Global Journal of Earth and Environmental Science

Palynofacies and palynological studies were carried out within Rivers and Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta area, bounded by longitudes 006°10” E and 006°50” E and latitudes 4°48” N and 5°20” N. The study area includes locations in Mbiama town in Bayelsa State and Elibrada-Emohua town in Rivers State respectively. A total number of sixteen samples comprising sandstone and siltstone were collected across a geographic spread from Mbiama town in Bayelsa State and Elibrada-Emohua town. The fieldwork was carried out with the aid of a hand auger and a hand trowel was used to collect both surface and sub-surface samples (a few meters deep) were collected using the “pinch” method. Samples were prepared for palynological analysis. About 5 grams of each sample was placed in a labelled cup in which 100 ml of 70% hydrofluoric acid (HF) was added with palynomorphs from the other rock debris by digesting the silica in the sample. The samples were then washed and the slides were prepared. A portion of the kerogen was mixed with 0.1% PVA solution, pipette onto a cover slip and allowed to dry. The coverslips were mounted upon a microscope slide using Norland adhesives. The slides were properly labelled and observed under a research microscope through which a snapshot was taken. The palynologic analysis yielded Nympheapollis clarus (40%). Fenestrites spinosus (20%), Cyperaceapollis sp (30%), Classpollis sp (10%). Echitriporites sp (20%) and Praedapollis africanus (40%) which corresponds to the Reitricolporites sp, Proxaporities operculatus, Elaeis guineensis, Echitricolporites spinosus, Retitricolporite sp, Monoporites annulatus and proxaporities operculatus; all from Benin formation. The samples yielded pollen, spores, fungal spores, dinoflagellate and diatom. The identification of these palynomorphs helped to generate a percentage distribution paleogeographic chart showing the occurrences of the different palynomorph groups, Six biozones were recognized, The first consists of Echtricolporites sp, the second, third and fourth zones (Nympheapollis clarus, Elaeis guinensis, and Zonocostites ramonae zones respectively) which are consistent with the presence of tidal flats environments characterized by fresh water swamp and fifth and sixth zones consists of the Retimonocolpites sp zone and Psilatricolporites sp zone respectively, indicating sedimentation in marine environments and mangrove vegetation.