New contributions to the geology of the Gebel Abraq area, southeast Aswan (Egypt): recognition of mid-Cretaceous Stratigraphic units

Mahmoud, Magdy S.; Askalany, Mohamed; Zeid, Kamal A. Abu; Thabit, Gamal K.

doi:10.1127/njgpm/1995/1995/681

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…During drier phases, humidity indicators probably shifted their ranges more to the south, as recognized by the higher spores frequency in samples from southern Egypt (47%: [ 147 ]; up to 45%: [ 148 ]; present-abundant: [ 26 ]). However, other results from southern Egypt, such as [ 27 ] did not trace such a trend as no counting was done. In their study on the equivalent Maghrabi Formation of the Dakhla Oasis [ 65 ], postulated the existence of possibly seasonal dryness which forestalled the high diversity of the palynoflora.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…A review of previous palynological studies on Egyptian samples has revealed that many authors assumed a warm tropical to subtropical, arid to semi-arid climate for the Bahariya Formation and its equivalents (e.g., [ 18 , 19 , 24 – 27 ]). In addition, dry phases occurred in NE Africa during the Cenomanian and minor humid phases were also recorded during the Albian-Cenomanian, as evidenced by the distribution of xerophytic versus hygrophilous palynoflora [ 82 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In southern Egypt, [ 179 ] interpreted pollen and spore assemblages from the Bulaq 12 and 15 wells (Kharga Oasis) as Cenomanian which produced highly diverse angiospermous elements, i.e., Tricolpites -like pollen. Palynofloral assemblages described from the Um Sidida Formation, Gebel Abraq area, Aswan [ 27 ], are dominated by angiosperms and contain fewer spores (mainly ferns) and gymnosperms ( Araucariacites/Inaperturopollenites , Cycadopites , Taxodiaceaepollenites ), with the advent of Microforaminiferal test linings and acritarchs. Angiosperms are mostly related to Tricolpites , Tricolpopollenites , and lesser amounts of Cretacaeisporites polygonalis and Trichotomosulcites .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are a few local exposures in Egypt also attributed to the Cenomanian that have so far received little attention and consequently few published data are available from such exposures. The palynological study of [ 27 ] focusing on the Umm Sidida Formation (Cenomanian) in the Gebel Abraq, southeast Aswan, represents a clear example of such equivalent rock units.…”

Section: Geological and Stratigraphic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous palynological contributions hypothesized a warm tropical to subtropical, arid to semi-arid climate for the Bahariya Formation (e.g., [ 18 , 19 ]), and its equivalents (e.g., Galala Formation: [ 24 ], Raha Formation: [ 25 ], Maghrabi Formation: [ 26 ], Umm Sidida Formation: [ 27 ]). This hypothesis needs to be re-evaluated, as it is generally not in agreement with the occurrence of high biomass ecosystems in which abundant and diverse vertebrates roamed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation and climate change at the southern margin of the Neo-Tethys during the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous): Evidence from Egypt

et al. 2023

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Changes in terrestrial vegetation during the mid-Cretaceous and their link to climate and environmental change are poorly understood. In this study, we use plant macrofossils and analysis of fossil pollen and spores from the Western Desert, Egypt, to assess temporal changes in plant communities during the Cenomanian. The investigated strata have relatively diverse sporomorph assemblages, which reflect the nature of parent vegetation. Specifically, the palynofloras represent ferns, conifers, monosulcate pollen producers, Gnetales, and a diverse group of angiosperms. Comparisons of both, dispersed palynoflora and plant macrofossils reveal different characteristics of the palaeoflora owing to a plethora of taphonomical and ecological biases including the depositional environment, production levels, and discrepancies between different plant organs. A combination of detailed records of sporomorphs, leaves, and charcoal from the studied successions provide new understandings of the palaeoclimate and palaeogeography during the Cenomanian and Albian-Cenomanian transition in Egypt. The mixed composition of the palynofloral assemblages reflects the presence of different depositional situations with a weak marine influence, as evidenced by a minor dinoflagellate cysts component. The local vegetation comprised various categories including herbaceous groups including ferns and eudicots, fluvial, open environments, and xeric arboreal communities dominated by Cheirolepidiaceae and perhaps including drought- and/or salt-tolerating ferns (Anemiaceae) and other gymnosperms (Araucariaceae, Ginkgoales, Cycadales, and Gnetales) as well as angiosperms. The presence of riparian and freshwater wetland communities favouring aquatic and/or hygrophilous ferns (of Salviniaceae and Marsileaceae), is noted. The wide variation of depositional settings derived from the palynological data may be attributed to a prevalent occurrence of producers in local vegetation during the early Cenomanian of Egypt. For the purpose of this work on the studied Bahariya Formation and its equivalent rock units, where iconic dinosaurs and other fossil fauna roamed, we attempt to improve the understanding of Egypt’s Cenomanian climate, which is reconstructed as generally warm and humid punctuated by phases of considerably drier conditions of varying duration.

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