Palynomorphs of the First Down-Hole Shale Occurrence in Three Contiguous Basins in Nigeria: Implication on the K-Pg Boundary

Abstract

Abstract. Attempt was made to retrieve palynomorph and calcareous nannofossil from samples retrieved from first down-hole shale occurrence in three contiguous basins (Anambra, Bida and Benin Basins) in Nigeria with a view to determining their ages, paleoecology and the K-Pg boundary. A total of one hundred and sixteen species were recovered from all the samples. The occurrence of Echitriporites trianguliformis in the Anambra basin suggests ages of Campanian to Maastrichtian, while the common occurrence of Retitricolporites sp which is Paleocene to Eocene in samples from Anambra and Bida Basins confirms age relation. This modern palm (Retitricolporites sp) and fungal spores as well as the absence of algae spores and nannofossil suggest swamp environment of deposition and a hot tropical to subtropical climate. Its absence in the Benin basin suggests a little deviation in the age of deposition. An observed spike in the occurrence of Cyathidites sp and Laevigatosporites sp in the Okeluse samples suggest K-Pg boundary.

Evaluation of the Hydrocarbon Potentials of Shale Exposures at Okpekpe in Edo North

“…Only few documented reports are available on this region of the Anambra Basin. (Edegbai and Emofurieta 2015;, Most recorded work of the Anambra basin are restricted to the center of the Basin (Burke et al, 1972;Ladipo, 1988;Nwajide and Reijers, 1996;Nton and Bankole, 2013;Ola and Adeoti 2017).…”