The Bahariya Formation, which marks the Albian/Cenomanian boundary in the North Western Desert of... more The Bahariya Formation, which marks the Albian/Cenomanian boundary in the North Western Desert of Egypt, has yielded a largely terrestrial microflora dominated by pteridophyte spores, and angiosperm and gymnosperm pollen. The elater-bearing palynomorph Galeacornea clavis Stover, and the ephedroid pollen Steevesipollenites binodosus Stover are recorded for the first time in Egypt. These species, together with other palynomorphs whose stratigraphie ranges are known, suggest a late Albian to early Cenomanian age for the formation. Observations on the palynodebris indicate that the organic matter associated with the spores and pollen grains consists mainly of black vitrinite particles and leaf cuticles. Dominance of continental palynoflora over the marine element indicates proximity to the shoreline. The scarcity of dinoflagellate cyste species in the investigated samples may coincide with the onset of an anoxic phase, which may have been caused by regional tectonic movements during the Albian regression which affected Egypt in a most marked way. A large part of the Western Desert formed a receptacle receiving the fluvial detritus of the rivers emanating from the eroded elevated massif to the south.
... Abdel Gawad, GI, and Saber, SC, 1990b, Jurassic microflora of Gabal El Minshera, northern ...... more ... Abdel Gawad, GI, and Saber, SC, 1990b, Jurassic microflora of Gabal El Minshera, northern ... AboulEla, NM, Shaw, D., and Ragab, SE, 1996, Palynostratigraphy of the Bahariya Formation in ... Abubakar, MB, Obaje, NG, Luterbacher, HP, Dike, EFC, and Ashraf, AR, 2006, A report ...
... El Beialy, Salah Y. ... Sie ermöglichen eine Datierung der Schichtglieder E und G der Abu Roa... more ... El Beialy, Salah Y. ... Sie ermöglichen eine Datierung der Schichtglieder E und G der Abu Roash-Formation ins Obercenoman, während die Bahariya-Formation in das Oberalb bis Untercenoman gestellt werden konnte. Die wichtigsten Formen sind im "Abstract" aufgeführt. ...
Palynostratigraphie datee du Kimmeridgien-Barremien du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, Egypte Des... more Palynostratigraphie datee du Kimmeridgien-Barremien du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, Egypte Des analyses palynologiques detaillees des formations du Kimmeridgien au Barremien superieur provenant du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, sont presentees dans ce travail. La formation jurassique Masajid et les argiles du Cretace inferieur de Mersa Matruh ont livre environ 100 especes de microspores et de kystes de microplanctons. Quatre palynozones ont pu ainsi etre definies, fondees sur l'analyse stratigraphique des kystes de dinoflagelles, des spores et des grains de pollen. La formation Masajid comprend la palynozone PS4 datee du Kimmeridgien. Les argiles de la formation de Mersa Matruh sus-jacentes sont divisees en 3 zones : Berriasien -Hauterivien inferieur (PS3), Hauterivien superieur -Barremien inferieur (PS2) au Barremien superieur (PSI). La comparaison des ensembles souffre d'un manque de donnees, mais, en general, la microflore egyptienne est moins diversifiee et plus pauvre que celle connue dans le Nord-Ouest de l'Europe. Les ensembles sont similaires a ceux provenant des depots du Jurassique-Cretace trouves dans la region circum-mediterraneenne.
