The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that th...The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that the Gabal Marwa granites are classified as granodiorites and monzogranites.The monzogranites constitute the most predominant rock unit exposed in the study area.They have been subjected to hydrothermal alterations,especially along the shear zones.Sericitization,desilicification,nametasomatism and development of spotty or dendritic manganese oxides are the most pronounced alteration features.These alterations resulted in the increase of TiO2,Al2O3,FeOt,MnO,CaO,MgO,Na2O,K2O and Cr,Zr,Rb,Y and Sr and the decrease of SiO2,P2O5,Ni,Zn,Ba and Nb.Radiometric studies indicated that the altered granites belong to high thorium,high uranium granites.The U,Th,U and Th,Th/U,Th and U-K variation diagrams suggested that magmatic processes controlled the distribution of these elements but the effect of hydrothermal alteration processes were clearly distinct.The Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite,thorite,zircon,monazite and samarskite.Cinnabar and Mn minerals were also found.From the U,Th,Ra and K activity concentrations obtained for all the studied granitic samples,radium equivalent activity(Raeq),external hazard index(Hex),and internal hazard index(Hin),were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to human beings living in dwellings made of the studied granites.Altered monzogranites have radioactivity above the proposed acceptable level and,therefore,caution must be taken when these granites are used as building materials.展开更多
The alkali feldspar granite of Gabal El Atawi is post orogenic granite originated from subalkaline magma in extensional suite. It is developed within plate tectonic setting and has A2-type character which generated fr...The alkali feldspar granite of Gabal El Atawi is post orogenic granite originated from subalkaline magma in extensional suite. It is developed within plate tectonic setting and has A2-type character which generated from apparent crustal source. The petrographic, geochemical and radioactive characteristics of El Atawi granite meet and fulfill the requirements of being fertile granite and it can be considered as promising uraniferous granite. Fluid inclusion studies of the altered granite elucidated two different solutions acting on the host granitic pluton. The first is NaCl-CaCl low temperature fluid with a wide range of salinity. The second is high temperature and salinity Fe-Mg-Na chloride solution. Different fractures in the granite acted as good channels for the hydrothermal fluids that leached uranium from its bearing minerals disseminated all over the host granite and redeposited it in the alteration zones.展开更多
Pitchblende mineralization was studied in the younger granite samples collected from Gabal Gattar, north Eastern Desert, Egypt using electron scanning microscope (ESM) and electron probe microanalyses (EPMA). This stu...Pitchblende mineralization was studied in the younger granite samples collected from Gabal Gattar, north Eastern Desert, Egypt using electron scanning microscope (ESM) and electron probe microanalyses (EPMA). This study revealed that this pitchblende contains significant Zr content reaching up to (66.80% ZrO2), which suggests that volcanic rocks were probably the source of such a deposit. High level emplaced high-K Calc-alkaline plutons as Qattar granite may have been associated with their volcanic equivalent emplaced in the surrounding area or now eroded. Lead content of the pitchblende mineralization is high and with moderate volcanics (up to 7.71% PbO). In contrast, it is low in ThO2, Y2O3 and REE2O3. High Zr and Pb content associated with pitchblende mineralization from Gattar granite indicates that the source of this mineralization derived from volcanic magma not from granitic magma. According to the calculation of U-Pb chemical ages using U, Th and Pb content measured with an electron microprobe for this pitchblende yielded ages within 543 - 657 Ma indicating a Pan-African age for this mineralization. This is the first time that a Pan-African age (543 to 657 Ma) is recorded for a U-mineralization in Gabal Gattar younger granite in the north Eastern Desert, Egypt.展开更多
