Biozonation and Paleobathymetry on Foraminifera Upper Cretaceous Deposites of Central Iran Basins (Isfahan, Baharestan Section)

In this study Late Cretaceous stratum in central Iran, Baharestan section in Isfahan area, was evaluated by biozonation and paleobathymetry.?These sediments have 89 meters thick, and strata have been formed of marl and marl limestone. In order to indicate the ancient depth of Upper Cretaceous at this time, planktonic and benthic foraminifera were studied. The percentage of the total planktonic foraminifera to the whole sample of foraminifera after the removal of indwell benthic foraminifera (%P*) using the formula?D?=?e(3.58718 + (0.03534?×?%P*))?was identified and depth of 200 - 450 meters was achieved for them. In the present investigation, 30 planktonic species of 11 genus have been identified. The Upper Cretaceous deposit was divided to 6 biozones on the basis of planktonic foraminifera which are cosmopolitan and consist of: Biozone 1—Marginotruncana sigali-Dicarinella primitiva?partial range zone;?Biozone 2—Dicarinella concavata?interval zone;?Biozone 3—Dicarinella asymetrica?total range zone;Biozone 4—Globotruncanita elevata?partial range zone;Biozone 5—Globotruncana ventricosa?interval zone;Biozone 6—Radotruncana calcarata?interval zone.?Based on planktonic foraminifera, the Upper Cretaceous sediments in the study area are of the Turonian-Late Campanian ages.

Palynomorph assemblage biozonation of Paleogene strata in Bende–Umuahia Area,Niger Delta Basin, southeastern Nigeria

Cenozoic sediments form extensive outcrops in the Niger Delta Basin. Detailed palynostratigraphic study was undertaken across Paleogene sequences exposed in Bende–Umuahia Area in up-dip sectors of the Niger Delta Basin, southeastern Nigeria, to establish different palynomorphs assemblage zones, with their corresponding ages.Palynological analysis was carried out on 27 selected outcrop samples, using the conventional maceration technique for recovering acid-insoluble organic-walled microfossils from sediments. Three Cenozoic lithostratigraphic units, including Imo Formation, Ameki Formation, and Ogwashi Formation, are exposed in the study area. Lithologies are sandstone, carbonaceous shale, mudstone, limestone, and the lignite. A total of 65 species of sporomorphs and 51 dinoflagellate cysts were identified. The recovered spores and pollen grains were used to establish six informal palynomorph assemblage zones, labeled as zone A – zone F, based on the first and the last occurrences of two or more species. These palynomorph assemblage zones include:(1) zone A — middle Paleocene Scabratriporites simpliformis–Bombacidites annae zone;(2) zone B — late Paleocene Foveotricolporites crassiexinus–Mauritidiites crassiexinus zone;(3) zone C — early Eocene Striatopollis catatumbus–Momipites africanus zone;(4) zone D — middle Eocene Margocolporites umuahiaensis–Gemmastephanocolporites brevicolpites zone;(5)zone E — late Eocene Cicatricosisporites dorogensis–Perfotricolpites nigerianus zone;and,(6) zone F — Oligocene–early Miocene Verrucatosporites usmensis–Magnastriatites howardii zone. The erected palynozones were correlated and compared with existing biozones in subsurface, down-dip sectors of the Niger Delta Basin, with pantropical palynological zones in tropical areas of Africa, and with palynofloral provinces of northern South America. A comparison of palynozones studied in southeastern Nigeria with other international palynozones, in this study, will assist in establishing the correlation of sediments for these areas.

Chitinozoans from the Fenxiang Formation (Early Ordovician) of Yichang,Hubei Province,China

Chitinozoans collected from upper Tremadocian to lower Floian strata of Chenjiahe section, Yichang, western Hubei, China comprise six species belonging respectively to the genera Euconochitina including a new species, Euconochitina fenxiangensis, Lagenochitina and Bursachitina, together with Desmochitina sp. and Eremochitina sp. The chitinozoan succession across the interval is correlated with relevant conodont and chitinozoan biozones and two new regional chitinozoan biozones, the Lagenochitina destombesi Biozone and the Euconochitina symmetrica Biozone are proposed based on their stratigraphic ranges in the Fenxiang to Honghuayuan formations in the Chenjiahe section.

