Nature of the Paleocene/Eocene boundary (the Dababiya Quarry Member) at El-Ballas area, Qena region, Egypt

Abstract

Integrated litho- and bio-stratigraphic investigations were conducted on the Paleocene-Eocene successions (P-E) of El-Ballas area (Qena region, Egypt) to map the Dababiya Quarry Member (DQM). Three formations include Dakhla, Tarawan, and Esna were recorded in three sections (El-Ballas-1, El-Ballas-2, and El-Ballas-3). The age of the studied interval was estimated based on the calcareous nannofossils and the planktonic foraminifera. Six planktonic foraminifera and seven calcareous nannofossil zones/subzones were recorded covering the Paleocene-Eocene interval. The paleoenvironmental interpretations were established based on the calcareous nannofossils and benthic foraminifera. The deposition of the DQM was characterized by warm oligotrophic conditions in an outer neritic setting. In addition, the DQM which encompasses the Paleocene/Eocene boundary at El-Ballas-1 resembles the Global Stratotype Section and Point, despite its reduced in thickness. The absence of the lower part of the DQM (beds 1–3) and the presence of 5 cm of sandstone and pebbles beds at the El-Ballas-2 in addition to the sharp upper base of DQM at the El-Ballas-3 indicate subaerial erosion or deposition in a submarine channel.