Foraminifera abundance and diversity study of the succession penetrated by the drill in MF-3 Well: Indicator of the quality of the Sedimentary Environment, Niger Delta Basin, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Kinrin-ola, J.O. And *Ojeaga, K.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21047868
ABSTRACT
Foraminifera abundance and diversity of ditch cutting samples of the succession penetrated by the drill in MF-3 Well, Niger Delta Basin, Southern Nigeria were studied with the aim of evaluating the quality of the sedimentary environment. Five (5) ditch cutting samples collected from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) composited between predetermined depths 11,550 ft to 11,790 ft in the MF-3 Well located in the Niger Delta Basin were processed for foraminifera analysis. The study was carried out using standard micropaleontological sample procedures and analysis. A biostratigraphical distribution table embracing planktic, calcareous benthic and agglutinating benthic foraminifera was generated for the well. A total of one hundred and sixteen (116) foraminifera species were recovered; one (1) planktic, Seventy five (75) calcareous benthic and forty (40) agglutinating benthic. The benthic foraminifera were moderately counted while planktic foraminifera were poorly represented, representing 99.1% benthic and 0.9% planktic. The foraminifera genera Ammonia, Ammobaculites and Trochammina were recorded in the recovered samples with Ammonia being the dominant genera in the analyzed interval of the well section. The abundance of Ammonia was 18.9%, Ammobaculites is 2.6% and Trochammina is 5.2%. Ten (10), seven (7), eleven (11), eleven (11) and thirteen (13) species diversity were recorded at the analyzed section of the well. The occurrence of Ammonia, Ammobaculites, and Trochammina in the MF-3 Well intervals indicates reduced oxygen conditions, shifts in species diversity and abundance, and increased organic pollution. These features suggest environmental degradation of the sedimentary setting in the Niger Delta Basin, likely influenced by metal contamination.
Affiliations: Department of Geophysical Science Laboratory Technology, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Biostratigraphy, Abundance, Niger Delta Basin, Diversity, Benthic, Planktic
Published date: 2026/06/30
