Palynological and Age Determination of the Campano- Maastrichtian (Mamu Formation) Deposit of the Anambra Basin, Awgu Section, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

An outcropping unit of the Mamu Formation in Awgu section was studied on the basis of its palynological assemblages and infer a biostratigraphic interpretation. Sediment samples obtained from the outcropping units of the Mamu Formation in the Anabra Basin, Awgu section was analysed for their palynological assemblages using the conventional maceration techniques for recovering of acid insoluble organic-walled microfossils from sediments. Lithological studies and physical description of the Formation was done in the field. The diagnostic palynomorphs recovered permitted the dating and biostratigraphic interpretation of the studied outcrop and this includes: Foveotriletes margaritae, Longapertites marginatus, Monocolpites marginatus, Mauritiidites lehmanii, Foveotriletes margaritae, Syncolporites marginatus, Proxapertites operculatus Echitriporites trianguliformis, Echitriporites trianguliformis, Proteacidites sigalii and Monocolpopollenites sphaeroidites. The results show that Mamu Formation was deposited during Late Campanian to Late Maastrichtian and the recovered palynomorphs was dominated by brackish to marine waters suggesting depositions within the shoreface to open marine thus giving rise to a lagoon-shallow marine environment.

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