Ordovician–Carboniferous Palynology of El-Waha-1 Borehole, Western Desert, Egypt

Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences Vol. 43(8), August 2014, pp. 1484-1499

Ordovician–carboniferous palynology of el-waha-1 borehole, western desert, Egypt

Moustafa, T.F1, Gamal M. A. Lashin,2 Hosny A.M.3& El-Shamma A. A1 1Egyptian Petroleum Research institute Zagazig University, Egypt 2Botany Department, Faculty of Sciences, Zagazig University, Egypt 3Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, El -Azhar University, Egypt (E-mail: [email protected]) Received 9 September 2012; revised 25 February 2014

Diverse acritarchs, chitinozoa, and miospore assemblages were recovered from the Paleozoic sequence in El-Waha -1 well, north western part of the Western Desert. Assemblages have many previously described forms known from the Paleozoic strata in north Gondwana and other parts in the world. The study revealed that the sedimentation was repeatedly interrupted , as is confirmed by stratigraphic breaks. It revealed also that the Ordovician assemblage as well as the lower part of the Silurian are composed mainly of acritarchs, less chitinozoans and no miospores have been recorded. Real sporomorphs are recorded only at the upper part of the Silurian with smooth spores (Retusotriletes, Ambietisporites, Archaeozonotriletes), verrucates ones, and Emphanisporites with poorly defined ribs. Early Devonian is characterized by zonate – camerate, pseudosaccate, a relatively simple spore types and verrucate ones, that is beside a considerable increase in diversity of the phytoplankton. Middle Devonian shows the first incoming of small sculptured camerate spores with thick exospores wall and large spinate forms related to genera Hystrichospora, Grandisporites and Ancyrosporites. Early Carboniferous is dominated by vascular plant taxa (Ferns) including laevigate, cingulizonate and cavate forms. No saccate pollen grains (Gymnosperms) have been recorded in the studied interval.

[Keywords: Carboniferous –Ordovician- El-Waha-1-Palynology, Western Desert, Egypt.]

Introduction from three wells in the Western Desert. Present study Whilst the Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks of Egypt may consider a continuous trial to shed light about the have been studied in detail because of their economic palynological characteristics of this mistrial significance, the Paleozoic rocks have received little succession through the data available from El-Waha-1 attention and therefore, the least understood sequence well located in the north western part of the Western in the area. These rocks have sporadic faunal Desert. assemblage which are not useful in age dating, that is The regional distribution of the Paleozoic strata in why palynology became urgent useful in dating and Egypt shows that there is a thick sequence of strata in solving the correlation problem for this part of the north west Egypt and a thinner sequence in the Gulf Western Desert. The earlier palynological studies in of Suez, Sinai area and south west Egypt. Until Egypt have been initiated on the Gulf of Suez and recently, the Paleozoic strata of southwest Egypt were Sinai and have concentrated in the Carboniferous undifferentiated due to insufficient stratigraphical rocks1. In the Western Desert, only few previous evidence. Ordovician strata are identified in Karkor works on the subsurface Paleozoic palynology were Talh in the northeastern part of Gebel Oweinat and carried out. The work of1 may consider the most the Egyptian–Sudan border. This consists of shallow extensive one. They established 15 biozones based on marine sandstone directly above Precambrian palynomorph assemblage ranging in age from Middle basement7. It is unconformably overlain by sandstone Cambrian to Early Permian.2 identified three of Silurian age. The Silurian is reported from the assemblages belonging to Silurian, Givetian and subsurface of the north Western Desert by8,3. As in Visean from Foram-1 well3,4. recognized five broad- Ordovician time, Egypt was during the Silurian near based palynological units ranging in age from Early the eastern edge of the sea which covered a large area Visean to Early Permian in two wells (NWD - 302-1 of north Africa and reached its maximum extension and Faghur-1) located in the north Western Desert5 during Llandoverian time. This sea seems to have established 10 assemblage zones ranging in age from transgressed into the south west, west and northwest the Lower Devonian to the lowermost Carboniferous Egypt. Devonian subsurface strata in northwest Egypt

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1485

were recorded by8,4. through the palynological works. A-Siwa Group (Early –Mid. Cambrian–Late Silurian)

