vienna Basin

(Austria) during the early and middle Miocene, based on
foraminiferal ecology
Matthias Kranner a, b, *, Mathias Harzhauser a, Oleg Mandic a, Philipp Strauss c, Wolfgang Siedl c,
Werner E. Piller b
a
Geological-Palaeontological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
b
Institute of Earth Sciences (Geology and Palaeontology), NAWI Graz Geocenter, University of Graz, Heinrichstr. 26, 8010 Graz, Austria
c
OMV Exploration and Production GmbH, Trabrennstraße 6-8, 1020 Vienna, Austria

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Editor: Dr A Dickson The Neogene Vienna Basin (VB) is a major hydrocarbon province with a long history of exploration accumulating
extensive stratigraphic and structural information from numerous seismic and drilling programs. Based on the
Keywords: quantitative analysis of hundreds of foraminiferal samples from 52 drillings, we present the first continuous
Central Paratethys reconstruction of paleoenvironmental evolution of the VB from the early Miocene to the middle Miocene
MMCT
spanning 6.4 million years. Our analyses comprise reconstructions of sea surface temperature (SST), bottom
MMCO
water temperature (BWT), salinity, trophic levels, stress indicators, mode of life, feeding preferences and di­
SST
BWT versity indices (Fisher α, dominance and equitability) based on the transfer function for foraminifers of Hohe­
Upwelling negger (2005, Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 217, 115–130) and applied statistics (e.g. box plots and
ternary diagrams). Bottom water temperatures indicate a cooling during the early and middle Badenian (Lan­
ghian), which seemingly contradicts the global warming of the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO) and
a subsequent warming, which contrasts the expected trend following the cooling of the Middle Miocene Climatic
Transition. Both trends are discussed as result of bathymetric evolution of the VB and intense upwelling during
the early and middle Badenian. Repetitive alternations of Orbulina-rich assemblages, indicating a warm and
stratified waterbody, with globigerinid-dominated assemblages, indicating upwelling and high productivity, are
discussed in the light of a yet undescribed waxing and waning of upwelling intensity on a decadal to millennial
scale. The applied formula for SST-calculations seems to underestimate real temperatures. Nevertheless, it re­
veals a distinct warming of about 3 ◦ C from the early to the middle Miocene. In contrast to previous in­
terpretations, we document normal marine conditions from the Ottnangian to the Sarmatian (middle Burdigalian
to Serravallian) with a slight increase in salinity during the late Sarmatian.

1. Introduction understanding of the evolution of the Central Paratethys Sea during the
early and middle Miocene (e.g. Papp and Steininger, 1978; Harzhauser
The Vienna Basin (VB) (Fig. 1) is among the largest onshore oil and and Piller, 2004; Kováč et al., 2004; Sant et al., 2017; Harzhauser et al.,
gas provinces of Europe (Hamilton et al., 2000; Arzmüller et al., 2006; 2020). The deposits in the VB generally capture its marine history,
Boote et al., 2018; Rupprecht et al., 2019). Consequently, the VB is one which lasted from the mid-Burdigalian (Ottnangian) to the late Serra­
of the most intensely studied Neogene European Basins with thousands vallian (Sarmatian) and was succeeded by the lacustrine environments
of exploration boreholes. Detailed analyses were conducted of numerous of Lake Pannon during the late Miocene (Tortonian/Pannonian) (Kováč
drillings by the OMV AG during the last decades (mostly unpublished et al., 2004; Harzhauser et al., 2020; Siedl et al., 2020). Sparked by new
OMV internal reports). Moreover, the VB is among the key areas for the 3D seismic data and intense paleontological analyses of hundreds of

* Corresponding author at: Geological-Palaeontological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria.
E-mail addresses: [Link]@[Link] (M. Kranner), [Link]@[Link] (M. Harzhauser), [Link]@[Link]
(O. Mandic), [Link]@[Link] (P. Strauss), [Link]@[Link] (W. Siedl), [Link]@[Link] (W.E. Piller).

[Link]
Received 7 March 2021; Received in revised form 27 August 2021; Accepted 31 August 2021
Available online 3 September 2021
0031-0182/© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.
M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

hundreds of samples from a NNE to SSW trending succession through the

northern and central Vienna Basin, spanning from the upper lower
Miocene (Ottnangian) to the upper middle Miocene (Sarmatian). The
aim of this task is to quantify the ecological parameters salinity, BWT,
SST, bottom water oxygenation and nutrient flux for the time bins Ott­
nangian (18.1–17.2 Ma), Karpatian (17.2–16.0 Ma), early Badenian
(15.8–15.5 Ma), middle Badenian (15.5–13.8 Ma), late Badenian
(13.8–12.7 Ma), early Sarmatian (12.7–12.0 Ma) and late Sarmatian
(12.0–11.6 Ma) (Fig. 2) (ages correspond to time spans, which are rep­
resented by deposits).

