An approach to using foraminifera in sequence stratigraphic analysis of Wadi Qena, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

In Egypt, Wadi Qena Middle Eastern Desert, Paleogene successions exposed at Hawashiya and Abu Had sections from north to south were measured and comprehensively investigated for their foraminiferal content. The Dakhla, Tarawan, and Esna formations make up the investigated sections. The studied successions are subdivided into six biozones; they are five zones of the Late Paleocene (Igorina albeari subzone (P3b), G. Globanomalina pseudomenardii/P. Parasubbotina variospira subzone (P4a), Acarinina subsphaerica subzone (P4b), A. soldadoensis/G. pseudomenardii subzone (P4c), Morozovella velascoensis zone (P5), and one zone of the Early Eocene (P. Pseudohastigerina wilcoxensis/M. velascoensis zone (E2). The paleoenvironmental interpretations and interpretation of sea level changes over the study area during the Paleocene-Eocene time interval have been carried out based on the lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, paleoecologic parameters (total foraminiferal number (TFN), diversity indices of foraminifera, life strategies of planktonic foraminifera, planktonic/benthonic (P/B) foraminiferal ratio, agglutinated/calcareous benthonic foraminiferal ratios, benthonic foraminiferal biofacies and total organic carbon (TOC), and calcium carbonate CaCo3%). Five sequences are identified in the studied Lower Paleogene successions in the Wadi Qena area. Four depositional sequences are determined in the Paleocene, and one in the Lower Eocene. A comprehensive description of these depositional sequences and their boundaries is provided. The findings of the current study are calibrated with sequence stratigraphy of the world sea-level variations.