Masters Theses

Abstract

"The Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (K/Pg) has been studied in great detail because of the fascination most people have with the extinction of the dinosaurs. The response of the vegetation to this extinction event has been studied in detail in mid to high latitudes, but little is known about what happened in the tropics. Sixty-seven samples from the Nsukka and Imo formations in the Alo-1 well in the Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria have been studied for their palynological contents. The aims of the study was to use spores, pollen and dispersed organic matter components to interpret biostratigraphy, and evaluate depositional conditions across the K/Pg boundary. A preliminary assessment of floral changes has also been made. Spore and pollen data indicates that the K/Pg boundary is located within the 1207 m - 1311 m depth interval in the Nsukka Formation. This boundary was identified using the last appearance datum (LAD) and first appearance datum (FAD) of key identified species, such as the LAD of Buttinia andreevi, and the FAD of species of Mauritiidites. Ten potentially new species have been identified and described in detail. Minimum variance cluster analysis of nine types of dispersed organic matter defined three palynofacies assemblages (A, B, and C) and nine sub-assemblages (three per assemblage). Comminuted phytoclasts, structured phytoclasts and amorphous organic matter apparently define these assemblages. Palynofacies data indicates a strong terrestrial influence during the deposition of the Nsukka Formation (prodelta) and the Imo Formation (shallow shelf). Influx of terrestrial components due to several factors controlling the amount of freshwater runoff into the basin, such as basin shape and circulation cell, overwhelmed marine components (dinoflagellate cysts, amorphous organic matter) preserved in the sediments"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Oboh-Ikuenobe, Francisca

Committee Member(s)

Frank, Ronald L.
Abdel Salam, Mohamed G.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geology and Geophysics

Sponsor(s)

973 Project

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Pagination

viii, 67 pages, map

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 60-61).

Geographic Coverage

Nigeria
Anambra River Valley (Nigeria)

Rights

© 2010 Janet Diane Raymer, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Geology -- NigeriaPaleoecology -- CretaceousStratigraphic correlation

Thesis Number

T 9750

Print OCLC #

723161401

Electronic OCLC #

686773755

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Thesis Location

 
COinS