Geological, petrological and geochemical studies indicated that there are two distinct types of granitoid rocks: older quartz diorites to granodiorite assemblage and younger granitoids, the latter occurring in two pha...Geological, petrological and geochemical studies indicated that there are two distinct types of granitoid rocks: older quartz diorites to granodiorite assemblage and younger granitoids, the latter occurring in two phases. The older granitoids have a meta-aluminous chemistry and a calc-alkaline character, with high MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, P2O5, Sr and low SiO2, K2O, and Rb. Their major and trace elements data, together with low 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios (0.7029±0.0008) are indicative of I-type affinities. The second- and third-phase granitoids range from calc-alkaline to alkaline, respectively. The second-phase granitoids have a peraluminous chemistry and high Sr, Ba, CaO, MgO, Al2O3 and Ti2O and low SiO2, K2O, Nb, Y and Rb relative to the third-phase granitoids. The corundum normative nature and field observations suggested that it was formed by partial melting of the lower crust. The third-phase granitoids are alkaline in nature and characterized by higher SiO2, Rb, Y, Nb and lower MgO, Sr and Ba values than the younger granitoids (phase Ⅱ). They are A-type granitoids which were generated from below or within the existing continental crust.展开更多
A crescent-shape granitic stock and associated dykes is located to the East Gabal Nuqra at the extreme western part of Wadi Natash,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The examined granites are classified as alkali-feldspar gra...A crescent-shape granitic stock and associated dykes is located to the East Gabal Nuqra at the extreme western part of Wadi Natash,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The examined granites are classified as alkali-feldspar granites and mainly consist of quartz,potash feldspars,plagioclases,and aegirine-augite.Xenotime,zircon,apatite and allanite are accessories representing the source of Y,U,Th and REEs in these rocks.These granites are characterized by high K2O,Na2O and Zn contents and Rb/Sr ratio.Also,they are highly enriched in high field strength elements(HFSE),especially Zr(1529×10-6),Nb(100×10-6),Hf(91×10-6) and Y(624×10-6) and light rare-earth elements(LREE,141×10-6) concentrations and strongly depleted in Ca,Mg,Sr and Eu contents.These features suggest that they are similar to A-type granites(type-2).The rhyolite dykes and granites have similar geochemical characteristics whereas the chondrite-normalized REE patterns show a LREE enriched feature with strong negative Eu-anomaly,whereas the REE pattern of trachydacites show slightly fractionated pattern with no Eu-anomaly.It is suggested that the trachydacites were generated by small degree of partial-melting deep-seated basic source.Such liquid,when subjected to fractional crystallization involving separation of plagioclases as residue,generated the alkali-feldspar granites.And further fractional crystallization gave rise to the alkali rhyolites.The igneous rock suite originated from metaluminous to alkaline trachytic magma,and was developed in a within-plate tectonic environment.The extension caused by NW-SE right-lateral shear in area led to the emplacement of the alkali-feldspar granites.The later extrusion of the alkali rhyolite and trachydacite dykes was due to cauldron subsidence.展开更多
In the south Eastern Desert of Egypt,two contrasting types of magmatism(mafic and felsic) are recorded in the Wadi Kalalat area,and form the Gabal El Motaghiarat and Gabal Batuga intrusions,respectively.The two intrus...In the south Eastern Desert of Egypt,two contrasting types of magmatism(mafic and felsic) are recorded in the Wadi Kalalat area,and form the Gabal El Motaghiarat and Gabal Batuga intrusions,respectively.The two intrusions post-dates ophiolitic and arc associations represented by serpentinite and metagabbro-diorite,respectively.The mafic intrusion has a basal ultramafic member represented by fresh peridotite,which is followed upward by olivine gabbro and anorthositic or leucogabbro.This mafic intrusion pertains to the Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Arabian-Nubian Shield(ANS)being of tholeiitic nature and emplaced in a typical arc setting.On the other hand,the Gabal Batuga intrusion comprises three varieties of fresh A-type granites of high K-calc alkaline nature,which is peraluminous and garnetbearing in parts.A narrow thermal aureole in the olivine gabbro of the mafic intrusion was developed due to the intrusion of the Batuga granites.This results in the development of a hornfelsic melagabbro variety in which the composition changed from tholeiitic to a calc-alkaline composition due to the addition of S_(i)O_(2),Al_(2)O_(3),alkalis,lithosphile elements(LILEs) such as Rb(70 ppm) and Y(28 ppm) from the felsic intrusion.Outside the thermal aureole,Rb amounts 2-8 ppm and Y lies in the range <2-6ppm.It is believed that the Gabal Batuga felsic intrusion started to emplace during the waning stage of an arc system,with transition from the pre-collisional(i.e.,arc setting) to post-collisional and within plate settings.Magma from which the Gabal Batuga granites were fractionated is high-K calc-alkaline giving rise to a typical post-collisional A-type granite(A_(2)-subtype) indicating an origin from an underplating crustal source.Accordingly,it is stressed here that the younger granites in the ANS are not exclusively post-collisional and within-plate but most likely they started to develop before closure of the arc system.The possible source(s) of mafic magmas that resulted in the formation of the two intrusions are discussed.Mineralogical and geochemical data of the post-intrusion dykes(mafic and felsic) suggest typical active continental rift/within-plate settings.展开更多
