## 6 Summary and Conclusions  
We here provide the results of the integrated high-resolution analysis of changes in benthic foraminifera and calcareous plankton assemblages across the MECO event from the Neo-Tethyan Baskil section. The combinations of these records integrated with geochemical variations and supported by a statistical approach (detrended correspondence analyses, DCA) allows us to outline five phases of the main environmental scenarios across the interval investigated (Figure 7). The pre-MECO phase, when prevailed cooler conditions, was characterized by a well-stratified water column and oligotrophic state throughout the water column. During the INITIAL MECO phase variations in all the analyzed groups record a temperature increase as sustained by a negative \(\delta^{18}\)O shift. A change towards mesotrophic conditions occurred in this phase, possibly related to the enhanced hydrological cycle and terrigenous flux as documented by geochemical and mineralogical proxies. Changes in benthic foraminifera and diversity indices point to an increased dissolution at the sea floor. The variations in geochemical proxies and biotic changes across the MECO CIE phase testify persistent high surface water temperature and the establishment of eutrophic conditions throughout the water column. The seafloor was characterized by enhanced organic matter availability both in terms of quantity and quality and a possible lowering of oxygen availability. This interval also shows a further decrease of C/A values that reflect enhanced carbonate dissolution. The MECO WARMING PEAK interval is marked by the most striking biotic changes that record a response to the warming and to eutrophication as testified by peak in abundance of the warm and eutrophic nannofossils indices, virtual disappearance of the oligotrophic planktonic foraminifera and peak in eutrophic deep dwellers taxa. On the basis of the E/I and bi-triserial benthic foraminiferal values, this interval likely denotes a decrease in the quantity of organic matter reaching the seafloor but likely an increase in its quality (i.e., labile). This phase also reflects peak in carbonate dissolution that may have amplified the original planktonic foraminiferal response. During the gradual recovery of oxygen stable isotope values towards the pre-event record, the post-MECO phase highlights only a partial return to the pre-event mesotrophic conditions. Actually, our biotic data demonstrate that the entire water column remained somehow affected by the MECO conditions, possibly due to the combined effect of local factors and global climate. This is suggested by a slight return to more proportionated percentages of oligo- and eutrophic calcareous nannofossils indices. However, transient eutrophic conditions are testified by calcareous nannofossil eutrophic taxa that show peaks in abundance at the top of this interval. This is possibly related to nutrients input associated to the resedimented levels occurring in this phase. The occurrence of the eutrophic radiolarians confirms the fluctuating eutrophic state. Planktic foraminiferal assemblages became relatively more diversified though dominated by cold eutrophic thermocline dwellers. The results from the Baskil section emphasize that a first abrupt permanent decline in abundance of the large acarininids and morozovellids took place well before their evolutionary extinction level occurring at the Bartonian/Priabonian boundary. Our data agree with other records from Tethyan sections of northern Italy and tropical Atlantic. A recovery during the post-MECO phase is recorded by benthic foraminiferal assemblages and indices. Specifically, a general reduction of the E/I and bi-triserial forms reflect higher availability of organic matter onto the sea floor but likely refractory in origin, whereas overall increased P/B and C/A values mark the end of the dissolution phase.