Late Tremadoc and Early Floian Graptolites from Central Hunan,China

Fourteen graptolite species of the Late Tremadoc and Early Floian are described from the Nanba section in the Yiyang area,Hunan Province.Among them,Paradelograptus onubensis, Kiaerograptus bulmani,K.kutchini and Paratemnograptus isolatus of the Late Tremadoc are first found in China.Based on the current graptolite materials,the correspondingly complete graptolite zones of Upper Tremadocian in China are recognized as follows（in ascending order）：the Adelograptus tenellus Zone,the Aorograptus victoriae Zone,the Araneograptus murrayi Zone and the Hunnegraptus copiosus Zone.In the Nanba section,the Hunnegraptus copiosus Zone is overlain directly by the Tetragraptus approximatus Zone,there is no hiatus below the base of Floian.

An Integrated Wireline-Log and Biostratigraphic Appraisal of Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 Wells, Onshore Niger Delta

Studies of two wells within the coastal swamp onshore Niger Delta were carried out in order to determine the chronology, biozonation, and establishment of sequence stratigraphic framework for the representative wells. A total of twenty-eight (28) cutting samples were recovered and analysed from Abigboro-1 and Olure-1 exploratory wells for their foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs’ compositions. The results indicated the presence of diverse species within the wells, which include Lenticulina grandis, Florilus ex. gr. costiferum, Hanzawaia concentrica, Hopkinsina bononiensis, Marginulina costata and pseudonodosaria sp., Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Lenticulina grandis, Lenticulina grandis, Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigerina subperegrina, Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica. An inner neritic (1694 m - 2161 m), coastal deltaic (1557 m - 1640 m) and shallow inner neritic (1347 m - 1554 m) palaeoenvironment was suggested for Olure-1 well while a broad grouping of the intervals as inner to middle neritic was suggested for Abigboro-1 well. The ratio of species abundance/diversity and integration of log suite data predicted two Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS) and one Sequence Boundary (SB) for Olure-1 well. The MFS were encountered at depths 2728 m (MFS 1) and 1797 m (MFS 2), while the SB was predicted at depth 2602 m (SB1). Diverse systems’ tracts were identified and delineated from wireline logs of Olure-1 well and the implication for petroleum exploration was discussed. Late Oligocene - early Miocene age has been assigned for the wells based on the recovered diagnostic species.

Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Gurpi Formation at Deh Dasht Area, Zagros Basin, SW Iran

A rich assemblage of planktonic foraminifera has been studied from an outcrop of the Gurpi Formation, the hydrocarbon source rock in the southwest Iran, Deh Dasht area（Kuh-e Siah anticline）. Based on the distribution of the planktonic foraminifera, eight biozones have been recognized that included：Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone（Earliest Santonian）, Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone（Santonian to Earliest Campanian）, Globotruncanita elevata Partial Range Zone（Early Campanian）, Globotruncana ventricosa Interval Zone（Middle to Late Campanian）, Radotruncana calcarata Total Range Zone（Late Campanian）, Globotruncanella havanensis Partial Range Zone（Late Campanian）, Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone（Late to latest Campanian）, Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone（Latest Campanian to Early Maastrichtian）. These biozones indicates that the Gurpi Formation deposited during the Early Santonian- Early Maastrichtian. These biozones are compared to the most standard biozones defined in Tethysian domain. Based on distribution of morphotype groups of planktonic foraminifera, planktonic to benthic ratio（P/B） and content of carbonate, nine third-order sequences are recognized.

Biostratigraphy of Asmari Formation in Ghare Agha seyed of Farsan region,Chaharmahale Bakhtiari Province,Iran

The Asmari Formation consists of shallow marine sedimentary rocks deposited on ramp setting. Larger benthic foraminifera collected from Asmri Formation are dominated by hyaline and porcelanouse forms,including Amphistegina, Nummulites, Archaias, Astrotrillina, Miogypsinella, Miogypsinoides, Lepidocyclina,Operculina,Spiroclypeous and Miliolids. The presence of Nummulites cf. vascus in the lower part of the formation allows the age to be determined as Rupelian. The occurrence of Borelis pygmae is an index taxon of the Rupelian-Chattian and indicates Early Chattian of SBZ 21-22 in the study section. The first appearance of Miogypsinella akadagensis shows Late Chattian( SBZ 23) and defines the upper boundary of the SBZ 21-22. The new data are the first evidences showing that the shallow marine Asmari Formation is attributed to Oligocene( Rupelian-Chattian) age for this region.

