Paleogene-Early Neogene Palynomorphs from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and Southeastern Florida, USA: Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironmental Implications

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Paleogene-Early Neogene Palynomorphs from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and Southeastern Florida, USA: Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironmental Implications Scholars' Mine Doctoral Dissertations Student Theses and Dissertations Spring 2018 Paleogene-Early Neogene palynomorphs from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and Southeastern Florida, USA: Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental implications Walaa K. Awad Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations Part of the Geology Commons, and the Geophysics and Seismology Commons Department: Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Recommended Citation Awad, Walaa K., "Paleogene-Early Neogene palynomorphs from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and Southeastern Florida, USA: Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental implications" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations. 2665. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2665 This thesis is brought to you by Scholars' Mine, a service of the Missouri S&T Library and Learning Resources. This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized use including reproduction for redistribution requires the permission of the copyright holder. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i PALEOGENE-EARLY NEOGENE PALYNOMORPHS FROM THE EASTERN EQUATORIAL ATLANTIC AND SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA, USA: BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS by WALAA KAMALELDEEN AWAD A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in GEOLOGY and GEOPHYSICS 2018 Approved by Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe, Advisor John Hogan David Wronkiewicz Wan Yang Lucy Edwards ii © 2018 Walaa Kamaleldeen Awad All Rights Reserved iii To my daughters, Hala and Sara iv PUBLICATION DISSERTATION OPTION This dissertation consists of the following five articles which have been submitted for publication, or will be submitted for publication as follows: Paper I, pages 3-71 have been accepted by JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES. Paper II, pages 72-130 have been accepted by the journal PALAEOGEOGRAPHY, PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY, PALAEOECOLOGY. Paper III, pages 131-181 have been accepted by JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES. Paper IV, pages 182-224 have been submitted to the journal MARINE MICROPALEONTOLOGY. Paper V, pages 225-266 are intended for submission to the journal MICROPALEONTOLOGY. v ABSTRACT The transition from greenhouse conditions (Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, PETM) to icehouse conditions (Early Oligocene) is not well documented in tropical- subtropical regions. One hundred and five samples from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 959 (Hole 959A and Hole 959D) in the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Transform Margin, Alo- 1 Well in the northern Niger Delta (Anambra) Basin, Nigeria, and W-17001 in southeastern Florida were studied for their palynological contents. Dinoflagellate cysts were mainly utilized for age refinement and to detect subtle changes in paleoenvironment and paleoclimate during the Paleocene-Early Eocene (ODP Hole 959D and Alo-1 Well) and Late Eocene-Early Miocene (ODP Hole 959A and W-17001). Palynofacies analysis and lithologic descriptions supplemented palynomorph data for paleoenvironmental reconstructions in ODP Hole 959A and W-17001. In ODP Hole 959D, five biozones were erected, a Late Paleocene hiatus event was identified, four new dinoflagellate cyst species were formally named, and an outer neritic paleoenvironment was inferred. The paleoenvironment was shallower (inner neritic) in the Alo-1 Well which yielded two new species and had four biozones. Five biozones were established for the Late Eocene-Early Miocene interval in ODP Hole 959A, proposed the Late Eocene as a new age assignment for lithologic subunit IIB, noted a hiatus event upsection, and observed new biostratigraphic ranges for two dinoflagellate cyst species. A deep paleoenvironment with relatively cold-water masses during the Early Oligocene and hyperstratified conditions was proposed. Two hiatus events and fluctuations between restricted marine and open marine paleoenvironments were inferred in the W-17001. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank God for all the blessings. I thank my advisor, Dr. Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe, for her support during the last four and half years. There are not enough words to express my deep gratitude to her because this work would not have been achieved without her continuous encouragement and great help. Thank you for teaching me to be strong and self-dependent, for your caring and kindness made this time easier for me. I also extend my appreciation to my committee members for sharing their ideas and suggestions which had a great impact on this work. I acknowledge Drs. Jonathan Obrist- Farner, Mohamed Zobaa, Onema Adojoh, and Yunis Valdon for their useful discussions. Special thanks to all my friends: Olufeyisayo Ilesanmi, Damián Cárdenas, Marissa Spencer, Joel Edegbai, Bin Sun, Xin Zhan, Dongyu Zhang, Dr. Zhixin Li and Dr. Angelica Alvarez. I extend my appreciation to Sharon Lauck for being so nice and helpful to me. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my mother for taking care of my daughters and helping me to stay focused and productive during my study. I also thank my father, sister, brother, my best friend Sara and mother-in-law for their prayers and support. Special thanks to my brother-in-law, Sherif, for standing by me and caring about my study and future career. My daughters, Hala and Sara, thank you for being patient and tolerant throughout my study; I did all of this for you to be proud of me. I thank my husband for being patient and supportive. Your continuous encouragement helped me tremendously. I acknowledge the Missouri S&T Department of Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering for the Alfred Spreng Research Award and for supporting me as a teaching assistant. Finally, I thank all my students for their wonderful support and encouragement. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PUBLICATION DISSERTATION OPTION ................................................................... iv ABSTRACT .........................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ........................................................................................... xiv LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... xvii LIST OF PLATES ........................................................................................................... xix SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1 PAPER I. EARLY PALEOGENE DINOFLAGELLATE CYSTS FROM ODP HOLE 959D, CÔTE D'IVOIRE-GHANA TRANSFORM MARGIN, WEST AFRICA: NEW SPECIES, BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS .....................................................................................................3 ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................3 1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................4 2. GEOLOGIC SETTING .......................................................................................7 2.1. TECTONICS.........................................................................................7 2.2. LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY ....................................................................8 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS .........................................................................9 4. PREVIOUS BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC STUDIES ...............................................12 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ......................................................................14 viii 5.1. STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF DINOFLAGELLATE CYSTS ................................................................................................14 5.2. DINOFLAGELLATE CYST ZONATION ........................................17 5.2.1. Zone 1 ..................................................................................17 5.2.2. Zone 2 ..................................................................................18 5.2.3. Zone 3 ..................................................................................19 5.2.4. Zone 4 ..................................................................................20 5.2.5. Zone 5 ..................................................................................21 5.3. PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION ........................22 5.3.1. Early Paleocene (Danian, 867.60-860.70 mbsf) ..................22 5.3.2. Late Paleocene (Selandian, 851.68-828.72 mbsf) ...............24 5.3.3. Late Paleocene (Thanetian, 822.14-799.88 mbsf) ...............26 5.3.4. Earliest Eocene (Ypresian, 793.35-776.32 mbsf) ................28 6. SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY .................................................................29 7. CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................46 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................47 APPENDICES A. QUANTITATIVE DINOFLAGELLATE CYST DATA FOR ODP HOLE 959D .........................................................................................48 B. LIST OF DINOFLAGELLATE CYST TAXA ....................................53 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................60
Recommended publications
  • Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
    Final Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report for the Proposed 100MW Solar Independent Power Plant and 18 KM Transmission Line Project, Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi State by Nigerian Solar Capital Partners/Globeleq/ARM- Harith June 2017 100 MW Independent Solar Power Plant, Bauchi State Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Table of Contents List of Tables iii List of Figures iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations v List of ESIA Preparers viii Executive Summary ix Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background 1-1 1.2 Overview 1-2 1.3 Project Scope 1-2 1.4 Project Location 1-3 1.5 Study Objectives and Terms of Reference 1-6 1.6 Report Structure 1-6 Chapter Two: Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework 2.1 Applicable National Policies 2-8 2.2 Applicable National Regulations 2-10 2.3 Institutional Framework 2-14 2.4 Applicable International Agreements and Policies 2-19 2.5 Permit Requirements 2-21 Chapter Three: Project Description 3.1 Project Overview 3-23 3.2 Project Requirements 3-23 3.3 Project Components 3-24 3.4 Operation and Maintenance 3-34 3.5 Project Activities 3-35 3.5.1 Construction 3-35 3.6 Implementation Schedule 3-35 Chapter Four: Description of the Project Environment 4.1 General 4-38 4.2 Study Area and Location 4-38 4.2.1 Reconnaissance Field Visit 4-38 4.2.2 Baseline Data Acquisition 4-38 4.2.3 Sampling Design 4-45 4.2.4 Field Sampling Methods 4-45 4.2.5 Laboratory Methods 4-47 4.3 Bio-Physical Environmental Baseline Condition 4-47 4.3.1 Climate and Meteorology 4-47 4.3.2 Ambient Air Quality 4-52 4.3.2.1
