The Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Belqa Group in Jordan consists predominantly of organic-rich carbonate mudrocks that represent excellent source rocks but are still immature to just entering the oil window. Therefore, they offer a unique opportunity to study lithology, source rock composition, and geochemistry prior to the onset of maturation and expulsion of hydrocarbons. Our study examines the lithological and geochemical characteristics of these high-quality source rocks. To define the lithofacies and analyze the heterogeneities, 23 samples were investigated for their composition and texture using optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, XRD, and XRF). Geochemistry analyses were based on total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and vitrinite reflectance. Four lithofacies were defined in this study: Strongly bioturbated calcareous mudstone (LF1), Slightly laminated calcareous mudstone (LF2), Parallel laminated calcareous mudstone to wackestone (LF3), Fine to coarse silicified wackestone to packstone (LF4), all containing significant organic content (TOC varies from 6 to 20 wt.%) and Sulphur contents (1.3-4.7 wt.%). Kerogen types are predominantly II-S with high HI (Hydrogen Index) values of >700 mg HC/g TOC. XRD results show that the rocks are mainly composed of calcite (75% on average) and quartz (10% on average). Minor amounts of clay (< 7%), pyrite (up to 6%), gypsum (up to 4%), and dolomite (up to 3%) also exist. Our results evidenced the high heterogeneity in the lithofacies of the MCM formation samples. Despite the traditional interpretation of low-energy suspension settling, we demonstrated the presence of bottom currents during the deposition of the Upper Cretaceous source rocks in Jordan (ripples, rip-up mud, reworking material, and fossil-rich lenses) and insight into the bottom water conditions (anoxic and oxic). The integration of the data obtained through the different techniques used in this study, together with the unique characteristics of these source rocks, allowed the characterization of the geological and geochemical properties of the defined lithofacies associations in these immature, Upper Cretaceous source rocks. This, in turn, helped to better evaluate the occurrence and distribution of the different litho- and organic facies and estimate hydrocarbon source potential.

Potential lacustrine source rocks have been recognised in several Cretaceous syn-rift basins including the producing Taranaki Basin, but have not been officially recognised from drill core and seismic data. The late-Cretaceous Paparoa Coal Measures contain three lacustrine mudstone formations which outcrop in several localities and have been extensively drilled for coal mining. These formations are considered to be an easily accessible analogue for late-Cretaceous lacustrine source rocks in New Zealand and also provide valuable information regarding syn-depositional tectonics and basin formation during the late-Cretaceous. Stratigraphic columns and isopach maps were constructed from field work and drill hole descriptions and results showed variations in lithofacies across the basin. The western side of the basin is characterised by sandy lithofacies, abundant proximal turbidites and debris flows. The transition to a sub-aerial environment is marked by thick conglomerate and meter wide rip-up clasts. The central and eastern sections of the basin show massive mudstone, distal turbidites, low energy fluvial sandstones and thin, discontinuous coal. Isopach maps constructed from drill hole data identified three NNE – SSW oriented lakes with lacustrine sediment of up to 180m thick truncated by the eastern Roa – Mt Buckley Fault Zone. It was determined fault control during deposition was to the west and the basin extended further than its current location. Revisions to isopach models highlighted a lack of change in basin orientation during deposition of the Paparoa sediments. Plate reconstructions combined with direct evidence from the basin indicate formation of the Paparoa Coal Measures could have occurred in either a rift or transtensional basin. The mudstones were geochemically assessed for hydrocarbon potential using a Source Rock Analyser (SRA). Preliminary analysis of the three mudstones has shown TOC values ranging from 1.0 to 4.5 wt.%, HI values ranging from 68 to 552 mHC/gTOC and Tmax results show the mudstones to range in maturity from immature to late – mature. A sample from the Waiomo Formation has excellent potential for oil generation and the low maturity results for the Goldlight Formation make it a potential shale gas resource. These results have shown the potential for hydrocarbon bearing lacustrine source rocks to exist in the Greymouth Coalfield. In addition, revisions have been made to basin formation which should be considered. Due to the availability of data from the Paparoa lacustrine source rocks, they should be used as an accessible analogue for Taranaki and other Late Cretaceous basins.