2. Geological setting

The Vienna Basin (VB) is an about 200 km long and 55 km wide,

rhomboid extensional basin (Royden, 1985; Wessely, 1983; Báldi,
2006), covering large parts of eastern Austria and extending northwards
into the Czech Republic and eastwards to Slovakia (Kováč et al., 2004;
Wessely, 2006). The study area is situated in the Austrian part of the
northern and central part of the VB targeting several hydrocarbon pro­
duction fields roughly arranged in NNE to SSW direction (Fig. 1). The
evolution of the Vienna Basin started during the early Miocene as a se­
ries of small piggy-back sub-basins on the frontal part of the N- to NW-
propagating thrust belt of the Eastern Alps (Jiřiček and Seifert, 1990;
Fodor, 1995; Decker, 1996; Lee and Wagreich, 2017). Within these
piggy-back basins, marine sedimentation commenced during the mid-
Burdigalian (= Ottnangian) (Harzhauser et al., 2019) overlaying
Cretaceous to Paleogene Penninic and Austroalpine units with a marked
angular unconformity (Hölzel et al., 2010; Kranner et al., 2019). During
the late early Miocene, the Vienna Basin become accentuated by the
Styrian tectonic phase (Wessely, 2006) and depocenters developed in
the northern and central Vienna Basin. During the early Miocene (=
piggy-back stage of basin evolution) the VB is referred to as Proto-
Vienna Basin. Marine sedimentation prevailed in the northern Proto-
VB during the early Miocene and extended into the S during the mid­
Fig. 1. Topographic map of the Vienna Basin (white lines represent borders
dle Miocene. During the middle and late Miocene, the Vienna Basin was
between countries) with the positions of the investigated wells (open circles
with well acronyms; see Table S1).
embossed by extensional tectonics, due to the lateral extrusion of the
Eastern Alps (Royden, 1985, 1988; Fodor, 1995; Decker, 1996; Hölzel
et al., 2008, 2010; Lee and Wagreich, 2017). Consequently, complex
wells, the paleoenvironments and depositional settings of the VB have
fault systems developed, which subdivided the Vienna Basin into a series
been recently interpreted by Harzhauser et al. (2019) and Siedl et al.
of horst and graben systems with uplifted blocks at the margins, sepa­
(2020), providing detailed paleogeographic maps. Based on these data,
rated from depressions by major faults (Kröll and Wessely, 1993;
Kranner et al. (2021) reconstructed the paleobathymetric evolution of
the VB as interplay of global sea level fluctuations and local tectonics.
Foraminifers have been utilized for modern paleoecological in­
terpretations of Vienna Basin deposits only in surprisingly few papers
such as Rupp (1986), Piller and Harzhauser (2005), Schütz et al. (2007),
Báldi and Hohenegger (2008), Hohenegger et al. (2008), Kováčová et al.
(2008), Rupp and Hohenegger (2008), Hyžný et al. (2012), Harzhauser
et al. (2017, 2018a, 2018b, 2019) and Kranner et al. (2019, 2021). In
addition, Spezzaferri and Ćorić (2001), Rögl and Spezzaferri (2003),
Spezzaferri et al. (2002), Mandic (2004), Grunert et al. (2010) and
Brzobohatý and Stráník (2012), focused on Ottnangian, Karpatian and
Badenian assemblages from the adjacent parts of the North Alpine-
Carpathian Foredeep and Gonera and Bukowski (2012), Gonera
(2013) and Peryt (2013) focused on Badenian environmental recon­
struction of the Polish Carpathian Foredeep.
Except for Báldi and Hohenegger (2008) and Rupp and Hohenegger
(2008), these faunistic interpretations are descriptive and lack statistical
analysis based on quantitative data. Most papers focus on biostratig­
raphy and paleobathymetry (e.g. Harzhauser et al., 2018a), whereas
ecological parameters such as salinity, bottom water temperature
(BWT), sea surface temperature (SST), nutrient flux, stress indicators
and dissolved oxygen are only briefly discussed. Moreover, all these
studies focus on short time slices and restricted geographic areas and
differ in their methods, which hampers comparability. Fig. 2. Stratigraphic table showing the correlation of regional Central Para­
tethyan stages with the international Geological Time Scale (after Gradstein
Therefore, we provide the first comprehensive dataset based on
et al., 2012 and Harzhauser et al., 2020).

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

Hamilton et al., 2000; Wessely, 2006; Hölzel et al., 2010). Due to these (Paleontological Statistics, version 4.03, Hammer et al., 2001) was used.
structural elements, the Neogene basin-fill is an important target for Ecological ranges of extant foraminifers were gathered from
hydrocarbon exploration (Hamilton and Johnson, 1999). numerous publications to determine the ecological parameters salinity,
bottom and surface water temperature, preferred feeding strategies
3. Material and methods (deposit, suspension and herbivore feeding), preferred mode of life
(epifaunal, shallow infaunal, deep infaunal), nutrient availability (based
Five hundred thirty-seven (537) Miocene samples have been taken on trophic desiderata of planktonic foraminifers) and stress tolerance
from 54 boreholes in the Austrian part of the VB (Fig. 1). Of those (based on benthic foraminifers; e.g.: Murray, 1991; Báldi, 2006; Sgar­
samples, 313 contained sufficient foraminiferal content to allow rella and Moncharmont Zei, 1993; Altenbach et al., 2003; Hohenegger,
ecological reconstructions, whereas 224 samples yielded insufficient 2005; Kaminski and Gradstein, 2005; Rasmussen, 2005; Bicchi et al.,
low numbers of foraminifers. Micropaleontological analyses with main 2006; Spezzaferri and Tamburini, 2007; Hohenegger et al., 2008; Sen
focus on benthic and planktic foraminifers revealed ~65,000 specimens Gupta et al., 2009; Phipps et al., 2010; Milker and Schmiedl, 2012;
assigned to 279 species-level taxa. All washed samples were treated with Holcová et al., 2015, 2018; Székely et al., 2017; Ilies et al., 2020; OBIS,
diluted H2O2 (12%) for several hours and sieved with tap water through 2021). If the identified species showed no clear living relative in modern
a standard set of sieves (500, 250, 125 and 63 μm) and later on oven oceans, modern analogues with similar morphology were selected,
dried at 40 ◦ C and split with a microsplitter (as described in Rupp, following the morphotype concept (e.g., Bernhard, 1986; Kaminski
1986). For identification of foraminifers several taxonomic monographs et al., 1989; Koutsoukos et al., 1990; Kaiho, 1991; Nagy, 1992; Tyszka,
and publications were used (e.g.: Papp et al., 1973; Loeblich and Tap­ 1994; Nagy et al., 1995; Van den Akker et al., 2000; Bąk, 2004; Szydło,
pan, 1987; Cicha et al., 1998; Rögl and Spezzaferri, 2003; Bubík and 2004, 2005; Kaminski and Gradstein, 2005; Kaminski et al., 2005;
Kaminski, 2004; Kaminski and Gradstein, 2005; Bindiu-Haitonic et al., Lemańska, 2005; Reolid et al., 2008a, 2008b; Nagy et al., 2009; Reolid
2017). et al., 2010; Cetean et al., 2011; Murray et al., 2011; Setoyama et al.,
Biostratigraphic dating and position within lithostratigraphic units 2011; Holcová and Slavík, 2013). All these gathered ecological limits
have been established for all samples in Harzhauser et al. (2017, 2020) and desiderata for benthic (Table S3a) and planktonic foraminifers
and are indicated in the Supplementary (Table S1). Based on their (Table S3b) are listed in the supplementary. Further, some important
relative position, samples with low numbers of foraminifers could be foraminifers for paleoenvironmental reconstruction are illustrated in
assigned to stages as well (Ottnangian: 28, Karpatian: 35, lower Bade­ Fig. 4 A–Q.
nian: 14, middle Badenian: 41, upper Badenian: 56, lower Sarmatian: 18
and upper Sarmatian: 32). The biostratigraphic dating of Harzhauser
et al. (2017, 2020) shows that one sample was taken roughly all 10 m for 3.1. Calculations and statistics of ecological parameters
sediments deposited during the Ottnangian, middle Badenian, late
Badenian, early Sarmatian and late Sarmatian. The patchy occurrence of Range values for salinity, BWT (based on benthos, Table S3a) and
sediments deposited during the early Badenian allows only for a limited SST (based on planktic foraminifers, Table S3b) have been used as limits
number of samples (detailed analyses and reconstructions are given in in the calculations after Hohenegger (2005) and Báldi and Hohenegger
Harzhauser et al., 2020). Similarly, marine Karpatian deposits were (2008) with following formulas (Eqs. (1)–(3)). First the gradient value
restricted to the western Vienna Basin (Mistelbach Halfgraben) and (Eq. (1)) is calculated with:
graded into terrestrial - fluviatile sediments in the central Vienna Basin √̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
√∑m
√ j=1 lj aj d−j 1
(see Harzhauser et al., 2017, 2020). Hence, the sampling scarcity of √∑ (1)
these deposits, is based on to the lack of deposits. To obtain paleoeco­
m − 1
j=1 aj d j
logical proxy records univariate statistics were applied and Fisher’s
Alpha (α) (Fisher et al., 1943), equitability and dominance have been where lj stands for the location parameter represented by the arithmetic
computed for the whole dataset (Fig. 3; raw data in the Supplementary, x
mean ( j min 2 j max ), whereas the weighting factor dj in this equation was
+x

