Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironment Reconstructions from Middle Eocene Successions at Beni-Suef, Egypt: Foraminiferal Assemblages and Geochemical Approaches

The Eocene deposits of Egypt provide a wide variety shallow marine facies and fossil assemblages, allowing paleoenvironmental reconstructions in this warmhouse climate interval. Forty-three rock samples have been collected from two middle sections, exposed at southeast Beni-Suef area northern Egypt. studied outcrops are lithologicsally subdivided into units named base to top as follows: (1) the Qarara Formation (Lutetian) (2) El Fashn (Bartonian). Most investigated showed richness benthic foraminiferal assemblages only rare occurrences index planktonic foraminifera. They yielded 160 foraminifera species which belong 4 suborders, 19 superfamilies, 34 families, 59 genera. stratigraphic distribution identified allowed us define four local bio-ecozones: Bolivina carinata Lowest Occurrence Zone (Lutetian), Cibicides mabahethi/Cancris auriculus primitivus Concurrent-Range Zone, (3) Nonion scaphum (4) Brizalina cookei/Nonionella insecta These biozones described discussed detail correlated equivalents rareness through sections does not allow precise biostratigraphic chronostratigraphic correlation. shale show low TOC values, may be related productivity, high sediment influx, and/or prevailing oxic conditions. Bulk geochemistry, consistent with ecological preferences, indicated that were deposited moderate oxygen levels warm climatic conditions typical shelf setting. strong similarities nearby southern Tethys areas, reflecting migration via trans-Sahara seaway, minor those northwestern North Atlantic province attributed change environmental conditions, such cooler, latitudinal zoned along Tethys, was unsuitable for their biological demands. warming trend Lutetian Bartonian intervals corresponds onset Middle Climatic Optimum (MECO).