Environment is at least partly marine with a 1-Shifah Formation (Mid. Cambrian–Mid. southward increase of continental influence. Ordovician) Devonian sediments of western Abu Ras Plateau and 2-Kohla Formation (Late -Llandoverian-Ludlovian) of northeast Gebel Oweinat are compared with the 3-Basur Formation (Mid–Late Ludlovian) Tadrat Sandstone Formation of Libya. It's certainly a B-Faghur Group (Early Devonian–Early Permian) fluviatile sediment deposited in the southern and eastern to southeastern foreland of one (or several) 1-Zeitun Formation ( Gedinnian–Late Devonian) Devonian transgressions. Carboniferous sediment 2-Desouqy Formation (Tournaisian–Visean) strata of Egypt differ in facies, and range from fully 3-Dhiffah Formation (Late Visean–Late Namurian) marine carbonate, shale and deep marine clastics, 4-Safi Formation (Late Namurian–Early Permian) deltaic and continental fluviatile sandstone to lacustrine and fluvio- glacial deposits. This may due Materials and Methods to the structural development of that time. Until late One hundred twelve (112) Ditch samples were Visean or Namurian, Egypt was at the southern edge obtained from El-Waha-1 well located in the of a more or less shallow sea which transgressed parts northwestern part of the Western Desert. Samples of the country7. At the same time northward draining cover the sequence spanning time interval from the rivers from surrounding areas in the south and Ordovician to Carboniferous (Fig. 1). Samples have southeast filled depressions with fluviatile sediments. been subjected to the standard technique of Most applicable lithostratigraphic subdivision for the preparation using HF, Hcl and Zn I2 as a heavy liquid 10 Paleozoic sequence in the Western Desert we use here separation . is that adopted by9. This classification seems to be acceptable by Egyptian General Petroleum Results And Discussion Corporation (EGPC) and Oil Companies and includes Palynostratigraphy two formal lithostratigraphical groups. They can also Palynomorphs taxa include (acritarchs, chitinozoan be readily subdivided into formations on the basis of and miospores) have been recorded and identified gross lithology: from all studied samples (Plates 1-5). This preliminary

Fig. 1Location map (A) and stratigraphic log of EL-Waha-1 well (B).

1486 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

PLATE IFig. 1: Rhabdosporites minutes (Balme) Playford. Fig. 2: Cymbosporites proteus McGregor & Camfield. Fig. 3: .verrucatus Richardson & Ioannides. Fig, 7: Archaeozonotriletes spﺍﻝﻑﻥﺍﻥﺓ ﺍﻝﻝﺏﻥﺍﻥﻱﺓ ﺭﺯﺍﻥ ﺍﻝﻡﻍﺭﺏﻱ .Stenozonotriletes simplex Naumova. Fig Fig. 8: Aneurospora sp. Fig. 9: Dibolisporites sp. Fig. 10: Retusotriletes cf. communis Naumova. Fig. 11: Dibolisporites eiflelinsis (Lanninger) McGregor. Fig. 12: Synorisporites Lybicus. Richardson & Ioannides. Fig.13: Apiculiretusisporites plicata (Allen) Streel. Fig. 14: Craspedispora sp. Fig. 15: Brockotriletes sp. Figs. 16, 22: Emphanisporites rotatus McGregor. Fig. 17: Emphanisporites erruticus Eisenack. Figs. 18, 19: Dictyotriletes emsiensis (Allen) McGregor. Fig. 20: Emphanisporites sp. Fig. 21: Emphanisporites annulatus McGregor. Figs. 23, 24: Emphanisporites spinaeformis Schultz. Fig. 25: Emphanisporites abscurus McGregor. Fig. 26: Verrucosisporites scurrus (Naumova) McGregor & Camfield. Fig. 27: Lophozonotriletes sp.

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1487

PLATE IIFig. 1: Brockotriletes hudsonii McGregor & Camfield. Fig. 2: Dictyotriletes emsiensis (Allen) McGregor. Fig. 3 Endosporites micromanifestus Hacquebard. Fig. 4: Hymenozonotriletes discors Chibrickova. Fig. 5: Comptozonotiletes caperatus McGregor. Fig. 6: Spelaeotriletes cf. crustatus Higgs. Fig. 7: Geminospora lemurata (Balme) Playford. Fig. 8: Verrucosisporites polygonalis Lanninger. Fig. 9: Apiculiretusisporites brandti Streel. Fig. 10: Grandispora protea (Naumova) Moreau Benoit. Fig. 11: Ancyrospora acutispinosa Chi & Hills. Fig. 12: Ancyrospora longispinosa Richardson. Fig. 13: Grandisporites libyensis Moreau Benoit. Fig. 14: Grandispora inculta Allen. Fig. 15: Camarozonotriletes sp. Fig. 16: Diatomozonotriletes sp. Fig. 17: Synoriporites papillensis McGregor. Fig. 18: Verrucosisporites premnus Richardson. Fig. 19: Aratrisporites sahariensis Loboziak & Alpern. Fig. 20: Rugospora flexuosa (Jushko) Streel. Fig. 21: Dipolisporites echinaceus (Eisenack) Richardson. Fig. 22: Verrucosisporites nitidus (Naumova) Playford.

1488 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

PLATE IIIFig. 1: Spelaeotriletes owensi Loboziak & Alpern. Fig. 2: Vallatisporites agadesi Loboziak & Alpern. Fig. 3: Spelaeotriletes triangulus Neves & Owens. Fig. 4: Radiizonates genuinus Loboziak & Alpern. Fig. 5: Vallatisporites pusillites (kedo) Dolby & Neves. Fig. 6: Vallatisporites verrucosus Playford. Fig. 7: Spelaeotriletes benghaziensis Loboziak & Alpern. Fig. 8: Spelaeotriletes arenuceus Neves & Owens. Fig. 9: Umbonatisporites sp. Fig. 10: Retusotriletes crassus Clayton, Johnston, Sevastogolo & Smith. Fig. 11: Vallatisporites ciliaris (Luber) Sullivan. Fig. 12: Spore type A Clayton &Loboziak. Fig. 13: Convulatisporites cf. mellita Hoffmeister, Staplin & Malloy.