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as principais características da matéria orgânica contida em rochas sedimentares do Jurássico da Unidade Tectono-Estratigráfico Placetas, compreendendo as Formações Constancia e Cifuentes da Bacia Marginal do Norte de Cuba. A combinação do estudo óptico e químico provê uma importante compreensão sobre o tipo de matéria orgânica (material amorfo derivado de algas marinhas versus material de plantas superiores), uma detalhada informação sobre as variações de diferentes fácies sedimentares e o potencial de geração de petróleo em ambas as formações. As análises da matéria orgânica indicaram uma composição diversa para o intervalo estudado. Predominando matéria orgânica amorfa com outros componentes, tais como liptinita foram identificados na Formação Cifuentes. Na Formação Constancia foi identificado material lenhoso (vitrinita e inertinita). A matéria orgânica lenhosa da Formação Constancia está composto por fitoclastos estruturados, a matéria orgânica amorfa é rara. Para a Formação Constancia os dados de pirólise Rock-Eval indicam um baixo teor de índice de hidrogênio, variando desde 36 a 128 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. Os dados plotados no gráfico de índice de hidrogênio versus oxigênio correspondem a matéria orgânica Tipo III. Os valores de temperatura máxima (oC) geralmente corresponderam com outros parâmetros, e indicam algumas variações, causadas pelos precursores da matéria orgânica. O índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou na parte superior da Formação Constancia uma mistura de querogênio Tipo II e III. Os parâmetros obtidos desde a reflectância de vitrinita, índice de esporos e propriedades da fluorescência sugeriram um estagio imaturo. Os dados de índice de hidrogênio para a Formação Cifuentes mostraram valores médios a altos, variando desde 411 a 929 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. O Índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou nesta formação uma mistura de querogênio Tipo I e II. Os extratos na Cromatografia líquida mostraram uma predominância dos compostos NSO sobre os hidrocarbonetos saturados e aromáticos para a Formação Cifuentes. Os parâmetros obtidos desde as análises de CG-EM sugerem um estágio imaturo para a Formação. Os biomarcadores refletiram a composição do material gerador e a possibilidade de geração de hidrocarbonetos desde matéria orgânica Tipo I e II em estágios imaturos. A caracterização geoquímica dos extratos orgânicos das rochas geradoras da Bacia Marginal de Cuba permitiu identificar dois grupos de Petróleo, geradas em fácies diferentes do intervalo Kimmeridgiano- Titoniano. Fácies geradoras de afinidade marinha produziram petróleo em cozinhas de geração localizadas na Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte durante o Eoceno. Embora o processo de geração seja responsável por diferenças na composição e nas características na composição do petróleo expulso pelas rochas, observou-se que as maiores modificações nas propiedades dos fluidos foram causadas por processos pósgenéticos. / The purpose of this thesis was to describe the principal characteristic of organic matter contained in sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic Placetas Tectono-Stratigrafic Unit (TSU), comprising of Constancia Formation and Cifuentes Formation (northern Marginal Basin of Cuba). The combined optical/chemical studies have provided important insight on the types of organic matter (amorphous material derived from marine algae versus vascular plant material), detailed information on its variations in different sedimentary facies, petroleum generation potential in both formations. In order to evaluate organic matter content and the type 115 samples were crushed and homogenized to be submitted to total organic carbon determination (TOC %), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, liquid and gas-chromatography, mass spectrometry and determination of optical parameters (vitrinite reflectance, spore color index and fluorescence properties), and semi-quantitative maceral identification. The organic matter analyses indicated a diverse composition for the studied intervals. Predominant amorphous organic matter with other liptinitic component was identified in the Cifuentes Formation and woody material (vitrinitie and inertinitie for the Constancia Formation). The woody organic matter of Constancia Formation is composed primarily of structured phytoclasts, amorphous organic matter is rare. For Constancia Formation Rock-Eval/TOC data indicate that an overall low Hydrogen index, ranging from 36 to 128 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hence they plot in the Type III kerogen area of the oxygen index versus hydrogen index graph. The Tmax (oC) values of the organic matter generally correlate with other maturity parameters, and indicate some variations that appeared to be caused by differences in the precursor organic matter. Hydrogen and Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in the upper part of Constancia Formation a mixture of kerogen Type II and III. Parameter obtained from