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Implications from the Coastal Margin, Niger Delta, Gulf of Guinea Onema

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Implications from the Coastal Margin, Niger Delta, Gulf of Guinea Onema Controls on Palaeovegetation and Delta Evolution: Implications from the Coastal Margin, Niger Delta, Gulf of Guinea Onema Christopher Adojoh BTech (Hons), Applied Geology, ATB University, Bauchi MSc Petroleum Geology, University of Benin Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Environmental Sciences (Geography and Geology) University of Liverpool, UK September, 2016 Dedication and approval content “Umu otakida ki de du tefu owo ojo, okpejima mi (Gabriella, Rachael, and Antonia), oyami (Paula) kpayu aboduu kuma do wo tu mi kun-eke chekpa lafia, manyu eneduu ki tene chukochewn palynology, micropalaeontology manyu geology”! “I dedicate this thesis to God, my triplets (Gabriella, Rachael, and Antonia), wife (Paula), and all those who ensured that I had a complete successful end to this write up, and finally to aspiring micropalaeontologists, palynologists and geologists”. I certify that this thesis, and the research to which it refers, are product of my initiatives and that any ideas from other people were referenced according the standard practice. Approved as to style and content by: Dr. Lydie Dupont, Bremen University, Germany (External examiner) Prof. Andy Plater, University of Liverpool, UK (Internal examiner) Dr. Fabienne Marret, University of Liverpool, UK (Primary supervisor) Dr. Robert Duller, University of Liverpool, UK (Secondary supervisor) Dr. Peter Osterloff, Shell, Aberdeen, UK (External supervisor, Biostratigrapher) Mr. Onema Adojoh (Author - PhD Environmental Science: Quaternary Geology, Micropalaeontology and Palaeoenvironmental Change) ii Controls on Palaeovegetation and Delta Evolution: Implications from the Coastal Margin, Niger Delta, Gulf of Guinea Abstract Delta systems are not only the interface between the land and the ocean, but also sites of long-term sediment accumulation, pollen and organic matter storage that can be used for environmental investigations. Deltas are particularly sensitive to climate and sea level change, which can be expressed with change in the shelf morphology and the associated vegetation. The Niger Delta, ideally located in a region of great sensitivity to climate change and sea level fluctuations, offers the possibility to provide an insight on the “late” Quaternary history of environmental change in West Equatorial Africa. Up to now, this deltaic system has been sparsely studied, compared with other major tropical deltas and therefore, its response to past climate change and sea level fluctuation is poorly understood. This study aims to fill this scientific gap through a detailed analysis of a multi-proxy dataset collected from three gravity cores obtained from the shallow margin of the Niger Delta. The dataset included sedimentology, grain size, geochemistry, calcareous nannoplankton, foraminifera and palynomorphs. Using these data, a robust biostratigraphic framework was established for the littoral shallow offshore deltaic sequence. In addition, a refined biostratigraphic technique was developed based on foraminiferal and nannofossil (NN) indicators linked to the Marine Isotopes Stages, which helped to define the age model of the sequences (NN19= MIS2, NN20 & NN21=MIS1). Within this new biostratigraphic framework the spatial and temporal evolution of the coastal environment of the Niger Delta were evaluated. This study hypothesised that the dynamics of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the West African Monsoon (WAM) and sea level fluctuation played a major role in shaping the landscape in the Niger Basin and adjacent coastal regions. The palynological sequences defined in the three gravity cores show very similar fluctuations, with a dominance of the Afromontane Forest (Podocarpaceae), Freshwater Swamp (Cyperaceae), Savannah (Poaceae) and Lowland Rainforest (Polypodiaceae) during the late glacial and deglaciation period, followed by the iii development of the Mangrove (Rhizophoraceae) during the Early to mid-Holocene. In addition, high values of charred grass cuticles and Ti/Zr are observed during the late glacial, whereas high values of Fe/S ratio and planktonic foraminiferal are concomitant to the expansion of mangrove vegetation during the interglacial period. These records suggest dry conditions, with lower sea level during the late glacial and deglaciation periods, and warm conditions leading to the rise of the sea level during the interglacial in the Early to mid-Holocene periods respectively. To summarise, the outcome of this study indicates that the records link well in time to the known hypotheses of the land-ocean interactions providing the main drivers for study of the climate and sea level change in relation