Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Implications of calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Middle–Late Miocene of the Nile Delta, Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Middle–Late Miocene subsurface successions from the Southeastern Mediterranean coast were studied based on the calcareous nannoplankton. The study was established on three boreholes selected from the offshore Nile Delta region, which are Port Fouad M-5, Baltim-1, and NDOB-1. The boreholes were chosen from different petroleum concessions within the North Delta basin. The standard nannoplankton biozonation of Mediterranean areas was used in this study. The studied rock successions cover the Sidi Salim and Qawasim formations, which are widely recognized targets for gas exploration. The study of the calcareous nannoplankton in the studied successions revealed eight biozones, and they are from base to top: Sphenolithus heteromorphus (NN5), Discoaster exilis (NN6), Discoaster kugleri (NN7), Catinaster coalitus (NN8), Discoaster hamatus (NN9), Discoaster calcaris (NN10), Discoaster quinqueramus (NN11), and Amaurolitus tricorniculatus (NN12). The Langhian/Serravalian, the Serravalian/Tortonian, and the Tortonian/Messinian boundaries were defined and discussed. The biochronological dates of the identified nannoplankton biozones were used to calculate the sedimentation rates of the studied rock successions. The calculations revealed two cycles of successive changes of sedimentation rates, which are attributed to regressions phases in Sidi Salim and Qawasim formations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Plate 1
Plate 2
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilar P, Berggren W, Aubry M, Kent D, Clauzon G, Benammi M, Michaux J (2004) Mid-Neogene Mediterranean marine-continental correlations: an alternative interpretation. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 204:165–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ansary S, Deibis S (1977) The geology and hydrocarbon potentialities of the Abu Qir and Abu Madi gas fields. Proceedings of the 12th Arab Petroleum Congress, Cairo, Paper 133(B-3)

  • Baba A, Okosun EU, Shehu O (2014) Biostratigraphic study of the calcareous nannofossils of well 02, shallow offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria. Univ J Geosci 2(3):104–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Backman J, Raffi I, Rio D, Fornaciari E, Pälike H (2012) Biozonation and biochronology of Miocene through Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils from low and middle latitudes. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, Gebrüder Borntraeger, Stuttgart, Germany. doi:10.1127/0078-0421/2012/0022

  • Barber PM (1981) Messinian subaerial erosion of the proto-Nile Delta. Mar Geol 44:253–272

  • Beavington-Penney SJ, Wrigth VP, Racey A (2006) The Middle Eocene Seeb Formation of Oman: an investigation of acyclicity, stratigraphic completeness, and accumulation rates in shallow marine carbonate settings. J Sediment Res 76:1137–1161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellas S, Frydas D, Keupp H (2007) Late Miocene calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy and bioevents correlation: Kalidonia case section (NW Crete, Greece). Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece vol. XXXX, Proceedings of the 11th International Congress, Athens

  • Berggren WA, Hilgen FJ, Langereis CG, Kent DV, Obradovich JD, Raffi I, Raymo ME, Shackleton NJ (1995) Late Neogene chronology: New perspectives in higher solution stratigraphy Geol Soc Am Bull 107:1272–1287

  • Boukhary M, Abd El Naby A, Faris M, Morsi A (2012) Plankton stratigraphy of the Early and Middle Miocene Kareem and Rudeis Formations in the central part of the Gulf of Suez. Egypt Hist Biol 24(1):49–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bramlette MN, Wilcoxon JA (1967) Middle Tertiary calcareous nannoplankton of the Cipero Section, Trinidad, W I Tulane. Stud Geol 5:93–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Bukry D (1978) Biostratigraphy of Cenozoic marine sediments by calcareous nannofossils. Micropaleontology 24:44–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deibis S, (1982) Abu Qir Bay, a potential gas province area, offshore Mediterranean, Egypt. Paper presented at the 6th Exploration Seminar, EGPC Cairo: 50–66

  • Deibis S, Futyen ARI, Ince DM, Morley R J, Seymour WP, Thompson S (1986) The stratigraphic framework of the Nile Delta and its implications with respect to the region’s hydrocarbon potential. Proceedings of the 8th Exploration Conference EGPC, Cairo

  • El Ashwah A, Mandur MM (2006) Miocene planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy of the southern part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 29:285–298

    Google Scholar 

  • El Deeb WZM (1993) Planktonic foraminiferal zonation of the Miocene–Pliocene Sediments of Baltim Well No. 1 Nile Delta, Egypt. Al-Azhar Bull Sci 4(2):625–638

    Google Scholar 

  • El Deeb WZM, El Ashwah A, Mandur MM (2004) Planktonic Foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton Biostratigraphy of the Lower and Middle Miocene sequence in Wadi Gharandal, Southwest Sinai, Egypt. J Petrol 13:105–122