Lithostratigraphy and Microbiostratigraphy of Gadvan and Darian Formations in South Semirom, East of Zagros Basin, South-Central Iran

This research focuses on the lithostratigraphy and microbiostratigraphy implications of the Gadvan and Darian Formations in a part of Zagros sedimentary basin. The Gadvan and Darian Formations in the study area with a thick-ness of 520 meters consist of gray to green marls and shales, dark-grey limestones and Orbitolina limestone with Late Barremian-Aptian age. According to the lithostratigraphic investigations, the Gadvan and Darian Formations in the study area are subdivided into eleven units. The upper boundary of the Darian Formation with the Kazhdomi Formation and the lower boundary of Gadvan Formation with the Fahliyan Formation are in the form of disconformity. Micropaleontological study of the Gadvan and Dariyan Formations has led to the recognition 20 families, 45 genera, 35 species of benthic foraminifera, 2 genera of pelagic foraminifera and 8 genera and species of the calcareous algae. In this research, three biozones have been recognized by distribution of the larger benthic foraminifera in the Gadvan and Dariyan Formations of the South Semirom, including: 1) Palorbitolina lenticularis-Choffatella decipiens Concurrent Range Zone (middle Late Barremian to early Early Aptian);2) Praeorbitolina cormyi-Orbitolina (Mesorbitolina) lotzei Assemblage Zone (late Early Aptian);3): Orbitolina (Mesorbitolina) texanae-Orbitolina (Mesorbitolina) parva Assemblage Zone (Middle to Late Aptian). Based on the identified foraminifera, the age of the Gadvan and Darian Formations in the study area is assigned to Late Barremian to Aptian.

Microbiostratigraphy of the Sediments of Talezang Formation in Ghalebi Section (Southwest Lorestan, Iran)

In the present paper, Talezang Formation, located in southwest of Khoramabad, is studied. Ghalebi section (200 m thickness) contains gray limestones with cherty nodules and sandy limestone isoclinally overlies Amiran Formation (gray shale and limestone). It is underlain concordantly and discontinuously by Kashkan Formation. 160 samples are surveyed (examined) from the section;28 genera and 4 species of benthonic foraminifera and 6 genera and 2 species of algae are identified. Due to similarity between identified benthonic foraminifera and Miscellanea-Kathina Assemblage Zone, the age of Talezang Formation can be assumed late Paleocene (Thanetian).

Lithofacies palaeogeography and biostratigraphy of the lowermost horizons of the Middle Triassic Hallstatt Limestones (Argolis Peninsula,Greece)

Condensed ammonoid beds of the Hallstatt facies (Anisian-Ladinian) are widespread around the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus,in the locality Theokafta of the Argolis Peninsula (eastern Peloponnesus).The Hallstatt Formation in Argolis appears,generally,in the form of lensoid bodies of variable sizes,inclination and direction and is always found overlying a formation consisting of keratophyric tuffs.In fact,the contact of the keratophyric tuffs with the overlying limestones,specifically evidenced by an in situ brecciated zone,is stratigraphic and constitutes the base of the Hallstatt Limestones.The contact of the Hallstatt Limestones with the overlying radiolarites is stratigraphic as well.Lithofacies and biostratigraphic research has focused on the lowermost horizons of the Hallstatt Limestones of Anisian age (average thickness about 1.30 m),where a dense sampling has been performed,followed by detailed facies analysis.The lowermost horizons of the Hallstatt Limestones of Theokafta represent typical hiatus beds/concretions sensu Wetzel and Allia (2000),characterized by discontinuous sedimentation and erosion.They consist of red ammonoid-bearing hemipelagic limestones with calcium carbonate nodules floating in an enriched Fe-oxides matrix with dispersed lensoid/prismatic calcium carbonate crystals.This part of the section is characterized by condensed sedimentation,due to significant lowering of the rate of sedimentation and includes omission surfaces,firmgrounds and hardgrounds along certain horizons.Nine lithostratigraphic units have been distinguished in the lowermost horizons of the Hallstatt Limestones,including radiolarian packstones,volcaniclastic facies,packstones/floatstones with ammonoids and lag deposits.Tselepidis (2007) defined nine distinct ammonoid biozones from the Anisian to Ladinian,documenting deposition of the Hallstatt facies during a low depositional rate over nearly 5 million years (using the timescale of Gradstein et al.,2004).The biozones:Japonites/Paracrochordiceras,Hollandites,Procladiscites/Leiophyllites,zoldianus,trinidosus,Reitziites/Parakellnerites and the Nevadites (Anisian) and the biozone curionii (Lower Ladinian).Although sedimentation was very condensed,it didn’t reach the level of mixing fauna.Synsedimentary and early burrowing processes differentiated the primary texture characteristics of the deposited sediments.Multiphase diagenesis occurred not very deep below the sediment surface and includes boring and/or encrustation,burial and cementation.The deposition of the studied Hallstatt Limestones is considered to be due to anaerobic oxidation of organic matter,which provided excess alkalinity,inducing carbonate precipitation.Sedi-mentation took place on differentially-subsided deep swells.After drowning,the swells were covered by pelagic carbonate deposits.Further slight rotation of blocks,along listric faults,may have led to additional differential subsidence of the blocks.Shelf bathymetry and thirdorder sea-level changes played a significant role in the formation of the Hallstatt beds.In terms of sequence stratigraphy,the studied hiatus concretions and beds are considered genetically linked to rising or high sea-level,formed at the initiation of transgressions,as well as during the time of maximum rate of transgression,in areas where the sediment input was strongly reduced (’’condensed section’’) .Taking into consideration the present location of the Hallstatt Formation,in the context of the Hellenides,an area suitable for the deposition of the Hallstatt Limestones,should be located between the sub-Pelagonian (western part of the Pelagonian zone) and Pindos geotectonic zones,which during the Triassic corresponded to a platform slope and a deep ocean,respectively.The widespread Middle Triassic Han Bulog Limestones (ammonoid-bearing pelagic limestones) from Triassic successions of the Eastern Alps (Dinarides,Hellenides) may have formed partly in similar slope environments.