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1489

PLATE IVFig. 1: Veryhachium lairdi Cramer. Figs. 2, 11: Micrhysphaeridium stellatum Deflandre. Figs. 3, 12: Ononadagella asymmetrica (Deunff.) Cramer. Figs. 4, 10, 15, 16: Baltisphaeridium spp. Fig. 5: Diexallophasis caperoradiola Lioblich. Fig. 6: Veryhachium trispinosum (Eisenack) Deunff. Fig. 7: Veryhachium downei Stockmans & Willieri. Fig. 8: Diexallophasis remota (Deunff) Playford. Fig. 9: Triangulina alargada Cramer. Fig.13: Cymatiosphaera perimembrana Staplin. Fig, 14, 20: Polyedriyxium carnatum Playford. Fig.17: Navifusa bacillum (Deunff) Playford. Fig. 18: cf. Baltisphaeridium sp. fig. 19: Actinotidiscus crassus Loeblich & Tappan. Fig. 21: Cymatiosphaera sp. Fig. 22: Timofeevia lancarae (Cramer & Diez) Vanguestaine.

1490 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

PLATE VFig. 1: Ancyrochitina sp. Fig. 2: Ancyrochitina tumida Taugourdeau & Jekhowsky. Fig. 3, 9: Ancyrochitina cornigera Collinson & Scott. Fig. 4: Angochitina cullinsoni Taugourdeau & Jekhowsky. Fig. 5: Ancyrochitina spinosa Eisenack. Fig. 6: Ancyrochitina capillata Eisenack. Figs. 7, 8: Ancyrochitina ancyrea Eisenack. Figs. 10, 11: Angochitina devonica Eisenack. Fig. 12: Fungochitina pilosa Collinson & Scott. Fig. 13: Desmochitina sp. Fig. 14: Ancyrochitina desmia Eisenack. Figs. 15, 19: Belenochitina sp. Fig. 16: Angochitina sp. Fig. 17: Conochitina sp. Fig. 18: Desmochitina aranea Urban. Fig. 20: Conochitina inflate Wood.

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1491

Fig. (2)Stratigraphic distribution of the Ordovician-Silurian palynomorphs in El-Waha-1 well.

investigation of the palynomorph assemblages provide a subglobosum, Veryhachium sp., Ordovicidinium sp., fairly good indication of age since they include many Timafeevia lancarea, Solisphaeridium sp. and previously described forms known from the Paleozoic Actinotidiscus crassus. Chitinozoa are represented by sediments in different parts of the world. Occurrence of Plectochitina sylvanica and Belenochitina sp. Upper the taxa in the studied samples and their stratigraphic lithologic interval between 3845-3765 m is barren. range were plotted in Figs., 2, 3 and 4. The published acritarchs data for the Ordovician are still somewhat sparse and for this reason, there are

Ordovician (interval from 3970 to 3765 m) several difficulties to establish the real stratigraphic No sporomorphs have been recorded within this significance of the taxa recorded with exception of stratigraphic interval. Recovered assemblage is very diagnostic species for which the biostratigraphy composed mainly of acritarchs and little number of seems to be known with certitde. chitinozoans. Acritarchs, although they are regularly No previously data were registered about the represented between 3955-3845 m. and they are not Ordovician phytoplankton in Egypt, and neither diverse. Main species here are Visbyosphaeridium Early or Middle Ordovician chitinozoan assemblage

1492 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

Fig. (3)Stratigraphic distribution of the Devonian palynomorphs in El-Waha-1 well.

has been identified in Libya11. Late Ordovician with assemblage of JO-1 Biozone be established by13 acritarchs which have been identified by these from Jordan. The recovered phytoplankton authors are dominated by Veryhachium spp. with assemblage from the present study could be more or Navifusa similis, Ordovicidinium heteromorphicum, less comparable with those data and be referred to Actinotidiscus cf. crassus, Leiofusa sp. and the same age (Late Ordovician). Diversification in Eupoikilfusa striata. Main chitinozoa which were species taxa, as well as long ranging interval of some reported include Armerochitina nigerica, of them and lithofacies control make the Plectochitina sylvanica, Ancyrochitina merga, determination of the precise age for the studied Belenochitina capillata and Spinochitina sp. interval is difficult process. Late Caradoc and Ashgill acritarchs which have been reported from Saudi Arabia by12 comprise Silurian (interval from 3765 to 3200 m) Ordovicidinium eleganthum, Veryhachium This thick stratigraphic succession with its different subglobosum, Actinotidiscus crassus and lithology shows extremely variation in its Baltisphaeridium sp.. All mostly this could be match palynological content. Lower interval between

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1493

Cont. Fig. (3)Stratigraphic distribution of the Devonian palynomorphs (Acritarchs and Chitinozoa) in El-Waha-1 well.

