OSTRACOD AND PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE UPPER CRETACEOUS (CENOMANIAN) SEDIMENTS IN. WADI EL DAKHL, GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT

Abstract

The Cenomanian succession exposed in Wadi El Dakhl, Gulf of Suez, is represented mainly by the yalala Formation which conformably overlies the Malha Formation and conformably underlies the Wata Formation (Fig. 2).

The Galala Formation attains about 127.5 m thickness in Wadi El Dakhl area, lithologically, it consists mainly of shales (59.5%), siltstones (20%), limestones (18%) and sandstones (2.5%). The lower part of this unit consists of shales with interbeds of sandstone, sandy dolostone and fossiliferous limestone; the middle part is calcareous siltstone, while the upper part contains calcareous shales with some glauconitic bands, thick fossiliferous limestones and ferruginated silty shales (Fig. 3).

All the studied rock samples were prepared to investigate their ostracod contents. On the other hand, 25 selected rock samples were prepared for palynological investigation. These investigations resulted in identifying 46 ostracod species and 38 palynological species (Pis. 1 - 12). The range as well as the relative frequency of all identified

species are shown in the distribution charts (Figs. 4, 5).