to the sedimentary and vegetation evolution of the Niger Delta compared with previous studies from West Equatorial Africa. The results permit a re-evaluation of the controls of climate, sea level and sediment supply contributing to the understanding of the two stages in palaeovegetation and the littoral/coastal evolution of the Niger Delta (progradation and retrogradation) for the future exploration, exploitation and sustainability of the region. iv Acknowledgements I remain grateful to God and my sponsors, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) of Nigeria for, sponsoring my PhD studentship. Without their funding (PTDF), this research would have been difficult for me to undertake. It is really a rare privilege to come over to the multi-racial environment of the United Kingdom to undertake this study experience and unforgettable experience. I am indebted to my academic supervisors, Dr. Fabienne Marret and Dr. Robert Duller, for their unending enthusiasm, knowledge, support and guidance throughout my PhD. Dr. Fabienne Marret, you pushed me to attend the social forum, conferences and to make presentations. These have exposed me to many professional colleagues, and the learning worldwide. Without you, I am not sure I would have had this opportunity to be trained and supervised with high tech equipment. To Dr. Peter OsterIoff (Principal Biostratigrapher, Shell Upstream, Europe), I will forever remain grateful and committed to the dreams he has inspired in me right from 2009, when we first met. His influence through Shell made it possible for me to get those materials looking at the difficulties in obtaining samples and materials from an area in which data acquisition is restricted due to prospecting companies. I thank him also for agreeing to be my external supervisor during my PhD studentship. I sincerely thank you all, for all the pains and co-operations to see that I am able to reach an end point. I am grateful to the University of Liverpool, to members of staff (Geography and Geology), all of whose names I cannot. Also, I was fortunate to have wonderful laboratory support from the department of geography. Thank you all for providing the favourable environment for this study. My stay at Liverpool has been a glorious one, in no small measure due to my fellow research colleagues. The cooperation and entertainment value of previous and current research students and post docs in the school of environmental sciences (Geology and Geography) throughout my PhD studentship cannot be exaggerated – Dan, Rafa, Bev, Jen, Tim, Fiona, Lee, Matt B, Madeleine, Kush, Josh, Amy, Chris, Ai, Cai, Raymond, Cyril, Yola, Veronica, Thea, Elvis, William, Celestine, Chris, Rachael Lem, Sally Hoare, Jennifer Clear and Karen Halsall. They have really assisted me in so many ways during my time at the University of Liverpool that I cannot pay them back for their benevolence. Many thanks to them for days out in the fresh air and for v sharing much during the monthly literature review organised under the generosity of my supervisor Dr. Fabienne Marret. I must thank the following for their training and support in so many ways: Stephen Packer, Stephen Starkie, Lydie Dupont (Bremen University, Germany), Tim (University of Utrecht, the Netherlands), Jen O’Keefe (Morehead State University, Kentucky, USA) and Hanjie Sun (Institute of Oceonology, China), Robert Morley (Padova), Richard Tyson (Statoil), Oboh Francisca (Missouri State University, USA), Carlos Jaramillo (Smithsonian research group, USA) for their guide in the identification of some nannofossil forms and palynology training. My thanks also go to Claudia, Andrea and Paul for their assistance on the nannofossil biostratigraphic dating and micropalaeontology guidance during my research internship visit at the CCG Roberson Research Company, North Wales, UK. I will also like to extend my appreciation to the following people from St. Anne & Bernard’s Parish: Fr Peter Morgan, Mr. Denis and Sister Magrette, as well as the following from the University of Plymouth: Stephen Grimes, Matthew Watkinson, Meriel Fitzpatrick, Christopher Smart, Malcolm Hart, Luke Mander, Catherine Johnson, Ann Treeby, Mike Fuller, Anna, Sharon Healy and Sarah Kearns for their support in different ways that I cannot mention. I am highly indebted to Mr. John Phillips of Hope University and Dr. Bamber David for their time and suggestions as well. To my lovely wife, Dr (Mrs) Pauline Onema, and the triplets (Gabriella, Rachael and Antonia) I say thank you for your patience, endurance and cooperation for allowing me to stay away for such a long time to complete this study. You are my pride and asset, and I will forever love you all for the covenant that bonds us together. For my parents, Mr and Mrs Gabriel Amodu, I do not know where to start from looking at the background you gave me in all aspects.
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