vitrinite reflectance, spore index and fluorescence properties suggest an immature stage. TOC and Rock-Eval data for the Cifuentes Formation show that all have medium to relatively high Hydrogen indices, ranging from 411 to 929 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hydrogen versus Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in this formation a mixture of kerogen Type I and II. In the liquid chromatography extracts NSO hydrocarbons are more abundant then saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons for Cifuentes Formation. Parameters obtained from GC-MS analysis suggest an immature stage for Cifuentes Formation strata. Biomarker parameters reflect the composition of the original source material and the possibility of hydrocarbon generation from the organic matter Type I and II in the immature stage. The geochemestry caracterists of petroleum into Bacia Marginal of Cuban was generated by two different fácies os Kimmeridgian-Tithonian source rocks. Oils Kitchens of marine source rocks were developed in the Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte during Eocene. The type of organic matter and the level of thermal evolution of the source rocks produced the compositional differences in the expelled petroleum. However postgenetic processes are the main controls on the current fluid properties in the study área.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as principais características da matéria orgânica contida em rochas sedimentares do Jurássico da Unidade Tectono-Estratigráfico Placetas, compreendendo as Formações Constancia e Cifuentes da Bacia Marginal do Norte de Cuba. A combinação do estudo óptico e químico provê uma importante compreensão sobre o tipo de matéria orgânica (material amorfo derivado de algas marinhas versus material de plantas superiores), uma detalhada informação sobre as variações de diferentes fácies sedimentares e o potencial de geração de petróleo em ambas as formações. As análises da matéria orgânica indicaram uma composição diversa para o intervalo estudado. Predominando matéria orgânica amorfa com outros componentes, tais como liptinita foram identificados na Formação Cifuentes. Na Formação Constancia foi identificado material lenhoso (vitrinita e inertinita). A matéria orgânica lenhosa da Formação Constancia está composto por fitoclastos estruturados, a matéria orgânica amorfa é rara. Para a Formação Constancia os dados de pirólise Rock-Eval indicam um baixo teor de índice de hidrogênio, variando desde 36 a 128 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. Os dados plotados no gráfico de índice de hidrogênio versus oxigênio correspondem a matéria orgânica Tipo III. Os valores de temperatura máxima (oC) geralmente corresponderam com outros parâmetros, e indicam algumas variações, causadas pelos precursores da matéria orgânica. O índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou na parte superior da Formação Constancia uma mistura de querogênio Tipo II e III. Os parâmetros obtidos desde a reflectância de vitrinita, índice de esporos e propriedades da fluorescência sugeriram um estagio imaturo. Os dados de índice de hidrogênio para a Formação Cifuentes mostraram valores médios a altos, variando desde 411 a 929 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. O Índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou nesta formação uma mistura de querogênio Tipo I e II. Os extratos na Cromatografia líquida mostraram uma predominância dos compostos NSO sobre os hidrocarbonetos saturados e aromáticos para a Formação Cifuentes. Os parâmetros obtidos desde as análises de CG-EM sugerem um estágio imaturo para a Formação. Os biomarcadores refletiram a composição do material gerador e a possibilidade de geração de hidrocarbonetos desde matéria orgânica Tipo I e II em estágios imaturos. A caracterização geoquímica dos extratos orgânicos das rochas geradoras da Bacia Marginal de Cuba permitiu identificar dois grupos de Petróleo, geradas em fácies diferentes do intervalo Kimmeridgiano- Titoniano. Fácies geradoras de afinidade marinha produziram petróleo em cozinhas de geração localizadas na Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte durante o Eoceno. Embora o processo de geração seja responsável por diferenças na composição e nas características na composição do petróleo expulso pelas rochas, observou-se que as maiores modificações nas propiedades dos fluidos foram causadas por processos pósgenéticos. / The purpose of this thesis was to describe the principal characteristic of organic matter contained in sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic Placetas Tectono-Stratigrafic Unit (TSU), comprising of Constancia Formation and Cifuentes Formation (northern Marginal Basin of Cuba). The combined optical/chemical studies have provided important insight on the types of organic matter (amorphous material derived from marine algae versus vascular plant material), detailed information on its variations in different sedimentary facies, petroleum generation potential in both formations. In order to evaluate organic