Table S2a). The Fisher alpha index (α) diminishes the influence of calculated with (xj max − xj min) and aj represents the abundance of the
sample size and number of individuals (Murray, 1991) and the Equita­ species. This is than applied in the dispersion (σg) formula (Eq. (2)):
bility (J) reflects the distribution of species within the assemblage and
⎛√ ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ ⎞
expresses the similarity between species contributions (Hammer and √∑m (
√ j=1 lj − g 2 d−j 1
)
Harper, 2007; Murray, 1991). High J values reflect a more even distri­ ⎝ √ ∑m − 1 ⎠ 1/2 (2)
j=1 d j
bution of individuals among taxa present. The Dominance index ex­
presses the dominance of a particular species within a sample.
Therefore, D = 0 means equally distributed taxa in the sample, whereas which leads to the calculated salinity or BWT or SST (depending on the
D = 1 means the complete dominance of one species (Hammer and used parameter) using a 95% confidence interval (Ƴ = 95%, see Zar,
Harper, 2007). For statistical analyses the software PAST 1999; Eq. (3)):
√̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
/
g+ t
− 1−2Ƴ , n − 1 σ2g m (3)

To determine the mode of life, feeding strategies and oxygenation of

benthic foraminifers, as well as trophic levels indicated by planktonic
foraminifers, data were transferred to percentages per sample (see
Table S3a, b) and plotted in a ternary diagram, combined with a density
map, after their gathered preferences (Figs. 7–9). To obtain oxygen
values, benthic foraminifers were grouped into three categories defined
according to Kaiho (1991, 1994), oxic (1.5–6.0 ml/l), suboxic
(0.3–1.5 ml/l) and dysoxic (0.1–0.3 ml/l).
Fig. 3. Boxplots illustrating the evolution of diversity indices (FisherAlpha,
equitability and dominance) during the early and middle Miocene in the Proto- 4. Results
VB and VB. Calculations are based on abundance data of benthic foraminifers
(see Tables S2a, S3a). All identified species and their relative abundance per sample

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

Fig. 4. Important foraminifers for ecological interpretations (see Tables S1, S3a,b). A–B: A. beccarii (Linne, 1758); C: Elphidium reginum (d’Orbigny, 1846); D:
Elphidium aculeatum (d’Orbigny, 1846); E: Porosononion granosum (d’Orbigny, 1846); F: Lobatula lobatula Walker and Jacob, 1798; G: Bulimina subulata (Cushman and
Parker, 1937); H: Praeglobobulimina pyrula (d’Orbigny, 1846); I: Spirorutilus carinatus (d’Orbigny, 1846); J: Bolivina dilatata Reuss, 1850; K: Bulimina elongata
d’Orbigny, 1826; L–M: Cycloforina fluviata (Venglinsky, 1958); N–O: Pseudotriloculina consobrina (d’Orbigny, 1846); P: Globigerina bulloides d’Orbigny, 1826; Q:
Orbulina suturalis Brönnimann, 1951.
Scale bar = 100 μm.

(including full well names) are given in the Supplementary, Table S1. moderate abundances of deposit feeders and high abundances of sus­
Herein, we describe the ecologically relevant results ordered within pension feeders (Be4/2347.5, 2414; Ah1/520; GI2/1084; Ka2/1020;
their assigned stratigraphic age from oldest to youngest (listed in the Mi1/1373.5; MtW1/1130, 1380, 1480). Stress markers are rarely found
Supplementary Table S2a,b). in Ottnangian samples and usually do not exceed 5% of the faunal
composition (Fig. 5). All samples were of marine origin (33–36 PSU,
Fig. 5). The BWT ranges from 10 to 18 ◦ C with a mean temperature of
4.1. Ottnangian about 13 ◦ C (Fig. 6). Samples did not contain sufficient numbers of
planktic foraminifers to calculate reliable SST levels for the Ottnangian.
The majority of the 36 samples assigned to the Ottnangian indicate Fisher α values of the Ottnangian samples show a mean value of 3.7
suboxic and eutrophic to mesotrophic conditions (Figs. 7, 9), predomi­ but vary considerably from sample to sample. 14 values lie between
nated by infaunal herbivores (mean: 56%). Oxic conditions are corre­ 0 and 0.8, whereas 12 samples show values >5 (Fig. 3). Dominance and
lated with abundant epifaunal species (mean: 31%). Some samples show

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

Fig. 5. Boxplots illustrating the evolution of salinity (PSU) and stress (%)
during the early and middle Miocene in the Proto-VB and VB. The colors of the
boxplots are equivalent to the scale value and are solely for better visualization
(warm colors = high values, cold colors = low values). Calculations are based
on abundance data of benthic foraminifers (see Tables S2a, S3a) and the for­
mulas of Hohenegger (2005) and Báldi and Hohenegger (2008).

Fig. 7. Ternary diagrams (points represent single samples) combined with

probability density maps (warm colors indicate high numbers of samples and
cold colors indicate low number of samples)of oxygenation (S = suboxic;
O = oxic; D = dysoxic) and preferred mode of life (I = shallow infaunal;
E = epifaunal; F = deep infaunal) and feeding strategies (h = herbivore;
d = deposit; s = suspension) using abundance values of benthic foraminifers
(see Tables S2a, S3a); Ottnangian to middle Badenian.

majority of the samples shows values between 1.0 and 4.2. Two samples
Fig. 6. Boxplots illustrating the evolution of bottom water temperature (BWT)
(Ka1/500 and 795) display values lower than 1, whereas 3 samples show
and sea surface temperature (SST) during the early and middle Miocene in the
high numbers (Ah1/250 with 9.3, 280 with 16.3 and 819 with 15.8).
Proto-VB and VB. The colors of the boxplots are equivalent to the scale value
and are solely for better visualization (warm colors = high values, cold Eight samples display high dominance values >0.6 (Hrd25/740; Ka1/
colors = low values). BTW calculations are based on abundance data of benthic 500, 550, 701, 750, 795, 895 and Si3/1250). Consequently, samples
foraminifers (see Tables S2a, S3a) and calculations of the SST are based on the Ah1/250, 280, 310 and Hrd19/819) have high J values over 0.6 with
abundance data of planktic foraminifers (see Tables S2b, S3b) and the formulas low D values <0.36.
of Hohenegger (2005) and Báldi and Hohenegger (2008).