The present study deals with the detailed field geology,mineralogy,geochemistry,and spectrometric prospection of rare metals and radioactive minerals associated with granitic pegmatites in the Gabal Um LassafAbu Dob-U...The present study deals with the detailed field geology,mineralogy,geochemistry,and spectrometric prospection of rare metals and radioactive minerals associated with granitic pegmatites in the Gabal Um LassafAbu Dob-Um Atelia-Kadabora-Kab El Rakeb area(LDAKK),which are situated in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt.The study area is composed of granodiorites and monzogranites.The latter is dissected by granitic pegmatites with a discriminatory distribution of economically important mineralization(rare-metals and U-Th minerals).The granitic pegmatites display a zoning structure composed of feldspar-rich zones enveloping pockets of mica(mostly muscovite) and all zoning internal quartz core.Microscopically,the monzogranite and granitic pegmatites are composed of potash-feldspar,albite,and quartz with a small amount of biotite and muscovite.The mineralogical investigation of the highly radioactive zones in the granitic pegmatite shows enrichment in kasolite,uranothorite,thorite,xenotime,columbite,zircon,bismuth,and galena.Geochemically,the granitic pegmatites are enriched with high field strength elements(HFSE;Zr,Nb,Th,and U) and ion lithophilic elements(LILE;Rb,and Pb) and depleted in Ba,Sr,and Eu.They are strongly peralkaline to metalumainous except for two samples,which are peraluminous.They are formed by partial melting of metagreywackes at depth.The studied granitic pegmatites could belong to the NYF family(Niobium-Yttrium-Fluorine family) according to the geochemistry of the trace elements.The studied granitic pegmatites show deep negative Eu anomaly and display a strong M-type tetrad effect of rare earth elements.The field spectroscopy measurements showed the localization of the radiometric anomalous associated with the granitic pegmatites,which are intruded in the granitic host rocks.Their eU and eTh contents reached up to 316 and 1367 ppm,respectively.Uranium and thorium occurrences in the investigated granitic pegmatites are related to magmatic(syngenetic)origin with hydrothermal(epigenetic) input.The magmatic mineralization is evidenced by the occurrence of thorite and zircon,whilst the hydrothermal activity is represented by alteration of feldspars and formation of pyrite and iron oxides associated with the radioactive minerals.The high concentrations of uranium and rare metals mineralization in the investigated granitic pegmatites make them a target to exploration and to enlarge the potentiality of the highly mineralized zones.展开更多
The concentration of Radon in mines varies tremendously according to the country rock, type of mineralization and area. Ventilation is also an important factor. The absence of ventilation in mines tends to allow a hig...The concentration of Radon in mines varies tremendously according to the country rock, type of mineralization and area. Ventilation is also an important factor. The absence of ventilation in mines tends to allow a higher concentration of Radon to build up. This is very dangerous for the miners work inside. In this present work, the radon gas concentration is practically measured in closed uranium prospect mine located at Gabal (G.) Gattar. CR-39 solid state nuclear track detector technique is used. It is found that the radon concentration is around 80 kBq m-3 and an effective ventilation rates should be applied if there will be further works in the future.展开更多
