The Cenomanian–Turonian boundary event in Egypt: Foraminiferal turnover and carbon isotopic change

Abstract

This study deals with the integration between geochemical data (carbon isotope and, total organic carbon) and foraminiferal turnover to track the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) from the OCT-A8st1 well, which located in October field, central part of Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The studied well is subdivided into two formations, namely the Galala (Early–Late Cenomanian) and Abu Qada (Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian). Concerning the foraminiferal assemblage, agglutinated foraminifera dominate the Galala Formation, while planktonic taxa only occur within a few levels in the Abu Qada Formation. Due to the absence of keeled planktonic forms, the biostratigraphic framework is established on the integration between benthonic and planktonic foraminifera. Three biozones are recognized, including Thomasinella aegyptia–Merlingina cretacea Interval Zone (Early–Middle Cenomanian), Thomasinella fragmentaria–Praebulimina aspera Interval Zone (Middle–Late Cenomanian), and Whiteinella archaeocretacea Taxon Range Zone (Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian). Therefore, the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary interval (CTBI) is placed within the lower part of the Abu Qada Formation, which is characterized by the presence of black shales and low richness of both foraminifera and ostracods. A remarkable increase in TOC values is observed close to the CTBI. Also, the carbon isotope curve shows a distinctive positive δ¹³C anomaly at the same level of the maximum TOC. The comparison between the recorded δ¹³C data and those obtained from other sections worldwide, indicates that the base of the Turonian is placed directly above the δ¹³C excursion. Furthermore, the recorded foraminiferal community shows evidence for the deepening of the environment and extension of the oxygen minimum zone during the CTBI. This conclusion is based on a sequence of bioevents starting with the disappearance of some agglutinated benthic foraminifera, followed by the dominance of opportunistic groups including buliminids, whiteinellids and heterohelicids. Consequently, the studied well may be considered as a local reference section for OAE2.