Palynological Biozones Research Articles

Late Cretaceous–Paleogene palaeoclimate reconstruction of the Gippsland Basin, SE Australia

The Cretaceous–Paleogene palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in the Gippsland Basin was reconstructed using vascular plant-derived biomarkers, and are consistent with other proxy evidence for palaeoclimate (e.g. spore-pollen assemblages and plankton foraminifera oxygen isotopes). Variation in the higher plant-derived aliphatic and aromatic sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids and triterpenoids resulted from vegetation succession, and is different in the T. lilliei, F. longus, L. balmei, M. diversus, P. asperopolus and N. asperus palynological biozones. Analyses of the oleanane index, the higher plant parameter, the higher plant index, the higher plant fingerprint, and various aliphatic and aromatic angiosperm/gymnosperm indices indicate the late Cretaceous–Paleogene (ca. 80–40 Ma) palaeoclimate in the Gippsland Basin was initially warm (Campanian T. lilliei Biozone), and then changed in this way: → cool (Maastrichtian upper F. longus Biozone), → warm (Paleocene L. balmei Biozone), → hot (early Eocene M. diversus and P. asperopolus Biozones), → warm and then cool (middle Eocene N. asperus Biozone). This changing climate trend is mostly consistent with global climate changes. In comparison to the analogous Taranaki Basin (western New Zealand), the Gippsland Basin is inferred to have had a less gymnosperm-dominated rainforest and a warmer climate in the late Cretaceous. During the Paleogene the palaeoclimate was similar in the two basins, as deduced from the angiosperm/gymnosperm indices of the sedimentary rocks.

Late Eocene to Early Oligocene palynostratigraphy of the Western Black Sea, Eastern Paratethys

The Eastern Thrace and Western Black Sea basins provide unique perspectives on the palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Paratethys. Although very thick and extensive Oligocene outcrops and well sections exist in the Thrace Basin, only a few comparable sections are available in the Black Sea onshore areas. In this study, five measured stratigraphic sections of Eocene to Oligocene age from the margins of the Western Black Sea were studied and palynomorph assemblages were identified quantitatively. Index dinoflagellate cyst events and a palynological biozonation as established in the Mediterranean were applied successfully. Priabonian units contain the Aal biozone, whereas Rupelian successions were represented by the Adi, Rac, Cin, and Hpu zones. Palynological analyses suggest that the youngest interval of the studied sections, the highest sample of Karaburun (2) and the upper part of Servez Beach, sit just above the Wetzeliella gochtii interval and are early-middle Rupelian in age (Cin and Hpu zones). The Karaburun (1) and the lower part of the Servez Beach sections represent W. gochtii-bearing intervals and are interpreted as early Rupelian in age (Rac, Cin, and Hpu zones). The Servez Road Dam section occurs below the W. gochtii interval. It is characterized by common occurrences of Glaphyrocysta semitecta and interpreted as earliest Rupelian in age (Adi and Rac zones). Finally, the Sazlıbosna section lies below the Glaphyrocysta semitecta zone and represents the oldest stratigraphic unit of the studied intervals. It yielded Eocene dinoflagellates such as Areoligera taulomasentosa, Areosphaeridium michoudii, Rhombodinium perforatum, Homotryblium pallidum, and Stoveracysta ornata and is interpreted as late Priabonian in age (Aal zone). Both palynomorph assemblages and organic matter constituents reflect shallow to open marine and nutrient-rich depositional conditions that occurred during Late Eocene?Early Oligocene time. The dominance of marine palynomorphs, without any indication of fresh water influx, might suggest that deposition took place before the isolation of the Paratethys, when the Western Black Sea region was still part of the Western Tethys during the earliest Oligocene (NP21-23).