    [Show full text]
  • WS-32, Hydrogeologic Investigation of the Floridan Aquifer System at The
    SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Hydrogeologic Investigation of the Floridan Aquifer System at the S-65C Site (Well OKF-105) Okeechobee County, Florida Technical Publication WS-32 R. Simon A. Sunderland, P.G., Brian Collins, and Steve Anderson, P.G. South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 July 2011 AAcckknnoowwlleeddggeemmeennttss The authors would like to thank the Everglades Restoration Planning Department of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for providing the project funding for Phase II and Phase III of this project. We would also like to thank Sue Farland and Frances Johnson in the Water Quality Analysis Division of the SFWMD’s Environmental Resource Assessment Department for organizing and providing water quality sampling kits. Thanks and appreciation to Craig Wilson, Mike Curley, and Houston Tripp in the SFWMD’s Everglades Construction Department for their expertise and help with construction contract issues during this project. The SFWMD’s Okeechobee Field Station deserves recognition for their support of the project and for cooperating with our contractors during this project. Hydrogeologic Investigation of the Floridan Aquifer System at the S-65C Site (Well OKF-105) | i ii | Acknowledgements EExxeeccuuttiivvee SSuummmmaarryy The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) oversaw the construction and testing of a Floridan aquifer exploratory well (OKF-105) in Okeechobee County, Florida. The well is located on the west side of the Kissimmee River, adjacent to structure S-65C, approximately 20 miles northwest of the City of Okeechobee. Construction and testing of OKF-105 took place in three phases over three years.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aim of the Project Is to Carry out Integrated Studies of the Anambra
    Preliminary Integrated Hydrocarbon Prospectivity Evaluation of the Bida Basin in North Central Nigeria By N. G. Obaje1, D. O. Balogu1, A. Idris-Nda2, I. A. Goro2, S. I. Ibrahim1, M. K. Musa1, S. H. Dantata2, I. Yusuf1, N. Mamud-Dadi1, I. A. Kolo1+ Abstract The Bida Basin is a NW-SE trending intracratonic structure extending from slightly south of Kontagora in Niger State in the north to the area slightly beyond Lokoja (Kogi State) in the south. All geological maps available on the Bida Basin had lumped the sediments in the basin as one undifferentiated Nupe Sandstone, making it impossible to infer the prospectivity of the basin for hydrocarbon exploration. The delineation of inferred boundaries between the formations in the basin is a significant initial criterion in evaluating the hydrocarbon prospectivity. The formations deposited in the Bida Basin comprise the Bida Sandstone at the base, followed successively upward by the Sakpe, Enagi and Batati Formations in the Northern/Central Bida Basin while the Lokoja, Patti and Agbaja Formations constitute lateral equivalents in the Southern Bida Basin. An institutional research project of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), supported by the Niger State Government, has carried out preliminary geological mapping and completed a prospectivity map for the Bida Basin. Geochemical analysis of samples from drilled shallow wells (at Agaie and Kudu) and outcrops was also undertaken along with interpretation of geophysical aeromagnetic data. From the preliminary geological map prepared, prospective areas, ranked as Less Prospective, Prospective and More Prospective are discernable. Geochemical data show that mainly gas and some oil would have been generated within the Prospective and More Prospective sections in the basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Paleogene and Neogene Time Scale of GTS 2012 Paleogene Neogene N
    Paleogene and Neogene Time Scale of GTS 2012 Paleogene Neogene N. Vandenberghe 1, F.J. Hilgen 2 and R.P. Speijer 3 F.J. Hilgen 1, L.J. Lourens 2 and J.A. Van Dam 3 1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K. U. Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B - 3001 Leuven, Belgium, [email protected] 1. Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands, [email protected] 2. Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands, [email protected] 2. Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands, [email protected] 3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K. U. Leuven, Celestijnenlaal 200E, B - 3001 Leuven, Belgium, [email protected] 3. Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP), Campus de la UAB, Mòdul ICP, E-08193 cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain, [email protected] Of the 9 Paleogene stages, only 3 remain to be formally defined: the Bartonian and Priabonian stages of upper Paleogene Time Scale Eocene and the Chattian (base of upper Oligocene). Larger 18 13 AGE Epoch/Age Polarity Mega- Dinoflagellate Cysts North American O C AGE -1.0 -0.5 -0.5 Of the 8 Neogene stages, only 2 remain to be formally defined: the Burdigalian and Langhian stages of lower and middle Mio- (Ma) Chron Cycles Planktonic Foraminifera Benthic Calcareous Nannofossils Radiolarians NALMA MP European Mammals ALMA SALMA 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 Age (Stage) (Ma) During the Paleogene, the global climate, being warm (Stage) Northwestern Europe Mammals other zones Foraminifera ELMA R T low latitude southern high latitude until the late Eocene, shows a significant cooling trend cene.