3765–3710 m. has only few chitinozoa species ancyrea and Fungochitina pilosa. At sample 3440 m represented by Conochitina inflate and Ancyrochitina and upward; spores show their first record and sp.. Interval between 3710–3560 m is barren from any represented by Retusotriletes goensis, R. aviatus, palynomorphs, meanwhile the interval between Archaeozonotriletes chulus, Ambietisporites dilutes, 3560–3440 m.is rich with acritarchs and sporadic Synorisporites verrucosus, and Emphanisporites occurrence of Ancyrochitina sp.. Most represented neglectus. Many of these taxa have not been recorded acritarchs herein are Micrysphaeridium sp., in rocks younger than the Upper Silurian sequence Eupoikolifusa striatifera, Visbyosphaeridium elsewhere. subglobosum, Baltisphaeridium sp., Veryhachium This palynomorphs assemblage are closely lairdi, V. trispinosum, Diexallophasis remota, D. comparable with that reported by4 from the denticulatus, Polyedryxium carnatum and Onondagella Llandoverian strata of NWD-302-1 well in the Western deunfi. Chitinozoa are relatively increase upward and Desert, Egypt. A similar assemblage has been also represented mainly by Eisenachitina sp., Ancyrochitina recorded by1 from Llandoverian-Ludlovian age zone

1494 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

WD-5 of Egypt and by14 from Tanezzoft and Accacus Acritarchs show a regular occurrence and represented formations of Libya. Record shows somewhat earlier mainly by Micrysphaeridium stellatum, occurrence of verrucate spores (Synorisporites) and Gorgonisphaeridium sp., Diexallophasis remota, Emphanisporites with poorly defined ribs Polyedryxium carnatum, Veryhachium downei, V. (E. neglectus, E. micrornatus) which present in strata trispinosum, Trigulina alargada, Cymatiosphaeridium of probably Early-Middle Ludlovian age. perimembrana, S. pilaris, Onondagella asymmetrica Emphanisporites rotatus and Apiculate retusoid spores and Baltisphaeridium sp. Chitinozoa species are only occur near the top of the Libyan section. A similar relatively few and mostly represented by Ancyrochitina spore assemblage has been reported by16 within the desma, A. ancyrea, A. cornigera, A. tumida, “Synorisporites tripapillatus–Apiculiretusispora A. longispinosa, Fungochitina pilosa, Lagenochitina specula” assemblage zone of Downtonian age of the sp., Angochitina sp. and Conochitina inculta. The Old Red Sandstone Continent and adjacent regions. recovered assemblage in general is demonstrated by An acritarchs assemblage with Veryhachium many species known to range from the upper part of trispinosum, Diexallophasis caperoradiola, the Early Devonian into the Middle Devonian and Visbyosphaeridium sp. and Cymbosphaeridium sp. occasionally occur in even younger strata. with chitinozoa of Sphaerochitina sp., Angochitina Furthermore, zonate-camerate spores sp., Conochitina adjelensis, Cyathochitina sp. and (Camptozonotriletes) have not been reported from spores of Archaeozonotriletes cf. chulus, well-dated strata older than Siegenian. Dibolisporites Ambietisporites dilutes and Dyadospora spp. were eifeliensis first occurs in Siegenian rocks but only reported from the Silurian of Libya by12 Onondagella become abundant in the Emsian6 reported deunfi has a known age spanning the Silurian to Early Verrucosisporites polygonalis–Dictyotriletes emsiensis, Devonian in north Africa, that is beside assemblage zone for the Siegenian of the Western Archaeozonotriletes spp. and Emphanisporites spp.17. Desert, Egypt. They assigned Emphanisporites It is worthy to mention that there are some difficulties annulatus–Camarozonotriletes sextantii assemblage in using acritarchs for interregional correlation since zone to the Emsian. Absence of real Emsian taxa such the geographic distribution of them is considerably as Grandispora velata, G. nettersheimensis, influenced by local environmental factors. From the G. douglastownense, G. mamillata and Ancyrospora foregoing discussion, we can’t conclude a precise age acutispinosa indicate that the age may be referred to for the lower part of the studied interval depending on early Emsian18 indicated that Verrucosisporites their phytoplankton content, mean while the upper polygonalis and Dictyotriletes emsiensis are represented part which bear spores and regular occurrence of among a typical Upper Siegenian-Lower Emsain acritarchs could be referred to Late Silurian assemblage in Canada19 mentioned that Retusotriletes, (Llandoverian -Ludlovian). Apiculiretusisporites and Emphanisporites with not developed ribs (Emphanisporites rotatus and Siegenian (Pragian)-Early Emsian (interval from E. neglectus) are the most genera in the Siegenian of 3200 to 2855 m) southern Britain20 reported Dictyotriletes emsiensis, preliminary palynological investigation of this Dibolisporites eifeliensis, Brochotriletes sp., stratigraphic succession could be subdivided into two Emphanisporites spinaeformis and Aurorospora assemblages. The first one is recorded between interval micromanifestus, with chitinozoa Angochitina devonica, 3200–2930 m. and characterized by spores Ancyrochitina langi, and A. ancyrea of Late Siegenian- Calyptosporites sp., Synorisporites verrucosus, Early Emsian age of Libya21 mentioned some facts about Dictyotriletes sp., Ambietisporites sp., Brockotriletes the Emsian spores;

hudsonii and a variety species of genus (1) Dibolisporites eifeliensis has not been Emphanisporites (E. rotatus, E. erruticus, E. neglectus recorded before the Lower and Middle , E. spinaeformis and E. obscurus). Upper assemblage Emsian. between 2930–2855 m. shows the first occurrence of (2) Emphanisporites erruticus is unknown before Rhabdosporites langi, Apiculiretusisporites brandti, the top of the Lower Emsian. Verrucosisporites permnus, V. eifeliensis and (3) Ancyrosporites and Hystrichosporites are Emphanisporites annulatus. That is beside most of the absent in the lower part. They do not occur pre-mentioned taxa from the lower assemblage. before Upper Emsain together with