Equitability levels (Fig. 3) fluctuate considerably from sample to sample 4.3. Early Badenian
with a mean of 0.6 (J) and 0.5 (D). Samples Bo3/2172.7; Bo8/1900,
2000; Ma269/2715 and Ka2/1380 are completely dominated by a single Nine samples represent the early Badenian, suggesting prevailing
species (D = 1) and six other samples (Span8/2640; Ma269/2315, 2677; oligo- to mesotrophic conditions (Fig. 9). The ternary diagram (Fig. 7)
Ah1/460; Ka2/1080 and Mi1/1373.5) show dominance values >0.6. reveals more variation concerning oxygenation, mode of life and food
Samples with low dominance values show high equitability levels (mean preferences compared to the Ottnangian and Karpatian samples. Sam­
of 0.8). ples Pir5/2043.6, Pir5/2059 and MueT1/2480 contain 89–100% sub­
oxic indicators and sample MueT1/2737 is also dominated by suboxic
indicators (55%). Only two samples contain considerable amounts of
4.2. Karpatian dysoxic indicators (Ad78/1829: 45%, Rab10/2374.1: 61%) and oxic
indicators are dominant in samples Ma112/1620 and Man1/2570.
The 16 Karpatian samples indicate oligotrophic conditions (Fig. 9) Epifaunal species predominate nearly all samples (up to 97%) accom­
with suboxic to low oxic assemblages (mean: 89%) with predominantly panied by deep infaunal ones (up to 38%) except for sample MueT1/
shallow infaunal herbivore species (Fig. 7). All samples yielding fora­ 2480, which contains 89% shallow infaunal species Three samples
minifers show marine PSU values from 31 to 38 (Fig. 5). The BWT shows contain high numbers of suspension feeders (Ad78/1829: 36%, Man1/
a mean value of 15 ◦ C and varies from 7 to 18 ◦ C (Fig. 6). Nearly no stress 2570: 57%, MueT1/3127: 54%). Samples MueT1/2480 (89%) and
indicators could be detected within the samples (11% within Ah1/310, MueT1/2737 (36%) show significant numbers of herbivores, the other
other samples 0–8%; Fig. 5). Planktic foraminifers are scarce and do not samples yield mostly deposit feeders. PSU values for all samples vary
allow reliable SST calculations. from 35 to 37 and the mean BWT is 11 ◦ C (varying from 5.5–21 ◦ C;
The mean Fisher α value of the Karpatian samples is 4.2 (Fig. 3). The Figs. 5, 6). Four samples indicate high stress (Ad78/1829, MueT1/2737,

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

MueT1, 2127, Rab10/2374.1: 11–38%) and sample MueT1/2480 is

even dominated by stress markers (89%; Fig. 5). Calculations using
planktic foraminifers showed a mean SST of 17.7 ◦ C (±2.9; Fig. 6).
Four samples show low Fisher α values (≤0.8), three samples (Ad78/
1829; MueT1/2480 and Rab10/2374.1) display values from 2.8–4.9 and
two show high values (MueT1/2737 with 26 and 3127 with 13.7; Fig. 3).
Dominance levels of samples Ma112/1620, MueT1/2480, Pir5/2043.6
and 2059 are higher than 0.55, whereas the others are below 0.3. Except
for samples MueT1/2480, Pir 52,043.6 and Pir 2059 the equitability
levels are higher than 0.6 (Fig. 3).

4.4. Middle Badenian

From middle Badenian deposits 101 samples were collected,

revealing a broad range of trophic levels with a slight tendency to
eutrophic conditions, mixed with mesotrophic conditions and some
samples that point to more oligotrophic conditions (Fig. 9). The broad
range is also indicated for the other parameters (Figs. 4–7). Hence, a
rather balanced relation between oxic indicators (34.3%), suboxic
(41.3%) and dysoxic (24.4%) is recorded although strong fluctuations
are obvious for certain samples (e.g. 95% oxic indicators in Zw8/1480,
90% dysoxic indicators in Zw4/1325 and 99% suboxic indicators in
Rab2/1615). Most of the fauna consists of deposit feeders that lived
Fig. 8. Ternary diagrams (points represent single samples) combined with
either epifaunal or deep infaunal. PSU values range from 30 to 43 with a
probability density maps (warm colors indicate high numbers of samples and
mean of 36 and the mean BWT is about 12 ◦ C (varying from 6 to 23 ◦ C).
cold colors indicate low number of samples)of oxygenation (S = suboxic;
Stress markers are dominating in some samples (e.g. Bo8/1700, 1740; O = oxic; D = dysoxic) and preferred mode of life (I = shallow infaunal;
Pir5/1995.6, Rab2/1525, 1565, 1615, 1695 and 1715 with 70–95%) but E = epifaunal; F = deep infaunal) and feeding strategies (h = herbivore;
only on average stress markers attain about 33% (Fig. 5). The SST based d = deposit; s = suspension) using abundance values of benthic foraminifers
on planktic foraminifers has ranges around 17.9 ◦ C (±0.7; Fig. 6). (see Tables S2a, S3a); late Badenian to late Sarmatian.
The mean Fisher α value (Fig. 3) during the middle Badenian is 5.7
with major fluctuations spanning from 0.2 and 36.3. 18 samples 2140, 2452; Pir5/1939; Rab1/900, 1103.5, 1200, 1495, 1530; Rab11/
(Ma111/1663; Ma125/1482, 1645; Man1/2296, 2340; Mue100/1745, 1977.6, 2026;Rab2/1020, 1050, 1100, 1230 and Schw1/1515) show
1980; Mue110/1803; Pir5/1956, 1995.6, 2007.6; Rab1/1640; Rab2/ values between 1 and 2, whereas the remaining 45 samples show values
1460, 1525, 1695; Rin3/4124; Schw1/1650 and Zw8/1480) have below 1. 18 Samples are completely dominated by one species (D = 1;
values below 1. 15 samples (Ad78/1500; Be7/1900; Him1/1695; Bo8/1500; Ma126/1510; Mue100/1590, /1615; Palt1/2245; Pir23/
Ma126/1665, 1695; Mue100/1980; Rab2/2010, 2050, 2191; Schw1/ 1700, 1712, 1770; Pir3/1337; Pir5/1327, 1717, 1722, 1905, 1914,
1825; Str1/1750; Wit1/1900, 2146, 2291 and Zw8/1710) have values 1922¸Str1/1280; Zw8/1120 and1200) and another 31 samples (Be6/
≥10. Three samples are completely dominated by a single species 1406, 1509; Bo8/1655; Ma112/1362; Ma125/1250; Ma269/1393.8;
(D = 1; Ma125/1645; Man1/2296 and Pir5/1956) and 12 other samples Man1/2055; Mue100/1570, 1650; Palt1/1825, 2111, 2382; Pir3/1570;
show high dominance values exceeding 0.6 (Be4/2141; Be6/2091; Pir5/1300, 1948.8; Pir23/1782; Rab1/700, 900, 1150, 1290, 1495,
Mue100/1980; Pir5/1995.6; Rab2/1525, 1565; 1615, 1695, 1715; 1530; Rab11/1956.37, 1977.6, 2026; Rab2/1020, 1100, 1230; Schw1/
Schw1/1650; Zw4/1325 and Zw8/1480) with relatively low J values 1580; Span2/1593 and Span8/1750) show high dominance values >0.5.
(not exceeding 0.4), except Mue100/1980 which hast an equitability Five samples (Bo15/2000; Ma111/1420, Ma126/1490, Schw1/1420
value of 0.8. All other samples have relatively high J values (higher than and Str1/1440) display two equally distributed species (J = 1, D = 0.5)
0.5) with a mean of 0.8 (Fig. 3). and the remaining 35 samples show equitability levels >0.5 with
dominance values <0.5 (Fig. 3).
4.5. Late Badenian