The Upper Cretaceous(early Cenomanian)Bahariya Formation of Egypt has an outstanding reputation for its wealth of vertebrate remains,including a variety of iconic dinosaurs,like the carnivorous Spinosaurus and Carchar...The Upper Cretaceous(early Cenomanian)Bahariya Formation of Egypt has an outstanding reputation for its wealth of vertebrate remains,including a variety of iconic dinosaurs,like the carnivorous Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus,as well as the herbivorous Aegyptosaurus and Paralititan.Besides these dinosaur fossils,the Bahariya Formation yielded also a wealth of invertebrate and plant remains,but even today many aspects concerning the continental palaeoenvironments reflected in these deposits(including the occurrence of palaeo-wildfires)have not been studied in detail.So far six distinct macro-charcoal bearing levels could be identified within the type section of the Bahariya Formation at Gabal El Dist profile,one of the most prolific outcrops of this formation in terms of fossil occurrence located in the north of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt.Most of the charcoal investigated by means of SEM originates from ferns,pointing to a considerable proportion of this plant group within the palaeo-ecosystems that experienced fires.Gymnosperms and(putative)angiosperms have less frequently been identified.The collected data present evidence that the landscapes at the northern shores of Gondwana repeatedly experienced palaeo-wildfires,adding extra proof to previous statements that the Late Cretaceous was a fiery world on a global scale.展开更多
文摘The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that the Gabal Marwa granites are classified as granodiorites and monzogranites.The monzogranites constitute the most predominant rock unit exposed in the study area.They have been subjected to hydrothermal alterations,especially along the shear zones.Sericitization,desilicification,nametasomatism and development of spotty or dendritic manganese oxides are the most pronounced alteration features.These alterations resulted in the increase of TiO2,Al2O3,FeOt,MnO,CaO,MgO,Na2O,K2O and Cr,Zr,Rb,Y and Sr and the decrease of SiO2,P2O5,Ni,Zn,Ba and Nb.Radiometric studies indicated that the altered granites belong to high thorium,high uranium granites.The U,Th,U and Th,Th/U,Th and U-K variation diagrams suggested that magmatic processes controlled the distribution of these elements but the effect of hydrothermal alteration processes were clearly distinct.The Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite,thorite,zircon,monazite and samarskite.Cinnabar and Mn minerals were also found.From the U,Th,Ra and K activity concentrations obtained for all the studied granitic samples,radium equivalent activity(Raeq),external hazard index(Hex),and internal hazard index(Hin),were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to human beings living in dwellings made of the studied granites.Altered monzogranites have radioactivity above the proposed acceptable level and,therefore,caution must be taken when these granites are used as building materials.
文摘The alkali feldspar granite of Gabal El Atawi is post orogenic granite originated from subalkaline magma in extensional suite. It is developed within plate tectonic setting and has A2-type character which generated from apparent crustal source. The petrographic, geochemical and radioactive characteristics of El Atawi granite meet and fulfill the requirements of being fertile granite and it can be considered as promising uraniferous granite. Fluid inclusion studies of the altered granite elucidated two different solutions acting on the host granitic pluton. The first is NaCl-CaCl low temperature fluid with a wide range of salinity. The second is high temperature and salinity Fe-Mg-Na chloride solution. Different fractures in the granite acted as good channels for the hydrothermal fluids that leached uranium from its bearing minerals disseminated all over the host granite and redeposited it in the alteration zones.
文摘Pitchblende mineralization was studied in the younger granite samples collected from Gabal Gattar, north Eastern Desert, Egypt using electron scanning microscope (ESM) and electron probe microanalyses (EPMA). This study revealed that this pitchblende contains significant Zr content reaching up to (66.80% ZrO2), which suggests that volcanic rocks were probably the source of such a deposit. High level emplaced high-K Calc-alkaline plutons as Qattar granite may have been associated with their volcanic equivalent emplaced in the surrounding area or now eroded. Lead content of the pitchblende mineralization is high and with moderate volcanics (up to 7.71% PbO). In contrast, it is low in ThO2, Y2O3 and REE2O3. High Zr and Pb content associated with pitchblende mineralization from Gattar granite indicates that the source of this mineralization derived from volcanic magma not from granitic magma. According to the calculation of U-Pb chemical ages using U, Th and Pb content measured with an electron microprobe for this pitchblende yielded ages within 543 - 657 Ma indicating a Pan-African age for this mineralization. This is the first time that a Pan-African age (543 to 657 Ma) is recorded for a U-mineralization in Gabal Gattar younger granite in the north Eastern Desert, Egypt.
