Title: PALYNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF LATE CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS OF THE NKPORO FORMATION IN THE AFIKPO SUB-BASIN, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA.
Abstract: The Late Cretaceous Afikpo Sub-basin was installed following the Santonian “squeeze”. The Nkporo Formation which comprises of interbedded sandstones, dark grey shales, siltstones and limestone lenses is the basal unit of this Sub-basin. Palynological analysis of shale samples from surface outcrops of the Formation yielded sixtyseven (67) palynomorphs species, made up of thirty-eight (38) pollen species, sixteen (16) spores species, thirteen (13) dinoflagellate cyst species and microforaminiferal wall-linings. The palynological assemblage consists of abundant Monocolpates, Tricolporates, Laevigates, triletes, Monolete spores and Dynocyst species. The presence of Dynocyst species of Andallussiella polymorpha, Coronifera tubulosa and Senegalinium bivacatum suggest that the shales outcropping in Afikpo and Asaga Amangwu areas (lower-middle part of the Formation) were deposited during the late Campanian. The upper part of the Formation outcropping on the scarp-slope of the Enugu-Okigwe Cuesta near Amaiyi and Nguzu Edda villages were dated early – mid Maastrichtian using Palynomorph species Longapertites marginatus, Monocolpites marginatus, Proxapertites cursus, Mauritidites
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 5
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