Eighty-nine samples represent the late Badenian. Trophic levels vary 4.6. Early Sarmatian
considerably from sample to sample. Some indicate eutrophic, some
oligotrophic and some mesotrophic conditions (Fig. 9). The ternary plots An amount of 30 analyzed samples represent the early Sarmatian.
of benthic foraminifers (Fig. 8) show mostly shallow infaunal suboxic Due to the lack of planktic foraminifers no trophic levels and SST can be
herbivores with some samples yielding high numbers of deep infaunal calculated. A slight shift from suboxic (56%) to more oxic (39%)
sub-dysoxic deposit feeders (e.g. Bo8/1676 and Str1/1550). PSU values epifaunal indicators could be realized in the ternary diagrams (Fig. 8).
vary from 31 to 40 with the mean of 35 (Fig. 5). The calculated mean The mean PSU value is 35 varying from sample to sample from 31 to 40
BWT is 18 ◦ C varying from 7 to 23 ◦ C (Fig. 6). During the late Badenian (Fig. 5) while the BWT shows a mean of 19 ◦ C ranging from 14 to 25 ◦ C
stress markers are dominating most of the samples with a mean average (Fig. 6). Stress markers are represented with a mean value of 38%
of 65% throughout the succession (Fig. 5). SST reconstruction resulted in (Fig. 5), with only three samples dominated by stress indicators (Ad78/
a mean average of 18.2 ◦ C (±1.0; Fig. 6). 1276: 52%; Ma112/1040: 62%, Rab11/1859: 98%).
The mean Fisher α value (Fig. 3) of the late Badenian is 1.6 with The mean Fisher α value for the early Sarmatian is 1.6 with variations
variations from 0.2–8.7. Fifteen samples (BeS3/1599.5; Bo8/1676; from 0.2–5.4 (Fig. 3). Seven samples (Ma 112/1040; Ma 127/1140; Ma
Ma111/1368, 1490; Ma112/1317; Ma127/1451; Ma269/1376; Man1/ 125/920, 1010; Palt1/1460, 1687and Span 8/1550) show high values
2128; Mue77/1234, 1343; Rab1/700, 1060, 1355; Str1/1550 and >2, whereas 10 (Ad 78/1080, 1303; Bo 15/1669, 1720; Ma 127/1185;
Span10/1540) exceed values more than 3 and 29 samples (Ad78/1350; Palt1/1790; Pir 5/1255; Rab 11/1859; Span 2/1320 and Span 8/1450)
Be6/1406, 1509; Be7/1429, 1434.5; Bo8/1560; Ma111/1515; Ma125/ samples have values <1 and the other 12 lie between 1 and 2. Four
1255, 1317, 1356, 1405; Ma127/1552; Ma269/1425.8; Palt1/1825, samples are completely dominated by one species (D = 1; Bo 15/1669,

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

1720; Palt1/1790 and Span 8/1450), another 6 samples (Ad 78/1080, Foreland Basin (NACFB). The relatively scarce abundance of planktic
1303; Rab 11/1848, 1859; Span 8/1380 and 1550) show high domi­ foraminifers in the samples impede with a reliable interpretation of SST,
nance values ≥0.6 with corresponding low equitability levels (<0.5). but the few available planktic data point to relatively cool SST ~15 ◦ C
The other samples display relatively high J values (>0.5) with a mean of (Fig. 6), which agrees with the cool SST results of Grunert et al. (2010)
0.8. and dominance not exceeding 0.5 (Fig. 3). for the NACFB. This temperature regime and the eutrophic to mesotro­
phic conditions (Fig. 9) is in line with slight upwelling conditions, which
4.7. Late Sarmatian prevailed in the NACFB (Grunert et al., 2010).
The other 10 Ottnangian samples derived of the Bockfließ Fm. in the
Thirty-two samples cover the late Sarmatian. No trophic levels and central VB. The faunas show much higher dominance values with lower
SST were calculated because of the lack of planktic foraminifers. Ternary Fisher α and equitability levels than those of the Lužice Fm. All samples
diagrams (Fig. 8) show the complete shift to oxic, epifaunal herbivore display slightly oxic to suboxic conditions (Fig. 7) with high nutrient
dominated faunas. The mean PSU value is 37, ranging from 33 to 41 input, indicating close vicinity to the shoreline. The shallower deposi­
(Fig. 5) and the mean BWT is 21 ◦ C ranging from 17 to 22 ◦ C (Fig. 6). tional setting correlates with higher BWTs (mean of 17 ◦ C) compared to
Stress markers are represented with about 21% but dominate four the open marine conditions of the northern VB. These correspond well to
samples (Rab10/1000: 95%, Rab11/1360: 83%, Rab11/1580: 96%, the interpretations of Harzhauser et al. (2020) and Kranner et al. (2021),
Rab2/920: 86%; Fig. 5). who describe the Bockfließ Fm. as near shore equivalent of the offshore
Fisher α values of the late Sarmatian vary from 0.2–10 and show a Lužice Fm. Salinity values decreases slightly from deposits of the open
mean of 1.3 (Fig. 3). The highest Fisher α values shows sample Zw4/ marine Lužice Fm. (mean of 35 PSU; Fig. 5) to those of the lagoonal
1010, another 15 samples (Palt1/1060, 1210, 1240; Pir5/0765; Rab10/ Bockfließ Fm. (mean of 33 PSU; Fig. 5) indicating, however, normal
1000; Rab11/1235.75, 1372.36, 1438.92, 1500; Rab2/710, 920; marine salinity throughout the Ottnangian in the VB. Our data suggest
RabW1/1101; Span 2/880, 1000 and Span2/1100) have values from similar conditions from the northern part of the Proto-VB to those of the
1.1–2.4, whereas the remaining samples display values <1. Only 2 adjacent NACFB, with upwelling conditions and consequently cool
samples (Bo15/1360 and 1475) are completely dominated by one spe­ bottom and surface waters (Grunert et al., 2010), grading into the
cies but also only 10 samples (Bo15/1530; Palt1/1060, 1300; Rab11/ shallow, nearshore environments of the Bockfließ Fm. of the southern
1235.75, 1438.92; Rab2/710, 880, 1000, 1100 and Zw 4/1010) display Proto-VB.
dominance values <0.5 (Fig. 3). Nearly half of the samples (Ad78/0885;
Bo15/1360, 1475; Ma112/0792; Palt1/1240; Pir5/0765; Rab10/1000; 5.2. Karpatian
Rab11/1202, 1372.36, 1410, 1421.3, 1451.42, 1500; Rab2/920 and
RabW1/1101) show low equitability levels <0.5, the others ≥0.6 The Karpatian samples of the northern Proto-VB indicate low oxic to
(Fig. 3). suboxic conditions (Fig. 7) with an overall moderate to high diversity
and higher dominance values than in the Ottnangian (Fig. 3). Compared
5. Discussion to the Mistelbach Halfgraben in the western VB (Harzhauser et al.,
2017), no indication for upwelling conditions could be detected. The
In the following, we discuss all ecological results mentioned above in few planktic foraminifers rather indicate oligotrophic conditions
stratigraphic order, from old to young. (Fig. 9). The mean salinity value of 35 PSU (Fig. 5) indicates normal
marine conditions for all samples yielding foraminifers. Spezzaferri et al.
5.1. Ottnangian (2002) reconstructed dysoxic cool to temperate water conditions for the
nearby North Alpine-Carpathian Foreland Basin (NACFB) during the
Twenty-six samples derived of the Ottnangian Lužice Fm. from the Karpatian whereas warm conditions prevailed in the shallow marine
northern and north-western Vienna Basin (see Supplementary, estuary of the Korneuburg Basin (Zuschin et al., 2014). Our data suggest
Table S1). These samples were deposited under eutrophic to mesotro­ BWTs ranging around 17 ◦ C (Fig. 6) for the Proto-VB, which would be in
phic, suboxic to oxic conditions (Figs. 7, 9), which is similar to the re­ agreement with its rather coastal transitional position between the open
sults of Harzhauser et al. (2017) for the adjacent Mistelbach Halfgraben. marine NACFB and the estuarine Korneuburg Basin and the terrestrial
The majority of the assemblage lived epifaunal to shallow infaunal and wetlands of the central and southern Proto-VB (Harzhauser et al., 2020;
shows a moderate to high diversity (Fisher α) with high equitability Siedl et al., 2020; Kranner et al., 2021).
(mean ~ 0.7) and low dominance levels (Fig. 3) pointing to relatively
stable conditions. Relatively cool bottom water conditions prevailed 5.3. Early Badenian
with a mean of 12 ◦ C (Fig. 6). This estimate is in agreement to data by
Grunert et al. (2010) from the close-by North Alpine-Carpathian Only a limited number of early Badenian samples was available.