Well preserved, diverse sporomorphs, phytoplankton and foraminifers have been found in cores from... more Well preserved, diverse sporomorphs, phytoplankton and foraminifers have been found in cores from the DK-C well, Dukhan Oil Field, Western Qatar, Arabian Gulf. Most samples studied contained dinocysts, acritarchs, foraminiferal test linings, spores, pollen grains and benthic and planktic forams. From the entire palynomorph assemblage mainly dinoflagellate cysts and miospores were studied to give a stratigraphie outline for the upper Lower and Middle Cretaceous Thamama and Wasia groups. The age of the Shuaiba Formation as indicated by dinocysts is possibly early Aptian. Deposition took place in a marine environment which could possibly reflect the extreme distal locus of deposition. A tentative late middle Albian age could be assigned to unit A of the Nahr Umr Formation on basis of palynology. However unit В is dated as late Albian by palynomorphs and early Albian by foraminifera. In view of the extremely low faunal recovery and unavailability of samples from unit С of the Nahr Umr Formation, no age assignment could be postulated. The clastic facies of the Nahr Umr Formation showed high recovery of fern spores which allows us to assume marshy environment with fluviatile deposits that phased out Albian sedimentation. The dating of the Mauddud shelf carbonate Formation as late Albian, based on foraminifera, is not supported palynologically. Unit A of the Ahmadi Formation did not yield any diagnostic fauna that did allow an age assignment. The presence of elater-bearing palynomorphs, diagnostic miospores and dinocysts in this interval confined the age of this unit to the late Albian-early Cenomanian. This aspect of the Albian-Cenomanian flora could possibly indicate the prevalence of marine conditions in its upper part and the elaters are suited to a presumed arid or semi-arid climate. Units В, С and D are of early and middle Cenomanian, based on the presence of Hensonina lenticularis and Asterohedbergella asterospinosa zones. The Mishrif shallow water limestone Formation which closes out the Middle Cretaceous with alternations of limestone and shale is attributed to the late Cenomanian Dictyoconella minima Zone reported from adjacent wells in the same region.
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Aug 1, 1998
Miospores recovered from the Rusayl Shale Formation of the Al Khawd section, northern Oman, are a... more Miospores recovered from the Rusayl Shale Formation of the Al Khawd section, northern Oman, are assigned an Early Eocene age, based on the co-occurrence of pantropical stratigraphic markers such as Proxapertites cursus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus, Rhombipollis geniculatus, and Intratriporopollenites microreticulatus. The sediments were deposited in a marginally marine environment under terrestrial influence, as indicated by the presence of very rare dinocysts
International Journal of Coal Geology, May 1, 2016
Abstract Organic geochemical studies were undertaken on 241 Jurassic–Cretaceous ditch cuttings sa... more Abstract Organic geochemical studies were undertaken on 241 Jurassic–Cretaceous ditch cuttings samples, and 9 gases and 10 crude oils from some productive Mesozoic pay-zone intervals in the Khalda Concession, Shushan Basin, northern Western Desert, Egypt. We aim to investigate source rock characteristics, origin of gases, nature of oils and their inferred source rocks, and to establish genetic relationships. The Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation and older rocks contain organic-rich, mature, coaly and carbonaceous shales which are the main source for hydrocarbons in Egypt's Western Desert, including the Shushan Basin, which generally contains kerogen Type III with some contribution of Type III/II kerogen. Molecular and isotopic composition indicates that the Khalda gases are of thermogenic origin. A mature (> 0.6–>2.0%Ro) source rock with terrigenous organic matter (kerogen Type III) was identified as a precursor of wet thermogenic gases in the Shushan Basin. Geochemical results indicate that the oil samples were derived from a source rock deposited mainly under oxic conditions and containing terrigenous organic matter. Biomarker data indicate that paraffinic oils and condensates from the Shushan Basin were derived from mature source rocks within the oil window. The light hydrocarbon data suggests that the analyzed oils can be classified into two groups as a result of evaporative fractionation and maturation. This signal of a secondary reservoir transformation, which is not revealed by biomarker analysis, emphasizes the importance of integrating biomarker and light hydrocarbon data to understand variations in the chemical composition and origin of oils.
Sixty- three bottom sediment samples were collected from the Burullus Lagoon with the purpose of ... more Sixty- three bottom sediment samples were collected from the Burullus Lagoon with the purpose of determining the distribution pattern of the palynomorphs and microfauna, the relationship between dominant species and different environmental variables, and environmentally assessing pollution impacts following construction of a major motorway (the International Highway Project). Salinity played an important role in the distribution pattern of the living biocoenose, while temperature, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon have had a negligible effect. The biodiversity of the Burullus Lagoon is threatened by dilution of the marine water with freshwater entering the basin from irrigation canals. The high content of iron, as well as drainage water from agricultural activities, could have polluted the southern fringe of the lagoon. Heavy metal concentrations in the basin’s eastern sector could also have a fatal effect on biodiversity. The opportunity is taken tomake mitigation recommendations...