    Google Scholar 

  • El Heiny I, Morsi, S (1992) Stratigraphic correlation of Neogene sediments in the eastern Nile Delta and Gulf of Suez, Egypt. EGPC, 11th Exploration International Conference, Cairo 2: 166–193

  • El-Heiny I, Martini E (1981) Miocene foraminiferal and calcareous nannoplankton assemblage from the Gulf of Suez and correlation. Geol Med 8:101–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Faris M, Shabaan M (2013) Quantitative calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the subsurface Pliocene sequence, north-east Nile Delta, Egypt. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. doi:10.1080/08912963.2012.751591

  • Faris M, Samir A M, Shabaan M (2007) Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the subsurface Miocene sequence, northeast Nile Delta, Egypt. 5th Int. Conference of the Geology of Africa. Assiut, Egypt 1:1–31

  • Faris M, Samir A M, Shabaan M (2009) Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the lower and middle Miocene sequence in the Gulf of Suez area, Egypt the sixth international conference on The Geology of Africa. Assiut, Egypt 7:1–31

  • Fornaciari E, Di Stefano A, Rio D, Negri A (1996) Middle Miocene quantitative calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy in the Mediterranean region. Micropaleontology 42:37–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frydas D, Bellas S (2009) Calcareous phytoplankton stratigraphy of Neogene marine sediments eastern of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Berliner paläobiologische Abhandlungen, Berlin, pp. 151–169

  • Gartner S (1969) Correlation of Neogene planktonic foraminifer and calcareous nannofossil zones. Trans Gulf Coast Assoc Geol Soc 19:585–599

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay WW (1970) Calcareous nannofossils from cores recovered on Leg. 4. Init. Repts. DSDP, pp. 4455–501

  • Hewaidy A, Farouk S, Ayyad H (2014) Integrated biostratigraphy of the upper Oligocene–MiddleMiocene successions in west central Sinai, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 100:379–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilgen FJ, Bissoli L, Iaccarino S, Krijgsman W, Meijer R, Negri A, Villa G (2000) Integrated stratigraphy and astrochronology of the Messinian GSSP at Oued Akrech (Atlantic Morocco). Earth Planet Sci Lett 182:237–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilgen FJ, Abdul Aziz H, Krijgsman W, Raffi I, Turco E (2003) Integrated stratigraphy and astronomical tuning of the Serravallian and lower Tortonian at Monte dei Corvi (Middle-Upper Miocene, northern Italy). Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 199:229–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilgen FJ, Abdul Aziz H, Bice D, Iaccarino S, Krijgsman W, Kuiper K, Montanari A, Raffi I, Turco E, Zachariasse WJ (2005) The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Tortonian Stage (Upper Miocene) at Monte dei Corvi. Episodes 28:6–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilgen FJ, Abels HA, Iaccarino S, Krijgsman W, Raffi I, Sprovieri R, Turco E, Zachariasse WJ (2009) The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Serravallian Stage (Middle Miocene). Episodes 32:152–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilgen FJ, Lourens LJ, Van Dam JA (2012) The Neogene period. In: Gradstein FM, Ogg JG, Schmitz MD, Ogg G (eds) Geological time scale 2012, vol 2, Elsevier BV., pp 923–978

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hüsing SK, Hilgen FJ, Abdul Aziz H, Krijgsman W (2007) Completing the Neogene geological time scale between 8.5 and 12.5 Ma. Earth Planet Sci Lett 253:340–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iaccarino S, Foresi LM, Mazzei R, Salvatorini E (2001) Calcareous plankton biostratigraphy of the Miocene sediments of the Tremiti Islands (Southern Italy). Reo Espan Micropal 33(121):237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Ismail AA, Boukhary M, Abdel Naby AI (2010) Subsurface stratigraphy and micropaleontology of the Neogene rocks, Nile Delta, Egypt. Geologia Croatica 63(1):1–26

  • Kellner A, El Khawaga H, Brink G, Brink-Larsen S, Hesham M, Abu El Saad H, Atef A, Young H, Finlayson B (2009) Depositional History of the West Nile Delta - Upper Oligocene to Upper Pliocene Search and Discovery Article: 30092

  • Khairy MA (1974) Geological and mineralogical studies on the sedimentary succession of the continental shelf of the Nile Delta. Unpublished PhD thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Mansoura University

  • Korrat IMI (1977) Geophysical studies on some subsurface formations in the Nile Delta region. unpuplished MSc thesis, Fuculty of Sciences, Mansoura University

  • Kouwenhoven T, Morigi C, Negri A, Giunta S, Krijgsman W, Rouchy J (2006) Paleoenvironmental evolution of the eastern Mediterranean during the Messinian: Constraints from integrated microfossil data of the Pissouri Basin (Cyprus). Mar Micropaleontol 60:17–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makled W A (2011) Industrial and economical and industrial applications of micropaleontological and palynological studies. Unpublished PhD thesis, Bonn University, Germany