Characteristics of shale gas reservoirs in Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in Well WX2,northeast Chongqing

To further understand shale reservoir characteristics of Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in the Wuxi area,northeast Chongqing,based on drilling data of Well WX2,and taking the graptolite biostratigraphy as the standard marker of stratigraphic division and comparison,the geochemistry,petrology,reservoir space and properties of organic-rich black shale were well investigated,and its gasbearing capacity and controlling factors were also analyzed.The result shows that in the Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation of Well WX2,the organic-rich shale is 89.8 m thick and is characterized by good kerogen type,high organic abundance,moderate maturity and favorable hydrocarbongeneration condition,and the graptolite sequence is developed completely and continuously;the organic abundance is influenced by depositional rate,and the slow depositional rate is favorable for accumulation of organic matter in the black graptolite shale;from top to bottom,content of siliceous minerals increases and content of clay minerals decrease,therefore the brittleness increases;the organicrich siliceous shale and clay siliceous shale are favorable lithofacies for development of shale reservoirs;the nanopore is dominated by the parallel-plate pore with four open sides and has good connectivity;the pore size distribution curve has the multimodal characteristic,and the pore diameter mainly is in the range of 0.42e0.62 nm and the range of 3e5 nm;organic pores and interlayer pores of clay minerals make the greatest contribution to the total pore volume,while pores of brittle minerals have the least contribution;from top to bottom,organic pores gradually increase while interlayer pores of clay minerals gradually decrease;the on-site core gas content exceeds 8 m3/t,and the gas-bearing capacity is jointly controlled by hydrocarbon generation,reservoir and preservation conditions;and the WF2-LM6 biozone of the Katian to the early Aeronian is the high-quality shale reservoir,where the LM1 biozone of the Hirnantian was the best“sweet spot”which is the target of horizontal well drilling.

LATE CARBONIFEROUS FUSULINID BIOSTRATIGRAPHICAL SEQUENCE IN STRATIGRAPHICAL REGION OF NORTH CHINA

Based upon the research materials from Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, Shan- dong, Anhui and Shaanxi provinces, the Late Carboniferous fusulinid biostrati- graphical sequence in stratigraphical region of North China can be subdivided from bottom upwards into the following zones.

A MATHEMATICAL STUDY OF THE SEVEN GRAPTOLITE BIOZONES OF THE LOWER SILURIAN LONGMAXIAN STAGE IN CHINA

With the aid of matrix theory and computer a series of data can be obtained such as the total number of localities in which r species of graptolites appears, the common number of localities in which both i and j species of graptolites appear, the total number of species of graptolites in one locality, the common number of species of graptolites found in both i and j localities, the total number of zones in which r species of graptolites appears, the common number of zones in which both i and j species appear, the total number of species of graptolites found in one zone, the common number of species of graptolites found in both i and j zones. Based on these data a common problem in biostratigraphy may be solved, that is, in the absence of the zonal graptolite which species of graptolites can be chosen to replace the zonal graptolite, or how to detect the zonal graptolite of a graptolite biozone. The result of matrix treatment not only detects the graptolite biozone but is useful to infer the