Palynostratigraphy and paleoecology of a Lower Cretaceous (upper Barremian–lower Aptian) succession in the Shushan Basin, northwestern Egypt: inferences on intra- and inter-basinal correlations

Recent national and international demand for additional resources of the fossil fuel resulted in extensive hydrocarbon exploration activities in Egypt to further explore possible petroliferous rock units that were conventionally deemed as barren or having non- commercial reserves such as the Alam El Bueib Formation. This increased the stress to enrich the lithological correlation of this formation across the north Western Desert to better understand its regional lithological characteristics and thus its potential regional reservoir/source rock quality. Palynostratigraphic analysis of Lower Cretaceous successions in the Tut-1X and Amoun-1X wells in the Shushan Basin, north Western Desert enabled the recognition of the upper Alam El Bueib Formation in both wells, in contrast to a previous study, which suggested non-deposition of this formation in the Amoun-1X well. This highlights the important role of the palynology as a key stratigraphic tool, which helped effectively in recognising this problematic monotone clastic formation, where other marine microfossils are lacking. This also shows that recognition of this formation based on lithological criteria only was impractical and misleading. Marker terrestrial and marine palynomorph taxa recovered from the upper Alam El Bueib Formation enabled dating it as late Barremian– early Aptian and were used to identify two palynological biozones that can be traced out regionally across the Shushan, Matruh, and other nearby basins. These biozones are the early Aptian Murospora florida – Afropollis operculatus – Pseudoceratium securigerum Assemblage Zone and the late Barremian Stellatopollis barghoornii – Pseudoceratium anaphrissum– Cyclonephelium vannophorum Assemblage Zone. An undifferentiated interval was recorded just below the upper Barremian strata in the Tut-1X well due to very low palynomorph recovery and absence of marker forms. Composition of terrestrial and marine palynomorph assemblages suggests the upper Alam El Bueib Formation was deposited in fluviodeltaic to proximal inner shelf settings. The Alam El Bueib Formation shows notable regional variations in thickness and considerable lateral and verti- cal changes in lithology due to local tectonics and relative difference in its depositional settings in the Shushan and Matruh basins. Regionally, the Alam El Bueib Formation shows dual reservoir/source rock characteristics, where thick and poorly fossiliferous sandstone units act as reservoir rocks, while moderately fossiliferous finer clastics and carbonates already acted as intraformational source rock intervals in some parts of the Shushan and Matruh basins.

An Aspect of Palyno Stratigraphy of “XM” Field Located in Semliki Basin South Western Uganda

“XM” field, a clastic sedimentary domain within the Albertine Graben, southwestern Uganda, was studied using palynological data, complemented with wire-line well logs, to determine the stratigraphy, age, and depositional setting. Field wide correlation was attempted using additional geological and stratigraphical data from the larger Albertine Graben. The study involved the use of geological computing tools such as Petrel and Strata Bug softwares which allowed for the graphic plots of palynoflora, identification of marker species, species abundances, species first and last occurrences and the geological correlation of the two wells. The palynological marker species identified include; Podocarpus spp., Tournefortia spp., Praedapollis flexibilis, Peregrinipollis nigericus, Gramineae spp., Laevigatosporites spp. and Verrucatosporites usmensis. This association of species indicates Early Pliocene to Holocene age. These species were further used in delineating the Early Pliocene age of well T2 into TZ1a and TZ1b. The TZ1a subzone is marked by index species of Laevigatosporites spp., the quantitative top occurrence of Sapotaceae spp. and Verrucatosporites usmensis. TZ1b is marked by the presence of index species of Laevigatosporites spp. and top occurrence of Sapotaceae spp. Further, the study revealed five informal palynological biozonation of the well T3 into; TZI, TZII, TZIII, TZIV and TZV all ranging in age from Early Pliocene to Holocene and defined based on top occurrences, downhole increases and decreases of some of the stratigraphical important species recorded in the well as follows: TZI is marked by the top occurrence of index specie Gramineae spp. TZII by the presence of index specie of Peregrinipollis nigericus and top occurrence of Praedapollis flexibilis. TZIII is defined by top occurrence of Tournefortia spp. and the downhole decrease in Podocarpus spp. TZIV is defined by the top downhole increase in Podocarpus spp. and TZV by the base downhole decrease in Podocarpus spp. In arriving at these interpretations, data and publications from other basins such as the Niger Delta in West Africa and the Muglad and Burundi Basins in Central and East Africa were used as analogues. The age of the drilled wells ranged from Early Pliocene to Holocene while the paleo environment of deposition was determined to be mostly continental ranging from fluvial to lacustrine settings.

