The BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE YOLDE FORMATION, NORTHERN BENUE TROUGH, NIGERIA
Abstract
This research is an attempt to investigate the micropaleontology of the Yolde Formation with the view to determine the age and paleoenvironments of the formation. The Yolde Formation, a key stratigraphic unit within the Benue Trough, provides insights into the Cretaceous paleoenvironments of the region. A total of ten samples were examined using a light microscope. Samples two and six exhibited the greatest taxonomic diversity, each containing 13 different taxa, while the other samples showed a range of 1 to 11 taxa. The benthic taxa Marssonella, Ammobaculites agulutinans, and Plectina were found to be prevalent throughout the composite section. Certain taxa, such as Marssonella Verneuilinoides Sp., Gyroidinoides sp., and Textularia subhauriiw, each constituted approximately 30% of the benthic assemblage. Common benthic indicators identified in the Yolde Formation include Marssonella, Verneuilinoides Sp., Ammobaculites agulutinans, Plectina cenomana Sp., Tritaxia tricarinata, Gyroidinoides Sp., Heterohelix Sp. etc. The presence of Bulbobaculite Sp. and Gavelinella Sp. in the Yolde Formation indicates that this formation dates to the Cenomanian age. This dating is supported by the identification of other foraminifera such as Marssonella, Verneuilinoides sp., Ammobaculites agulutinans, Plectina cenomana sp., Tritaxia tricarinata, Gyroidinoides sp., Heterohelix sp., etc. These benthic foraminifera are linked to low-oxygen paleoenvironments that reached the seabed. The presence of Ammobaculites Spp., Tritaxia tricarinata, and Gyroidinoides Sp. suggests anoxic conditions. Consequently, the paleoenvironments represented by the benthic foraminifera and the lithofacies reflects a paleoenvironments ranging from inner neritic to middle neritic zones within lower shoreface to upper shoreface.
References
Abubakar, M. B. (2014). Petroleum Potentials of the Nigerian Benue Trough and Anambra Basin: A Regional Synthesis. Natural Resources, 05(01), 25–58. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2014.51005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2014.51005
Abubakar, M. B., Luterbacher, H. P., Ashraf, A. R., Ziedner, R., & Maigari, A. S. (2011). Late Cretaceous palynostratigraphy in the Gongola Basin (Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria). Journal of African Earth Sciences, 60(1–2), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.01.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.01.007
Alegret, L., Molina, E., & Thomas, E. (2003). Benthic foraminiferal turnover across the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary at Agost (southeastern Spain): Paleoenvironmental inferences. Marine Micropaleontology, 48(3–4), 251–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8398(03)00022-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8398(03)00022-7
Aliyu, A. H., Mamman, Y. D., Abubakar, M. B., Sarki Yandoka, B. M., Jitong, J. S., & Shettima, B. (2017). Paleodepositional environment and age of Kanawa Member of Pindiga Formation, Gongola Sub-basin, Northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria: Sedimentological and palynological approach. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 134, 345–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.06.023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.06.023
Alván, A., & Von Eynatten, H. (2014). Sedimentary facies and stratigraphic architecture in coarse-grained deltas: Anatomy of the Cenozoic Camaná Formation, southern Peru (16°25’S to 17°15’S). Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 54, 82–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2014.04.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2014.04.008
Anderton, R. (1985). Clastic facies models and facies analysis. In R. Developments, P. J. Applied Aspects (EdsBrenchley, & B. P. J. Williams (Eds.), Sedimentology: recent developments and applied aspects (pp. 31–47). Blackwell Scientific Publications. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.1985.018.01.03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1985.018.01.03
Barber, W. M., & Tait, E. A. (1954). Thompson. J.H., The Geology of the Lower Gongola. Annual Report Geological Survey Nigeria, 53, 18–20.
Barber, W., Tait., E. A., & Thompson’, J. H. (1954). The geology of the lower Gongola Arm. Rpt, 1952, 18–20.
Barrier-island, M. D. G. (1981). and strand-plain facies. In D. Spearing (Ed.), Scholle PA (pp. 247–280). Sandstone depositional environments. AAPG Publication (1992).
Benkhelil, J. (1989). The origin and evolution of the Cretaceous Benue Trough (Nigeria). In A. Kogbe (Ed.), Journal of African Earth Sciences (Vol. 8, Issues 2–4, pp. 251–282). Nigeria) Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(89)80028-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(89)80028-4
Benkhelil, J., & Robineau, B. (1989). Le Fossé de la Bénoué Est-il un Rift? In M. G. Benkhelil, J. F. Posard, & L. Saugy (Eds.), J (pp. 277–309). the Bornu---Benue Trough, the Niger Delta and its Offshore: Tectono-Sedimentary Reconstruction during the Cretaceous and Tertiary from Geophysical Data and Geology, In: C. A. Kogbe, Ed., 2nd Edition, Geology of Nigeria, Rock View Nigeria Limited. Jos.
