Palynology of Early Cretaceous (Barremian to Aptian) hydrocarbon (methane) seep carbonates and associated mudstones, Wollaston Forland, Northeast Greenland

Palynostratigraphic and palynofacies analysis have been performed on hydrocarbon seep carbonate, carbonate nodule mudstone samples from the Early Cretaceous Kuhnpasset Beds in area of Wollaston Forland, Northeast Greenland. Three informal palynostratigraphic zones defined based dinoflagellate cyst occurrences. The range ?early Barremian to early Aptian age, correlate with previously These indicate seepage spanned ?early–late age range, but did not continue into Aptian, thus activity continued for as much three million years. Palynofacies is used interpret depositional environment that seeps associated mudstones this sedimentary sequence were deposited a proximal shelf setting.