Middle Miocene benthic foraminifera from the Al Khums area, northwestern Libya

The present study deals with the benthic foraminifera from three sections cropping out in the Al Khums area, northwestern Libya. Lithostratigraphically, these outcrops belong to the Al Khums Formation, which is locally subdivided into two informal members: An Naggazah and Ras Al Mannubiyah. Detailed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of African earth sciences (1994) 2018-02, Vol.138, p.112-123
Main Authors: El Baz, Sherif M., Al Furjany, Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Foraminifera
Libya
Middle Miocene
Paleoecology
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Summary:The present study deals with the benthic foraminifera from three sections cropping out in the Al Khums area, northwestern Libya. Lithostratigraphically, these outcrops belong to the Al Khums Formation, which is locally subdivided into two informal members: An Naggazah and Ras Al Mannubiyah. Detailed investigation of the foraminiferal content led to the recognition of 27 species belonging to 16 genera and 13 families. The absence of index planktonic foraminifera does not enable the recognition of any planktonic biozone within the Al Khums Formation. The presence of the larger benthic foraminifera Borelis melo melo enables the assignment of a Middle Miocene age to this rock unit. The studied sections characterized by the common occurrence of benthic foraminiferal species living in a shallow neritic environment. This conclusion is corroborated by the co-occurrence of large oysters, corals and algae. •Lithostratigraphic units exposed in the Al Khums area.•Middle Miocene benthic foraminifera.•Paleoenvironmental conditions of the Al Khums Formation
ISSN:1464-343X
1879-1956
DOI:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.001