Integrated biostratigraphy and inter-regional correlation of the Cenomanian-Turonian deposits of Wadi Feiran, Sinai, Egypt

The Cenomanian-Turonian succession exposed in the Wadi Feiran, Sinai, Egypt, is composed of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments belonging to the Raha (at the base), Abu Qada and Wata formations. Biostratigraphically, the succession has been subdivided into five ammonite zones, which are coeval with five planktic foraminiferal zones. The foraminiferal zones are the Late Cenomanian Hedbergella planispira and Rotalipora cushmani, the Cenomanian-Turonian Whiteinella archaeocretacea, and the Turonian Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica and Marginotruncana schneegansi zones. The Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zone is subdivided into the Late Cenomanian Whiteinella brittonensis and Early Turonian Helvetoglobotruncana praehelvetica subzones. The ammonite zones are the Late Cenomanian Neolobites vibrayeanus and Vascoceras cauvini, and the Turonian Vascoceras proprium/Vascoceras obesum, Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras requienianum zones. The integration, chronostratigraphic position and correlation of the proposed biozones are discussed. The Cenomanian/Turonian boundary is located within the Abu Qada Formation, coinciding with the base of the Vascoceras proprium/Vascoceras obesum ammonite Zone and the Helvetoglobotruncan praehelvetica foraminiferal Subzone. (C) 2001 Academic Press.