An approach to using foraminifera in sequence stratigraphic analysis of Wadi Qena, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract In Egypt, Wadi Qena Middle Eastern Desert, Paleogene successions exposed at Hawashiya and Abu Had sections from north to south were measured comprehensively investigated for their foraminiferal content. The Dakhla, Tarawan, Esna formations make up the sections. studied are subdivided into six biozones; they five zones of Late Paleocene ( Igorina albeari subzone (P3b), G. Globanomalina pseudomenardii / P. Parasubbotina variospira (P4a), Acarinina subsphaerica (P4b), A. soldadoensis (P4c), Morozovella velascoensis zone (P5), one Early Eocene Pseudohastigerina wilcoxensis M. (E2). paleoenvironmental interpretations interpretation sea level changes over study area during Paleocene-Eocene time interval have been carried out based on lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, paleoecologic parameters (total number (TFN), diversity indices foraminifera, life strategies planktonic planktonic/benthonic (P/B) ratio, agglutinated/calcareous benthonic ratios, biofacies total organic carbon (TOC), calcium carbonate CaCo3%). Five sequences identified in Lower area. Four depositional determined Paleocene, Eocene. A comprehensive description these boundaries is provided. findings current calibrated with sequence stratigraphy world sea-level variations.