Recurring Patterns of Sea Level Changes within a Palynological-Based Sequence Stratigraphy Framework of the Middle Jurassic Organic Matter-Rich Khatatba Formation, Egypt

The Middle Jurassic was a time of marginal to shallow shelf settings dominated by organic matter-rich deposition in northern Egypt, southern Tethys. Paleoenvironmental and sequence stratigraphic reconstructions are paramount significance for better understanding basin history related reservoirs source rock units. For this purpose, detailed palynomorph palynofacies analysis the Khatatba Formation Dahab-Mireir Basin, north Western Desert, conducted. A moderately well-preserved, diverse assemblage spores, pollen, dinoflagellate cysts is identified. Marker cysts, including Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii, Escharisphaeridia pocokii, Gonyaulacysta adecta, Korystocysta gochtii, Pareodinia ceratophora, Wanaea acollaris, defined Bajocian Callovian age. Palynofacies revealed two assemblages, whereby PFA-1 most abundant study well comprised mainly terrestrial phytoclasts deposited nearby fluvio-deltaic sources. infrequently reported PFA-2 consists moderate abundances AOM, an inner environment. more reliable paleoenvironmental interpretation indicated based on three assemblages. spore-dominated deltaic environment, while mixed marine conditions. microplankton-dominated represented minor samples reflects offshore condition. Furthermore, relative sea level reconstructed quantitative variations terrestrial/marine (T:M) ratios cysts. This led subdivide into thirteen third-order transgressive-regressive sequences, which can be correlated with global short-term changes. Active tectonics accelerated drifting Eurasian Plate during suggested control uplift/subsidence and, therefore, recurring patterns change.