matter content and the type 115 samples were crushed and homogenized to be submitted to total organic carbon determination (TOC %), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, liquid and gas-chromatography, mass spectrometry and determination of optical parameters (vitrinite reflectance, spore color index and fluorescence properties), and semi-quantitative maceral identification. The organic matter analyses indicated a diverse composition for the studied intervals. Predominant amorphous organic matter with other liptinitic component was identified in the Cifuentes Formation and woody material (vitrinitie and inertinitie for the Constancia Formation). The woody organic matter of Constancia Formation is composed primarily of structured phytoclasts, amorphous organic matter is rare. For Constancia Formation Rock-Eval/TOC data indicate that an overall low Hydrogen index, ranging from 36 to 128 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hence they plot in the Type III kerogen area of the oxygen index versus hydrogen index graph. The Tmax (oC) values of the organic matter generally correlate with other maturity parameters, and indicate some variations that appeared to be caused by differences in the precursor organic matter. Hydrogen and Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in the upper part of Constancia Formation a mixture of kerogen Type II and III. Parameter obtained from vitrinite reflectance, spore index and fluorescence properties suggest an immature stage. TOC and Rock-Eval data for the Cifuentes Formation show that all have medium to relatively high Hydrogen indices, ranging from 411 to 929 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hydrogen versus Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in this formation a mixture of kerogen Type I and II. In the liquid chromatography extracts NSO hydrocarbons are more abundant then saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons for Cifuentes Formation. Parameters obtained from GC-MS analysis suggest an immature stage for Cifuentes Formation strata. Biomarker parameters reflect the composition of the original source material and the possibility of hydrocarbon generation from the organic matter Type I and II in the immature stage. The geochemestry caracterists of petroleum into Bacia Marginal of Cuban was generated by two different fácies os Kimmeridgian-Tithonian source rocks. Oils Kitchens of marine source rocks were developed in the Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte during Eocene. The type of organic matter and the level of thermal evolution of the source rocks produced the compositional differences in the expelled petroleum. However postgenetic processes are the main controls on the current fluid properties in the study área.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as principais características da matéria orgânica contida em rochas sedimentares do Jurássico da Unidade Tectono-Estratigráfico Placetas, compreendendo as Formações Constancia e Cifuentes da Bacia Marginal do Norte de Cuba. A combinação do estudo óptico e químico provê uma importante compreensão sobre o tipo de matéria orgânica (material amorfo derivado de algas marinhas versus material de plantas superiores), uma detalhada informação sobre as variações de diferentes fácies sedimentares e o potencial de geração de petróleo em ambas as formações. As análises da matéria orgânica indicaram uma composição diversa para o intervalo estudado. Predominando matéria orgânica amorfa com outros componentes, tais como liptinita foram identificados na Formação Cifuentes. Na Formação Constancia foi identificado material lenhoso (vitrinita e inertinita). A matéria orgânica lenhosa da Formação Constancia está composto por fitoclastos estruturados, a matéria orgânica amorfa é rara. Para a Formação Constancia os dados de pirólise Rock-Eval indicam um baixo teor de índice de hidrogênio, variando desde 36 a 128 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. Os dados plotados no gráfico de índice de hidrogênio versus oxigênio correspondem a matéria orgânica Tipo III. Os valores de temperatura máxima (oC) geralmente corresponderam com outros parâmetros, e indicam algumas variações, causadas pelos precursores da matéria orgânica. O índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou na parte superior da Formação Constancia uma mistura de querogênio Tipo II e III. Os parâmetros obtidos desde a reflectância de vitrinita, índice de esporos e propriedades da fluorescência sugeriram um estagio imaturo. Os dados de índice de hidrogênio para a Formação Cifuentes mostraram valores médios a altos, variando desde 411 a 929 mg hidrocarbonetos/g TOC. O Índice de hidrogênio versus índice de oxigênio e parâmetros óticos indicou nesta formação uma mistura de querogênio Tipo I e II. Os extratos na Cromatografia líquida mostraram uma predominância dos compostos NSO sobre os hidrocarbonetos saturados e aromáticos para a Formação Cifuentes. Os parâmetros obtidos desde as análises de CG-EM sugerem um estágio imaturo para a Formação. Os