Late Permian palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Matinde Formation in the Muarádzi Sub-basin, Moatize-Minjova Basin, Mozambique

A multidisciplinary study involving lithofacies analysis, palynofacies, and palynology is presented for the Muarádzi Sub-basin. This sub-basin part of Moatize-Minjova Basin (MMB), an important Karoo aged coalfield in Mozambique. total 99 core samples from 3 coal exploration boreholes (DW11, DW21, DW141) were analysed all successions assigned a Lopingian age based on palynology. According to data, Sub-basin, vast lowland fluvial setting existed with floodplains wetlands, area controlled by tectonic movements associated continental rifting phase. Typical vegetation Glossopteris Province recorded palynological assemblages this sub-basin, which allowed characterization flora dominated glossopterids (Protohaploxypinus Striatopodocarpites) gymnosperm pollen (Alisporites). Other palynomorphs revealed presence gingkoales, ferns (Filicopsida), sphenopsids, lycopsids area, indicating typical setting. Humid warm climates, higher CO2 atmospheric levels, promoted growth widespread that led development thick beds anoxic dysoxic depositional environments.