Petroleum system elements within the Late Cretaceous and Early Paleogene sediments of Nigeria's inland basins: An integrated sequence stratigraphic approach

Sequence stratigraphic studies have been carried out using subsurface well and 2D seismic data in the Late Cretaceous and Early Paleogene sediments of Anambra and proximal onshore section of Niger Delta Basin in the Southeastern Nigeria. The aim was to establish the stratigraphic framework for better understanding of the reservoir, source and seal rock presence and distribution in the basin. Thirteen stratigraphic bounding surfaces (consisting of six maximum flooding surfaces - MFSs and seven sequence boundaries – SBs) were recognized and calibrated using a newly modified chronostratigraphic chart. Stratigraphic surfaces were matched with corresponding foraminiferal and palynological biozones, aiding correlation across wells in this study. Well log sequence stratigraphic correlation reveals that stratal packages within the basin are segmented into six depositional sequences occurring from Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene age. Generated gross depositional environment maps at various MFSs show that sediment packages deposited within shelfal to deep marine settings, reflect continuous rise and fall of sea levels within a regressive cycle. Each of these sequences consist of three system tracts (lowstand system tract – LST, transgressive system tract – TST and highstand system tract – HST) that are associated with mainly progradational and retrogradational sediment stacking patterns. Well correlation reveals that the sand and shale units of the LSTs, HSTs and TSTs, that constitute the reservoir and source/seal packages respectively are laterally continuous and thicken basinwards, due to structural influences. Result from interpretation of seismic section reveals the presence of hanging wall, footwall, horst block and collapsed crest structures. These structural features generally aid migration and offer entrapment mechanism for hydrocarbon accumulation. The combination of these reservoirs, sources, seals and trap elements form a good petroleum system that is viable for hydrocarbon exploration and development.

Petroleum potential and kinetic models for hydrocarbon generation from the Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene Latrobe Group coals and shales in the Gippsland Basin, Australia

Pyrolysis experiments (open and closed systems) and kinetic modelling of primary cracking of kerogen have been carried out to investigate hydrocarbon generation characteristics and source rock facies variability within the Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene Latrobe Group in the Gippsland Basin. On the basis of Rock-Eval data, the interbedded coals, coaly shales and carbonaceous shales contain different types of kerogen (Type III, Type II–III, Type II) with variable potential for both gas and liquid hydrocarbon generation. Open system pyrolysis–gas chromatography data indicate that the organically lean marginal marine shales of the Santonian–early Campanian Tricolporites apoxyexinus and Nothofagidites senectus biozones produce gas and condensate. However, coal and coaly to carbonaceous shales sampled from the Paleocene Lygistepollenites balmei, Maastrichtian Forcipites longus, late Campanian Tricolporites lilliei and Turonian Phyllocladidites mawsonii palynological biozones are heterogeneous with the capacity to generate both low and high wax paraffinic–naphthenic–aromatic (P–N–A) oils, and paraffinic oils with a high wax content. The main phase of petroleum formation from these later biozones, assuming a constant geological heating rate of 3.3°C/Ma, is predicted to occur between 150–179°C, indicating different orders of kinetic stability as a result of different types of organic matter and their state of preservation. The thermally immature shales have variable bulk kinetic characteristics, but the measured compositional kinetics and phase behaviour show that they have the potential to generate black oils at early stages of kerogen cracking, and either light oils or wet gases at higher levels of thermal stress. These findings suggest that upon thermal maturation, the interbedded shales of the Latrobe Group may have contributed significant volumes of hydrocarbons to the oil and gas accumulations in the Gippsland Basin. In addition, this study not only supports the premise that over-reliance on Rock-Eval/TOC data alone can be misleading for assessment of petroleum generation, but also represents a strategy for kerogen type and generative potential determination for fluvio-deltaic coals and subordinate lithologies.

