Paleoenvironmental Conditions and Factors Controlling Organic Carbon Accumulation during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, Egypt: Organic and Inorganic Geochemical Approach

The Jurassic–Early Cretaceous was a time of variable organic carbon burial associated with fluctuations marine primary productivity, weathering intensity, and redox conditions in the pore bottom water at paleo-shelf areas north Egypt. This interval characterized deposition of, from old to young, Bahrein, Khatatba, Masajid, Alam El Bueib Formations Western Desert. Although several studies have been devoted excellent source rock units, such as Khatatba Formations, on paleoenvironmental changes conditions, paleoproductivity, continental their impact exports preservation for this are lacking. study presents inorganic geochemical data Jurassic–Lower sediments Almaz-1 well Shushan Basin, A total 32 cuttings samples were analyzed major trace elements, carbonates, (TOC) contents. Data allowed reconstruction southern Tethys Ocean assessment paleo-redox, paleo-weathering, role sediment supply. Additionally, factors that governed accumulation matter interpreted. Results showed Formation deposited during phase enhanced productivity under prevalent anoxia, which triggered production preservation. During Formation, significant terrigenous supply followed by limited contribution coarse clastic fluxes due weak carbonate production. low oxygenation led poor preservation, respectively. strong predominated Bahrein lower part compared Masajid upper Formation. Such resulted dilution decomposition labile matter, and, thus, carbon-lean these sediments.