Palynological Investigation of a Paleocene Outcrop Unit Exposed at Ngodo Area in Afikpo Basin, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Ten (10) outcrop samples were collected at the Ngodo Area, Afikpo Basin, South Eastern Nigeria. These samples contain mainly clayey sandstone, shale and siltstone. The samples were analysed using standard palynological procedures. The analysis of the samples yielded twenty-eight (28) palynomorph species, made up of sixteen (16) spore species, ten (10) pollen species, and two other forms. The palynomorphs recovered from the studied area consist of Leiotriletes adriennis, Cyathidites sp, Foveotriletes margaritae, Microreticulatisporites sp, Laevigatisporites haarditti, Vadaszisporites sacali, Selaginella myosurus, Milfordia sp, Rugulatisporites sp, Rugulatisporites caperatus, Polypodiaceiosporites retirugatus, Cingulatisporites ornatus, Verrucatosporites alienus, Leiosphaeridia sp, Cyathidites minor, and Vernicatosporites farvus, Calamuspollenites pertusus, Retimonocolpites sp, Syndermicolpites sp, Longapertites sp, Longapertites marginatus, Psilatricolporitescrassus, Longapertites discordis, Proxapertites cursus, Retimonocolpites irregularis, Psilatricolporites, Fungal spore and Diatom. The co-occurrence of Proxapertites cursus, Psilatricolporites crasssus, with Cingulatisporites ornatus, Calamuspollenites pertusus and Longapertites margaritae suggest a probable deposition of the sediments during the Paleocene age. The Paleoenvironment of deposition was based on the synthesis of the quantitative occurrence of terrestrially derived forms such as pollens and spores which suggest a continental plain. The occurrence of Diatom and Leiosphaeridia sp. in some of the samples indicates a marine influence.