biomarcadores refletiram a composição do material gerador e a possibilidade de geração de hidrocarbonetos desde matéria orgânica Tipo I e II em estágios imaturos. A caracterização geoquímica dos extratos orgânicos das rochas geradoras da Bacia Marginal de Cuba permitiu identificar dois grupos de Petróleo, geradas em fácies diferentes do intervalo Kimmeridgiano- Titoniano. Fácies geradoras de afinidade marinha produziram petróleo em cozinhas de geração localizadas na Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte durante o Eoceno. Embora o processo de geração seja responsável por diferenças na composição e nas características na composição do petróleo expulso pelas rochas, observou-se que as maiores modificações nas propiedades dos fluidos foram causadas por processos pósgenéticos. / The purpose of this thesis was to describe the principal characteristic of organic matter contained in sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic Placetas Tectono-Stratigrafic Unit (TSU), comprising of Constancia Formation and Cifuentes Formation (northern Marginal Basin of Cuba). The combined optical/chemical studies have provided important insight on the types of organic matter (amorphous material derived from marine algae versus vascular plant material), detailed information on its variations in different sedimentary facies, petroleum generation potential in both formations. In order to evaluate organic matter content and the type 115 samples were crushed and homogenized to be submitted to total organic carbon determination (TOC %), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, liquid and gas-chromatography, mass spectrometry and determination of optical parameters (vitrinite reflectance, spore color index and fluorescence properties), and semi-quantitative maceral identification. The organic matter analyses indicated a diverse composition for the studied intervals. Predominant amorphous organic matter with other liptinitic component was identified in the Cifuentes Formation and woody material (vitrinitie and inertinitie for the Constancia Formation). The woody organic matter of Constancia Formation is composed primarily of structured phytoclasts, amorphous organic matter is rare. For Constancia Formation Rock-Eval/TOC data indicate that an overall low Hydrogen index, ranging from 36 to 128 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hence they plot in the Type III kerogen area of the oxygen index versus hydrogen index graph. The Tmax (oC) values of the organic matter generally correlate with other maturity parameters, and indicate some variations that appeared to be caused by differences in the precursor organic matter. Hydrogen and Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in the upper part of Constancia Formation a mixture of kerogen Type II and III. Parameter obtained from vitrinite reflectance, spore index and fluorescence properties suggest an immature stage. TOC and Rock-Eval data for the Cifuentes Formation show that all have medium to relatively high Hydrogen indices, ranging from 411 to 929 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC. Hydrogen versus Oxygen indices and optical parameters indicate in this formation a mixture of kerogen Type I and II. In the liquid chromatography extracts NSO hydrocarbons are more abundant then saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons for Cifuentes Formation. Parameters obtained from GC-MS analysis suggest an immature stage for Cifuentes Formation strata. Biomarker parameters reflect the composition of the original source material and the possibility of hydrocarbon generation from the organic matter Type I and II in the immature stage. The geochemestry caracterists of petroleum into Bacia Marginal of Cuban was generated by two different fácies os Kimmeridgian-Tithonian source rocks. Oils Kitchens of marine source rocks were developed in the Província gaso-petrolíferas Norte during Eocene. The type of organic matter and the level of thermal evolution of the source rocks produced the compositional differences in the expelled petroleum. However postgenetic processes are the main controls on the current fluid properties in the study área.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The Karoo in South Africa is an area in which petroleum studies are being reviewed with particular interest, especially within the Tanqua and Laingsburg subbasins of the Karoo. The particular formations of interest comprises of the Laingsburg, Fort Brown, Kookfontein and Vischkuil of the Upper Ecca group, located within the Laingsburg subbasin as well as the Kookfontein formation found within the Tanqua subbasin. The present work dealt with interpreting and distinguishing the different types of source rock lithologies, to identify the source rock zones and organic matter within the Laingsburg, Fort Brown, Kookfontein and Vischkuil formations. This was achieved by utilising different geochemical analyses (such as rock eval pyrolysis and TOC) and organic chemistry (XRD) to assess the maturity, mineralogy and the quality of the source rocks.