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1495

Fig. (4)Stratigraphic distribution of the Carboniferous miospores in EL-Waha-1 well.

pseudosaccate and zonate spores in the upper Position of the boundary itself has not been defined, most Emsian22,23 mentioned too that spores of since no obvious changes in composition of the spore Ancyrosporites nettersheimensis and assemblage could be detected through the present Hystrichosporites microancyreus occur first interval. This interval is thus included in an at about Mid-Late Emsian age. The same undifferentiated palynostratigraphic unit of Siegenian/ conclusion has been mentioned by24 from the Emsian time. Denant Basin. Eifelian (interval from 2855 to 2630 m) Emphanisporites annulatus begins in south west The recovered assemblage from this stratigraphic Eifel in the lower part of Upper Emsian 25 and at interval shows an extinction of some characteristic probably Middle Emsian at Gaspe Bay26 and probably Emsian spores such as Rhabdosporites langi, Emsian.24,26, concluded that the specimens of Brochotriletes hudsonii and Apiculiretusisporites Grandisporites douglastwense, G. macrotuberculata brandti; other new characteristic forms show their first and Dibolisporites echinaceus appear at the middle of incoming such as; Grandisporites douglastwense, Upper Emsian. In this respect, it seems appropriate to G. nettersheimensis, G. libyensis, Spinozonotriletes note that the Siegenian/Emsian boundary may occur in naumovi, S. langii, Hystrichosporites bifurcata, the present interval but it is difficult to locate it. H. gravis, H. longispinosa and Hymenozonotriletes

1496 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

discors. Marine chitinozoans and acritarchs still carries also the general characteristic features of the persisting and represented by most of the Emsian taxa Givetian microflora encountered in Libya by31 and although they are less abundant. Recorded assemblage is 32,33,34,35. A corresponding Givetian spores assemblages characterized by a proliferation of the large apiculate and “Densosporites devonicus–Grandisporites naumovi” spinulose, zonate-pseudosaccate spores (Grandispora, and “Geminospora lemurata-Cymbosporites Hymenozonotriletes, Rhabdosporites and manificus” zones suggested by 16 are rich with Spinozonotriletes). All of these are typical Middle Grandispora, Ancyrospora, Rhabdosporites and Devonian taxa.7 reported that the Eifelian palynomorphs Aneurospora. Other data available from many localities of Faghur-1 and NWD-302-1 wells, Western Desert are of the world indicates that the Givetian assemblage of characterized by occurrence of Hymenozonotriletes the Egyptian Western Desert is generally similar to discors, Grandispora inculta, G. velata, Veryhachium those recorded from the Old Red Sandstone continent trispinosum, Diexallophasis caperoradiata, and adjacent regions16, Poland36,37, Shetland38, Canada18 ,39, Fungochitina pilosa, Angochitina devonica, and from the Parana Basin; Brazil 40. Ancyrochitina tumida, A. desma and Alpenachitina Carboniferous: Visean (interval 2555-2230 m) cornigera. An assemblage with Hystrichosporites spp., The dominant fraction of the organic matter of this Grandisporites libyensis and Ancyrosporites stratigraphic interval is of continental origin. nettersheimensis has been reported from Eifelian 20,35 Miospores are abundant, most of them belong to sediments by from Libya. This is closely comparable 27 28 smooth (Retusotriletes), apiculate (Apiculiretusitriletes) with those recorded by from Algeria, and by from 29 to verrucate (Verrucosisporites sp.) as well as to a Saudi Arabia recorded an assemblage with variety of genera Densosporites, Radiizonotes and Grandispora riegeli, Emphanisporites annulatus, Vallatisporites. Palynological association of this Acinosporites lindlarensis, Verrucosisporites premnus stratigraphic interval could be subdivided into two and V. scurrus. Saudi assemblage was recorded from interfered assemblages, both is related to the Visean beds of uncertain age but it thought to be of Eifelian age age since they have many shared taxa, at the same time based apparently on its stratigraphic position. Recovered some different palynological events are observed. assemblage here could be also related to zone 16 “G. douglastwense –A. eurypterata” of Eifelian age. It Early Visean (interval 2555-2335 m) should be mention here, that the data available for The assemblage recorded herein is characterized by comparison indicated that the Eifelian assemblage of the some important taxa include; Lycospora pusilla, present study has more in common with those from the Densosporites annulatus, D. spiniferites, Vallatisporites north African region rather than those from elsewhere. vallatus, V. verrucosus, V. nitidus, Raistrickia spatulata, Spelaeotriletes arenaceous, S. balteatus, Givetian (interval from 2630 to 2555 m.) Diatomozonotriletes fragilis, Radiizonates genuinus, An abrupt change both in the quantity and diversity Convulatisporites mellita, Aratrisporites sahariensis. of taxa has been recorded within this interval. Most of that is besides other spores belonging to genera the previously recorded taxa have been distinct. Main Punctatisporites. Calamaspora, Retusotriletes, represented spores herein are Retusosporites spp., Granulatisporites and Umbonatisporites. Most, if not Grandisporites inculta, Ancyrosporites acutispinosa, all, these microfossils were recorded from the Lower Geminospora lemurata and Hystrichosporites gravis . 3 Visean sediment of NWD–301-1 well by and included Marine acritarchs and chitinozoans are represented 1 in WD-13 zone which was suggested by . The sporadically with few long-ranging forms related to assemblage has shared species with zone (II) of Visean genera Veryhachium, Polyedryxium, Diexallophasis, 15 age assigned by Um Bogma, Sinai such as Fungochitina and Conochitina. The first occurrence of Punctatisporites spp., Retusotriletes sp., small sculptured camerate spores with a thick exoexine Verrucosisporites sp., Convulatisporites sp., and such as Geminospora lemurata and its related species Calamaspora sp. and with zone (A) of Visean from is regarded as the most spore marker to locate the base 41 30 central Sinai by . A similar assemblage of Early Visean of the Givetian stage . Most-if not all –of these 42 43 35 7 age has been noted by , and , from north east Libya, recovered taxa were reported by , from Fig.-1 and 44 45 from Al-Kufra Basin of south east Libya, in Algeria, NWD-302-1 wells in the Western Desert, of Egypt and 37 47 from Brazil, from northern Niger, and from Amazon assigned to the Givetian age. Recovered assemblage Basin, northern Brazil.