The Eocene–Oligocene transition period was marked by one of the most abrupt and severe global env... more The Eocene–Oligocene transition period was marked by one of the most abrupt and severe global environmental changes in the Cenozoic record, and this had a marked influence on the evolution of a number of animal and plant groups and entire ecosystems. This study documents continental palynomorphs recovered from the sedimentary rocks of the Dabaa Formation (Qattara area, North-Western Desert, Egypt) located on the southern shore of the Tethys Ocean and dated as Late Eocene–Early Oligocene. The botanical affinities, (phyto)ecology and distribution of the vegetation during the Eocene–Oligocene of the study area are discussed. The recorded assemblages are well preserved and comprise diverse lineages of algae, spores and pollen. They were identified, illustrated and assigned to 46 families encompassing chlorococcalean algae, lycopods, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The studied assemblages demonstrate the development of tropical vegetation, including tropical deciduous forest, grassla...
Abstract A detailed palynological, palynofacies and geochemical study has been undertaken on cutt... more Abstract A detailed palynological, palynofacies and geochemical study has been undertaken on cuttings samples selected from wells drilled in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Inter alia, the samples yielded marine palynomorphs, non-marine palynomorphs, amorphous organic matter (AOM) and phytoclasts. Deposits of the Matulla Formation are dated as Coniacian–Santonian based on the angiosperm pollen and dinoflagellate cyst content. Angiosperm pollen Areolipollis vespiformis in the Rudeis Formation is taken as a biostratigraphic marker for the early Miocene. Two palynofacies associations were identified. Association-A from the Matulla and upper Rudeis formations consists mainly of Type-III gas-prone kerogen. Association-B contains Type-II and Type-II/III kerogens with mixed oil and gas, and is typical of Duwi, Esna, Thebes and lower Rudeis samples. Samples were deposited under various dysoxic–anoxic and suboxic–anoxic conditions. The peridiniacean assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Matulla Formation intimates deposition in a tropical to subtropical setting within the Tethyan Realm of the Malloy Suite. Salixipollenites, fern spores, and dinoflagellate cysts suggest successive phases of humidity versus aridity during the early Miocene. Geochemical data show that samples from the Duwi Formation are Type-II and Type-II/III kerogens. Based on low HI values and low abundance of AOM, palynofacies association-A samples indicate Type-III gas-prone kerogen, whereas association-B samples have the greatest values of HI and AOM, indicating oil-prone Type-II to Type-II/III kerogens.
The Bahariya Formation, which marks the Albian/Cenomanian boundary in the North Western Desert of... more The Bahariya Formation, which marks the Albian/Cenomanian boundary in the North Western Desert of Egypt, has yielded a largely terrestrial microflora dominated by pteridophyte spores, and angiosperm and gymnosperm pollen. The elater-bearing palynomorph Galeacornea clavis Stover, and the ephedroid pollen Steevesipollenites binodosus Stover are recorded for the first time in Egypt. These species, together with other palynomorphs whose stratigraphie ranges are known, suggest a late Albian to early Cenomanian age for the formation. Observations on the palynodebris indicate that the organic matter associated with the spores and pollen grains consists mainly of black vitrinite particles and leaf cuticles. Dominance of continental palynoflora over the marine element indicates proximity to the shoreline. The scarcity of dinoflagellate cyste species in the investigated samples may coincide with the onset of an anoxic phase, which may have been caused by regional tectonic movements during the Albian regression which affected Egypt in a most marked way. A large part of the Western Desert formed a receptacle receiving the fluvial detritus of the rivers emanating from the eroded elevated massif to the south.
... Abdel Gawad, GI, and Saber, SC, 1990b, Jurassic microflora of Gabal El Minshera, northern ...... more ... Abdel Gawad, GI, and Saber, SC, 1990b, Jurassic microflora of Gabal El Minshera, northern ... AboulEla, NM, Shaw, D., and Ragab, SE, 1996, Palynostratigraphy of the Bahariya Formation in ... Abubakar, MB, Obaje, NG, Luterbacher, HP, Dike, EFC, and Ashraf, AR, 2006, A report ...
... El Beialy, Salah Y. ... Sie ermöglichen eine Datierung der Schichtglieder E und G der Abu Roa... more ... El Beialy, Salah Y. ... Sie ermöglichen eine Datierung der Schichtglieder E und G der Abu Roash-Formation ins Obercenoman, während die Bahariya-Formation in das Oberalb bis Untercenoman gestellt werden konnte. Die wichtigsten Formen sind im "Abstract" aufgeführt. ...
