LARGER FORAMINIFERA FROM THE MIOCENE GHARAMUL FORMATION, GEBEL ABU SHAAR EL QIBLI, GULF OF SUEZ REGION, EGYPT: NEW INSIGHTS INTO BIOZONATION AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

The foraminiferal contents of the Miocene deposits exposed in two sections in Wadi Bali and Wadi Kharaza, Gebel Abu Shaar El Qibli plateau, Western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt were carefully studied for their benthic and planktonic foraminiferal content. Based on their lithofacies variations and microfaunal content, three rock units were studied, from base to top as follows: Abu Gerfan Formation, polymictic conglomerates (Early Miocene, Aquitanian), the overlying Gharamul Formation (carbonate and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate) (Middle Miocene, Burdigalian to Lnghian), and evaporates of Gemsa Formation (Middle Miocene, Serravallian age) are reported. Detailed smaller, larger and planktonic
foraminiferal investigations led to the recognition of three foraminiferal zones from base to top: 1) Miogypsina complnata / Nonion granosus Zone (Zone SBZ 24), comprising the Abu Gerfan Formation that ascribed to Early Miocene Aquitanian age, 2) Miogypsina globulina zone (SBZ 25) representing the lower unit of Gharamul Formation, and correlated with the Early Miocene, Burdigalian age and lastly 3) Borelis melo melo Zone (SBZ 26) of Middle Miocene, Langhian age covering the upper part of Gharamul Formation. The Middle Miocene interval of Gharamul Formation is ascribed to the Langhian
for first time where Operculina complanata (Defrance) and Borelis melo melo (Fichtel and Moll) are the main time-specific diagnostic taxa recognized in this interval. For the first time, planktonic foraminifera are documented from the Gharamul Formation in Gebel Abu Shaar El Qibli plateau being characterized by the occurrence of planktonic foraminifera such as Globigerina praebulloides, Globigerina ciperoensis, Globigerinoides altiaperturus, Globigerinoides trilobus and Globigerinoides subquadratus. This association characterises the Borelis melo melo interval Zone. The variation in
lithology and foraminiferal assemblages will be discussed here and reflects the variety of environmental settings characterizing the studied Miocene sequence, indicating an overall shallowing-upward trend, from continental to subeqous fan delta facies of Abu Gerfan Formation to platform reefal facies and restricted lagoon-salina conditions represented by evaporites of Gemsa Formation.