Planktonic foraminiferal and paleoenvironments of the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian succession in Wadi Qena, Egypt

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian foraminiferal assemblages in Hawashiya and Umm Omeiyied exposed sections at Wadi Qena, Eastern Deseret, Egypt is reconstructed to study the paleoenvironments and relative sea level changes. This study recognizes eight planktonic biozones from CF8 to CF2. The preservation of the studied samples ranging from moderate to good and is dominated by small-sized of Heterohelix spp. and Globigerinelloides spp. reflecting nutrient-rich/eutrophic marine environments. Eleven benthonic foraminiferal biofacies are recorded and reflected inner to outer neritic environments. Three sea level drops are noted at the Upper Campanian/Early Maastrichtian; Early/Middle Maastrichtian and Maastrichtian/Paleocene boundaries. These sea level drops match well with the eustatic sea level drops which are tectonically effect especially at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary due to the absence of CF1 to P4a subzones.