Palynostratigraphie datee du Kimmeridgien-Barremien du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, Egypte Des... more Palynostratigraphie datee du Kimmeridgien-Barremien du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, Egypte Des analyses palynologiques detaillees des formations du Kimmeridgien au Barremien superieur provenant du sondage Malha-1, Nord du Sinai, sont presentees dans ce travail. La formation jurassique Masajid et les argiles du Cretace inferieur de Mersa Matruh ont livre environ 100 especes de microspores et de kystes de microplanctons. Quatre palynozones ont pu ainsi etre definies, fondees sur l'analyse stratigraphique des kystes de dinoflagelles, des spores et des grains de pollen. La formation Masajid comprend la palynozone PS4 datee du Kimmeridgien. Les argiles de la formation de Mersa Matruh sus-jacentes sont divisees en 3 zones : Berriasien -Hauterivien inferieur (PS3), Hauterivien superieur -Barremien inferieur (PS2) au Barremien superieur (PSI). La comparaison des ensembles souffre d'un manque de donnees, mais, en general, la microflore egyptienne est moins diversifiee et plus pauvre que celle connue dans le Nord-Ouest de l'Europe. Les ensembles sont similaires a ceux provenant des depots du Jurassique-Cretace trouves dans la region circum-mediterraneenne.
Well preserved, diverse sporomorphs, phytoplankton and foraminifers have been found in cores from... more Well preserved, diverse sporomorphs, phytoplankton and foraminifers have been found in cores from the DK-C well, Dukhan Oil Field, Western Qatar, Arabian Gulf. Most samples studied contained dinocysts, acritarchs, foraminiferal test linings, spores, pollen grains and benthic and planktic forams. From the entire palynomorph assemblage mainly dinoflagellate cysts and miospores were studied to give a stratigraphie outline for the upper Lower and Middle Cretaceous Thamama and Wasia groups. The age of the Shuaiba Formation as indicated by dinocysts is possibly early Aptian. Deposition took place in a marine environment which could possibly reflect the extreme distal locus of deposition. A tentative late middle Albian age could be assigned to unit A of the Nahr Umr Formation on basis of palynology. However unit В is dated as late Albian by palynomorphs and early Albian by foraminifera. In view of the extremely low faunal recovery and unavailability of samples from unit С of the Nahr Umr Formation, no age assignment could be postulated. The clastic facies of the Nahr Umr Formation showed high recovery of fern spores which allows us to assume marshy environment with fluviatile deposits that phased out Albian sedimentation. The dating of the Mauddud shelf carbonate Formation as late Albian, based on foraminifera, is not supported palynologically. Unit A of the Ahmadi Formation did not yield any diagnostic fauna that did allow an age assignment. The presence of elater-bearing palynomorphs, diagnostic miospores and dinocysts in this interval confined the age of this unit to the late Albian-early Cenomanian. This aspect of the Albian-Cenomanian flora could possibly indicate the prevalence of marine conditions in its upper part and the elaters are suited to a presumed arid or semi-arid climate. Units В, С and D are of early and middle Cenomanian, based on the presence of Hensonina lenticularis and Asterohedbergella asterospinosa zones. The Mishrif shallow water limestone Formation which closes out the Middle Cretaceous with alternations of limestone and shale is attributed to the late Cenomanian Dictyoconella minima Zone reported from adjacent wells in the same region.
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Aug 1, 1998
Miospores recovered from the Rusayl Shale Formation of the Al Khawd section, northern Oman, are a... more Miospores recovered from the Rusayl Shale Formation of the Al Khawd section, northern Oman, are assigned an Early Eocene age, based on the co-occurrence of pantropical stratigraphic markers such as Proxapertites cursus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus, Rhombipollis geniculatus, and Intratriporopollenites microreticulatus. The sediments were deposited in a marginally marine environment under terrestrial influence, as indicated by the presence of very rare dinocysts
International Journal of Coal Geology, May 1, 2016
Abstract Organic geochemical studies were undertaken on 241 Jurassic–Cretaceous ditch cuttings sa... more Abstract Organic geochemical studies were undertaken on 241 Jurassic–Cretaceous ditch cuttings samples, and 9 gases and 10 crude oils from some productive Mesozoic pay-zone intervals in the Khalda Concession, Shushan Basin, northern Western Desert, Egypt. We aim to investigate source rock characteristics, origin of gases, nature of oils and their inferred source rocks, and to establish genetic relationships. The Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation and older rocks contain organic-rich, mature, coaly and carbonaceous shales which are the main source for hydrocarbons in Egypt's Western Desert, including the Shushan Basin, which generally contains kerogen Type III with some contribution of Type III/II kerogen. Molecular and isotopic composition indicates that the Khalda gases are of thermogenic origin. A mature (> 0.6–>2.0%Ro) source rock with terrigenous organic matter (kerogen Type III) was identified as a precursor of wet thermogenic gases in the Shushan Basin. Geochemical results indicate that the oil samples were derived from a source rock deposited mainly under oxic conditions and containing terrigenous organic matter. Biomarker data indicate that paraffinic oils and condensates from the Shushan Basin were derived from mature source rocks within the oil window. The light hydrocarbon data suggests that the analyzed oils can be classified into two groups as a result of evaporative fractionation and maturation. This signal of a secondary reservoir transformation, which is not revealed by biomarker analysis, emphasizes the importance of integrating biomarker and light hydrocarbon data to understand variations in the chemical composition and origin of oils.
Sixty- three bottom sediment samples were collected from the Burullus Lagoon with the purpose of ... more Sixty- three bottom sediment samples were collected from the Burullus Lagoon with the purpose of determining the distribution pattern of the palynomorphs and microfauna, the relationship between dominant species and different environmental variables, and environmentally assessing pollution impacts following construction of a major motorway (the International Highway Project). Salinity played an important role in the distribution pattern of the living biocoenose, while temperature, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon have had a negligible effect. The biodiversity of the Burullus Lagoon is threatened by dilution of the marine water with freshwater entering the basin from irrigation canals. The high content of iron, as well as drainage water from agricultural activities, could have polluted the southern fringe of the lagoon. Heavy metal concentrations in the basin’s eastern sector could also have a fatal effect on biodiversity. The opportunity is taken tomake mitigation recommendations...
The Eocene–Oligocene transition period was marked by one of the most abrupt and severe global env... more The Eocene–Oligocene transition period was marked by one of the most abrupt and severe global environmental changes in the Cenozoic record, and this had a marked influence on the evolution of a number of animal and plant groups and entire ecosystems. This study documents continental palynomorphs recovered from the sedimentary rocks of the Dabaa Formation (Qattara area, North-Western Desert, Egypt) located on the southern shore of the Tethys Ocean and dated as Late Eocene–Early Oligocene. The botanical affinities, (phyto)ecology and distribution of the vegetation during the Eocene–Oligocene of the study area are discussed. The recorded assemblages are well preserved and comprise diverse lineages of algae, spores and pollen. They were identified, illustrated and assigned to 46 families encompassing chlorococcalean algae, lycopods, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The studied assemblages demonstrate the development of tropical vegetation, including tropical deciduous forest, grassla...
Abstract A detailed palynological, palynofacies and geochemical study has been undertaken on cutt... more Abstract A detailed palynological, palynofacies and geochemical study has been undertaken on cuttings samples selected from wells drilled in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Inter alia, the samples yielded marine palynomorphs, non-marine palynomorphs, amorphous organic matter (AOM) and phytoclasts. Deposits of the Matulla Formation are dated as Coniacian–Santonian based on the angiosperm pollen and dinoflagellate cyst content. Angiosperm pollen Areolipollis vespiformis in the Rudeis Formation is taken as a biostratigraphic marker for the early Miocene. Two palynofacies associations were identified. Association-A from the Matulla and upper Rudeis formations consists mainly of Type-III gas-prone kerogen. Association-B contains Type-II and Type-II/III kerogens with mixed oil and gas, and is typical of Duwi, Esna, Thebes and lower Rudeis samples. Samples were deposited under various dysoxic–anoxic and suboxic–anoxic conditions. The peridiniacean assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Matulla Formation intimates deposition in a tropical to subtropical setting within the Tethyan Realm of the Malloy Suite. Salixipollenites, fern spores, and dinoflagellate cysts suggest successive phases of humidity versus aridity during the early Miocene. Geochemical data show that samples from the Duwi Formation are Type-II and Type-II/III kerogens. Based on low HI values and low abundance of AOM, palynofacies association-A samples indicate Type-III gas-prone kerogen, whereas association-B samples have the greatest values of HI and AOM, indicating oil-prone Type-II to Type-II/III kerogens.
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