    [Show full text]
  • PALEOGENE FOSSILS and the RADIATION of MODERN BIRDS HQ F
    The Auk 122(4):1049–1054, 2005 © The American Ornithologists’ Union, 2005. Printed in USA. OVERVIEW PALEOGENE FOSSILS AND THE RADIATION OF MODERN BIRDS Hq F. Jrx1 Division of Birds, MRC-116, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013, USA M birds arose mainly in 1989, Mayr and Manegold 2004), and others. the Neogene Period (1.8–23.8 mya), and mod- Paleogene fossils also document diverse extinct ern species mainly in the Plio-Pleistocene branches of the neornithine tree, ranging from (0.08–5.3 mya). Neogene fossil birds generally large pseudotoothed seabirds to giant fl ightless resemble modern taxa, and those that cannot land birds to small zygodactyl perching birds be a ributed to a modern genus or species (Ballmann 1969, Harrison and Walker 1976, can usually be placed in a modern family with Andors 1992). a fair degree of confi dence (e.g. Becker 1987, Before the Paleogene, fossils of putative neor- Olson and Rasmussen 2001). Fossil birds from nithine birds are sparse and fragmentary (Hope earlier in the Cenozoic can be more challeng- 2002), and their phylogenetic placement is all ing to classify. The fossil birds of the Paleogene the more equivocal. The Paleogene is thus a cru- (23.8–65.5 mya) are clearly a ributable to the cial time period for understanding the history of Neornithes (modern birds), and the earliest diversifi cation of birds, particularly with respect well-established records of most traditional to the deeper branches of the neornithine tree. orders and families of modern birds occur then.
    [Show full text]
  • Sequence Stratigraphy of the Arcadia Formation, Southeast
    SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE ARCADIA FORMATION, SOUTHEAST FLORIDA: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH by Caroline M. Wright A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida August 2014 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee and the professionals at the USGS for their support and patience. Dr. Kevin Cunningham‟s expertise on Oligocene/Miocene ichnotaxa and carbonate microfacies analysis was invaluable. Ron Reese‟s guidance and help on lithologic, geophysical, and sequence analysis was instrumental and much appreciated. A special thanks to the entire staff at the USGS Florida Water Science Center for their support and help in obtaining the material and equipment for the study. Dr. Root and Dr. Comas were helpful in reviewing the manuscript and providing useful geophysical and hydrogeologic advice. To my family, friends, and all those who encouraged me to continue, thank you. Finally, I would like to thank my major professor Dr. Anton Oleinik for his unwavering support, guidance and patience as well his helpful expertise on sedimentology and stratigraphy; the completion of this study would not have been possible without his continued dedication. iii ABSTRACT Author: Caroline M. Wright Title: Sequence Stratigraphy of the Arcadia Formation, Southeast Florida: An Integrated Approach Institution: Florida Atlantic University Thesis Advisor: Dr. Anton Oleinik Degree: Master of Science Year: 2014 The Arcadia Formation is a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic rock unit that existed as a shallow carbonate ramp to platform environment during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene Epoch.
