Abstract
Missole facies description and sequence stratigraphy analysis allow a new proposal of depositional environments of the Douala sub-basin eastern part. The sediments of Missole outcrops (N’kapa Formation) correspond to fluvial/tidal channel to shallow shelf deposits with in some place embayment deposits within a warm and semi-arid climate. Integrated sedimentologic, palynologic and mineralogical data document a comprehensive sequence stratigraphy of this part of the Douala sub-basin. Five facies associations occur: (1) facies association I is characterized by Floodplain deposits; (2) facies association II is Fluvial to mouth bar deposits; (3) facies association III characterise Shallow Shelf deposits; (4) facies association IV represents Distal bay or Lacustrine déposits; and (5) Facies association V is made of Fluvial channel deposits. Six depositional sequences were identified. These sequences are composed of four progradational sequences and two retrogradational sequences containing a fluvial channel portion represented by lag deposits at the base of retrogradational sequences. These deposits represent the outset of the relative sea level rise period. In the study area, the N’kapa Formation is composed of non-marine/coastal aggradational deposits representing the early stage of the regressive period. The occurrence of the estuarine/bay deposits with paleosols development is interpreted as evidence of climate change with significant relative base level fluctuation. The study of key minerals associated to sequence stratigraphy as well as palynology demonstrated that sequence architecture has been controlled mostly by climate evolution and outcrops are dated Paleocene – early Eocene.
Highlights
The studies of Cameroon sedimentary basins started early in the 20th century, by explorers and German mining researchers and continues, from 1940, with research about basins exploration (e.g. Solger, 1904; Riedel, 1932; Andreef, 1947; Dartevelle and Brebion, 1956; Dartevelle and Freneix, 1957; Belmonte, 1966; Dumort, 1968; Reyment, 1980)
This paper aims, first to bring out a better understanding in the evolution of depositional environments by doing a detailed sedimentological study of various facies within this area, secondly to study the architecture of Missole outcrops by defining and discussing of the evolution of different sequences through time and space and to discuss of the relative age of these sediments thanks to palynological first results
This has resulted in reducing accommodation space and decline of sedimentation rate in the equatorial Africa margin compared to the SW margin as demonstrated by (Seranne and Anka., 2005)
Summary
The studies of Cameroon sedimentary basins started early in the 20th century, by explorers and German mining researchers and continues, from 1940, with research about basins exploration (e.g. Solger, 1904; Riedel, 1932; Andreef, 1947; Dartevelle and Brebion, 1956; Dartevelle and Freneix, 1957; Belmonte, 1966; Dumort, 1968; Reyment, 1980). Solger, 1904; Riedel, 1932; Andreef, 1947; Dartevelle and Brebion, 1956; Dartevelle and Freneix, 1957; Belmonte, 1966; Dumort, 1968; Reyment, 1980) These studies required stratigraphic and palaeogeographic data thanks to facies and biostratigraphic analyses. Basic problems of stratigraphic correlations between well logs had shown that an integrated biostratigraphic study was required to establish an update framework for those basins. These are good for a better understanding of low frequency cycles but not for genetic units or parasequences as defined by Van Wagoner et al (1990). Because of the scarcity of outcrops along the Douala sub basin due to the dense rain forest and weathering, best exposures can only be studied in railwaysesr.ccsenet.org
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