Late Pennsylvanian to Wuchiapingian palynostratigraphy of the Baode section in the Ordos Basin, North China

Well-preserved miospores are recorded and illustrated from the Penchi to the lower part of the Sunjiagou formations in the Baode section of the Ordos Basin, North China. Eight palynological biozones are proposed for the Late Pennsylvanian to Wuchiapingian interval. Among them, five biozones are refined from pre-existing biozones. The biozones are comparable throughout the North China Craton. In contrast, long distance palynological correlation between North China and Euramerica only extends to the end of the Bolsovian (early Moscovian). By reference of associated marine fossils and magnetostratigraphic data, approximate stratigraphic correlation with the international stages is possible in Ordos Basin. Quantitative abundances of spores and pollen from the Late Pennsylvanian to Wuchiapingian reflect a wet-hot palaeoclimate in the Ordos Basin but with an increasing tendency of palaeoclimatic drying from the Early Kungurian. This drying tendency can be recognized throughout the North China Craton and seems to be related to the suturing process between North China Craton with the combined northeastern China blocks. Reduviasporonites which occurs often in relatively high frequencies in many Permian–Triassic boundary sections was recorded for the first time from the early Kungurian Shansiensis Biozone.

Middle and Late Miocene palynological biozonation of the south-western part of Central Paratethys (Croatia)

Middle and Late Miocene palynological biozonation of the south-western parts of Central Paratethys (Croatia) is presented based on organic-walled phytoplankton. Nine characteristic palynozones of regional palynostratigraphic range are recognized, e.g. Early Badenian (Langhian) Cribroperidinium tenuitabulatum (Cte), Badenian (Late Langhian – Earliest Serravallian) Unipontidinium aquaeductum (Uaq), Late Badenian (Early Serravallian) Cleistosphaeridium placacanthum (Cpl), Sarmatian (Middle and Late Serravallian) Polysphaeridium zoharyi – Lingulodinium machaerophorum (Pzo-Lma), early Early Pannonian s.l. Mecsekia ultima – Spiniferites bentorii pannonicus (MulSpa), middle Early Pannonian s.l. Spiniferites bentorii oblongus (Sob), late Early Pannonian s.l. Pontiadinium pecsvaradensis (Ppe), early Late Pannonian s.l. Spiniferites validus (Sva), and late Late Pannonian s.l. Galeacysta etrusca (Get). As inferred from the regional palynostratigraphic correlation, the signals of two transgressions after the isolation of Paratethys during the Sarmatian are recognised: the first one in the late Early Pannonian, when Mediterranean dinoflagellates migrated into the Pannonian Basin, and the second one in the Late Pannonian, when endemic Paratethyan taxa migrated into the Mediterranean.

Jurassic–Cretaceous palynomorphs, palynofacies, and petroleum potential of the Sharib-1X and Ghoroud-1X wells, north Western Desert, Egypt

Palynomorph and palynofacies analyses have been performed on 93 cutting samples from the Jurassic Masajid Formation and Cretaceous Alam El Bueib, Alamein, Dahab, Kharita, and Bahariya formations in the Sharib-1X and Ghoroud-1X wells, north Western Desert, Egypt. Two palynological biozones are proposed for the studied interval of the Sharib-1X well: the Systematophora penicillata–Escharisphaeridia pocockii Assemblage Zone (Middle to Late Jurassic) and the Cretacaeiporites densimurus–Elateroplicites africaensis–Reyrea polymorpha Assemblage Zone (mid-Cretaceous: late Albian to early Cenomanian). Spore coloration and visual kerogen analysis are used to assess the thermal maturation and source rock potential. Mature oil prone to overmature gas prone source rocks occur in the studied interval of the Sharib-1X well, whereas highly mature to overmature gas prone source rocks occur in the studied interval of the Ghoroud-1X well.Palynofacies and palynomorph assemblages in both wells reflect shallow marine conditions throughout the Jurassic and the late Albian and early Cenomanian. During these times, warm and dry climatic conditions prevailed. The Cretaceous palynomorph assemblages of the Sharib-IX well correlate with the Albian–Cenomanian Elaterates Province of Herngreen et al. (1996).