    [Show full text]
  • Uncorking the Bottle: What Triggered the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum Methane Release? Miriame
    PALEOCEANOGRAPHY, VOL. 16, NO. 6, PAGES 549-562, DECEMBER 2001 Uncorking the bottle: What triggered the Paleocene/Eocene thermal maximum methane release? MiriamE. Katz,• BenjaminS. Cramer,Gregory S. Mountain,2 Samuel Katz, 3 and KennethG. Miller,1,2 Abstract. The Paleocene/Eocenethermal maximum (PETM) was a time of rapid global warming in both marine and continentalrealms that has been attributed to a massivemethane (CH4) releasefrom marine gas hydrate reservoirs. Previously proposedmechanisms for thismethane release rely on a changein deepwatersource region(s) to increasewater temperatures rapidly enoughto trigger the massivethermal dissociationof gas hydratereservoirs beneath the seafloor.To establish constraintson thermaldissociation, we modelheat flow throughthe sedimentcolumn and showthe effectof the temperature changeon the gashydrate stability zone throughtime. In addition,we provideseismic evidence tied to boreholedata for methanerelease along portions of the U.S. continentalslope; the releasesites are proximalto a buriedMesozoic reef front. Our modelresults, release site locations, published isotopic records, and oceancirculation models neither confirm nor refute thermaldissociation as the triggerfor the PETM methanerelease. In the absenceof definitiveevidence to confirmthermal dissociation,we investigatean altemativehypothesis in which continentalslope failure resulted in a catastrophicmethane release.Seismic and isotopic evidence indicates that Antarctic source deepwater circulation and seafloor erosion caused slope retreatalong
    [Show full text]
  • Council for Innovative Research Peer Review Research Publishing System Journal of Advances in Physics
    ISSN 2347-3487 Evaluation of the Existing State of Geothermal Exploration and Development in Nigeria Sedara, Samuel Omosule1, Joshua,E.O 2 1Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Department of Physical Sciences [email protected] 2University of Ibadan, Department of Physics, Ibadan Nigeria ABSTRACT Relatively little expenditure for hydroelectricity and fossil fuels have had a restraining influence on levels of exploration and development for geothermal energy resources in Nigeria for the past several years. The focus of development has been in the areas of low temperature geothermal energy involving the exploration and assessment of hot spring resources primarily for recreational applications – although possibly for other direct uses depending on local infrastructure and access to appropriate energy markets. The geological structure of Nigeria influences geothermal exploration extent within each geological province. Sedimentary basins in Nigeria have been explored for hydrocarbons for several decades, thus the oil companies collected large subsurface temperature data basis. But not much is known about geothermal conditions within Nigerian Precambrian crystalline province. On the basis of BHT data from oil wells it has been found that geothermal gradient in Niger Delta ranges from 1.5 to 4.9°C/100m and in Anambra Basin (directly to the north) it can reach 5.7°C/100m. Exploration for geothermal energy in northern Nigeria based on shallow water wells (down to 600 m deep) was carried out over 20 years ago. The other aspect of geothermal exploration in Nigeria is investigating of the thermal springs and seepages, which occur mainly within sediments of the Middle and Upper Benue Trough. The water of the warmest springs in that area: Akiri and Ruwan Zafi have the temperature about 56°C and it suggests the occurrence of some geothermal anomalies.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Survey of Pinellas County, Florida
    United States In cooperation with Department of the University of Florida, Agriculture Institute of Food and Soil Survey of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Agricultural Experiment Pinellas County, Resources Stations, and Soil and Conservation Water Science Service Department; the Florida Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services; and the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners i How To Use This Soil Survey Detailed Soil Maps The detailed soil maps can be useful in planning the use and management of small areas. To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the Index to Map Sheets. Note the number of the map sheet and turn to that sheet. Locate your area of interest on the map sheet. Note the map unit symbols that are in that area. Turn to the Contents, which lists the map units by symbol and name and shows the page where each map unit is described. The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed soil map unit. Also see the Contents for sections of this publication that may address your specific needs. ii This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) has leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 2002. Soil names and descriptions were approved in 2003. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this publication refer to conditions in the survey area in 2003.
