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The Paleocene-Lower Eocene series of the Gafsa basin (South-Central Tunisia): integrated stratigraphy and paleoenvironments

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Abstract

In the Gafsa basin, the Paleocene-Eocene interval is represented by the evaporite deposits of Thelja Formation, the phosphatic series of Chouabine Formation, and the carbonate bed of Kef Eddour Formation. The Thanetian-Ypresian transition lies within the lower unit (C1) of the Chouabine Formation. These different facies characterize circalittoral to margino-littoral paleoenvironments. Sedimentological analyzes of this interval allowed to define eleven genetic sequences. The comparison of these sequences with the global chart of Sneeden and Liu (2010) shows a good correlation with the third-order cycles. In the eastern part of the Gafsa basin (Jebel Chemsi), the Paleocene-Ypresian transition is characterized by a marly-carbonate series deposited in an isolated open marine environment not recording minor relative sea-level changes. The Selandian Pg10 major maximum flooding is detected within the S2 sequence of the Oued Thelja section. The Thanetian-Ypresian transition (55.8 Ma), identified in the S7 sequence of this section, coincides with a major sea-level rise at the origin of phosphate sedimentation onset in the Gafsa basin and around the Kasserine Island.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research unit of physics of lamillaires Materials & hybrid nanomaterials (PMLNMH) UR 13 ES 46, Faculty of sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna, 7021, Bizerte, Tunisia

    Mohamed Slim El Ayachi & Hafsia Ben Rhaiem

  2. U. R. Applied Hydrosciences UR 13 ES 81, Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques, University of Gabes, Cité Erryadh, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia

    Mohamed Faouzi Zagrarni, Atef Snoussi, Maher Gzam & Karima Hammami

  3. Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia

    Atef Snoussi, Imen Ben Assi, Karima Hammami & Hadhami Abdelli

  4. The National Office of Mine, Tunis, Tunisia

    Nejib Bahrouni

Authors
  1. Mohamed Slim El Ayachi
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  2. Mohamed Faouzi Zagrarni
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  3. Atef Snoussi
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  4. Nejib Bahrouni
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  5. Maher Gzam
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  6. Imen Ben Assi
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  7. Karima Hammami
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  8. Hadhami Abdelli
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  9. Hafsia Ben Rhaiem
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Correspondence to Mohamed Slim El Ayachi.

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El Ayachi, M.S., Zagrarni, M.F., Snoussi, A. et al. The Paleocene-Lower Eocene series of the Gafsa basin (South-Central Tunisia): integrated stratigraphy and paleoenvironments. Arab J Geosci 9, 395 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2403-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2403-0

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