文摘Geological, petrological and geochemical studies indicated that there are two distinct types of granitoid rocks: older quartz diorites to granodiorite assemblage and younger granitoids, the latter occurring in two phases. The older granitoids have a meta-aluminous chemistry and a calc-alkaline character, with high MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, P2O5, Sr and low SiO2, K2O, and Rb. Their major and trace elements data, together with low 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios (0.7029±0.0008) are indicative of I-type affinities. The second- and third-phase granitoids range from calc-alkaline to alkaline, respectively. The second-phase granitoids have a peraluminous chemistry and high Sr, Ba, CaO, MgO, Al2O3 and Ti2O and low SiO2, K2O, Nb, Y and Rb relative to the third-phase granitoids. The corundum normative nature and field observations suggested that it was formed by partial melting of the lower crust. The third-phase granitoids are alkaline in nature and characterized by higher SiO2, Rb, Y, Nb and lower MgO, Sr and Ba values than the younger granitoids (phase Ⅱ). They are A-type granitoids which were generated from below or within the existing continental crust.
文摘A crescent-shape granitic stock and associated dykes is located to the East Gabal Nuqra at the extreme western part of Wadi Natash,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The examined granites are classified as alkali-feldspar granites and mainly consist of quartz,potash feldspars,plagioclases,and aegirine-augite.Xenotime,zircon,apatite and allanite are accessories representing the source of Y,U,Th and REEs in these rocks.These granites are characterized by high K2O,Na2O and Zn contents and Rb/Sr ratio.Also,they are highly enriched in high field strength elements(HFSE),especially Zr(1529×10-6),Nb(100×10-6),Hf(91×10-6) and Y(624×10-6) and light rare-earth elements(LREE,141×10-6) concentrations and strongly depleted in Ca,Mg,Sr and Eu contents.These features suggest that they are similar to A-type granites(type-2).The rhyolite dykes and granites have similar geochemical characteristics whereas the chondrite-normalized REE patterns show a LREE enriched feature with strong negative Eu-anomaly,whereas the REE pattern of trachydacites show slightly fractionated pattern with no Eu-anomaly.It is suggested that the trachydacites were generated by small degree of partial-melting deep-seated basic source.Such liquid,when subjected to fractional crystallization involving separation of plagioclases as residue,generated the alkali-feldspar granites.And further fractional crystallization gave rise to the alkali rhyolites.The igneous rock suite originated from metaluminous to alkaline trachytic magma,and was developed in a within-plate tectonic environment.The extension caused by NW-SE right-lateral shear in area led to the emplacement of the alkali-feldspar granites.The later extrusion of the alkali rhyolite and trachydacite dykes was due to cauldron subsidence.
文摘In the south Eastern Desert of Egypt,two contrasting types of magmatism(mafic and felsic) are recorded in the Wadi Kalalat area,and form the Gabal El Motaghiarat and Gabal Batuga intrusions,respectively.The two intrusions post-dates ophiolitic and arc associations represented by serpentinite and metagabbro-diorite,respectively.The mafic intrusion has a basal ultramafic member represented by fresh peridotite,which is followed upward by olivine gabbro and anorthositic or leucogabbro.This mafic intrusion pertains to the Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Arabian-Nubian Shield(ANS)being of tholeiitic nature and emplaced in a typical arc setting.On the other hand,the Gabal Batuga intrusion comprises three varieties of fresh A-type granites of high K-calc alkaline nature,which is peraluminous and garnetbearing in parts.A narrow thermal aureole in the olivine gabbro of the mafic intrusion was developed due to the intrusion of the Batuga granites.This results in the development of a hornfelsic melagabbro variety in which the composition changed from tholeiitic to a calc-alkaline composition due to the addition of S_(i)O_(2),Al_(2)O_(3),alkalis,lithosphile elements(LILEs) such as Rb(70 ppm) and Y(28 ppm) from the felsic intrusion.Outside the thermal aureole,Rb amounts 2-8 ppm and Y lies in the range <2-6ppm.It is believed that the Gabal Batuga felsic intrusion started to emplace during the waning stage of an arc system,with transition from the pre-collisional(i.e.,arc setting) to post-collisional and within plate settings.Magma from which the Gabal Batuga granites were fractionated is high-K calc-alkaline giving rise to a typical post-collisional A-type granite(A_(2)-subtype) indicating an origin from an underplating crustal source.Accordingly,it is stressed here that the younger granites in the ANS are not exclusively post-collisional and within-plate but most likely they started to develop before closure of the arc system.The possible source(s) of mafic magmas that resulted in the formation of the two intrusions are discussed.Mineralogical and geochemical data of the post-intrusion dykes(mafic and felsic) suggest typical active continental rift/within-plate settings.