Uppermost Permian to Middle Triassic palynology of the Salt Range and Surghar Range, Pakistan

Independently dated palynostratigraphic zonations of Early Triassic age are rare. One of the best places to study Late Permian to Middle Triassic palynology together with contemporaneous marine faunas is the sedimentary successions of the Salt Range and Surghar Range in Pakistan. Here, we present a new palynostratigraphic zonation of the Lower Triassic succession of North Gondwana, based on the spore pollen records of the Chhidru Formation, the Mianwali Formation, and the Tredian Formation from sections of the Nammal, Chhidru, Chitta-Landu and Narmia gorges in Pakistan. Within the Lower Triassic succession five palynological biozones are recognised, formally described, and calibrated by ammonoid biostratigraphy and C-isotope chemostratigraphy. Three further palynological associations, two from the uppermost Permian Chhidru Formation, and one from the Middle Triassic Tredian Formation, are informally described. The two basal assemblages (Chhidru 1 and Chhidru 2) are present in the uppermost Chhidru Formation. Chhidru 1 is dominated by gymnosperm pollen, whereas Chhidru 2 is characterised by abundant cavate trilete spores associated with conifer and pteridosperm pollen of Permian affinity. The assemblages of Dienerian to early Smithian age, the Densoisporites spp.– Lundbladispora spp. Assemblage Zone (PTr 1) and the Lundbladispora spp.– Densoisporites spp. Assemblage Zone (PTr 2) are dominated by cavate trilete spores. Compared to PTr 1, ornamented spores are more diverse in PTr 2, and taeniate bisaccate pollen are more abundant. The middle Smithian assemblages of the Densoisporites spp. Abundance Zone (PTr 3) are marked by an acme of Densoisporites spp. The following assemblages of the upper Smithian to lower Spathian Lunatisporites spp.– Densoisporites spp. Assemblage Zone (PTr 4) are characterised by abundant taeniate bisaccate pollen. The Spathian and Anisian assemblages (PTr 5 and Tredian 1) are characterised by abundant non-taeniate bisaccate pollen, and the common occurrence of Aratrisporites spp., and by generally diverse spore assemblages. The new palynostratigraphic zonation can be correlated with several other Gondwanan records (Australia, India, and Madagascar), and allows for reassessment of the floral recovery patterns in the aftermath of the end-Permian event. During periods with relatively stable carbon isotope values (early Smithian, Spathian and Anisian) pulses of diversification have been observed. During episodes of rapid fluctuations of the carbon cycle reduced palynofloral diversity is combined with rapid changes in the quantitative distribution pattern within the palynological assemblages.

A palynological biozonation for the uppermost Santonian and Campanian Stages (Upper Cretaceous) of South Carolina, USA

Five palynological biozones are proposed for the uppermost Santonian and Campanian Stages of South Carolina. In ascending stratigraphic order, these highest-occurrence interval zones are the Osculapollis vestibulus (Ov) Biozone, the Holkopollenites propinquus (Hp) Biozone, the Holkopollenites forix (Hf) Biozone, the Complexiopollis abditus (Ca) Biozone, and the Osculapollis aequalis (Oa) Biozone. These biozones are based on an analysis of more than 400 subsurface and outcrop samples throughout the Coastal Plain Province of South Carolina, and the adjacent states of Georgia and North Carolina. Integration of the biostratigraphy with lithostratigraphy and geophysical log data suggests that the lower and upper boundaries of each biozone are bounded by regional unconformities. Five new species are described, and an emendation is presented for one additional species.

Palynological biozones and radiometric data at the Carboniferous–Permian boundary in western Gondwana

Absolute radiometric data obtained recently in Upper Paleozoic basins of South America and Southern Africa are available to constrain the age of some palynological biozones defined in the Western Gondwana. Some dates obtained from Argentina coincide with southern Africa's and are useful to constrain the palynological associations. In this way, the Permian Argentinian Lueckisporites– Weylandites (LW) Biozone is compared with the Lueckisporites virkkiae Biozone of Brazil and Zone 3 of South Africa. On the other hand, the palynofloras from Dwyka (South Africa) are comparable with Argentinian and Brazilian associations recovered near the Carboniferous–Permian boundary. Tuffaceous intervals of the Dwyka Group in South Africa suggest the beginning of that sequence at 307 Ma reaching the 290 Ma at the top. The available palynological, paleoenvironmental and radiometric data from these three western Gondwanan areas are analyzed and compared.

