Benin Flank of the Niger Delta: Quantitative Distribution of Palynomorphs, Palaeoecologic and Palaeoclimatic Interpretation (Published)
This study has reported on the palynomorphs and some associated elements encountered in the Abao Bore hole (BH) of the Maastritchian to the Tertiary of the Benin Flank of Niger Delta in the Southern Nigeria Sedimenatry Basin. Abao BH represented a continuous and complete sequences with total depth of about 3255 feet. The 51 core samples yielded 70 genera and 160 species of dinoflagellates cysts and 43 genera and 60 species of pollen and spores. The various analysis of lithologic formation recognized in the well are in order of succession: Nkporo shale (Maastrtician/Danian) Imo shale (Early Eocene), Ameki Formation (Middle Eocene –Late Eocene/Oligocene) and Ogwashi -Asaba Formation (Miocene) Benin Formation (Miocene/Pliocene). The Palynology analysis also permitted the recognition of 19 dinoflagellate cysts assemblages and 17 pollen/spores assemblages ranging in age from the Maastrticinan to the Miocene. Detailed Paleoenviromental and paleoclimatic interpretation was based on the fact that diversity, abundance and presence of some species reflect either local or regional ecological condition. In general, the paleoclimatic pattern appears to follow the scheme proposed by Van Der Hammen (1957) and there is a close correlation between dominant dinocyst association and pollen/spore percentage in the study area.
Keywords: Benin flank, Niger-Delta, palaeoclimatic interpretation, palaeoecologic, palynomorphs, quantitative distribution