    [Show full text]
  • Clay Minerals at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Interpretations, Limits, and Perspectives
    minerals Review Clay Minerals at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Interpretations, Limits, and Perspectives Fabio Tateo Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGG-CNR) Padova, c/o Dipartimento di Geoscienze, Università di Padova, Via Gradenigo 6, I-35131 Padova, Italy; [email protected] Received: 20 October 2020; Accepted: 26 November 2020; Published: 30 November 2020 Abstract: The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was an “extreme” episode of environmental stress that affected the Earth in the past, and it has numerous affinities concerning the rapid increase in the greenhouse effect. It has left several biological, compositional, and sedimentary facies footprints in sedimentary records. Clay minerals are frequently used to decipher environmental effects because they represent their source areas, essentially in terms of climatic conditions and of transport mechanisms (a more or less fast travel, from the bedrocks to the final site of recovery). Clay mineral variations at the PETM have been studied by several authors in terms of climatic and provenance indicators, but also as tracers of more complicated interplay among different factors requiring integrated interpretation (facies sorting, marine circulation, wind transport, early diagenesis, etc.). Clay minerals were also believed to play a role in the recovery of pre-episode climatic conditions after the PETM exordium, by becoming a sink of atmospheric CO2 that is considered a necessary step to switch off the greenhouse hyperthermal effect. This review aims to consider the use of clay minerals made by different authors to study the effects of the PETM and their possible role as effective (simple) proxy tools for environmental reconstructions.
    [Show full text]
  • Biostratigraphy and Palaeoenvironment of Deposition of Nsukka Formation, Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria S.A
    Journal of Palaeogeography, 2017, ▪(▪): 1e15 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect journal homepage: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-palaeogeography/ Biopalaeogeography and palaeoecology Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of deposition of Nsukka Formation, Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria S.A. Bankole a,*,A.O.Ola-Buraimob a Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria b Department of Geology, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria Abstract Biostratigraphy investigation of Nsukka Formation was carried out by subjecting well cutting samples obtained from Nzam-1 well to palynological studies with the view towards determining the relative geologic age and palaeoenvironment of deposition of the sediments. Samples were treated in the laboratory through digestion with hydrofluoric acid, sieving with 5 mm, oxidation with Nitric acid and mounting of the slides into sections with DPX mountant. A fairly high abundance and diversity of miospores were recovered, while the interval (847e1372 m) contains distinctive and diagnostic palynomorphs which are stratigraphically important. A Spinizonocolpites baculatus assemblage zone was established based on the basal occurrence of S. baculatus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus, Constructipollenites ineffectus, Periretisyncolpites sp. Peri- retisyncolpites giganteus, Monocolpites sp 1, Foveotriletes margaritae, Syncolporites marginatus, and Longapertites marginatus. The upper part of the interval is marked by association of Anacolosidites
    [Show full text]
  • On the Nature and Chronostratigraphic Position of the Rupelian and Chattian Stratotypes in the Southern North Sea Basin
    3 Articles 3 by Ellen De Man1,2, Stefaan Van Simaeys1,2, Noël Vandenberghe1, W. Burleigh Harris3, J. Marion Wampler4 On the nature and chronostratigraphic position of the Rupelian and Chattian stratotypes in the southern North Sea basin 1 Department Earth and Enviromental Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Now at ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc., Jl. Jend. Sudirman 28, Jakarta 10210 Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 3 Department of Geography and Geology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA. E-mail:[email protected] 4 School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, USA. E-mail:[email protected] The nature and chronostratigraphic position of the different from the area in which historically the unit stratotype of the Rupelian-Chattian boundary (Early-Late Oligocene) stage itself was defined. As a consequence, it is a common challenge unconformity in its historical type region (Belgium) is to define boundaries in such a way that the full stratigraphic range of the historical stratotypes is respected as much as possible. It is essential examined using biostratigraphy, strontium isotope dating to do so for continuity in stratigraphic communication. of benthic foraminifera and K-Ar dating of glauconites. This situation has occurred in the search for a GSSP definition of The duration of this unconformity is derived from the the boundary between the two Oligocene stages, the Rupelian and the absence of the globally synchronous Svalbardella dinocyst Chattian. Historically, like several other Paleogene stages, the Rupelian event associated with the important mid-Oligocene Oi2b and the Chattian have been defined in the North Sea Basin area of Western Europe (Pomerol, 1981).
    [Show full text]