Stratigraphic Note: Update of the standard Arabian Permian palynological biozonation; definition and description of OSPZ5 and 6

Stratigraphic Note: Update of the standard Arabian Permian palynological biozonation; definition and description of OSPZ5 and 6

The Tamar Trough revisited: correlations berween sedimentary beds, basalts, their ages and valley evolution, North Tasmania

The Tamar Trough, an Early Palaeogene fault structure, contains sedimentaty beds and interleaved basaltic flows that infill the structure along its 70 km length. These infills represent a complex interplay between sedimentation, channel erosion, eruptive dislocations, and even 'out of trough' diyersions of the ancestral Tamar drainage. Several areas of resistant basalt flows remain in the south, upper, middle and lower Tamar reaches. Although some palynological control was known, radiometric dating of previously untested basalts now allows close integration and age-pegging for observed palynological biozones. The K-Ar and Ar-Ar ages of the basalt bodies indicate eruptive events at 47, 33-37 and 25 Ma, correlating with Proteacidites asperopolus-Malvacipollis diversus, Nothofagites asperus and Proteacidites tuberculatus biozone age sedimentary beds respectively. Basanite, alkali basalt and hawaiite flows dominate basalt lithology with lesser olivine nephelinite, transitional olivine basalt, olivine tholeiite and quartz tholeiite. Basalt geochemistry suggests derivation from different degrees of partial mande melting (from 7 to 35%), with alkaline and tholeiitic basalts being derived from separate source regions. Most alkaline basalts have high-jl (HIMU) related trace element signatures, which are absent in the tholeiitic rocks. A basalt plug on the trough margin at Loira gave a Jurassic age and has Jurassic dolerite-like geochemistry. The Tamar sequence suggests that the initial fluvio-Iacustrine and later channel-fill sedimentation from 65(?) to 24(?) Ma was then punctuated in places by periods of alkaline volcanism between 47 to 33(?) Ma, and alkaline and tholeiitic volcanism between 33 to 24(?) Ma. No Neogene fossils are known, so this later period was probably one of net erosion. These contrasting quiet sedimentary and more volcanic intervals are related here to a tectonic model that involves northerly drift of Victorian and Tasmanian lithosphere over several former Tasman metasomatised mantle plume sources.

Palynological biozonation of the Permian of Oman and Saudi Arabia: progress and challenges

ABSTRACT Extensive palynological work in sequences in Oman and Saudi Arabia, has allowed a framework of eight biozones for the uppermost Carboniferous to Permian rocks in that region. Five of these are established in the palyniferous uppermost Carboniferous to Lower Permian sequence in Oman, and to some extent these are recognisable in sequences of central and southern Saudi Arabia. OSPZ1 (Oman and Saudi Arabia Palynological Zone 1), associated with the lower parts of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah C member, is probably Stephanian in age. OSPZ2 is Asselian-Sakmarian in age, and is associated with the upper part of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah B member. OSPZ3, which is subdivided into three sub-biozones, is associated with the Lower Gharif member; its age may lie in the range late Sakmarian to Artinskian, based on palynology and brachiopod-based ages for the Haushi Limestone, locally present toward the top of the Lower Gharif member. The composition of assemblages from OSPZ1 to OSPZ3 is similar to that of coeval sequences in other former Gondwana countries and the chronostratigraphical ages assigned to them are partly gained from correlation with faunally-calibrated Western Australian palynological biozones. At the level of OSPZ4, such correlation becomes difficult because significant differences are evident between Western Australian and Arabian assemblages, and because other Gondwana palynological biozonations, with which Arabia has greater affinity, are poorly constrained chronostratigraphically. OSPZ4 and the succeeding two biozones are established in the sporadically palyniferous Middle and Upper Permian sequences of Oman and Saudi Arabia. OSPZ4, though poorly characterised due to low palynological recovery, is probably ‘mid-Artinskian’ to Kungurian in age, and is associated with the Middle Gharif member. OSPZ5, present in southeast Saudi Arabia and Oman appears to be associated with the lower to middle parts of the Upper Gharif member, and is constrained in age, partly by the faunally-dated overlying Oman Khuff carbonates, as being Roadian or earliest Wordian in age. So far the assemblages of the highest biozone, OSPZ6, have been recovered only from the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ of central Saudi Arabia, and are believed to be younger than those of OSPZ5; dating by palynological means is difficult but recent microfaunal studies of the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ suggest a Capitanian age. Further study in appropriate palyniferous sections in other Middle Eastern countries may allow a more complete palynological succession to be established.