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1497

The present study revealed that, the sedimentation in Late Visean (interval 2335-2230m.) the present borehole was repeteadly intrupted, as Many taxa from the preceding age are common inconfermed by stratigraphic breaks between different elements herein particularly; Aratrisporites, ages. Some of these breaks are matching with the sahariensis, Lycospora pusilla, Vallatisporites general structural breaks in the stratigraphy of Egypt vallatus, Verrucosisporites nitidus, Radiizonates and north Africa such as that between the genuinus and Diatomozonotriletes agilis. Other Ordivician/Silurian, Silurian/Devonian and species have their real occurrence in this stratigraphic Devonian/Carboniferous. Other breaks may be interval such as; Spelaeotriletes triangulus, S. owensi, cosidered as local stratigraphic ones represented by Vallatisporites agadesi, V. ciliaris, Raistrickia clavata decreasing in thickness of some ages or their and R. spatulata.48 established Zone-I from Wadi competely absences. Diversification in acritarchs Araba with spores Punctatisporites sp. Raistrickia sp., species recorded in many correletable areas, as well as, Densosporites sp. and Convulatisporites sp. which are along ranging intervals of some of them and lithofacies dated as Late Visean, the same association has control prevent determination of the precious age of recovered also by1,4,8 in Egypt. In north Africa, the some studied intervals such as the Ordovician and first occurrence of Lycospora pusilla was considered Silurian. An abrupt change in palynomorph diversity by20,43 and48to occur only in Late Visean. between the Eifelian and Givetian was recorded as The recovered assemblage could be correlated too indicated by the proliferation of large spinate spores in by those reported by42 in Libya,44 from Sahara the Givetian. No saccate pollen have been recorded in Algeria, and by 47 from northern Brazil. the studied Carboniferous interval, at least at the Early Namurian (2230–2125 m) beginning of the Namurian age.

