Integrated foraminiferal biostratigraphy, bioevents and sea-level reconstruction in the Campanian-Maastrichtian succession at Gabal Nezzazat, south-western Sinai, Egypt

The foraminiferal assemblages are tracked in the Campanian-Early Danian succession at Gabal Nezzazat, south-western Sinai, Egypt. Lithostratigraphically, the studied succession overlies the nearly barren Matulla Formation and includes the Sudr Chalk (Campanian-Maastrichtian) below and the lower part of the Dakhla Shale (Maastrichtian-Early Danian) above. Biostratigraphically, the planktonic foraminiferal assemblages enabled the recognition of 15 planktonic foraminiferal biozones ranging from the Lower Campanian Globotruncanita elevata Zone at the base to the Lower Danian Guembelitrea cretacea Zone at the top. The proposed planktonic biozones are compared with their equivalents in other Egyptian regions and globally correlated with their equivalents within the Tethyan Province and the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The vertical stratigraphic range of Bolivinoides allowed the recognition of eight benthic foraminiferal biozones. These benthic biozones show a similarity between the Tethyan Province and the Boreal and Western Interior successions. Fifteen lowest occurrence and two highest occurrence planktonic foraminiferal bioevents are also recognized and correlated all over the world. The stage boundaries are mainly delineated according to the diagnostic planktonic foraminifera. Based on the percentage of planktonics, the palaeobathymetry is estimated and hence the sea-level fluctuation. The reconstructed sea-level curve revealed seven sea-level fall events within the Campanian and five within the Maastrichtian and the earliest Danian. These events were globally correlated and match in most parts with that of the worldwide sea-level curve.