Fig. 9. Ternary diagrams (points represent single samples) combined with probability density maps (warm colors indicate high numbers of samples and cold colors
indicate low number of samples) of trophic levels (oligo-, meso- and eutrophic) based on abundance values of planktic foraminifers, separated in time slices (see
Tables S2b, S3b).

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M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

Therefore, our results must be interpreted with caution. Generally, the et al. (2020) for middle Badenian occurrences of the Carpathian Fore­
samples show oligo-mesotrophic conditions (Fig. 9), similarly to the deep, the northern and southern Pannonian Basin, the Transylvanian
Karpatian but the mean BWT drops severely (~11 ◦ C; Fig. 6). This Basin and the Slovak part of the Vienna Basin during the late Badenian.
temperature estimate is surprising, given that the early Badenian cor­ Mandic et al. (2019a) related the 1.5-m-scale cycles in water tempera­
responds to parts of the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO; ture of the southern Pannonian Basin with the sub-Milankovitch climate
Zachos et al., 2001, 2008; Holbourn et al., 2015; Sant et al., 2017; Miller variability. In contrast, Ilies et al. (2020) linked these oscillations to
et al., 2020; Westerhold et al., 2020). Coeval assemblages from the seasonal cold currents or upwelling events. Similarly, Kováčová and
adjacent NACFB, however, suggest similar slightly dysoxic and rela­ Hudačkova (2009) interpreted changes in the composition of the
tively cool bottom water conditions (Rögl and Spezzaferri, 2003). The planktonic fauna for the Slovak part of the VB during the late Badenian.
low BWTs are contrasted by relatively warm SST values with a mean of These authors suggest variations due to a combination of global climatic
17.7 (±2.9)◦ C (Fig. 6). The drop form the Karpatian to the early Bade­ changes and local input of freshwater (fluvial and rain). They describe a
nian in BWTs, contrasting the global record, correlates to the deepening stratified water column where species, which prefer deep-water habi­
of the studied area described by Kranner et al. (2021) and might tats, could occur in surface waters during sessional cooling phases.
therefore be more a consequence of this or the limited number of sam­ Given the resolution of the latter two samples, which cover several years
ples. A part of the samples suggests oxic to suboxic conditions with large to decades we consider it very unlikely that the difference between
amounts of epifaunal herbivores (Fig. 7), which point to shallow marine Orbulina-rich samples versus globigerinid-rich samples can be explained
conditions with seagrass meadows as described by Harzhauser et al. by seasonality. Instead, we assume that a yet undescribed decadal to
(2017) from the adjacent Mistelbach Halfgraben. All analyzed early millennial change of upwelling intensity is responsible for the observed
Badenian samples indicate normal marine conditions (mean PSU ~ 36; pattern. Changing intensities of upwelling on a sub-Milankovitch scales
Fig. 5) with moderate to high diversity and low dominance levels are documented for the California Current (Chhak and Di Lorenzo,
(Fig. 3). 2007), the northern Canary Current (Santos et al., 2005; Relvas et al.,
2009), the Iberian upwelling system (Miranda et al., 2013) and the
5.4. Middle Badenian Benguela upwelling system (Tim et al., 2015) as well as NACFB (Auer
et al., 2014, 2015). McGregor et al. (2007) discussed similar fluctuations
A broad range of environmental variables is captured by the large in presence and intensity of the northwest African upwelling system
number of samples from the middle Badenian, which suggests heterog­ during the last 2500 years. Typically, wind stress and changes in air
enous and manifold marine paleoenvironments with oscillating di­ temperature with coherent changes in the land-sea-pressure gradients
versity indices (Fig. 3). This is expressed by a rather even distribution of are discussed as important factors influencing upwelling intensity
bottom water oxygenation indicators and a mixture of epi- and deep (Santos et al., 2005; McGregor et al., 2007; Miranda et al., 2013; Tim
infaunal species (Fig. 7). Deposit feeding predominates among the et al., 2015). In addition, decadal-scale basin-wide processes, such as
feeding types indicating a high nutrient supply and environments at the variations in the North Atlantic Oscillation may result in changing up­
lower boundary or even below the photic zone (Murray, 1991; Báldi, welling intensities (Santos et al., 2005). The driving forces behind these
2006; Armstrong and Brasier, 2005). Nevertheless, herbivores or sus­ observations, however, are still poorly known. Even more so, our spotty
pension feeders may account for large parts of the assemblages in some data do not allow to link the observed pattern with potential forces such
samples (Fig. 7). The high abundance of herbivores suggests environ­ as solar cycles. Also, the abundance of the planktonic Globorotalia
ments within the photic zone with high abundance of plant nourishment transsylvanica, Paragloborotalia mayeri and Globoconella bykovae were
(Murray, 1991; Báldi, 2006) like seagrass meadows with oxic to suboxic documented in the Polish Carpathian Foredeep (Gonera, 2013) and the
conditions, similar to the reconstructions of Mandic (2004) of the VB (Rupp and Hohenegger, 2008) indicating a cooling during the
NACFB. These samples may have been transported into deeper envi­ MMCO, which supports our interpretation of upwelling conditions.
ronments by storms. High water energy is also in line with the high Upwelling is also indicated by the benthic assemblages, which are
number of suspension feeders (like Lobatula lobatula, Fig. 4 F) suggesting dominated by taxa indicating high nutrient availability, like Spirorutilus
strong movement of water masses, like currents (Haward and Haynes, carinatus (Fig. 4 I) (Spezzaferri et al., 2002; Ćorić and Rögl, 2004;
1967; Dobson and Haynes, 1973; Linke and Lutze, 1993; Semeniuk, Grunert et al., 2010; Pezelj et al., 2013; Székely et al., 2017). Similarly,
2000; Schönfeld, 2002; Kaminski and Niessen, 2015; García-Gallardo high numbers of suspension feeders in deep water environments are
et al., 2017). The mean SST (17.9 ±0.7 ◦ C) and the mean BWT (12 ◦ C) usually linked to strong currents and/or costal upwelling (Mullineaux,
are higher during the middle Badenian compared to the early Badenian 1988; Linke and Lutze, 1993; Schönfeld, 1997, 1998, 2002, García-
(Fig. 6). This pattern coincides with the final stages of the global Middle Gallardo et al., 2017). Future studies of middle Badenian sediments of
Miocene Climatic Optimum (e.g. Zachos et al., 2001, 2008; Holbourn the Vienna Basin could strengthen our interpretation of upwelling
et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2020; Westerhold et al., 2020) as well as with conditions by correlating our foraminiferal data to other fossil groups
the interpretation of Holcová et al. (2015, 2018), who linked the com­ like diatoms, radiolarians and fish faunas as well as general bio-siliceous
mon presence of O. suturalis and the absence of Praeorbulina div. sp. with productivity. Salinity values fluctuate more compared to the other time
a rise in SST and more eutrophic conditions during the middle Badenian. slices (30–43 PSU) but do not vary much compared to the other
About one third of the analyzed samples yields Orbulina suturalis ecological parameters described above. Consequently, normal marine
(Fig. 4 Q) which is most common in warm, stratified water columns with conditions with a mean PSU value of 36 (Fig. 5) prevailed despite the
eutrophic conditions (Fig. 9) (Bé, 1977; Hemleben et al., 1989; Schiebel considerable diversity of paleoenvironments during the middle
and Hemleben, 2005; Holcová et al., 2015, 2018). In addition, many Badenian.
samples display high abundances of four-chambered globigerinids, such
as G. bulloides (Fig. 4 P), G. praebulloides, G. concinna and Globigerina sp., 5.5. Late Badenian
which are characteristic for sub-surface waters with high productivity
(Schiebel et al., 1997) and are frequently associated with open-ocean The late Badenian is dominated by suboxic conditions settled by
and/or coastal upwelling (Naidu and Malmgren, 1996; Kincaid et al., shallow infaunal herbivores (Fig. 8). Most samples are characterized by
2000; Mohiuddin et al., 2005; Storz et al., 2009; Holcová et al., 2019). a high abundance of A. beccarii, whereas plankton is scarce. Several
These differences in the planktonic fauna suggests oscillations in the samples, however, show a high abundance of buliminids (e.g. Bulimina
SSTs with concomitant high nutrient flux. Similar oscillations of subulata, Fig. 3 G; Bulimina elongata, Fig. 3 K and Praeglobobulimina
ecological parameters were observed by Kováčová and Hudačkova pyrula, Fig. 4 H) and bolivinids (e.g. Bolivina dilatata, Fig. 4 J), sug­
(2009), Holcová et al. (2015, 2018), Mandic et al. (2019a), and Ilies gesting high nutrient availability with reduced oxygen values (Murray,

