The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential
The Crassostrea coquina bed on Qeshm Island is named for its high abundance of Crassostrea virginica fossils. Field surveys and photographic documentation from two key locations show that there are three lithostratigraphic units deposited in deltaic or estuarine environments. Morphological changes...
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OICC Press
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Geoconservation Research |
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| Online Access: | https://oiccpress.com/gcr/article/view/16957 |
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| author | Mohammad Javad Hassani Vachik Hairapetian |
| author_facet | Mohammad Javad Hassani Vachik Hairapetian |
| author_sort | Mohammad Javad Hassani |
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The Crassostrea coquina bed on Qeshm Island is named for its high abundance of Crassostrea virginica fossils. Field surveys and photographic documentation from two key locations show that there are three lithostratigraphic units deposited in deltaic or estuarine environments. Morphological changes in the oyster community suggest an upward increase in sediment load and depositional rate. Evidence of mechanical abrasion and erosion on disarticulated oyster shells indicates accumulation by strong storm and flood or tsunami currents. A Plio-Pleistocene age is confirmed through comparison with identified taxa (Crassostrea virginica, Pecten vasselii, Pecten jacobaeus?, Chlamys varia, Placuna placenta, and Conus sp.) and the surrounding Aghajari Formation. The outcrops of the Crassostrea coquina bed in Qeshm Island could be considered as new geosites in the Qeshm International Geopark. Coquina beds hold significant geotourism potential due to their unique bioclastic composition, fossil-rich layers, and paleoenvironmental insights. Their aesthetic appeal and educational value attract both scientific and general visitors, offering opportunities for geoheritage interpretation. Sustainable management, including controlled access and taphonomic monitoring, is essential to preserve these fragile geological archives.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4dae67e2eeee41dd8cdc8fd146047b6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2645-4661 2588-7343 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | OICC Press |
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| series | Geoconservation Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4dae67e2eeee41dd8cdc8fd146047b6b2025-08-20T03:26:49ZengOICC PressGeoconservation Research2645-46612588-73432025-06-0110.57647/j.gcr.2025.0801.06The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism PotentialMohammad Javad Hassani0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0048-0975Vachik Hairapetian1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6202-0152Department of Ecology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, End of Haftbagh Highway, Kerman, IranDepartment of Geology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran The Crassostrea coquina bed on Qeshm Island is named for its high abundance of Crassostrea virginica fossils. Field surveys and photographic documentation from two key locations show that there are three lithostratigraphic units deposited in deltaic or estuarine environments. Morphological changes in the oyster community suggest an upward increase in sediment load and depositional rate. Evidence of mechanical abrasion and erosion on disarticulated oyster shells indicates accumulation by strong storm and flood or tsunami currents. A Plio-Pleistocene age is confirmed through comparison with identified taxa (Crassostrea virginica, Pecten vasselii, Pecten jacobaeus?, Chlamys varia, Placuna placenta, and Conus sp.) and the surrounding Aghajari Formation. The outcrops of the Crassostrea coquina bed in Qeshm Island could be considered as new geosites in the Qeshm International Geopark. Coquina beds hold significant geotourism potential due to their unique bioclastic composition, fossil-rich layers, and paleoenvironmental insights. Their aesthetic appeal and educational value attract both scientific and general visitors, offering opportunities for geoheritage interpretation. Sustainable management, including controlled access and taphonomic monitoring, is essential to preserve these fragile geological archives. https://oiccpress.com/gcr/article/view/16957Persian GulfBivalviaAghajari FormationGeositeOstrea |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Javad Hassani Vachik Hairapetian The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential Geoconservation Research Persian Gulf Bivalvia Aghajari Formation Geosite Ostrea |
| title | The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential |
| title_full | The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential |
| title_fullStr | The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential |
| title_short | The Crassostrea coquina bed in the Qeshm Geopark (Southern Iran): Paleontology, Paleoecology and Geotourism Potential |
| title_sort | crassostrea coquina bed in the qeshm geopark southern iran paleontology paleoecology and geotourism potential |
| topic | Persian Gulf Bivalvia Aghajari Formation Geosite Ostrea |
| url | https://oiccpress.com/gcr/article/view/16957 |
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