文摘The present study deals with the detailed field geology,mineralogy,geochemistry,and spectrometric prospection of rare metals and radioactive minerals associated with granitic pegmatites in the Gabal Um LassafAbu Dob-Um Atelia-Kadabora-Kab El Rakeb area(LDAKK),which are situated in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt.The study area is composed of granodiorites and monzogranites.The latter is dissected by granitic pegmatites with a discriminatory distribution of economically important mineralization(rare-metals and U-Th minerals).The granitic pegmatites display a zoning structure composed of feldspar-rich zones enveloping pockets of mica(mostly muscovite) and all zoning internal quartz core.Microscopically,the monzogranite and granitic pegmatites are composed of potash-feldspar,albite,and quartz with a small amount of biotite and muscovite.The mineralogical investigation of the highly radioactive zones in the granitic pegmatite shows enrichment in kasolite,uranothorite,thorite,xenotime,columbite,zircon,bismuth,and galena.Geochemically,the granitic pegmatites are enriched with high field strength elements(HFSE;Zr,Nb,Th,and U) and ion lithophilic elements(LILE;Rb,and Pb) and depleted in Ba,Sr,and Eu.They are strongly peralkaline to metalumainous except for two samples,which are peraluminous.They are formed by partial melting of metagreywackes at depth.The studied granitic pegmatites could belong to the NYF family(Niobium-Yttrium-Fluorine family) according to the geochemistry of the trace elements.The studied granitic pegmatites show deep negative Eu anomaly and display a strong M-type tetrad effect of rare earth elements.The field spectroscopy measurements showed the localization of the radiometric anomalous associated with the granitic pegmatites,which are intruded in the granitic host rocks.Their eU and eTh contents reached up to 316 and 1367 ppm,respectively.Uranium and thorium occurrences in the investigated granitic pegmatites are related to magmatic(syngenetic)origin with hydrothermal(epigenetic) input.The magmatic mineralization is evidenced by the occurrence of thorite and zircon,whilst the hydrothermal activity is represented by alteration of feldspars and formation of pyrite and iron oxides associated with the radioactive minerals.The high concentrations of uranium and rare metals mineralization in the investigated granitic pegmatites make them a target to exploration and to enlarge the potentiality of the highly mineralized zones.
文摘The concentration of Radon in mines varies tremendously according to the country rock, type of mineralization and area. Ventilation is also an important factor. The absence of ventilation in mines tends to allow a higher concentration of Radon to build up. This is very dangerous for the miners work inside. In this present work, the radon gas concentration is practically measured in closed uranium prospect mine located at Gabal (G.) Gattar. CR-39 solid state nuclear track detector technique is used. It is found that the radon concentration is around 80 kBq m-3 and an effective ventilation rates should be applied if there will be further works in the future.
基金support by Coordenadoria de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-CAPES(A072/2013 and 8107-14-9)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq(444330/2014-3,305436/2015-5)Brazil and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation(3.4-8151/18 025),Germany
文摘The Upper Cretaceous(early Cenomanian)Bahariya Formation of Egypt has an outstanding reputation for its wealth of vertebrate remains,including a variety of iconic dinosaurs,like the carnivorous Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus,as well as the herbivorous Aegyptosaurus and Paralititan.Besides these dinosaur fossils,the Bahariya Formation yielded also a wealth of invertebrate and plant remains,but even today many aspects concerning the continental palaeoenvironments reflected in these deposits(including the occurrence of palaeo-wildfires)have not been studied in detail.So far six distinct macro-charcoal bearing levels could be identified within the type section of the Bahariya Formation at Gabal El Dist profile,one of the most prolific outcrops of this formation in terms of fossil occurrence located in the north of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt.Most of the charcoal investigated by means of SEM originates from ferns,pointing to a considerable proportion of this plant group within the palaeo-ecosystems that experienced fires.Gymnosperms and(putative)angiosperms have less frequently been identified.The collected data present evidence that the landscapes at the northern shores of Gondwana repeatedly experienced palaeo-wildfires,adding extra proof to previous statements that the Late Cretaceous was a fiery world on a global scale.