8
M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

1991; Báldi, 2006). Samples dominated by buliminids and bolivinids can salinity ranged around 37 PSU (Fig. 5) correlating with marine to
also be found in recent settings in Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) in slightly hypersaline conditions. This is in agreement with the assump­
various parts of the world (e.g. Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Gulf of tions of Piller and Harzhauser (2005) and agrees with the widespread
Mexico, Mississippi Delta) and different water depths from shallow to oolite formation during the late Sarmatian (Harzhauser and Piller, 2004,
deep marine (e.g. Hermelin and Shimmield, 1990; Denne and Gupta, 2010; Piller and Harzhauser, 2005; Cornée et al., 2009; Mandic et al.,
1991; Gooday and Rathburn, 1999; Glock et al., 2013). These conditions 2019b), contrasting the reconstruction of Palcu et al. (2015) assuming
are also indicated by the low Fisher α values, the high dominance values the Sarmatian to be the brackish transition from the Badenian to the
(Fig. 3) and the high amount of stress indicators (Fig. 5). This pattern Pannonian. The interpretation of Palcu et al. (2015), however, was
indicates two dominant environmental types covered by our samples: revised by Silye and Filipescu (2016), stating that the identified benthic
shallow marine lagoonal and slightly deeper poorly oxygenated bot­ foraminiferal species (especially cycloforinids) rather suggest hypersa­
toms. Similarly, Harzhauser et al. (2019) documented lagoonal and line lagoons or marshes than brackish conditions, which aligns with our
mudflat environments in the northwestern Vienna Basin during the late results. Another environmental development was recognized within the
Badenian and Kováčová and Hudačkova (2009) described dysoxic con­ Transylvanian Basin, which lead to the Streptochilus event close to the
ditions from basinal deposits. Compared to the middle Badenian, the Sarmatian/Pannonian boundary (Filipescu and Silye, 2008). This
salinity values drop slightly, but with a mean of 35 PSU (Fig. 5), normal further hints towards stressed conditions during the late Sarmatian. The
marine conditions prevail throughout the late Badenian, too. Hence, analyzed assemblages suggest two predominating environmental types
there is a considerable shift in prevailing ecological parameters from the during the late Sarmatian. Most samples show a low diversity (Fig. 3)
middle to the late Badenian. This is most probably related to a major and are dominated by Porosononion granosum (Fig. 4 E) and point to
shallowing trend in the Vienna Basin (see Kranner et al., 2021). This normal marine conditions (Langer, 1993) with moderate abundances of
shallowing may also explain the warmer SSTs, which ranged around seagrass meadows (see also Harzhauser et al., 2018a, 2018b). Less
18.2±1.0 ◦ C during the late Badenian and the relatively warmer BWT, frequent, samples with slightly higher diversity (Fig. 3), yielding high
which raised to a mean of 18 ◦ C (Fig. 6), overprinting the global cooling amounts of miliolids (like Cycloforina fluviata, Fig. 4 L–M and Pseudo­
during the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition (MMCT) following the triloculina consobrina, Fig. 4 N–O), accompanied by elphidiids or
MMCO (Zachos et al., 2001; Holbourn et al., 2005; Miller et al., 2020; A. beccarii (Fig. 4 A–B), suggest hypersaline conditions (Murray, 1991,
Westerhold et al., 2020). Indeed, the oxygen stable isotope sediment 2006; Armstrong and Brasier, 2005). Comparable assemblages can be
contents indicate a distinct cooling gradient along the middle-upper found in recent settings within the Red Sea (Hariri, 2008; Abu-Zied and
Badenian transition the southern Pannonian Basin (Mandic et al., Bantan, 2013) and in the Persian Gulf (Murray, 1970; Basson and
2019b). Murray, 1995; Amao et al., 2016). These two assemblage types reflect
different depositional environments: coastal-lagoonal (miliolid-domi­
5.6. Early Sarmatian nated) versus inner to middle neritic (Porosononion granosum-
dominated).
During the early Sarmatian a general shift to oxic conditions with
epifaunal and herbivorous species occurred (Fig. 8). The assemblages 5.8. General trends
point to widespread seagrass meadows, based on the elphidiid-
dominated assemblage (e.g. Elphidium reginum, Fig. 3. C and Elphidium The calculated SSTs indicate a positive shift of about 3 ◦ C from the
aculeatum, Fig. 4 D) and their affiliation to seagrasses (e.g. Langer, 1993) early to the middle Miocene. This warming agrees with the global
as documented for fossil (e.g. Betzler et al., 2000; Puga-Bernabéu et al., MMCO. The absolute values derived from the herein applied transfer
2007; Harzhauser et al., 2018a, 2018b) and recent faunas (e.g. of the function, however, seem to be underestimates. Throughout the middle
Mediterranean of the Philippines; Langer et al., 1998; Lacuna and Miocene, the SST values range around 18 ◦ C (17.7–18.2 ◦ C; Fig. 6). This
Gayda, 2014a, 2014b; Mateu-Vicens et al., 2014). During the early value is below the annual average SST of the modern Mediterranean Sea,
Sarmatian the BWT continues to rise compared to the Badenian to a which ranges around 19.7 ± 1.3 ◦ C (Shaltout and Omstedt, 2014a,
mean of 19 ◦ C (Fig. 6). These high temperatures are in contrast to the 2014b). Given the tropical biota of the middle Badenian with its reefs