  • Mandur MM (2009) Calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy of the lower and middle Miocene of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Aust J Basic Appl Sci 3(3):2290–2303

    Google Scholar 

  • Marino M, Flores JA (2002) Data report: calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy at Sites 1088 and 1090 (ODP Leg 177, Southern Ocean). In Gersonde, R, Hodell, DA, Blum, P (eds.), Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 177, 1–14 [CD-ROM]. Available from: Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A and M University, College Station TX 78745–9547, USA

  • Martini E (1971) Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation. Proc Second Planktonic Conf Roma 2:739–785

    Google Scholar 

  • Martini E (1974) In Martini and V Moisescu, Nannoplankton-Unterschungen in OligozanenAlagerungen zwischen Cluj und Heuedin (NW Siebenburgisches Becken, Rumanien). NJb Geo Paläont Monastshefte 1:18–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Okada H, Bukry D (1980) Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers to the low-latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973; 1975). Mar Micropaleontol 5:321–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omara SM, Ouda K (1972) A lithostratigraphic revision of the Oligocene Miocene succession in the northern Western Desert, Egypt 8th Arab Petroleum Congress, Algiers, Paper 94 (B-3)

  • Perch-Nielsen K (1985) Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils. In: Bolli HM, Saunders JB, Perch-Nielsen K (eds) Plankton stratigraphy. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, pp 427–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Raffi I, Mozzato CA, Fornaciari E, Hilgen FJ, Rio D (2003) Late Miocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and astrobiochronology for the Mediterranean region. Micropaleontology 49:1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rio D, Fornaciari E, Raffi I (1990) Late Oligocene through early Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils from western equatorial Indian Ocean (Leg 115). In Duncan RA, Backman J, Peterson LC, et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 115: College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), pp. 175–235

  • Rio D, Cita MB, Iaccarino S, Gelati R, Gnaccolini M (1997) Langhian, Serravallian, and Tortonian historical stratotypes. In: Montanari A, Odin GS, Coccioni R (eds) Miocene stratigraphy: an Integrated Approach. Developments in Palaeontology and Stratigraphy 15:57–87

  • Rizzini A, Vezzani F, Cococcetta V, Milad G (1978) Stratigraphy and sedimentation of Neogene-Qaternary section in the Nile Delta area. Mar Geol 27:327–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross DA, Uchupi E (1979) Structure and sedimentary history of Southeastern Mediterranean Sea—Nile Cone area. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 61(6):872–902

    Google Scholar 

  • Said R (1962) The geology of Egypt. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 377

    Google Scholar 

  • Said R (1981) The River Nile. Springer, Berlin, p 151

    Google Scholar 

  • Salem A (1976) Evolution of Eocene-Miocene sedimentation patterns in Northern Egypt. Geol Soc Am Bull 60:34–64

  • Sestini G (1989) Nile Delta: a review of depositional environments and geological history. In: Whateley MKG, Pickering KT (eds) Deltas: Sites and traps for fossil fuel. Geological Society Special Publication 41:99–127

  • Sestini G (1995) Egypt. In: Kulke, H (Ed.): Regional Petroleum Geology of The World, Part II: Africa, America, Australia and Antarctica (Beiträge zur regionalen Geologie der Erde 22: 66-87). Gebrüder Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart

  • Soliman A, Coric S, Head M, Piller W, El Beialy S (2012) Lower and Middle Miocene biostratigraphy, Gulf of Suez, Egypt based on dinoflagellate cysts and calcareous nannofossils. Palynology 36(1):38–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaghloul ZM, Taha AA, Hegab O, El Fawal F (1977) The Neogene-Quaternary sedimentary basins of the Nile Delta Egypt. J Geol 21:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaghloul ZM, Taha AA, Gheith AM (1979a) On the Quaternary-Neogene cyclic sedimentation in the Nile Delta area. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 9:779–803

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaghloul ZM, Taha AA, Hegab O, El Fawal F (1979b) The Plio-Pleistocene Nile Delta subenvironments, stratigraphic section and genetic class. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 9:282–291

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are in deep gratitude to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation for supplying the samples used in the study. We sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments, which have greatly improved the original manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exploration Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, 1 Ahmed El-Zomor Street - El Zohour Region, Nasser City, Cairo, 11727, Egypt

    Medhat M. M. Mandur & Walid A. Makled

Authors
  1. Medhat M. M. Mandur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Walid A. Makled
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Walid A. Makled.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mandur, M.M.M., Makled, W.A. Implications of calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Middle–Late Miocene of the Nile Delta, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 9, 203 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2032-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2032-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation