PALEOCLIMATE MODELLING: AN APPROACH TO PALEOCLIMATE IN

CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA, BASED ON FORAMINIFERA FOSSIL ASSEMBLAGE

Destyo Prabowo*, Alvin Adam Arifin, and Benyamin Perwira Shidqi

Dept. Geological Engineering, Padjadjaran University, West Java, Indonesia

*E-mail : destyo99@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
At the present time, debates on the climate change’s symptoms often take place since there
have not been any accurate explanation yet. Through this paper, environmental and temperature
changes analysis on tropical areas can provide as global climate change evidence. The research
site is located on the tropical area in Indonesia, specifically in Kalibeng formation, Jatibarang sub-
district, west Semarang district, Semarang city, Central Java, Indonesia with age around Miocene.
The method designed in this practice focus is Paleoclimate modelling based on foraminifera fossil
assemblage, its relationship with the era of foraminifera’s age, and lithological of the formation.
Foraminifera were chosen because it has high abundance, well preserved, and sensitive with
climate change. The data presented in a graphic and description form of age, lithology,
temperature, and Paleoenvironment. The identification of foraminifera within this topic will
provide an alternative understanding to comprehend the global climate change trend. In addition,
it will significant contribution to build paleoclimate modelling for Miocene age in Kalibeng area.
The outcome of the method written above suggest that tropical area are still affected by global
climate change, eventhough the climate fluctuation effect not more significant compared to other
area. By identifying the foraminifera fossil test size, coiling direction, and fossil marker, it shows
that cooling trend temperature in Kalibeng formation was occured. This evidence shows that
cooling temperature trend is heavily related with global climate condition in Late Miocene.
Keyword: Foraminifera, Tropical Area, Paleoclimate, Temperature, Late Miocene.

I. INTRODUCTION not been any accurate explanation yet.

Climate change is one of the Through geological science approach, it is
prominent topic that being discussed in believed that the contemporary climate
contemporary era. This is not only because of change phenomenon is a natural process
its global impact but also regarding the which aligned with one geological principle
speculation of its solution. At the present which stated that “The Present is the Key to
time, debates on the climate change’s The Past”. Thus, what happened in the
symptoms often take place since there have present-day, has also happened in the past.
*Author for correspondence

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 Based on the aforementioned area of Central Java. The approach through
principle, we conducted geological research the abundance of foraminifera fossil.
by utilizing foraminifera fossil as the Kalibeng formation is divided into Upper and
research object. This is because foraminifera Lower Kalibeng[1]. Upper Kalibeng
fossil record their past live which contain formation is selected as research are because
information of its environment at the time of the abundance of foraminifera fossil which
and the shifting that occurred. Temperature reach until 95% assemblages[2]. The result
and ecology of Paleoenvironment and the age will presented in graphic and the description
of fossil that can acquired from foraminifera of foraminifera species that discovered.
fossil. This data can be used to interpret
Paleoclimate of research area. 1.1 GENERAL GEOLOGICAL
The research site is located in Central SETTING
Java, Indonesia. Central Java, Indonesia
Van Bemmelen (1949), in “Geology
represent numerous geological formation
of Indonesia” has examined the differences
constructed of marine sediments with age
of geological settings in Indonesia based on
ranging from Middle Eocene – Pleistocene
their signature physiographical
(Harsono, 1983). The formation are contains
characteristics. The formation used in this
from Rembang Zone, Solo Zone, and
research are mainly exposed in western part
Southern Mountains[7]. Formation being
Kendeng zone, Central Java. (Fig 1).
researched are well exposed in Kendeng zone
Kendeng zone stratigraphy is divided into
and preserved abundance of Planktonic
two basins, which are Rembang Bed that
foraminifera fossil. Kalibeng formation (Late
constructs Northern Karst Mountain, and
Miocene – Pliosen: Genevraye & Samuel,
Kendeng Bed that constructs Kendeng
1972), are the data being acquired and
Mountain (Harsono, 1983). Kendeng zone is
evaluate to determine the trends of
divided into several formation: Kerek
Paleoclimate condition. The result will be
Formation, Kalibeng Formation, Puncangan
correlated with regional data to show the
Formation, Kabuh formation, Notopuro
paleoclime in this area.
formation, and Undak Bengawan Solo
The aim of this research is to
formation. The research area is adjacent with
reconstruct the trend of paleoclimate in
Ungaran Mountain in the south, and Alluvial
Kalibeng Formation during Late Miocene –
Plain in the north coast of Java.
Pliocene in tropical area, in specific northern

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 Fig. 1 : Location Map of Exposed Formation Area (Modified from Bemmelen, 1949)

1.2 FORMATION DESCRIPTIONS The Upper Kalibeng formation,

usually referred as Sonde formation, consists
Kalibeng Formation of Klitik unit and composed of well-bedded
Kalibeng formation is located in calcarenites that contains of abundance
Jatibarang sub-district, west Semarang Planktonic Foraminifera. Sonde formation is
disctrict, Semarang City. Kalibeng formation around 27-589 meters thick with age ranging
is divided into Upper and Lower Kalibeng. from N19-N21 (Pliocene) and spread through
Lower Kalibeng formation is the length of limb in southern Kendeng
extremely rich in well-preserved anticlinorium.
foraminifera fossil. Based on foraminifera 1.3 PALEOCLIMATE
index fossil discovered, shows that the age
RECONSTRUCTION METHOD
are ranging from Late Miocene – Pliocene
(N17-N21). Lower Kalibeng lithology Since 1970s, the usage of
generally composed of unstratified massive foraminifera can serve as an indicator to
yellowish until grey pelagic marl as a whole determine many geological problem that
attains thickness around 600 meters. The mainly focused on general
lower part of the formation previously called Paleoenvirontmental problems and
the Banyak formation, consists of debris flow biostratigraphy analysis around the world.
deposit that evolve until western part of The planktonic foraminifera, due to its
Kendeng zone (Harsono, 1983, in Suryono et tendency to live under strictly characterized
al, 2002). De Genevraye & Samuel (1972) habitat, could be used to investigate the
divides the western part of Lower Kalibeng Paleoenvironment, such as the ocean’s
formation into several units which are Paleotemperature analysis, by studying the
Banyak unit, Cipluk unit, Kalibiuk unit, amount of certain species in certain area and
Limestone Unit, and Damar Unit. by matching those data with the species’
habitat details from many several samples

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that are taken from several sections of the and Bentonic Foraminifera which live in
formations and interpreted the age range seafloor.
referring to Bolli & Saunders (1966)
Foraminifera are very sensitive
planktonic stratigraphic charts. The
towards the environment, such as salinity,
researcher will present the data in form of
temperature, depth, pH, nutrition, and
graphic and description.
organic composition. These characteristics
1.4 RESULT enable them to record the condition and the
changes throughout their live. Planktonic
Foraminifera foraminifera are best to be used to reconstruct
Foraminifera are uniseluller organism temperature since they live in water column
which has a test (internal shell) and have which allows them to distribute in vast area.
existed since 500 million years ago. The test Differently, bentonic foraminifera are best to
comprised of chambers that evolve be used to determine the environment since
throughout their lives. The composition of their live on the seafloor. Foraminifera fossil
test made of organic material which generally can be applied not only to biodiversity but
CaCO3. Foraminifera can grow from the size also to understanding Paleoecology,
of 10 micrometer until 20 centimeter. This Paleobiogeography, Paleoclimate, and
organism moves and feeding themselves with moreover in oil and gas exploration.
pseudopodia. Foraminifera can be found in 2
area, planktonic which live in water column

Foraminifera Analysis
Foraminifera Species List
Table 1. Foraminifera fossil list from Ben S-2 sample
No. Fossil Name No. Fossil Name
Asterorotulia trispinosa
03 Globigerina praebuloides (BLOW) 23
(THALMANN)
04 Globorotalia dutetrei (d’ORBIGNY) 24 Nonion subturgidum (CUSHMAN)
05 Globigerina praebuloides (BLOW) 25 Nonion subturgidum (CUSHMAN)
13 Globigerina praebuloides (BLOW) 26 Neouvigena ampullacea (BRADY)
Globorotalia acostaensis acostaensis
14 Globigerina buloides (BLOW) 32
(BLOW)
18 Globigerina nephenthes (TODD) 35 Elphidium crispum (LINNAEUS)
22 Hastigerina aequintelaris (BRADY) 36 Noninoides grateloupi (d’ORBIGNY)

Fossil Age Analysis that used to age reconstruction. Globorotalia

acostaensis acostaensis BLOW becomes
Based on fossil analysis, the fossil index that show N17 age (J.Postuma,
researcher could construct the age graphic in 1971). Ajayi and Okosun (2014)[6] in their
Fig 2. Planktonic foraminifera is the fossil paper Planktic Foraminifera Biostratigraphy

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of A, B, C, D Wells, Offshore Niger Delta, environment through bentonic foraminifera.
Nigeria explain that Globorotalia Bentonic foraminifera that have been
acostaensis acostaensis BLOW is index identified shows that the depositional
fossil for N16-N17 age (Bolli and Saunders, environment in the research area is in Neritic
1985). N17, part of Late Miocene zone, zone. Neouvigena ampullaceal BRADY,
which ranging 11.6 Million to 5.3 Million Noninoides grateloupi d’ORBIGNY, and
years ago. Nonion subturgidum CUSHMAN show that
the depth range is around 43-130 m. In
Depositional Environment Analysis
general, it can be inferred that depositional
environment in the research area are marine
Based on fossil analysis, the
environment.
researcher can determine the depositional

Fig. 2 : Planktonic foraminifera fossil age based on Ben S-2 sample

Climate Temperature Analysis foraminifera fossil that have been observed in

research area, fossil with sinistral (left)
Foraminifera Fossil Size coiling direction are dominating. From 8
Foraminifera fossil size that have species that can be identified, 6 of them have
been identified are relatively small. The size sinitral direction, 1 dextral, and 1
of foraminifera test affected by several factor undetermined.
such as temperature. Foraminifera size that
live in cold-water or cold-environment are
relatively small and rare or absent in the
>250-µm [2]

Coiling Direction
In several planktonic foraminifera
species, direction of coiling is different in
different temperature realms. From all known
examples of species with coiling reversals, Fig. 3 : Coiling direction of planktonic
sinistral (left) coiling corresponds with lower Foraminifera fossil in Ben S-2 sample
temperature[2]. Based on Fig. 3, all

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Fossil Marker experiencing climate co-evolution which
Foraminifera usually have short life caused the occurrence of modern cold season
cycle, thus it can be used primarily as in this region, especially in the southern
temperature, age, and paleoenvironment China and the northern India. Some evidence
indicator. In Kalibeng formation, researcher that can be used to support Tang et al, (2015)
found Globigerina bulloides d’ORBIGNY argument can be found through the result of
which is a fossil marker to cold-temperature fossil analysis, the changing of sea
or lower temperature[8]. This argument is temperature, and other geological evidence
reaffirmed by Antonarakou et al (2007) [5], (An et al, 2001; Fortelius et al, 2002; Wang
which stated that Globigerina bulloides et al, 2005; Molnar et al, 2010 in H. Tang et
d’ORBIGNY is the indicator to lower al, 2015)[4]. In this respect, our research is
temperature. heavily related with Tang et al,.(2015)
hypothesis on climate change trend in Late
Data Comparison Miocene period.

Previous research has shown

similarities related to the presented result 1.5 CONCLUSION
which shows that there is a cooling The result of foraminifera data
temperature tendency during Miocene- assemblage interpretation in Late Miocene
Pliocene period. In the research on Solo river shows that there was cooling temperature,
section, Java, Indonesia, Van Gorsel (1981)[2] proved by the decreasing temperature trend.
shows that there was cooling temperature This result based on the foraminifera test
trend during Miocene-Pliocene period. size, coiling direction, and fossil marker that
Akmaluddin (2010)[3], using isotope-oxygen shows an indication of cooling temperature in
method, also discovers that the temperature the research area.
in Miocene period was relatively cooling.
In general, cooling temperature trend
in Central Java area, Indonesia, shows the
Global Climate Correlation similarity with the global trend, especially in
The result of climate trend in late south Asia. The researcher agree that tropical
Miocene in Kalibeng formation, North of area was impacted by climate change but was
Central Java, has shown that the temperature not more significant compared to other area.
was cooling within this period. Albeit of the
limited findings that support our argument, 1.6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
this result is aligned with the global trend
Thanks to Mrs. Lia Jurnaliah as our
which shows that there was an indication of
advisory lecturer and for all the critically
cooling temperature in late Miocene. Tang
discussion and motivation words to finish
(2015), in “Strong Winter Monsoon causes
this paper making. A special thanks to
Surface Cooling over India and China in the
Faculty of Geological Engineering,
Late Miocene”, has analyzed that during late
Padjadjaran University, for the assistances us
Miocene (11-5 Ma) south Asia was
to present this paper, also Mr. Iyan for his

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assistance while we working in the Lab. We
would feel honored to Mrs. Kanika Shakya,
Mr. Bisma Putra Sampurna, and Mr. Jayadi
Sinaga for big contribution on supporting us
to present this paper at the 8th International
Congress of Environmental Research,
Luebeck, Germany on July 2016.

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 REFERENCES Publisher: American International Journal of
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Indonesians) [8] Hillaire-Marcel, C. and De Vernal, A.
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1981. Late Neogene Planktonic Paleoceanography. Amsterdam: Elsevier
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(Java, Indonesia). Amsterdam: Elsevier
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[3] Akmaluddin, Watanabe, Koichiro, et al.,

2010. Miocene Warm Tropical Climate:
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[4] Tang H., J.T. Eronen et al, 2015. Strong

winter monsson wind cause surface cooling
over India and China in the Late Miocene.
Publisher: Copernicus Publications on behalf
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[5] Antonarakou A., Drinia H., Tsaparas N.

& Dermitzakis M. D. 2007. —
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[6] Ajayi, Eunice Omozusi and Okosun,

Edward Agboneni. 2014. Planktic
Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of A, B, C, D
Wells, Offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria.

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 Figure 5. Globigerina bulloides (GLOW) as a fossil marker for cooling temperature.

Figure 6. Globorotalia acostaensis acostaensis (d’ORBIGNY) as a fossil marker for late

Miocene (N17)