An integrated stratigraphic analysis of a ~350 ft drill core from Upton County (Texas) has revealed pervasive variability of several key siliciclastic and carbonate lithofacies in vertical section, where organic-rich siliceous mudrock beds alternate with aluminum-rich mudrocks and calcareous gravity flow deposits. Sediment chemistry, especially major and trace elements derived from x-ray fluorescence, captures this variability with high sensitivity. The high frequency chemostratigraphic variability appears to be cyclic, and it is interpreted to represent the first example of deep-water Late Pennsylvanian cyclothems for the Midland Basin. Positive trace metal (Mo, Cr) correlations to total organic carbon and gamma ray response in siliceous mudrocks, in conjunction with abundant pyrite, indicate bottom-water anoxia and possibly euxinia within the basin. The influence of glacial ice-sheets on the water level of the global ocean, in concert with local oceanographic gradients, regional tectonics, and tropical paleoclimate, constitute the primary controls on lithofacies and chemostratigraphy. The results of this study have implications for understanding the depositional history of the Midland Basin, as well as for identifying horizontal drilling zones for resource development.

Intrashelf basins occurring on epeiric carbonate platforms are commonly associated with the presence of excellent carbonate source rocks, and because they often border potential carbonate reservoirs updip, they may form the core of rich petroleum systems. This is a common phenomenon of many Mesozoic hydrocarbon plays in the Middle East. Despite this fact, studies investigating intrashelf-basinal, fine-grained carbonates are rare, because it is assumed that little lithofacies variability is present in these successions as a consequence of their relatively homogeneous appearance where they are sampled in core or visited in exposures. Those that have been performed mostly lack process-detail analyses, and interpret the organic-carbon enrichment in these sediments to be simply a function of either occurrence of localised bottom-water anoxia or high primary organic production under low-energy conditions, dominated by suspension-settling events.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Nigeria is endowed with significant oil sand and heavy oil reserves. These reserves are found within the Cretaceous Afowo Formation in the Eastern Dahomey Basin. The petroleum systems and quality of these reserves are poorly understood. Harnessing these resources necessitate comprehensive deposit evaluation and characterization. / 2023

The thermal maturity of sediments from the upper Cambrian to lower Ordovician Mila and Ilbeyk  formations in the Zagros Basin in southwestern Iran is evaluated in this thesis. A number of low-cost,  fast, optical evaluation methods are utilised to assess their effectiveness for providing accurate, well  constrained thermal maturity results. Palynomorph colours under transmitted light are measured using  two optical evaluation methods (Palynomorph Darkness Index , PDI- Goodhue &amp; Clayton 2010;  Acritarch Alteration Index, AAI- Legall et al., 1981) to study 540 acritarchs of three acritarch  morphotype-groups: acanthomorphs, Cristallinium-type and veryhachides. Correlation of the PDI and  AAI results collected in this study with UV fluorescence and rock-eval pyrolysis data taken from  previous studies suggests that the studied sediments are within the wet gas thermal maturity window.  Furthermore, investigating the PDI results of acritarchs allowed for the identification of reworked or  recycled acritarchs. Investigation of the stratigraphy of strata containing abundant reworked or recycled  acritarchs allowed for the identification of a ravinement surface in a transgressive shallow water  depositional environment in the studied strata.