Preliminary Lithological and Palynological Investigation of Mesozoic-Cenozoic Strata in the Gorge of the Nile, Ethiopia
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Geology and Geophysics
Research Advisor
Oboh-Ikuenobe, Francisca
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
Alfred Spreng Undergraduate Research Award; Opportunities for Undergraduate Research (OURE)
Abstract
Samples from the Gohasion Formation, Antalo Formation, and lignite and chert interbedded with flood basalts were studied for their palynological contents. Palynology has been integrated with lithologic data to make preliminary interpretations about depositional conditions. Five distinct lithofacies associations based on rock types, their association with one another, their textural characteristics, sedimentary structures. Organic components were point counted and analyzed to recognize four palynofacies assemblages. The absence of marine palynomorphs, abundant phytoclasts and moderate amounts of AOM coupled with lithological data suggest marine depositional conditions with high input of terrestrial material into the basin. Kerogen data also yield information on source rock potential in the study area. Sixteen out of the 21 samples plot in the gas-prone, phytoclast-rich type 3 kerogen field, indicating a moderate to high potential for gas production.
Biography
Qiqi Wang transferred to the Geology and Geophysics program at Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2012 fall. Her first two years of undergraduate study were at China University of Petroleum as a Geophysics major. Her research interest mainly lies in Sedimentology and Paleontology. The study of fossils in sediments has never felt like unwarranted labor for her, but an opportunity to learn about the story behind the rock. Her undergraduate research project is about conducting a preliminary investigation of the Mesozoic palynology (study of organic-walled microfossils) of the Gorge of the Nile in Ethiopia. She is the recipient of two awards awarded by Geological Science and Engineer Department, the Alfred Spreng Undergraduate Research Award and the S. K . Grant Field Trip Award.
Her favorite extracurricular activity is sports. She played basketball and is obsessed with hiking. She also worked as the assistant instructor of the Paleontology session of the Expanding Your Horizon event and is the volunteer at the Mineral Auction held by on C.L. Dake Geological Society in department.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Preliminary Lithological and Palynological Investigation of Mesozoic-Cenozoic Strata in the Gorge of the Nile, Ethiopia
Upper Atrium/Hall
Samples from the Gohasion Formation, Antalo Formation, and lignite and chert interbedded with flood basalts were studied for their palynological contents. Palynology has been integrated with lithologic data to make preliminary interpretations about depositional conditions. Five distinct lithofacies associations based on rock types, their association with one another, their textural characteristics, sedimentary structures. Organic components were point counted and analyzed to recognize four palynofacies assemblages. The absence of marine palynomorphs, abundant phytoclasts and moderate amounts of AOM coupled with lithological data suggest marine depositional conditions with high input of terrestrial material into the basin. Kerogen data also yield information on source rock potential in the study area. Sixteen out of the 21 samples plot in the gas-prone, phytoclast-rich type 3 kerogen field, indicating a moderate to high potential for gas production.