Miospores recovered within this stratigraphic References interval are distinguished by the flourishing of smooth 1 Kora M & Schultz G, Lower Carboniferous palynomorphs types (Calamaspora, Retusotriletes, Punctatisporites), from Um Bogma, Sinai, Egypt. Grana, 26 (1987) p. 53–66. apiculate (Apiculiretusispora spp.) and cingulicavate 2 Gueinn K J & Rasul S M, A contribution to the biostratigraphy of the Paleozoic of the Western Desert, forms as Vallatisporites and Spelaeotriletes. Most th characterizing taxa represented here are utilizing new palynological data from the subsurface. 8 EGPC, Petrol. Conf., Cairo, (1986) p. 1–23. Vallatisporites ciliaris, Spelaeotriletes benghaziensis 3 El–Shamma A A, Abdel Malik W M, Baioumi A A & and S. owensi. That is besides many of Visean forms Moustafa T F, Microfloral characteristics of some related to genera Granulatisporites, Carboniferous rocks in the Western Desert, Egypt. Bull. Fac. Convulatisporites, Densosporites, Sci., Assiut Univ., 25 (2–F), (1996) p. 107–124. 4 Schrank E, Paleozoic and Mesozoic palynomorphs from Diatomozonotriletes and Radiizonates. northeast Africa (Egypt and Sudan) with special reference to This assemblage is similar to that recorded in WD- Late Cretaceous pollen and dinoflagellates. Berliner 13 and WD-14 zones of2 by the presence of Geowiss. Abh. (A), 75 (1) (1987) p. 249–310. Spelaeotriletes owensi, S. arenaceous, Lycospora 5 El–Shamma A A, Baioumi A A & Lashin G, Silurian pusilla and absence of monosaccate pollen. The same palynomorphs from NWD-302-1 Western Desert, Egypt. 1 48 Egypt. J. Paleonto., 3 (2003) p 179-188. conclusion is mentioned by and . Assemblage is 6 El–Shamma A A, Moustafa T F & Abdel Malik W M, also correlated with miozone (ΙΙΙ) of Early Namurian Devonian spores from subsurface rocks in the Western assigned by4 from NWD-302-1, Faghur-1 and west Desert, Egypt. Proceedings of the 14th Petroleum Faghur-1 wells, Western Desert specially in presence Conference, EGPC, Cairo, 1 (1998) p. 451-465. 7 Schrank E, Paleozoic and Mesozoic palynomorphs from the of Densosporites spp., Spelaeotriletes triangulus, Foram–1 well, Western Desert, Egypt. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. S. benghaziensis Vallatisporites verrucosus, Mh., 2 (1984) p. 95–112. Diatomozonotriletes fragilis, Vallatisporites agadesii 8 Klitzsch E & Lejal – Nicol A , Flora and Founa from a strata and Calamaspora sp. Serpukhovian age which noted in southern Egypt and north Sudan (Nubai and surrounding by20 from Libya comprises Lycospora pusilla, area). Berl. Geowiss. Abh., 50 (A) (1984) p. 47 - 79 9 Palaeoservices Ltd, The hydrocarbon potential of the Vallatisporites ciliaris and Spelaeotriletes triangulus. Paleozoic rocks of the Western Desert, Egypt. Non– 42 43 Same conclusion was mentioned by and by and exclusive EGPC/ Palaeoservices Report, Palaeoservices, from north Niger by46 and referred to early Namurian. Watford, UK. (1986). 10 Herngreen G F W, palynological preparation techniques Conclusions N.P.D., -Bll., 2(1983) 13-34. 11 Molyneux S G & Paris F, Late Ordovician palynomorphs. in:

1498 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 8, AUGUST 2014

B. Thusu & B. Owens (eds.), Palynostratigraphy of North– (1994) p. 261–273. East Libya. J. Micropalaeonto., 4 (1), (1985): p. 11–26. 30 Paris F, Richardson J B, Riegel W, Streel M & Vanguestaine 12 Jachowicz, M., Ordovician acritarchs assemblage from M, Devonian (Emsian–Famennian) palynomorphs. in: B. central and northwestern Saudi Arabia. Rev. Palaeobot. Thusu & B. Owens (eds.), Palynostratigraphy of North–East Palynol., 89 (1995) 19-25. Libya. J. Micropalaeont., 4 (1), (1985) p. 49–82. 13 Keegan J B, Rasul S M & Schaheen Y, Palynostratigraphy of 31 Massa D & Moreau–Benoit A, Essai de synthése the lower Paleozoic,, Cambrian to Silurian of the Hashemite stratigraphique et palynologique du Systéme Dévonien en Kingdom of Jordan. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 66 (1990) Libye occidentale. Rev. Inst. Franc. du Pétrole, 31 (2) (1976) 167-180. p. 287–333. 14 Richardson J B & Ioannides N, Silurian palynomorphs from 32 Streel M, Paris F, Riegel W &Vanguestaine M, Acritarchs, the Tanezzuft and Acacus Formations. Tripolitania, North chitinozoan and spore stratigraphy from the Middle and Late Africa. Micropalaeonto., 19 (3) (1973) p. 257–307. Devonian of northeast Libya. in: A. El–Arnauti, B. Owens & 15 Richardson J B & McGregor D C, Silurian and Devonian B. Thusu (eds.), Subsurface Palynostratigraphy of Northeast spore zones of the Old Red Sandstone Continent and Libya. (Garyounis University Publications, Benghazi: Libya) adjacent regions. Geol. Surv. Canada, Bull. 364 (1986) 1988, p. 111–128. p. 1–79. 33 Loboziak S & Streel M, Middle–Upper Devonian miospores 16 Jardiné S, Combaz A, Magloire L, Peniguel G & Vachey G, from the Ghadamis Basin (Tunisia–Libya): Systematic and Distribution stratigraphique des Acritarches dans le stratigraphy. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 58 (1989): p. 197–203. Paléozoique du Sahara Algérien. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 34 Grignani D, Lanzoni E & El–Atrash H, Paleozoic and 18 (1, 2) (1974) p. 99–129. Mesozoic subsurface palynostratigraphy in the Al–Kufra th 17 McGregor D C & Camfield M, Upper Silurian ? to Middle Basin, Libya. Proceedings of the 3 Symposium on the Devonian spores of the Moose River Basin, Ontario. Geol. Geology of Libya (Tripoli, 1987), (1992) p.1159–1227. Surv. Canada, Bull. 263 (1976) p. 1–63. 35 Turnau E, Lower to Middle Devonian spores from the 18 Mortimer M G, Some Lower Devonian microfloras from vicinity of Pionki (Central Poland). Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., southern Britain, Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol.,1 (1967) p. 95-109 46 (1986) p. 311–354. 19 Massa D, Coquel R, Loboziak S & Taugourdeau–Lantz J, 36 Turnau E, Miospore stratigraphy of Middle Devonian Essai de synthése stratigraphique et palynologique du deposits from Western Pomerania. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., Carbonifére en Libye occidentale. Ann. Soc. Géol. Nord, 99 93 (1–4) (1996) p. 107–125. (1980) p. 429–442. 37 Marshall J E A & Allen K C, Devonian miospore 20 Richardson J B, Rasul S M & Al–Ameri T, Acritarchs, assemblages from Fair Isle, Shetland. Palaeont., 25 (2), miospores and correlation of the Ludlovian–Downtonian and (1982) p. 277–312. Silurian–Devonian boundaries. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 34 38 McGregor D C & Camfield M, Middle Devonian miospores (2) (1981) p. 209–224. from the Cape de Bray, Weatherall, and Helca Bay 21 Riegel W, Spore floras across the Lower–Middle Devonian Formations of northeastern Melville Island, Canadian Arctic. boundary in the Rhineland (G. R. F.). Palynology of the Geol. Surv. Canada, Bull. 348 (1982): p. 1–105. Proterophyte and Palaeophyte, Proc. 3rd Inter. Palynol. 39 Loboziak S, Streel M & Burjack, M I A, Miospores du Conf., (1974) p. 47–53. Dévonien moyen et supérieur du bassin du Paraná, Brésil: 22 Riegel W, Palynological aspects of the Lower/Middle systématique et stratigraphie. Sci. Géol., 41 (34) (1988): Devonian transition in the Eifel region. Courier p. 351–377. Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, 55 (1982) p. 279–292. 40 Kora M, Carboniferous miospore assemblages from the Abu 23 Streel M, Fairon–Demaret M & Otazo N, Siegenian and Rodeiyium boreholes, west–central Sinai, Egypt. Rev. Emsian spores from the Dinant Basin (Belgium). Comm. Micropaléontologie, 36 (3) (1993) p. 235–255.

