Quantitative Analysis of Palynomorphs from Neogene Deposits in Calabar Flank: Implication for Paleoenvironmental Interpretation

Abstract

Palynological analysis of outcrops samples of Benin Formation in Southern sector of Calabar Flank, Nigeria yielded sixty seven(67) palynomorphs species, made up of thirty-eight (38) pollen species, sixteen(16) spores species, 2 species of algae with  fewer indeterminate dinoflagellate cyst and microforaminiferal wall-linings. The palynological assemblage consists of abundant polyporate (30%), tricolporates (34%), triletes (14%), monolete spores (19%) and dinocyst species and they yieled the following notable palynological taxa: Psilastephanocolporites laevigatus, Retricolporites irregularis, Zonocostite ramonae, Pachydermites diedeorixi, Echiperiporites estelae, Psilatricolporite crassus, Psilatricolporites sp, Retibrevitricolporites obodoensis, Ctenolophonidites costatus and Brevicolporites guinetii for the pollen. Spores (ferns and fungi) include Laevigatosporites discordatus, Acrostichumaureum, Verrucatosporites alienus, Polypoddiaceoisporites retirugatus, Magnastriatites howardi, Fusiformisporites sp and fungi spores. The quantitative analysis of the fossil assemblage, its composition leads to the understanding of the environment of deposition as is alluvial/fluvial and coastal settings characterized by freshwater swamp/rain forest and mangrove forest. This is correlated with warm, humid and high rainfall climate of tropical vegetation.