Bhattacharya, J. P. (2006). Deltas In: Facies Models Revisited (Eds Walker, R. G. & Posamentier, H.). Special Publication, 84, 229–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/pec.06.84.0237
Bhattacharya, J. P., & Deltas, W. R. G. (1992). In: Walker RG, James NP (eds.). Facies Models: Response to Sea-Level Change, 157–177.
Bhattacharya, J. P., & Giosan, L. (2003). Wave-influenced deltas: Geomorphological implications for facies reconstruction. Sedimentology, 50(1), 187–210. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3091.2003.00545.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3091.2003.00545.x
Bressan, G. S., Kietzmann, D. A., & RM., P. (2013). Facies analysis of a Toarcian Bajocian shallow marine/coastal succession (Bardas Blancas Formation) in northern Neuqu en Basin, Mendoza province, Argentina. J South Am Earth Sci, 43, 112–126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2013.01.007
Carter, J.D., Barber, W., Tait, E.A., & Jones, G. P. (1963). The Geology of parts of Adamawa, Bauchi and Bornu Provinces in north-eastern Nigeria. Bulletin Geological Survey Nigeria, 30, 1–108.
Catuneanu, O., Bhattacharya, J. P., Blum, M. D., Dalrymple, R. W., Eriksson, P. G., Fielding, C. R., Fisher, W. L., Galloway, W. E., Gianolla, P., Gibling, M. R., Giles, K. A., Holbrook, J. M., Jordan, R., Kendall, C. G. S. C., Macurda, B., Martinsen, O. J., Miall, A. D., Nummedal, D., Posamentier, H. W., … Tucker, M. E. (2010). Sequence stratigraphy: Common ground after three decades of development. First Break, 28(1), 41–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3997/1365-2397.2010002
Coleman, J. M. (1969). Brahmaputra river: Channel processes and sedimentation. Sedimentary Geology, 3(2–3), 129–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/0037-0738(69)90010-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0037-0738(69)90010-4
Coleman, J. M., & Prior, D. B. (2021). Deltaic Environments of Deposition. In M. K. Horn (Ed.), Sandstone Depositional Environments (pp. 139–179). Reison GE, Zaitlin BA, Rahmani RA (eds.). Clastic tidal sedimen_tology. Can Soc Petro Geol Mem, vol. 16, pp 137--60. https://doi.org/10.1306/m31424c7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1306/M31424C7
Cratchley, C. R., Louis, P., & Ajakaiye, D. E. (1984). Geophysical and geological evidence for the Benue- Chad Basin Cretaceous rift valley system and its tectonic implications. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 2(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0731-7247(84)80008-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0731-7247(84)80008-7
Cullis, J., Strzepek, K., Tadross, M., Sami, K., Havenga, B., Gildenhuys, B., & Smith, J. (2011). Incorporating climate change into water resources planning for the town of Polokwane, South Africa. In Climatic Change (Vol. 108, Issue 3, pp. 437–456). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-010-9891-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-010-9891-9
de Souza, M. C., Angulo, R. J., Assine, M. L., & de Castro, D. L. (2012). Sequence of facies at a Holocene storm-dominated regressive barrier at Praia de Leste, southern Brazil. Marine Geology, 291–294, 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2011.10.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2011.10.009
Deltas, B. J. P. (2010). In: James NP, Dalrymple RW (eds.). Facies Models, 4, 233–264.
Dominian, L., & Falconer, J. D. (1912). The Geology and Geography of Northern Nigeria. Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 44(6), 458. https://doi.org/10.2307/199902 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/199902
Duke, W. L., Rwc, A., & Sandstone, C. R. J. S. (1991). and Hum_Mocky Cross Stratification; New Insights on a Storm Debate. Geology, 19, 625–628. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0625:SSAHCS>2.3.CO;2
Fairhead, J. D., & Binks, R. M. (1991). Differential opening of the Central and South Atlantic Oceans and the opening of the West African rift system. Tectonophysics, 187(1–3), 191–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90419-S DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90419-S
Finthan, B., & Mamman, Y. D. (2020). The lithofacies and depositional paleoenvironment of the Bima Sandstone in Girei and Environs, Yola Arm, Upper Benue Trough, Northeastern Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 169(2020), 103863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.103863 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.103863
Finthan, B., Mamman, Y. D., & Valdon, Y. B. (2023). Facies association and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the lower Cretaceous Bima Formation in Yola arm of the Upper Benue Trough, Northeastern Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 198(November 2022), 104773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104773 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104773
Frush, M. P., & Eicher, D. L. (1975). Cenomanian and Turonian foraminifera and palaeoenvironments in the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico. GAC Special Publication, 13(13), 277–301.