Internat. Microflore Paléozoique, Newsletter 10 (1975) p. 7. 41 Clayton G, & Loboziak S, Early Carboniferous (Early Viseán–Serpukhovian) palynomorphs, in: Palynostratigraphy 24 Lanninger E P, Sporen–Gesellschaften aus dem Ems der of North–East Libya. Jour. Micropalaeontology, 4 (1) (1985) SW–Eifel. Palaeontographica, Abt., B. 122 (1968) p. 83–92. p. 95–170. 42 Loboziak S & Clayton G, The Carboniferous 25 McGregor D C, Lower and Middle Devonian spores of Palynostratigraphy of northeast Libya. in: A. El–Arnauti, B. eastern Gaspé, Canada. I:Systematic.Palaeontographica, Owens & B. Thusu (eds.), Subsurface Palynostratigraphy of Abt., B, 142 (1973) p. 1–77. Northeast Libya. (Garyounis University Publications,

26 Jardiné S, & Yapaudjian L, Lithostratigraphie et Palynologie Benghazi–Libya) 1988, pp. 129–149. du Dévonien–Gothlandien gréseux du Bassin de Polignac 43 Attar A, Fournier J, Candilier, A M & Coquel, R, Etude (Sahara). Rev. Inst. Franc. du Pétrole, 23 (1968) p. 439–469. palynologique du Devonien terminal et du Carbonifére 27 Hemer D O & Nygreen P W, Devonian Palynology of Saudi inferieur du basin D'illize (Fort–Polignac) Algerie. Rev. Inst. Arabia. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 5 (1967) 51-61. Franc. du Pétrole, 35 (4), (1980) p. 585–610. 28 Loboziak S & Streel M, Late Lower and Middle Devonian 44 Loboziak S, Streel M, Caputo M V & Melo J H G, Evidence miospores from Saudi Arabia. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 89 of west European defined miospores zones in the uppermost (1, 2) (1995) p. 105–113. Devonian and Lower Carboniferous of the Amazonas Basin 29 Streel M & Loboziak S, Observations on the establishment of (Brazil). Géobios, 24 (1991) p. 5–11. a Devonian and Lower Carboniferous high–resolution 45 Coquel R, Lang J & YahayaM, Palynologie du Carbonifére miospore biostratigraphy. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 83

MOUSTAFA et al: EL-WAHA-1 BORE HOLE WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT 1499

du Nord Niger et de la plate–forme saharienne–implications sequence in Wadi Araba well No. 1, Gulf of Suez region, stratigraphiques et paléogéographiques. Rev. Palaeobot. Egypt. Sci. Géol. Bull. Strasbourg, 39 (4), (1986) Palynol., 89 (3,4) (1995): p. 319–334. p. 337–360. 46 Melo S & Loboziak S, Devonian – Early Carboniferous 48 Coquel R & Massa D, A propos d' événements miospore biostratigraphy of the Amazon Basin, Northern palynologiques du Carbonifére inférieur (= Mississipien) d' Brazil, Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 124 (2003) p. 131-202. Afrique du Nord. Ann. Soc. Géol. Nord, 2 (1993) 47 Sultan I Z, Palynostratigraphy of Carboniferous rock p. 145–152.