expected influence of the global cooling during the MMCT (e.g. Zachos and thermophilic mollusc faunas (Zuschin et al., 2005, 2006; Harz­
et al., 2001; Holbourn et al., 2005; Miller et al., 2020; Westerhold et al., hauser and Piller, 2007; Piller et al., 2007), a distinctly higher SST can
2020) and can be explained due to the marginal setting of the area and be expected. Thus, the currently used formula of Hohenegger (2005) and
the continuing shallowing trend (Kranner et al., 2021). Further, the Báldi and Hohenegger (2008) will need refinements. Nevertheless, it
Vienna Basin was completely restricted from the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. reveals general trends within the dataset such as the observed warming.
Popov et al., 2004; Harzhauser and Piller, 2007; Kováč et al., 2017a) and BWTs display considerably changes during the observed time interval
harbored a highly endemic fauna (Harzhauser and Piller, 2004; Piller with a distinct drop from early to middle Miocene and severe warming of
and Harzhauser, 2005; Schütz et al., 2007; Palcu et al., 2015; Mandic about 7 ◦ C from the middle to the late Badenian and a continuation of
et al., 2019b) resulting in the low species diversity and high dominance that trend throughout the Sarmatian. This pattern opposes global
values (Fig. 3). The mean PSU value of 35 (Fig. 5) supports the inter­ climate trends, which indicate a warming during the MMCO and a
pretation of the Sarmatian sea to be fully marine by Piller and Harz­ cooling during the MMCT. On a regional scale near-tropical conditions
hauser (2005) and Schütz et al. (2007). Schütz et al. (2007) discussed are evident during the middle Badenian, followed by a drop of mean
coastal upwelling during the early Sarmatian based on the occurrence of annual temperature of about 7 ◦ C during the late Badenian (Böhme,
diatomites. This cannot be confirmed nor rejected, due to the lack of 2003). Therefore, we assume that local conditions governed the tem­
planktic foraminifers. perature of the bottom water. Upwelling transported relatively cool
water masses into the bathymetrically deep Vienna Basin during the
5.7. Late Sarmatian early and middle Badenian. Ceasing accommodation space resulted in a
distinct shallowing of the basin during the late Badenian (Kranner et al.,
The late Sarmatian is characterized by well oxygenated conditions 2021) and upwelling conditions were lost in favor of an estuarine cir­
and seagrass meadows, reflected by a dominance of epifaunal herbivores culation. Similarly, the very shallow marine conditions during the Sar­
(Fig. 8). An additional increase in BWT with a mean of 21 ◦ C (Fig. 4) may matian allowed for a warming of the bottom water. Moreover, a short
be caused by the continuous shallowing trend (Kranner et al., 2021) but global warm spell during the late Serravallian, as seen in the isotope data
may also be linked to a slight global warming trend as suggested by the of Westerhold et al. (2020) might have amplified this trend, leading to
stable isotope data of Westerhold et al. (2020). The late Sarmatian the warm and hypersaline late Sarmatian conditions.

9
M. Kranner et al. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 581 (2021) 110640

Indicators for stress are rather scarce in early Miocene assemblages Supplementary data to this article can be found online at [Link]
but rise in number during the early and middle Badenian when Spiror­ org/10.1016/[Link].2021.110640.
utilus-dominated assemblages became widespread (Fig. 5). A dramatic
increase of stress indicators is seen during the late Badenian. This change Declaration of Competing Interest
in ecological conditions was related to the rise of the OMZ close to the
sea bottom and the spread of dysoxic conditions. A switch of the pre­ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
vailing circulation system from antiestuarine to estuarine was discussed interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
by Báldi (2006) and Kováč et al. (2017b) as trigger for this development. the work reported in this paper.
Stress levels clearly calmed down during the Sarmatian when well
oxygenated environments dominated (Figs. 5, 8). Salinity stayed within Acknowledgements
fully marine ranges throughout the investigated time span. Neverthe­
less, an increase in salinity from ~34 to ~36 PSU (Fig. 5) is observed We are grateful to Wolfgang Hujer (OMV, Gänserndorf) and his team
from early to middle Miocene, which might be related to the increased for help and support during the sampling campaigns. Special thanks to
evaporation during the MMCO. A slight drop of salinity followed during Herwig Peresson and the whole Exploration Austria Team. Many thanks
the late Badenian coinciding with the global cooling of the MMCT and a to the preparators of the NHM Vienna, Anton Englert, Anton Fürst and
change in Paratethyan circulation patterns (Báldi, 2006). Another major specifically to Iris Feichtinger, for preparing, washing and sieving the
rise in salinity of about 3 PSU occurred from the early to the late Sar­ enormous number of samples in a short time period. We greatly
matian resulting in hypersaline conditions. acknowledge the very open-minded politics of the OMV-AG to provide
access to core material, well-log data, seismic images and internal re­
6. Conclusions ports to support geosciences.

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