Genik, G. J. (1993). Petroleum geology of Cretaceous-Tertiary rift basins in Niger, Chad, and Central African Republic. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 77(8), 1405–1434. https://doi.org/10.1306/bdff8eac-1718-11d7-8645000102c1865d DOI: https://doi.org/10.1306/BDFF8EAC-1718-11D7-8645000102C1865D
Gibson, T. G. (1989). Planktonic benthonic foraminiferal ratios: Modern patterns and Tertiary applicability. Marine Micropaleontology, 15(1–2), 29–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-8398(89)90003-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-8398(89)90003-0
Grant, N. K. (1971). South Atlantic, Benue Trough, and Gulf of Guinea cretaceous triple junction. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 82(8), 2295–2298. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[2295:SABTAG]2.0.CO;2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[2295:SABTAG]2.0.CO;2
Grove, A. T., Cratchley, C. R., & Jones, G. P. (1966). An Interpretation of the Geology and Gravity Anomalies of the Benue Valley, Nigeria. The Geographical Journal, 132(3), 413. https://doi.org/10.2307/1793903 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1793903
Guiraud, M. (1990). Tectono-sedimentary framework of the early Cretaceous continental Bima formation (upper Benue Trough, NE Nigeria). Journal of African Earth Sciences, 10(1–2), 341–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(90)90065-M DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(90)90065-M
Guiraud, R., & Maurin, J. C. (1992). Early Cretaceous rifts of Western and Central Africa: an overview. In P. A. Ziegler (Ed.), Tectonophysics (Vol. 213, Issues 1–2, pp. 153–168). North and South America and Africa. Tectonophysics 213. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90256-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90256-6
Haig, D. W., Mory, A., Dixon, M., Backhouse, J., Campbell, R. J., Ghori, K., Howe, R. W., & Morris, P. (2004). GSWA Boologooro 1 well completion report (interpretive), Southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia. GSWA Record, 2004/4, 1–112.
Haq, B. U., & Boersma, A. (1998). Introduction to marine micropaleontology. In Introduction to marine micropaleontology. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.2307/1485444 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1485444
Harms, J. C., Southard, J. B., Spearing, D. R., & Walker, R. G. (1975). Depositional Environments as Interpreted from Primary Sedimentary and Stratigraphic Sequences. Depositional Environments as Interpreted from Primary Sedimentary and Stratigraphic Sequences, 2, 161. https://doi.org/10.2110/scn.75.02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/scn.75.02
Henry W. Posamentier (2), Paul Weim. (1993). Siliciclastic Sequence Stratigraphy and Petroleum Geology--Where to From Here?: GEOHORIZONS. AAPG Bulletin, 77, 731–742. https://doi.org/10.1306/bdff8d3a-1718-11d7-8645000102c1865d DOI: https://doi.org/10.1306/BDFF8D3A-1718-11D7-8645000102C1865D
Holbourn, A., & Kuhnt, W. (2002). Cenomanian-Turonian palaeoceanographic change on the Kerguelen Plateau: A comparison with Northern Hemisphere records. Cretaceous Research, 23(3), 333–349. https://doi.org/10.1006/cres.2002.1008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/cres.2002.1008
J. R. L. Allen (2). (1965). Late Quaternary Niger Delta, and Adjacent Areas: Sedimentary Environments and Lithofacies. AAPG Bulletin, 49, 549–600. https://doi.org/10.1306/a663363a-16c0-11d7-8645000102c1865d DOI: https://doi.org/10.1306/A663363A-16C0-11D7-8645000102C1865D
Jorissen, F. J., Fontanier, C., & Thomas, E. (2007). Chapter Seven Paleoceanographical Proxies Based on Deep-Sea Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblage Characteristics. In D. W. Haig, A. J. Mory, M. Dixon, J. Backhouse, R. J. Campbell, K. A. R. Ghori, R. W. Howe, & P. A. Morris (Eds.), Developments in Marine Geology (Vol. 1, pp. 263–325). Record 2004/4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-5480(07)01012-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-5480(07)01012-3
King, L. C. (1950). Outline and distribution of Gondwanaland. . Geological Magazine, 87(5), 353–359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756800077311
Lowery, C. M., Corbett, M. J., Leckie, R. M., Watkins, D., Miceli Romero, A., & Pramudito, A. (2014). Foraminiferal and nannofossil paleoecology and paleoceanography of the Cenomanian-Turonian Eagle Ford Shale of southern Texas. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 413, 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.07.025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.07.025
Lowery, C. M., & Leckie, R. M. (2017). Biostratigraphy of the cenomanian-turonian eagle ford shale of South Texas. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 47(2), 105–128. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.47.2.105 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.47.2.105
McCubbin, D. G. (1981). Barrier-island and strand-plain facies. In P. A. Scholle & D. Spearing (Eds.), : Sandstone depositional environments (pp. 247–280). AAPG Publication (1992).
