Multi‐Parameter Investigation of Cretaceous to Palaeocene Sedimentary Sequences in the Anambra and Niger Delta Basins, Nigeria: Organic Matter Characterisation, Palynofacies and Implications for Palaeoclimate and Sea‐Level Changes

ABSTRACT The Anambra Basin of Nigeria, part of the larger West and Central African Rift System (WCARS) across Africa, contains primarily Cretaceous to Palaeocene shallow to marginal marine and freshwater sedimentary deposits. The organic‐rich deposits of the Cretaceous Nkporo and Mamu formations within the Anambra Basin and the Palaeocene Imo Formation of the Niger Delta Basin constitute important conventional source rocks. Despite its economic significance, research on organic matter characterisation, palynofacies, sea‐level fluctuations, palaeoclimate, hydrogeography, basin restriction, palaeobathymetry and the factors controlling organic matter preservation remains largely undocumented. The here presented new inorganic and organic geochemical and organic petrography data of the Cretaceous to Palaeocene deposits serve to refine the regional interpretation at a basinal scale and within the supra‐regional context of the WCARS. Geochemical palaeotemperature proxies suggest a warm and humid tropical palaeoclimate during the Late Cretaceous within the study area. Furthermore, the measured TOC values indicate poor to very good organic content. Palynofacies analysis revealed high abundances of opaque and translucent phytoclasts and low amounts of palynomorphs with negligible amorphous organic matter (AOM) in the studied mudrocks. Two palynofacies groups suggest shallow‐marine conditions in a proximal shelf setting and a heterolithic oxic basin. The palynofacies of the upper Imo Formation reveal higher percentages of dinoflagellate cysts during the early highstand phase, with equidimensional, opaque phytoclasts representing the maximum flooding phase, accompanied by warmer conditions. Additionally, abundant terrestrial phytoclasts, Deltoidospora spp., Classopollis spp. and geochemical indicators collectively indicate warm tropical climatic conditions consistent with geochemical interpretations. The palaeobathymetry reconstructions suggest a shallow seaway during the Upper Cretaceous in the Anambra Basin.