A palynological biozonation for the Maastrichtian Stage (Upper Cretaceous) of South Carolina, USA

Three palynological biozones are proposed for the Maastrichtian Stage of South Carolina. In ascending stratigraphic order, the biozones are the Carolinapollis triangularis (Ct) Interval Biozone, the Holkopollenites chemardensis (Hc) Interval Biozone, and the Sparganiaceaepollenites uniformis (Su) Interval Biozone. Integration of the biostratigraphy with lithologic and geophysical log data suggests that within the study area, the upper and lower boundaries of each zone are bounded by regional unconformities, and that a three-fold subdivision of the Maastrichtian Stage is warranted. The biozonation is based on the analysis of 114 samples from 24 subsurface and three outcrop sections from the Coastal Plain of South Carolina; samples from an additional seven subsurface and 18 outcrop sections from North Carolina and Georgia were examined to evaluate the geographic extent of the biozones. One new genus and five new species of pollen are described, and emendations are presented for two genera and one species of pollen.

Stratigraphy of the Karoo Supergroup in southern Africa: an overview

The Karoo Supergroup in southern Africa occurs in the areally extensive Main Karoo and Kalahari basins as well as in a number of subsidiary basins in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Main Karoo basin constitutes a retro-arc foreland basin, while the rest are intracratonic sag basins or rift basins. Pre-erosion thicknesses of the sedimentary succession range from over 10,000 m in the southern foredeep part of the Main Karoo basin and the Cabora Bassa rift basin, to less than 1000 m in most of the subsidiary basins. A lithostratigraphical subdivision into groups, formations and members has now been accepted for most of the basins, but in some, traditional, non-lithostratigraphical terms remain in use. Non-marine vertebrate and plant fossils are common in many of the basins and the former have been used to subdivide the Beaufort Group in the main basin into eight assemblage zones. A palynological biozonation has proved feasible for the Permian strata in some of the Karoo basins. The Karoo Supergroup ranges in age from Late Carboniferous to Early Jurassic. The strata were deposited in glacial, deep marine (including turbidite), shallow marine, deltaic, fluvial, lacustrine and aeolian environments.

96/04331 Conceptual design of an integrated solid CO 2 penetrator marine disposal system

Pyrolysis experiments (open and closed systems) and kinetic modelling of primary cracking of kerogen have been carried out to investigate hydrocarbon generation characteristics and source rock facies variability within the Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene Latrobe Group in the Gippsland Basin. On the basis of Rock-Eval data, the interbedded coals, coaly shales and carbonaceous shales contain different types of kerogen (Type III, Type II–III, Type II) with variable potential for both gas and liquid hydrocarbon generation. Open system pyrolysis–gas chromatography data indicate that the organically lean marginal marine shales of the Santonian–early Campanian Tricolporites apoxyexinus and Nothofagidites senectus biozones produce gas and condensate. However, coal and coaly to carbonaceous shales sampled from the Paleocene Lygistepollenites balmei, Maastrichtian Forcipites longus, late Campanian Tricolporites lilliei and Turonian Phyllocladidites mawsonii palynological biozones are heterogeneous with the capacity to generate both low and high wax paraffinic–naphthenic–aromatic (P–N–A) oils, and paraffinic oils with a high wax content. The main phase of petroleum formation from these later biozones, assuming a constant geological heating rate of 3.3 °C/Ma, is predicted to occur between 150–179 °C, indicating different orders of kinetic stability as a result of different types of organic matter and their state of preservation. The thermally immature shales have variable bulk kinetic characteristics, but the measured compositional kinetics and phase behaviour show that they have the potential to generate black oils at early stages of kerogen cracking, and either light oils or wet gases at higher levels of thermal stress. These findings suggest that upon thermal maturation, the interbedded shales of the Latrobe Group may have contributed significant volumes of hydrocarbons to the oil and gas accumulations in the Gippsland Basin. In addition, this study not only supports the premise that over-reliance on Rock-Eval/TOC data alone can be misleading for assessment of petroleum generation, but also represents a strategy for kerogen type and generative potential determination for fluvio-deltaic coals and subordinate lithologies.