Nichols, G., & Thompson, B. (2005). Bedrock lithology control on contemporaneous alluvial fan facies, Oligo-Miocene, southern Pyrenees, Spain. Sedimentology, 52(3), 571–585. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2005.00711.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2005.00711.x
Niebuhr, B., Baldschuhn, R., Ernst, G., Walaszczyk, I., Weiss, W., & Wood, C. J. (1999). The Upper Cretaceous succession (Cenomanian - Santonian) of the Staffhorst Shaft, Lower Saxony, northern Germany: Integrated biostratigraphic lithostratigraphic and downhole geophysical log data. Acta Geologica Polonica, 49(4), 175–213.
Obuobie, E. (2008). Estimation of groundwater recharge in the context of future climate change in the White Volta River Basin , West Africa. In Ecology and Development Series. No. 62. Bonn. http://www.glowa-volta.de/publ_theses.html.
Papazzoni, C. A., Fornaciari, B., Giusberti, L., Simonato, M., & Fornaciari, E. (2023). A new definition of the Paleocene Shallow Benthic Zones (SBP) by means of larger foraminiferal biohorizons, and their calibration with calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Micropaleontology, 69(4–5), 363–400. https://doi.org/10.47894/mpal.69.4.02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47894/mpal.69.4.02
Petters, S. W. (1982). Central West Africa Cretaceous-Tertiary benthic foraminifera and stratigraphy. Palaeontographica, A, 1–104.
Petters, W. (1981). Stratigraphy of Chad and Iullemmeden basins (West Africa). Eclogae Geol. Helv., 74(1), 139–159.
Plint, A. G. (2010). Wave-and storm-dominated shoreline and shallow-marine systems. In Facies Models 4 (pp. 167–200). James.
POPOFF, M., BENKHELIL, J., SIMON, B., & Motte, J.-J. (1983). Approche géodynamique du fossé de la Bénoué (NE Nigéria) à partir des données de terrain et de télédétection. Bulletin Des Centres de Recherches Exploration-Production Elf-Aquitaine, 7(1), 323–337.
Reyment RA. (1965). Aspects of Geology of Nigeria.Ibadan University Press, Ibadan. 1986, 145.
Sakai, T., Fujiwara, O., & Kamataki, T. (2006). Incised-valley-fill succession affected by rapid tectonic uplifts: An example from the uppermost Pleistocene to Holocene of the Isumi River lowland, central Boso Peninsula, Japan. Sedimentary Geology, 185(1–2), 21–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.10.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.10.008
Sarki Yandoka, B. M., Abdullah, W. H., Abubakar, M. B., Hakimi, M. H., & Adegoke, A. K. (2015). Geochemical characterisation of Early Cretaceous lacustrine sediments of Bima Formation, Yola Sub-basin, Northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria: Organic matter input, preservation, paleoenvironment and palaeoclimatic conditions. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 61, 82–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.12.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.12.010
Sarki Yandoka, B. M., Abdullah, W. H., Abubakar, M. B., Johnson, H., Adegoke, A. K., Arabi, A. S., Bata, T. P., Amir Hassan, M. H., Mustapha, K. A., & Usman, M. B. (2019). Shoreface facies model of Cretaceous Jessu Formation, Yola Sub-basin, Northern Benue Trough, northeast Nigeria: New insights from facies analysis and molecular geochemistry. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 152(December 2018), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.01.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.01.006
Sarki Yandoka, B. M., Abubakar, M. B., Abdullah, W. H., Maigari, A. S., Hakimi, M. H., Adegoke, A. K., Shirputda, J. J., & Aliyu, A. H. (2015). Sedimentology, geochemistry and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Cretaceous Yolde formation from Yola Sub-basin, Northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 67, 663–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.06.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.06.009
Sedimentology, N. G. J. (2013). stratigraphy. In John and Sons, , NY, p 452, 2009. Nwajide CS. Geology of Nigeria’s sedimentary basins. CSS Bookshops Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria, p 565. Wiley.
Seli, A. B., & Finthan, B. (2022). The primary depositional structures of the Upper Bima Member from Fufore and environs, Yola Arm of the Upper Benue Trough, Northeastern Nigeria: implications for paleoenvironment. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 8(3b), 136–148. https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v8i3b.14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v8i3b.14
Shettima, B. (2016). Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Reservoir Potentials of the Cretaceous Sequences of the Gongola Sub e Basin, Northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria. Unpublished PhD Dissertation. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, 267.
Storms, J. E. A. (2003). Event-based stratigraphic simulation of wave-dominated shallow-marine environments. Marine Geology, 199(1–2), 83–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(03)00144-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(03)00144-0
Copyright (c) 2024 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
