On the Occurrence and Significance of Charophyte from Ar Rajban Member, Kiklah Formation, Wadi Ar Rajban, Mizdah Area, North West of Libya PDF

Keywords

Libya, Early Cretaceous, Late Jurassic

Abstract

Twelve samples containing charophytes were taken from Ar Rajban Member of Kiklah Formation of Wadi Ar Rajban surface section, Mizdah area, northwestern Libya. The study reveals well preserved charophyte assemblages that are closely associated with sandy to argillaceous limestone and calcareous siltstone samples. The lower part of the section yielded a charophyte assemblage that includes Porochara douzensis, P. palmeri, and P. maestricta of typically Late Jurassic age. On the other hand, the upper part yielded assemblages containing Atopochara trivolvis trivolvis, Flabellochara harrisi, Lamprothamnium cylindricum, and Porochara anluensis of definitely Early Cretaceous age. The recorded charophyte assemblages strongly indicated that the Ar Rajban Member was deposited under a lacustrine (fresh water) environment and represented ages from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous