phosphorites

Most of the Volga phosphate deposits are categorized as hard to recover, therefore traditional mining can result in environmental problems. An experimental rig model was manufactured for the shaftless mineral production from the thin productive layers. The projected productive capacity of a single production unit is 20,000 tons per year.

The paper presents biostratinomical characteristics of the Cenomanian and the Turonian fossil complexes found in the Middle Turonian phosphorite horizon from the Senomanskaya Stenka section (Volgograd region, Zhirnovsk district) constituting the basis of the benthic colonies and nekton communities. Probable interpretations for the settings contributory to generation of the phosphorite inclusion clusters are provided.

The paper analyzes the taxonomic composition and the habitat of the representatives of the Middle – Late Cenomanian and the Middle Turonian marine biota. The examined fossils have been isolated from the bulk sample obtained from the phosphorite horizon lying in the bottom of the Middle Turonian carbonate rocks in the Senomanskaya Stenka section (Volgograd Region, Zhirnovsk district).